Butler Vocal Music Hosts 41st Show Choir Festival

Butler Community College’s Vocal Music Department hosted 16 area schools during the two-day 41st Annual Show Choir Festival, held October 10 and November 6. High school groups performed during the invitation-only festival, along with Butler ensembles Headliners, Smorgaschords, Noteables, A Cappella, Chamber Singers and a newly formed men’s group, Gold Standard.

In addition to the various performances, junior and senior high school students auditioned for books and tuition scholarships throughout the day. 

“Participating high schools were thrilled with the performances and each school received critiques and recordings of their performance, said Vocal Music Department Chair Valerie Mack, who has participated in 34 of Butler’s Show Choir Festivals. “In addition, each school will receive photos from the day and be able to continue to learn from the day’s activities.” 

Several special guests graced the festival, including Hunter Lehman, who has extensive professional experience as a cruise ship performer, a national dance competition judge and a Broadway tour. The festival also featured Brian Marcum of Music Theatre of Wichita and Butler Vocal Music alumna Madison Underkofler, who taught a hip hop session and a music theatre audition piece.

Butler vocal music students served as on-stage emcees as well as working behind the scenes running hospitality rooms, communicating with high schools and spending many hours before and after the festival. Mack was also extremely grateful for the help she received from other Butler departments. “The department would like to thank Jan Stitt and her Great Western Dining team, technical theatre students led by Caden Runnalls, the Butler Bookstore and Information Services,” she said.

The department is looking to expand the number of high schools and performers for future festivals.

Participating high schools, listed in alphabetical order, include:

Andale  

Andover  

Augusta  

Blue Valley  

Chaparral  

Chase County  

Circle  

Clearwater  

Collegiate  

El Dorado  

Holton  

Home School  

Hugoton  

Maize  

Maize South

Minneapolis

Mulvane  

Newton  

Topeka Seaman  

Trinity Academy

Learn about vocal music and Fine Arts scholarship opportunities available to all majors: https://www.butlercc.edu/info/20118/music-education/49/fine-arts-and-communication-scholarships.