20 Choirs to Compete at the 2011 "Norwell Invitational"

Show choir competition returns to Wells County this weekend with 20 visiting choirs scheduled to compete at Saturday’s "2011 Norwell Invitational".

Competition will start shortly after 8:45 a.m., in both the high school auditorium and 9:30 a.m. in the gymnasium. There will be six groups of competition this year, with both large and small mixed show choir divisions being contested. Other divisions will be middle school and also women’s show choir, concert choir, and solo.

Last year, Center Grove came north and swept the competition winning the Mixed Show Choir, Women’s Show Choir and Concert Choir divisions, and also the Grand Champion title. Amanda Belkamp from Center Grove also won the solo division.

Center Grove won’t be competing this year, ensuring new champions will be crowned in all these divisions. 2009 Grand Champions Northrop, who didn’t attend last year, will be back, competing in the Large Mixed Choir Division.

The Women’s Show Choir, Small Mixed Show Choir, Concert Choir, and Middle School Show Choir divisions will all be held in the high school auditorium. The Large Mixed Show Choir Division and the evening program will be held in the high school gymnasium.

As host school, Norwell is not eligible to compete, however the "Knight Sounds", "Knight Stars" and "Knight Moves" (all pictured above) will provide exhibition performances.

At approximately 5 p.m. in the gymnasium, a preliminary awards presentation will take place along with the announcement of the choirs and soloists that have progressed to the evening session. The final awards will be presented at the conclusion of the evening session, and are scheduled to begin at approximately midnight.

There is a $14 admission fee for the full day, or $10 each for only the morning/afternoon or evening sessions. Lunch and dinner will be served in the cafeteria, but is not included in the cost of admission. Dinner will be catered by the Back 40 Junction restaurant.

The full performance schedule is as follows:

Large Mixed Show Choir Division (gymnasium):
9:35 - Roncalli
10:10 - Northside
10:45 - Churubusco
11:20 - Plainfield
12 - Lunch break
1:30 - Northridge
2:05 - Huntington North
2:40 - Findlay
3:15 - Shelbyville
3:50 - Northrop
4:30 - Norwell “Knight Stars” (Exhibition only)

Middle School Show Choir Division (auditorium):
8:45 - Miami Middle School
9:15 - Indian Springs

Small Mixed Show Choir Division (auditorium):
9:45 - Decatur Central
10:20 - Pendleton Heights
10:55 - Columbia City
11:30 - Whiteland
12:05 - Norwell “Knight Sounds” (Exhibition only)

Women’s Show Choir Division (auditorium):
2 - Columbia City
2:30 - Northrop
3 - Plainfield

Concert Choir Division (auditorium):
3:45 - Northridge
4:05 - Huntington North

Evening Session (gymnasium):
6:30 - Solo competition finalists (3)
7 - Women’s Choir Finalists (3)
8:30 - Mixed Choir Finalists (6)
11:30 - Norwell “Knight Moves” (Exhibition)
Midnight - Final awards presentation.

See you there!