ETC would then follow (I NEED YOUR SECOND PAIR OF MEN'S SHOES)
That totally awkward moment when one of the shoes gets left in the middle of the riser at Cuyahoga Falls. We have picture proof. It was pretty hilarious. One of those "silly freshmen" moments.
I didn't stick around to watch Solon (I was kinda trying to have a non-show choir day after 4 of the past 5 weekends lol) so I can't compare the two. But I think you're right Haakon, it probably was the way the mics were feeding the video. It just really enhanced ANY pitch issues (and bad pitch is my personal pet peeve).
You're absolutely right and my only frame of reference was the live stream, so it's really hard to tell. I rarely get goosebumps from just watching a live feed (or a YouTube video, for that matter) like I have watching a group in person, so perhaps it's not fair of me to really compare them to anything I've seen live. There's just something about being able to look into a performer's eyes and make a connection that can't be replicated over the internet. Plus, the sound of live bands/singing is almost always superior (assuming the mixing is good).
I actually really liked both groups and I'm super stoked to see Twinsburg out in Cali this year. I think our groups are in for total treat. And I give Solon props... they had fantastic commitment to their show and I respect that a lot. For me, it's not enough to just sing and dance well... it's about making a connection to the music and sharing that with the audience. That's obviously hard to "judge," so it becomes personal. Welcome to show choir. However, I'm not sure I would say that either group had "defs the cleanest/crispest vocals in the country." That seemed a little over the top to me.
I think I would actually give the vocals between these two groups to Twinsburg, but Solon's show was a lot more solo-heavy and the live feed had pretty hot mics in the mix. I might feel differently had I been in the auditorium and things were better balanced. I know where Jay is coming from though and agree with most of what he said. I think Twinsburg came off as a cleaner, more polished choir. I will say, however, that any group runs the risk of coming across as inauthentic when they're "too perfect" (ie, everyone's facials are the same and it feels forced instead of genuine).
I didn't stick around to watch Solon (I was kinda trying to have a non-show choir day after 4 of the past 5 weekends lol) so I can't compare the two. But I think you're right Haakon, it probably was the way the mics were feeding the video. It just really enhanced ANY pitch issues (and bad pitch is my personal pet peeve).
It's still not Clinton clean lol. It's hard to be exactly perfect when you have all those dresses and hair flying around. I was just saying I'm getting why people are saying that. It was very Clinton 07 to me.
I have to say I was expecting a little more from Twinsburg. Good show, GREAT choreography, but the vocals are just subpar. I do get this whole "Clinton clean" thing though. Very clean and the visual style is a lot like Clinton. I also LOVE those red dresses. And the hair! Holy crap! I wish my choir could afford that hair lol The theme was original, the show made sense, it just lacked the extra something that I loved about their show last year. Still, they are very good. I'm just being nit picky.
After watching all the finalists I had this:
Solon
Twinsburg
Findlay
Beavercreek
Olentangy
ETC
Solon your vocals were wonderful and I could hear each part especially when you break out into multiple parts per section. The ballad sounded great and the choreo was clean and together I thought it was an UNDENIABLE show and thats all I ever want. Solon Combo.
I don't think it's an original, but I think so many words got changed that it might as well be.
I noticed they changed a lot of words in the opener, too. I think it's more impressive when groups can take existing songs and create their story around those lyrics instead of just rewriting the words to fit whatever theme they want. Clinton rewrote the words to their opener last year and it drove me nuts (especially because it's a favorite song of mine). Twinsburg's other selections like "Under the Boardwalk" and "Electric Avenue," on the other hand, were absolutely genius picks.
This was my first time seeing both Twinsburg and Solon this year. I think I would actually give the vocals between these two groups to Twinsburg, but Solon's show was a lot more solo-heavy and the live feed had pretty hot mics in the mix. I might feel differently had I been in the auditorium and things were better balanced. I know where Jay is coming from though and agree with most of what he said. I think Twinsburg came off as the cleaner, more polished choir. I will say, however, that any group runs the risk of coming across as inauthentic when they're "too perfect" (ie, everyone's facials are the same and it feels forced instead of genuine). I thought Solon had a lot of personality and energy, and they looked extremely committed to their show. That kind of soul counts for a lot in my book, because at the end of the day if two choirs are perfectly matched, I'm going to go with the one who makes me feel something. Then again, I'm not a judge so mine is just another opinion. It will be fun to see how this one turns out!
Was Twinsburg's closer an original song? I couldn't figure out what it was, so that's the presumptive conclusion I came to.
I don't think it's an original, but I think so many words got changed that it might as well be
Medina Midwest Showcase 2013
