March 2022

Question:

Dear Abbot Pennings,

What is the history of the Swinging Knights and the Knights on Broadway?

Cabrini M. Jablon ’97 (Admissions)

Answer:

My dearest Cabrini,

How very nice to hear from you! Our vocal performance troupes have a rich history indeed, one that spans generations of St. Norbert students. As I recall, some two years after the venerable Dudley Birder first arrived on campus in 1958, he began to take the Chamber Singers to area high schools to recruit new students, performing a mix of classical choral music and some popular music and Broadway selections. In 1964, he was invited to go on a USO Tour. Dudley’s wife, Mary, exclaimed, “You can’t go on a USO Tour called the Chamber Singers.” And thus, The Swinging Knights debuted. Their shows featured groups of perhaps 14 singers performing popular songs with a little Broadway, complete with choreography and a small backing band. The Swinging Knights were well known to local and national audiences, frequently performing at Pop-Pourri, the Swing Choir Festival, on regional tours of Milwaukee and Chicago, and on their annual tour of Florida.

The Swinging Knights entertained audiences for more than 30 years under Birder’s direction, until he retired from his academic duties in the early 1990s. For the following four years, the group was directed by one of its own alumni, Chad Lemerande of our cherished Class of 1991. The Swinging Knights era ended in 1996 or 1997, I do believe (some of our dear alumni may be able to refresh my memory). Thus concluded a run of nearly four decades of memorable performances. In the interregnum that was to follow, we very much enjoyed seeing groups like Knight Shift and the Singin’ Knights filling the gap that was left.

The 2008-09 academic year – dear me, we were already well past our first century! – brought much excitement to campus: a new president warmly welcomed, a new library nearly constructed and a new ensemble taking center stage in familiar fashion. Under the direction of Kent Paulsen of our music faculty, the Knights on Broadway debuted as a cabaret-style music theatre troupe that tipped their hats to their Swinging Knights forebears. At the same time, it was remarkable for me to see how modern technology and what I believe is called “visual media” enhanced the troupe’s already polished productions. It pleases me to recount how enthusiastically the revival of this tradition was received by new and returning audiences alike.

The Knights on Broadway of today are composed of 10 to 14 of our talented student performers selected via auditions, which are open to all students regardless of their major. Each year, they present a “Christmas with the Knights” show in December and a Spring Senior Showcase Broadway-style revue in May. They also travel to Florida over spring break to sing for alumni and friends of the college. Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the shows have gone on, I am proud to say, with the Knights entertaining their loyal audiences virtually via “livestreamed” specials, dear me. The wonders of technology never cease to amaze me!

I’m particularly proud to report that alumni of both the Swinging Knights and the Knights on Broadway have gone on to showcase their skills locally and internationally. Several have founded or joined ensembles of their own, including OnStage, Let Me Be Frank Productions (originally Frank’s Dinner Theatre), Daddy D Productions, Birder Studio of the Performing Arts, Birder Players and Play-by-Play Theatre.

I look forward to seeing St. Norbert’s tradition of excellent vocal entertainment endure for many more generations to come!

Responses to “Ask the Abbot” questions are penned by St. Norbert College staff in the name of Abbot Bernard Pennings, who founded St. Norbert College in 1898.