The music that permeates throughout the Bryce Jordan Center during the Penn State Interfraternity Council/Panhellenic Dance Marathon every year plays a crucial role in the energy level of the dancers.
This year’s THON was filled with a variety of song selections that ranged from dance hits to ballads. Each selection had the same fundamental idea –– to keep dancers enthused.
The THON entertainment committee tried to make sure that the music played during the off hours was not too repetitive and kept everyone upbeat.
Overall Entertainment Chairman Joey Cassidy said that he and disc jockey Larry Moore compiled a list of songs that were popular on the radio and would have everyone singing along.
Moore has been DJing for over twenty years and has seen THON move from the White Building to the Bryce Jordan Center, Cassidy said.
“Larry has been around THON for a long time and knows the types of music that people like and [what] will work,” Cassidy (senior-secondary education) said.
But inevitably, some songs were replayed various times throughout the 46 hours in the BJC, whether it was by cover bands performing or through the speaker system.
“ ‘Don't You Worry Child’ has been covered by a lot of bands," Alex Hamborsky (sophomore-nuclear engineering) said.
Some of the popular songs also heard throughout the weekend included “Livin’ on a Prayer,” “Your Love is My Love” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” Cassidy said.
Some songs they are trying to avoid over-playing included anything by Justin Bieber, “Call Me Maybe,” and “Diamonds,” he said.
Some students appreciated the efforts.
"It's nothing noticeable," Mike Dunne (sophomore-industrial engineering) said about repeated songs.
Whether they chose them for sentimental value or just to get the crowd going, the THON 2013 dancers were also given the chance to be jockey for maybe a song or two, which added to the repetitive nature of the music selection.
Dancers are given the chance to select two songs to play during THON weekend in a survey all dancers take before the weekend.
For dancer Catherine DeLuce the choice was simple.
"Any Backstreet Boys song because I am a Backstreet girl," she said. Nothing specific required, just anything "upbeat and classic from the boys," she said.
The Backstreet Boys performed in the first concert DeLuce attended while she was in first grade. Her aunt was able to introduce her to the band, and her aunt is what inspired her to become a THON dancer.
DeLuce's aunt battled breast cancer for the past eight years and died in January. She is part of the reason DeLuce wrote on her survey that any Backstreet Boys music would keep her dancing.
Sean McDermott concentrated more on the overall atmosphere of the BJC while debating his song selection. His first choice was easy: “Gangnam Style" by PSY.
“I want to see everyone in the BJC do it," he said. "It'd be hilarious."
For his second choice, he reflected more on the atmosphere of THON: "Good Time" by Carly Rae Jepson and Owl City.
“The lyrics are good for THON," he said, continuing that a lot of the lyrics are what THON is about.
As for what students did not want to hear, Lindsay Grossman (freshman-communications) said she found “Cotton-Eyed Joe” annoying.
Collegian staff writers Maria Bryant, Courtney Gontz and Kelsey Tamborrino contributed to this report.
