(I'm not stating this in your direction as I know you were just pointing it out. I still think it's an incredibly weak reason).
Definitely and I completely agree with you, show choir has such a large following no matter what happens there are going to be those who are offended. The benefits of seeing scores after a competition in my opinion extremely outweigh the negatives. But I believe until theres a set norm of what occurs with scores after a competition I feel like it is just a topic that will continue to be brought up and will upset people no matter which way things go.
But then again you could argue it may have made student/fans upset...
This kind of thing has been talked about quite a bit lately and I just don't understand it at all. All of a sudden we're not going to do things just because someone somewhere might get upset or offended? Might as well not have elections then, since half the country is always going to be upset at the outcome.
(I'm not stating this in your direction as I know you were just pointing it out. I still think it's an incredibly weak reason).
I don't know if I agree with that. I know a lot of directors don't really like to have their students know the scores.
I can understand some directors not wanting their students to know scores during the day of the competition, as that can possibly be detrimental to the group and their performance in finals (if they make it) in many ways. However, I've never really understood keeping scores so hush hush after the competition is done with, especially if it's been a week or more after it happened. I don't really see too much harm in letting the performers and general public see scores after it has concluded, as it can be beneficial to students, in ways, as well as be eye-opening to how some intriguing results panned out. But that's just my opinion though.
I think it's a good discussion to have and it's one that I've noticed has been brought up a lot lately and more and more as the years have progressed. The scores/scoresheets have evolved to become more complex and intricate to match how the art itself has evolved. It's funny how now, when they are most telling about how results come to be, they are most kept under wraps it seems. I'd be curious to hear other's opinions on the matter (maybe in a different thread so we don't clutter this one??)
I don't know if I agree with that. I know a lot of directors don't really like to have their students know the scores.
It is definitely an argument that could go both ways depending on the situation. You could definitely argue that being the scores were released for this competition was a good thing to show how judges scored differed and how tight of a competition it was. But then again you could argue it may have made student/fans upset, and one thing it did do was put doubt on the credibility of Allen Chapman's judging. Which I do agree was a little odd at this particular competition but his opinion's shouldn't tarnish his reputation or anything like that. Either way I don't think there's going to be a way to please everyone in situations like this and really the only thing a director can do if he/she doesn't want their students to see scores is pray they aren't posted..
I absolutely love how the scores were posted after this competition! I wish more competitions were this transparent... Congratulations to all who performed! What a spectacular event this was!
I don't know if I agree with that. I know a lot of directors don't really like to have their students know the scores.
I absolutely love how the scores were posted after this competition! I wish more competitions were this transparent... Congratulations to all who performed! What a spectacular event this was!
I simply cannot wrap my head around the immense depth of quality choir programs that attended this competition. CR Kennedy "Happiness, Inc." was one of the first Iowa groups I remember being exposed to on the discussion boards here, via YouTube, etc. and I just view them as an incredibly well-sustained program with such vocal strength and stunning visuals year in and year out. With all of the predictions leading up to this competition, I thought CR Kennedy would sneak in. I literally don't remember (or know) the last time they didn't make Finals as it seems I'm always adding them to the Finals box up above.
This was truly an event where the best of the best didn't make Finals. Wheaton is gaining so much of the national attention, and deservingly so, but Great River is really right up there with them. All of the audience members were without a doubt the winners here and of course the students all have a lot to be proud of.
Really great competition-- I will be returning! Awesome venue, awesome town, awesome groups!! I'll just post a few thoughts on a few of the finalist groups here.
Davenport Central-- Okay so I know this isn't a finalist group but I had to say something about y'all. This is my first time getting to see you and I'm so glad I got to. Who knew Davenport was such a neat city with such amazing show choirs?? I did not. Wow. Your band was SPECTACULAR, your opener costume change was so well done, and the ballad was quite moving. So much energy and you all looked like you were having so much fun. I hope to see you all more often in the coming years! (Come to Nebraska please!! )
Iowa City West-- After the caliber of the groups in prelims I wasn't sure if you guys would make it to finals, but you really proved that you deserved to be there! I was in awe of the improvement between daytimes and finals, so much energy, I could tell you were all having such a good time up there (I'm sorry I couldn't resist) The choreography was a thousand times cleaner at night and I enjoyed you all so much. You really live up to the name "Good Time Company"
Westside-- I just saw you guys last week so not too much to say except I just think your opener is the cutest thing ever! Love all the use of blue and green since that's like your choir's colors and how the painting becomes complete by the end and foreshadows the costume change and actually has people on it and it's just a really nice touch and very well thought through. The closer was really rocking too-- I love that dance break so much, so groovy.
Linn-Mar-- I know I already said this in an earlier post but you have improved SO MUCH since Ankeny Centennial it's just insane. BEAUTIFUL vocals, such clean choreography (and especially impressive considering the difficulty of the moves). Guy song was rocking. Second song was sweet! And you have so much vocal power throughout the show it impresses me so much how you sing so well, all the way up to the very end of the show. There wasn't a noticeable drop in sound quality or energy by the end which is something that plagues many groups. Well done!
Mitchell-- I love your show. I was a little confused at first but as the show went on I just loved it more and more. The use of the ladders was very innovative and effective. Stunning visuals and the band was outstanding! You put on a great production that had me entranced-- I was so into your show by the end and not a lot of groups do that for me so very well done! Love your style and I'm glad you keep putting out such individual and innovative shows. Always a pleasure to see you. I really really really hope I can see you again this year.
