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Is Show Choir a sport?

Author

Matthew Barrera

Updated on May 04, 2026

Show choir should be viewed as an art form that requires some athletic skill, not considered a sport on its own. There are other types of arts that demand tremendous strength, such as ballet or aerial dance, yet these activities aren't sports either. They are not based and judged on athletic ability alone.

Is singing in a choir a sport?

Singing, or choir, is a collaborative practice, just like the sport. The same barriers have to be overcome in order to include or participate.

Is show choir a real thing?

A show choir (originally known as a "swing choir") is a musical ensemble that combines choral singing with choreographed dance, often with an overarching theme. It is most relevant in the Midwestern United States and was popularized by the American television show Glee.

What kind of dance is show choir?

Show choir is a performance that combines choral singing along with choreography. It's continuing to become more and more common in schools throughout the United States with the competitive season taking place during the winter and spring months often culminating with a competition between multiple schools.

What do show choirs do?

A show choir combines choral singing with dance. The members perform together and compete their routines at competitions. This style of choir was popularized in the television show “Glee.” Show choir members spend months perfecting their shows to compete.

Show choir is a sport (ft:our dear leader)

Why is show choir a sport?

The definition of a 'sport” is 'an activity involving physical exertion or skill in which an individual or a team competes against another or others for entertainment.” Show choir fits that definition because it is one of the most physically exerting activities around.

Is Glee a show choir?

Show choirs and glee clubs differ from traditional choirs in that the students use choreography, costumes, set changes and live music. But the activity can be expensive, because it requires elaborate sets and travel expenses. Often, teachers must hire outside choreographers. Booster clubs usually fund the programs.

Who invented show choir?

And their music director, F. Ritchie Walton, bears the unofficial title of the Father of Show Choir. The 26th Street Singers competed against 14 teams the next year, and won again.

How do I get better at show choir?

Practice your dances outside of designated practice times with a friend or two. Help and encourage one another. Learn your vocals and really project your voice. Don't fade away as you get to a difficult dance break or if you must spin away from the audience.

How do you qualify for show choir Nationals?

Show Choir National Finals Format & Qualification

  1. Immediate past National Champion or National First Runner-UP.
  2. Grand Champion at a sanctioned* Regional Show Choir Competition.
  3. Submit Application with audition for review by selection committee.

Why was Glee Cancelled?

In 2013, in the wake of the death of Cory Monteith, and after his tribute episode "The Quarterback" aired, Murphy announced that the sixth season would be the final one of the series. After 121 episodes and over 729 music performances, the series came to an end on March 20, 2015.

Do high schools actually have glee clubs?

The term remains in contemporary use, for choirs established in North American colleges, universities, and high schools, although most American glee clubs are choruses in the standard sense, and rarely perform glees.

How accurate is Glee?

Most of the students there agree with their counterparts that “Glee” has been great publicity for show choirs in general, but the students don't think the show offers an accurate portrayal of what their world is all about.

Why is show choir not a sport?

Show choir should be viewed as an art form that requires some athletic skill, not considered a sport on its own. There are other types of arts that demand tremendous strength, such as ballet or aerial dance, yet these activities aren't sports either. They are not based and judged on athletic ability alone.

Is music a sport?

No it is not a sport.

Is cheerleading a sport?

But unlike football, cheerleading is not officially recognized as a sport — neither by the NCAA nor by U.S. federal Title IX guidelines.

What do you wear to a show choir audition?

Dress the Part

Essentially, dress for the audition the way you would for classy date. Don't wear jeans and sweatshirts, and avoid clothing that's too tight–you're already going to be nervous, the last thing you want to worry about is breathing in a dress that's too small.

What should I sing for a choir audition?

You'll want to select a simple audition song (or two) that shows you off. Many choral groups will specify acceptable genres, but you can never go wrong with a short art song or classic musical theater piece. Suggested composers include Brahms, Faure, Quilter, and Rodgers, and Hammerstein.

When did show choirs start?

Show choir, a blend of music, theater and choreography, started in the early 1970s, primarily in the Midwest, said Tom Maupin, Northrop's 16-year veteran show choir director who also leads all the choirs and teaches music theory.

How do show choir competitions work?

Many competition sites only take cash for tickets and concessions. Some sites offer tickets/wristbands for day, finals, or combo. Some schools offer photography or video recordings for purchase. Some offer spirit wear sales with clothing and choir buttons for sale.

How did show choir start?

Show choir as we know it today, arrived by way of technology… and Waring rode that technological train all the way from phonographs, to radio, to synchronized sound (talking pictures), to television in 1949. Absolutely, Fred Waring and The Pennsylvanians were the inspiration for the country's first “swing choirs”.

Does glee stand for anything?

Glee derives from the Old English glēo, meaning “mirth, jesting, entertainment, music.” A gleeman was a name for a professional entertainer.

What high school is glee based off of?

But in real life, the inspiration for the show sprung from one actor-turned-writer's experience at Prospect High School in northwest suburban Mt. Prospect. Ian Brennan, 31, based the show's initial script on his four years at Prospect High in the 1990s.

What show choir is glee based on?

“In fact, it is widely understood in the industry that the television show 'Glee' was based upon the Burbank Show Choirs, with input from Defendant Brett Carroll.” The group's fame makes its performances highly lucrative.