It will be very interesting to see how this competition turns out. I also see that performance times were extended by 10 minutes. (For those who don't know originally each group was going to be given 20 minutes to perform). The limit on performance selections should help keep this competition on time and possible early. Can't wait I'm excited to see the venue and how a competition with this schedule/performance design will turn out.
In our situation, our costume change happens in the fourth number, so we would need to rework everything to include the costume change, or more likely, just not do a costume change in prelims, but then we are performing a rock closer in costumes that really don't look like they belong in a rock closer. And then changing it all back if we make finals.
It's just an interesting idea. I think this would potentially keep some groups away though, and then I wonder if its really worth it. The time slots are not shorter.
Just my two cents, and we all know what they say about two cents (it's not very much)
It reminds me of the conversation Patrick, Chad, and I had at Marion Harding regarding a competition adding "surprises/obstacles" (no costume change, missing a riser, some real random stuff...) and see how groups recover from it. Haha. Obviously McKendree isn't to that extreme, but I suppose we'll see who can make it work!
I think a lot of us are saying "interesting" and I'll revise my previous statement to be more honest, I don't think I like it. Not yet at least.
A bit of backstory, the McKendree director, Adam Pulver (who used to be around on this site, not sure if he still is), was formerly with Georgia Southern University and their collegiate show choir. Some, but not all, high schools in Georgia simply do show choir differently than what most of us are familiar with (not a bad thing). Smaller sets, shorter shows, etc. Maybe this format was somewhat influenced by that.
I'll praise this comp for doing something different. And I guess we'll see how that turns out. From an outside perspective it seems limiting to the art of show choir to chop your show up for preliminaries. I mean, can you imagine a story show or strong concept show from the past few years that could accomplish that story/concept with only three songs? (Probably why it's mostly Missouri/Illinois schools attending - not a slight to those attending simply an observation. And maybe it's really great that it appeals to those attending. Good for them, perhaps?). In addition, this is probably the last competition for a good amount of these groups and for the ones that don't make finals, they won't even get to perform their full show. Just seems kind of crummy.
It reminds me of the conversation Patrick, Chad, and I had at Marion Harding regarding a competition adding "surprises/obstacles" (no costume change, missing a riser, some real random stuff...) and see how groups recover from it. Haha. Obviously McKendree isn't to that extreme, but I suppose we'll see who can make it work!
Hmm. This is definitely different. How easy is it to simply take out pieces of your show and transition without a problem? And then just add those back in? Sounds like a blocking nightmare to me. I don't know, I'd have to see this live to judge, but on paper I am not a huge fan.
Thanks, Steven. This will be the main discussion topic for McKendree's Midwest Nationals competition just for clarification. We'll get this updated soon.
I second what Patrick posted in the other forum, very *interesting* format to only judge show choirs on half their show in order to determine finalists...
Tier 2
Mehlville "Adrenaline" 10:45am
Anderson "The Collective" 11:15am
Stilwell "Reflections" 11:45am
Oak Park/River Forest "Noteworthy" 12:15pm
Cole Camp "Encore" 2:15pm
Tier 2 (women's)
Pleasant Hill "Hilltop Harmony" (women's group) 2:45pm
O'Fallon "Innovations" (women's gorup) 3:15pm
Tier 1
Watseka "The Sensations" 3:45pm
Springfield-Southeast "Sensations" 4:15pm
Springfield "IN Session" 4:45pm
O'Fallon "Great Expectations" 5:15pm
Pleasant Hill "Hillside Singers" 5:45pm
There are 5 finalist spots. In perlims all groups will perform their opener, ballad and closer only. In finals the top 5 show choir will perform their entire show. At perlims awards each tier will have their own caption awards (best vocals, best choreogrpahy, best male & female soloist in a show and outstanding performer in each group).During final awards, there will also be captions awards.
Judges:
Michael Engelhardt
Jeff Bowen
Kevin Chase
Maxwell Devo
Adam Peters
Hershel Cremeans
McKendree University Midwest Nationals (Day Two) 2015
) and see how groups recover from it. Haha. Obviously McKendree isn't to that extreme, but I suppose we'll see who can make it work!
