Show Choir
It all started here
Bishop Luers is proud to be the place where high school swing choir competition began more than 35 years ago...
In January of 1975 the Minstrels, the swing choir at Bishop Luers High School, conceived the idea of organizing and hosting a swing choir contest. The Minstrels felt they and other young groups might learn and benefit by observing some of the area's most distinguished choirs performing in an open competition. They felt it would help stimulate a wider interest in and appreciation for swing shoirs by making it possible for many groups to perform the same day before large audiences.
In less than two months, judges were contacted, rules were established,and trophies acquired.Seven fine swing choirs were invited to perform. The idea worked so well that the following year fifteen high school groups were invited to the contest.
By 1979, twenty swing choirs from around the Midwest accepted the challenge of coming to Fort Wayne to compete for trophies and medals. That year, more than 600 students and 1,500 parents attended the contest.
The local PBS station broadcasted the early years of the competition, and in 1983, the program aired on PBS stations around the country. That let to international exposure and growth in swing choir competitions around the country.
The yearly invitation to participate in the Bishop Luers High School Annual Show Choir Invitational is mailed to over 250 show choirs throughout the country, and appears on Show Choir websites. Show choirs then register and are accepted on a first come, first serve basis for the Invitational. Welcome packets are mailed and another Invitational is under way!
In 1994, the 20th anniversary was marked with a special swing choir directed by the founder, Father Fred Link. In 2004, the 30th anniversary Bishop Luers Show Choir Invitational marked another milestone in Minstrel history. Father Fred returned to welcome 18 choirs and a large group of Minstrel alumni who gathered to celebrate this outstanding accomplishment.
2012 Show Choir Invitational, March 2nd and March 3rd
Friday, March 2nd, Bishop Luers will be hosting a Middle School Competition. Schedule of Choirs to be posted
Saturday, March 3rd, Bishop Luers will be conducting their 38th Annual Show Choir Competition. Schedule of Choirs to be posted
Knight Stars
- The Knight Stars are an elite women's group. Members commit themselves to an extensive performance schedule. The Knight Stars meet for three hours a week on average outside the regular school day. Membership to the Knight Stars are by audtion only.
-
2012 Performance Schedule
- January 8, 2012-
Cabaret Knight
Bishop Luers High School - January 28, 2012-
Bishop Dwenger
Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, IN
Results - February 18, 2012-
Homestead Invitational
Homestead High School
Fort Wayne, IN
Results - February 25, 2012-
Lawrence Central Invitational
Lawrence Central High School
7300 E 56th St.,
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Results - March 3, 2012-
Bishop Luers Midwest Invitational
Bishop Luers High School - March 10, 2012-
FAME
Orlando, Florida
Results - March 17, 2012-
ISSMA
Plainfield High School
Indianapolis, IN
Results
- January 8, 2012-
Minstrels
The Minstrels study and perform music of the pop/rock/jazz idiom. Members commit themselves to an extensive performance schedule. Minstrels meet for five hours a week on average outside of the regular school day. Membership to the Minstrels are by audition only. Auditions are held in the spring of the year before school begins. Auditions are open to all registered students 9-12. The Minstrels are a premiere-performing group.
2012 Performance Schedule
- January 8, 2012-
Cabaret Knight
Bishop Luers High School - January 14, 2012-
Twin Lakes Invitational
Twin Lakes High School
300 S 3rd Street, Monticello, IN 47960
Results - January 28, 2012-
Bishop Dwenger
Bishop Dwenger High School, Fort Wayne, IN
Results - February 4, 2012-
Findlay Fest
Findlay High School
1200 Broad Avenue
Findlay, OH 45840
Results - February 11, 2012-
Shelbyville High School
2003 South Miller Street
Shelbyville, IN 46176
Results - February 18, 2012-
Homestead Invitational
Homestead High School
Fort Wayne, IN
Results - February 25, 2012-
Lawrence Central Invitational
Lawrence Central High School
7300 East 56th St.
Indianapolis, IN 46226
Results - March 3, 2012-
Bishop Luers Midwest Invitational
Bishop Luers High School - March 10, 2012-
FAME
Orlando, Florida
Results - March 17, 2012-
ISSMA
Plainfield High School
Indianapolis, IN
Results