Johnston-- Yes. This was actually the fifth time I have seen you guys (Waukee day/night, Elkhorn South day/night and Davenport Finals obviously) and you just get better every single time. Song selection for the whole show is on point, I have added almost every song to my spotify. Amazing use of your band-- really effective dance breaks. Love the brass interpretation of the original Shatter Me, probably one of my favorite openers ever. Also your guitarist was killing it and I noticed it for the first time on Saturday night so props to them. You guys just really have the full package. Congrats on the well-deserved win amongst some amazing competition!
Waconia-- Alright so I'm a little mad about some of the judging choices made here. I do respect everyone's opinion, but I can't even fathom how anybody could justify putting you in 11th place after daytimes. You had my favorite performance of the entire day. It's AMAZING how much you have improved since I saw you at Millard West just under a month ago. The show takes off and builds up until the very end. Your ballad was my favorite of the day, it was sung beautifully and it just really spoke to me. As individual performers and a group as a whole you do such a great job connecting to the show and inviting the audience in. Your girls song is also one of my favorite girls songs ever! It was such a chill song (no pun intended) but had so much drive, it sounded amazing, and the choreography was extraordinarily clean. It was just (dare I say it again?) amazing! The closer was an excellent choice, the choreo was super energetic and clean and the band was just stellar-- really put the cherry on top of the show. I don't know if there's something in the water in Minnesota or something but holy bananas I just loved it so much! I've gotta get a Power Company t-shirt or something... but anyway, congrats on a fantastic performance and you should all hold your heads up high and not care what a single judge thinks of you because I know you turned many heads and dropped many jaws on Saturday. Good luck with the rest of your season!
All in all, congrats to all groups on putting out some great performances! You should all be so proud!
Mr. Chapman REALLY didn't like Waconia......he gave them the lowest score out of any of the judges and he had them 9 points behind Iowa City West when the spread of the other 5 groups was 14 points...
Edit: This post wasn't meant to bash him, nor his opinion. It was only meant to reemphasize how differently one judge can embrace a choir's performance more or less than another.
Best Choreography
1st- Mitchell (Four 1sts)
1st- Linn Mar (One 1st)
3rd- Johnston (Two 1sts)
4th- Omaha Westside
5th- Waconia (One 1st)
6th- Iowa City West
Best Vocals
1st- Johnston (Four 1sts)
1st- Linn Mar (One 1st)
3rd- Omaha Westside (One 1st)
4th- Mitchell
5th- Waconia (One 1st)
6th- Iowa City West
For BV and BC, points from their specific categories were converted into ranks and sum of ranks was used to determine placements. Ties were broken using overall points from that specific category.
If you excluded Mr. Chapman's scores from prelims, Waconia would've been in second place with Mitchell and Iowa City West switching spots.
Waconia was ON FIRE in the day round, in my opinion they deserved at least second place
What a great day of show choir! Not only was I wowed by every finalist but multiple other shows throughout the day! Here are just a couple of thoughts on each of the groups I saw.
Johnston- Outstanding energy in the finals performance. Love the show design and the male sound in the group has to be some of the best I've heard for awhile. Congrats on a great win!
Linn Mar- Vocals are on point the entire show, especially your ballad it gets me every time. You guys definitely brought a whole new energy in finals.
Westside: So so glad I got to see your fantastic show this year. It made it so much fun to look down and watch all of my camp friends just absolutely kill it. Jacob man that solo you just melted me both times and that award was definitely well deserved. It was also nice meeting even more wonderful people from this group I hope to see you guys again soon!
Mitchell: Holy great choreo. The ladders, the HAIR, the show design, the costuming I loved it all. Sadly I didn't get the chance to tell any of you how wonderful it was so any of you reading this pass on the
message!
Waconia: First things first the girls second costumes are probably my favorite show choir dresses I've ever seen. You guys definitely had the complete package at this one. The band absolutely killed the whole show and for the closer they were in another world. Such great solos and just all around wonderful performances. Again I have to say the hair was also on point.
IC West: WOW. The energy in your finals performance was electric. Vocally you guys sang the snot out of it and the choreo was executed just as well. Great way to kick off finals!
Totino: I've always been a fan of Totino shows looking back in years past and yesterday being the first time I got to see you guys this year I love it just as well. Loved the costuming and the choreo looked great. Have to give a big shout out to Peter on having a great performance and killing that opening solo. As well as Nate rocking it as Elvis. To all my totino friends I'm so glad I got the chance to see and meet even more of you guys! See you again soon!
Kennedy: As always you guys sang so well you guys really put on a great show and the choreo is just looking better and better!
Muscatine: Seeing you guys at Johnston and then seeing you yesterday the improvements in the show just blew me away. Like I've said time and time again the show design is just so powerful and when you've got fantastic soloists like you do the point is that much stronger! Especially the main girl, gets me every time.
Of the day round I only missed two groups while eating (Davenport North and Bettendorf) but while I was waiting outside of the theater during Davenport North they had the place rocking and I know Bettendorf put on a great show as well. Overall every group just filled the stage and space so well. The out of state groups brought it with the hair (Waconia, Totino Mitchell) and it was just a great day of sitting back and watching. Congrats on everyone on proving why this is continuously one of the best competitions in the nation!
Davenport Great River Show Choir Invitational (Day Two) 2016
(maybe in a different thread so we don't clutter this one??)
