HOME OF THE LONGEST RUNNING SHOW CHOIR INVITATIONAL IN THE NATION!
Bishop Luers is proud to be the place where high school swing choir competition began more than 40 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.
THE MINSTREL - PREMIERE MIXED GROUP 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.
REIGNING KNIGHTS - MEN'S GROUP The Reigning Knights are an elite men's group. Members commit themselves to an extensive performance schedule. The Reigning Knights meet for three hours a week on average outside the regular school day.
Bishop Luers is proud to be the place where high school swing choir competition began more than 40 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.
THE MINSTREL - PREMIERE MIXED GROUP 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.
REIGNING KNIGHTS - MEN'S GROUP The Reigning Knights are an elite men's group. Members commit themselves to an extensive performance schedule. The Reigning Knights meet for three hours a week on average outside the regular school day.