Competitions
Many show choirs participate in competitions, sometimes called "invitationals" (though most are not invitation-only events). These competitions are often held at the high school where the "host group" attends, though some events are held at auditoriums or other facilities that can accommodate larger crowds and provide better acoustic performance. The show choir hosts usually do not compete in their own competitions as it is considered an inappropriate conflict of interest. However, they will typically perform a non-competitive "exhibition show".
Competitions can be as small as a showcase of a few groups from the immediate geographic area or they can feature many groups from multiple states. Because of the vast difference in sizes of the competitions, they can last a single afternoon or span an entire weekend. Competitions may separate competing choirs into different divisions. These divisions are often determined by age, skill level, size of the school or choir, and/or gender of the participants. The different divisions may take place at a different time, day, or at a different location or venue, though usually within the same school or close geographic area.
Some states' high school music associations require that a competition be sanctioned by their guidelines. In some states—most notably Iowa—if competitions are held without a sanction, the host school or district can lose privileges from the music association for a number of years. Due to the differences in rules between state music associations, controversies can arise stemming from rule violations that may not have been made clear.
Although competitions are a showcase for the arts, they also function as fundraising events for the group who hosts. Show choir competitions can bring in very large amounts of profit if well-planned, well-publicized, and well-attended by performing groups and spectators. Because many competitions can run an entire day or more, most competitions offer concessions for sale and take in profit from those sales as well. These profits go directly to support the group, while the events are run by volunteers from the host school. The largest of show choir competitions can draw between 3,000 and 7,000 spectators over the course of the event.
Whereas competitions reward groups based on their performances, another kind of show choir format exists called a "festival". Sometimes the term festival is used incorrectly when referencing a competition or a non-competitive event, as the traditional festival usually has a rating system for each choir (versus a traditional head-to-head competition).
For approximately the past 25 years, "National Competitions" have become a prized destination for many show choirs. These events, typically held in a tourist destination such as Orlando, Florida; Nashville, Tennessee; Hollywood, California; Branson, Missouri; Chicago, Illinois or New York City draw choirs from all over the nation and offer the opportunity for groups to compete against other choirs from outside their normal circuits. These competitions are hosted by for-profit companies (not affiliated with any high school) that sell complete trips and packages to the participating choirs. These competitions are generally hosted in state-of-the-art venues with professional stage, lighting and sound. Some of these events offer a performance from a designated "host choir" as well, though their duties are usually little more than an exhibition (non-competitive) performance for the competing groups. Choirs who take home top honors at a "national competition" often like to declare that they are the "Best in the Nation,", though no such award exists from any official governing body. Some national competitions include: Show Choir Nationals, FAME Events, Showstoppers (now defunct), and Finale Nationals. In 2011 and 2012, FAME Events attempted to crown a "true national champion" through regional qualifying events and then a national finals. Wheaton Warrenville South The Classics were crowned national champion at the FAME National Finals in both 2011 and 2012. in 2013, the National Finals were held in Chicago, Illinois. John Burroughs Powerhouse was named National Champion.
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