Hm, so it would appear that I picked a good competition to come out of the woodwork for after my 2-year hiatus. Although I'm sad I could only come for finals, I would have loved to have seen the whole day.
Do people do these long complimentary posts anymore? If not, ah well, just scroll down to whatever's after me.
Wheaton North - Y'all are just one big ball of energy, how did you possibly keep that up for your entire show?! I was exhausted just watching the darn thing... simply astounding stuff, I was floored right off the bat.
Carmel - WHAT. THE. HECK. This was my first time seeing you guys under Burlace, and although I was at first bemused by the theme, you seriously killed it. The transitions allowed you all to show off so many different styles, which is a tall task, especially with that gorgeous ballad in the middle. Some of the best choreo I've seen in a while as well.
Burroughs - What can I even say? I turned to Haakon afterwards and told him that watching you guys was a 'paradigm-changing' performance (yes, what a pretentious way of saying it, I know). You guys really know how to put on a show, and the technical aspects only enhance the performance that is already happening on stage. Simply beautiful sound the whole way through, thank you so much for coming out to Chicago and showing us your stuff. I've watched videos for years, but it doesn't do it justice until you've seen it in person. Wow.
Like I'm sure it was for everyone else, this was inordinately difficult to even try to call. So many different styles and amazing choirs, and while my predictions weren't what the judges ended up with, I can't disagree at all because everyone was fantastic. That being said, I thought it was:
GC: Burroughs (BV)
1RU: Carmel (BC)
2RU: Waubonsie
3RU: Hastings
4RU: Naperville North (BB)
5RU: Wheaton North
Thank you to everyone at the event for reminding me what I missed about show choir: the camaraderie and support that everyone has for each other, and the musicality that a bunch of high school singers can get up to in a gymnasium.
Wheaton Warrenville South, Waubonsie, Wheaton North, and Naperville North are all within an 8-mile radius. Why isn't there a Fab Five-style showcase for us? Let's get one together.
Tonight was the most amazing competition I have ever seen. Congratulations to all choirs who even attended this event! I am honored just to be here in Illinois with the opportunity to watch prestigious choirs. I loved Naperville North so much! Now John Borroughs, you showed me the best performance I have ever seen in my life! I am still stoked that I was able to witness all of these shows in one night live. Wow. Thank you everyone!
I'm shocked right now, because I thought I had it pretty figured out but WOW!!! Congratulations to Waubonsie Valley and all the group's who made finals!!!
I think I speak for a lot of people when I say that I was not expecting this outcome from the judges! I honestly thought Burroughs had one of their greatest performances I've ever had the privilege to watch and I am shocked that a GC trophy is not going home to Burbank with you guys. I wish you all the best in the rest of your seasons and to Burroughs, I've been following you guys since 2012 and you are my favorite show choir ever. I love all of you and you did amazing tonight regardless of the scores.
Congratulations, Waubonsie Valley! To not only win grand championship over the caliber of competition you faced today but to take vocals and choreography as well is a feat that should not be taken lightly. Beautiful job.
GC: Waubonsie Valley Sound Check
1RU: John Borroughs Powerhouse
2RU: Naperville North Entourage
3RU: Carmel Ambassadors
4RU: Wheaton North Flight
5RU: Hastings Riverside Company
BV: Waubonsie Valley Sound Check
BC: Waubonsie Valley Sound Check
BB: Naperville North Entourage
Basically what we have here are four drastically different show styles. Honestly anything could happen. The talent here is absolutey mind blowing!!! Congratulations to all groups competing tonight— just making finals here is a HUGE achievement.
Waubonsie has the best vocals I've heard from any choir, any year.
Burroughs gave the performance of a lifetime in their finals with the best showmanship I've ever seen.
Carmel was the most put together overall. Nothing was wrong with their show.
Naperville has the best band I've ever heard and was super clean.
Hastings was the best they've been all season.
Wheaton North had the most heart.
This is so crazy. Best competition ever. Predicting this correctly would be like having a perfect March Madness bracket. Incredible performance from every choir. Amazing.
Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic 2016
