It is a competition, and hopefully we'll have lots of choirs there this year. At last I heard Manzano Prestige (previously Morningsong) was attending FAME Branson, but that's not guaranteed. I've also heard La Cueva Main Street's new teacher is incredible, any truth to that?
Also, Manzano's planning on hosting an invitational possibly next year. Todd Krier (Eldorado) has talked with Carla Erickson (Manzano), and they're really discussing it hardcore.
Hahaha one more thing = > Eldorado is hosting a Show Choir Camp of America camp this summer, so start planning for that. Possibly in late July to early August, and feel free to come even if you don't live in NM or ABQ. We encourage everyone to come = >
It's a competition.
It's our only one for now. All choirs compete- there is no host choir. We hope to light a fire under the invitational competition around here over the next couple years.
Choirs compete against one another at a competition, whereas a festival may or may not feature a judging panel but the choirs are not typically ranked or given placements.
Besides Albuquerque choirs- usually a high school from Mesa, AZ comes- no not Light. The people who run it don't really market it. That's why we wanted to start an invitational- so we could start building the Southwest region up. We think- if all goes right- we'll have an invitational here in 2 years.