Butler Vocal Music Held 42nd Annual Show Choir Festival

The Vocal Department of Butler Community College hosted the 42nd Show Choir Festival, Building for Today, on Friday, Oct. 10. The KSHSAA-approved invitational consisted of a private clinic with a special guest clinician, workshops and a festival finale performance by Butler Headliners.

Invited schools include El Dorado High School, Augusta High School, Circle High School, Ark City High School, Madison High School, Andover High School and more. There will be another festival held on Monday, November 3 to host schools on a wait list due to festival popularity.

Choral Director/Worship Director Patrick Ribar from Omaha Nebraska served as the guest clinician and Madison Underkofler from Music Theatre of Wichita and Butler Vocal Music alum led students in choreography. Dance faculty modeled a theatre combination to a song from “Wicked” and smaller breakout groups offered choreography, auditioning and performing lessons. Participants were also able to attend a hip hop workshop and sing and tag with Butler’s barbershop quartets.

Each year, students are given the chance to audition at the festival for an in-state books and tuition scholarship. These are awarded after auditions and are available to students regardless of their intended major by the Arts, Digital Media & Communications division.

The annual festival has sparked interest and growing numbers in performing arts among high schools that have attended. Many students who have participated in the event have joined Butler’s performing arts after high school.

Butler Vocal’s Show Choir Festival is an annual, invitation-only festival with limited seats. All festival participants were invited to attend the Butler Vocal Music Concert at no cost the following day.