Batesville Singers Make School History by Qualifying for State Show Choir Finals

Show choir has been a vital part of the BHS culture since the early 1970s.

Photo provided.

(Batesville, Ind.) - For the first time in school history, Batesville Singers, the mixed-gender show choir from Batesville High School, has qualified for the Indiana State School Music Association (ISSMA) state show choir finals. To earn a berth at the finals to be held on March 21, the average of Batesville’s top two scores from the competition season at ISSMA-sanctioned events had to rank among the best in the state.

Batesville Singers will compete in the Small Mixed Show Choir Division, which includes high schools with enrollments up to 1,524 students—some more than twice the size of Batesville High School. Qualifying for the state finals against significantly larger schools is a testament to the exceptional talent, dedication, and hard work of the group and its creative team throughout the season.

In its fourth year under the direction of Batesville High School (BHS) Choir Director Dan Borns, Batesville Singers’ members rehearse during their dedicated class time at school but also commit themselves to refining their skills at multiple after-school practices every week. Clovis Hudnall, a Ball State University junior majoring in vocal music education, serves Borns as the group’s assistant director.

"I am extremely proud of our students for all of the hard work they have put in this year,” Borns said. “It is incredible to see the results of that work being rewarded with our choir qualifying for the ISSMA State Show Choir Finals. The community should be really excited for the students and should plan to come out and support them at the event."

Batesville’s competition show this season, titled “Game Night,” tells the story of friends gathering for an evening of board games when they suddenly find themselves transported into the games themselves. The performance takes the audience on a journey through songs that describe Monopoly, Sorry!, Clue, Battleship, and Chess before the group ultimately decides to “Go Big or Go Home” at the end of its adventurous night. The high-energy show is choreographed by Brooklyn Bruner.

Numerous nonprofit organizations in the Batesville area support the ensemble’s success. The Batesville Music Boosters serve as the primary source of support for music programs in the Batesville Community School Corporation (BCSC) and hosted a show choir event in late January to help launch the season. The Batesville Area Arts Council provides annual support for the program, including funding for choreography and guest clinicians to enhance the show choir’s performance. The Batesville Community Education Foundation also supported the purchase of choreography mirrors to help students refine their performance techniques.

Show choir has been a vital part of the BHS culture since the early 1970s. This year’s auditioned ensemble includes 42 singers ranging from freshmen to seniors. Members perform regularly throughout the school year in the community and serve as ambassadors for the school. In addition to its show choir performances, the group performs concert choir repertoire and represented the school at the 2024 Indiana State School Music Association State Concert Finals. The ensemble also earned the Best Vocals caption award at two competitions this season, and 16 members were selected as participants in the 2026 Indiana All-State Honor Choir.

The Batesville Singers’ historic qualification for the ISSMA state finals represents a milestone achievement for the program. It highlights the continued growth and excellence of the performing arts at BCSC.

Finals Information: The Indiana State Small School Show Choir Finals will take place Saturday, March 21, at Franklin Central High School in Indianapolis, beginning at 4 PM. Batesville’s group will take the stage at 7:30 PM. Members of the Batesville community are encouraged to attend and support the group.