HOLMEN, Wis. — Get your jazz hands ready! Holmen High School and Holmen Middle School will host their annual two-day Show Choir Invitational on Friday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 10, welcoming thousands of students, families, and spectators to the community for one of the region’s largest performing arts events.
Now in its 29th year, the Holmen Show Choir Invitational , known as the Gathering at Holmen , is the first show choir competition of the season, drawing five middle school choirs on Friday and 19 high school choirs on Saturday from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota.
Because it opens the competitive season, the event places a strong emphasis on education, feedback, and community.
“Our goal is to create an environment that feels supportive, organized, and educational,” organizers said. “This weekend is about helping students understand where they are and where they’re headed…musically, emotionally, and professionally.”
Each ensemble receives detailed critiques from experienced clinicians, with feedback designed to guide growth throughout the season. For many programs, Gathering helps set the tone for the year ahead.
In addition to full show choir performances, the weekend includes exhibition performances by Holmen’s host ensembles and a Solo & Ensemble competition, bringing hundreds of student performers to campus alongside directors, adjudicators, families, and volunteers.
Most importantly, the invitational reflects the Holmen School District’s continued commitment to the performing arts and music education.
“While athletics are often highly visible, this event highlights the discipline, teamwork, creativity, and leadership developed through the arts,” organizers said. “Hosting Gathering is a statement that music education matters and student expression deserves to be celebrated.”
The event is made possible through the combined efforts of the Holmen Show Choir Board, competition chairs, music staff, administrators, custodial and IT teams, clinicians, adjudicators, and a large base of parent and student volunteers. All Holmen show choir families participate in volunteering throughout the weekend.
“It truly takes a village,” organizers said. “We are fortunate to have incredible community support behind this event.”
Finally, “Gathering is about more than competition,” the directors said. “It’s about students feeling seen, supported, and inspired at the very start of their season. We’re proud to host an event that reflects those values.”
Holmen Exhibition Performance Times
Friday, Jan. 9
- 5:30 p.m. — Holmen High Midwest Express
- 7:20 p.m. — Holmen High Midwest Legacy
- 9:20 p.m. — Holmen Middle Midwest Connection
Saturday, Jan. 10
- 5:30 p.m. — Holmen Middle Midwest Connection
- 5:45 p.m. — Holmen High Midwest Express
- 10:15 p.m. — Holmen High Midwest Legacy
Admission Prices
- $25 — All-Weekend Pass
- $15 — K–12 Student All-Weekend Pass
- $10 — Friday Night Only
- $15 — Saturday Prelims Only
- $10 — Saturday Finals Only
- $20 — Saturday All Day
- Free — Children 4 and under
- $6 — Printed Competition Program
