Congrats Alex. Here's the full list of the FAME Aspire Award nominees:
Lifetime Achievement Award
J. Kevin Butler
Vocal Vanguard
Lester Miller - Ankeny Centennial HS - Ankeny, IA
Brenden Jennings - John Burroughs HS - Burbank, CA
Ron Soja - Daniel Hand HS - Madison, CT
Visual Vanguard
Kevin Chase
April James
Jarad Voss
Best New Director
Seth Durbin - Waubonsie Valley HS - Aurora, IL
Hannah Ryan - Johnston HS - Johnston, IA
Megan Tantillo - Millard North HS - Omaha, NE
Best New Choreographer
Stephani Hyatt
Lexi Robson
Nick Quamme
Best Arranger
Jeremy Alfera
Brock Keiper
Chris Wilson
Best Costumer
Gail McInnis Productions
Diana Coffield
Dance Sophisticates
Spirit of Service
Onalaska High School
Spirit of Service - Student
Alex Wampler - Marysville High School - Marysville, OH
Most Promising New Program
Atchison High School Adrenaline - Sam Dollins, Director
Naperville North HS Entourage - Kelly Mielcarz, Director
Wichita High School Flight - Kristina Sims, Director
Best Regional Competition
Fairfield, OH - Crystal Classic (Fairfield HS)
Davenport, IA - Great River (Central & West HS)
Wheaton, IL - Choral Classic (Wheaton Warrenville South HS)
Well, thanks to the wonderful FAME Staff, it looks like I'll be attending again this year! Can't wait to see this incredible lineup. It'll absolutely be a day to remember for me.
Friday night Single-Gender lineup:
7:00 - South Jones "New Edition"
7:30 - Danville "Contemporaries"
8:00 - Los Alamitos "SoundTrax"
8:30 - Tupelo "Synergy"
9:00 - DeKalb "Sound Sensations"
9:30 - HOST GROUP - Ball State University Singers
2:30 - Oak Park and Forest "Noteworthy"
3:00 - Jackson Academy "Encore"
3:30 - Ankeny Centennial "Spectrum"
4:00 - DeKalb "Classic Connection"
4:30 - Los Alamitos "Sound FX"
**Break**
6:30 - South Jones "Company"
7:00 - Findlay "First Edition"
7:30 - Daniel Hand "Vibe"
8:00 - Danville "Delegation"
GC: Los Al (BV, BC)
1RU: Ankeny Centennial (BB)
2RU: Findlay
3RU: Daniel Hand
4RU: Danville
5RU: DeKalb
6RU: Jackson Academy
7RU: South Jones
8RU: Oak Park River Forest
However, I could see Centennial perhaps stealing BC from Los Al, I mean they do both dance incredibly well and have April James as their choreographer. I could also see Danville switching with Daniel Hand. Should be a fun time for those attending! Like Jeff said, it may be a small field but there are some great groups attending. I'd also like to point out that despite there being only 9 groups, 7 different states will be represented which should make for a very diverse day of show choir
I'm sure a lot of people consider this competition a lockup for Los Al, but I beg to differ. Though I do think it's highly probable that Los Al will win, I think that Ankeny Centennial could get very close. They've had a remarkable season and their show this year is incredible. The same goes for Los Al, so I think this will play out very interestingly all around. Daniel Hand vs. Dekalb vs. Findlay should also be interesting to watch
I agree with your overall assessment, Jared. Los Al has quite an amazing show which I just absolutely adore. I genuinely hope they do well. They have a ton of momentum which rightfully makes them the favorite, but you're right, it's far from decided. There's still two weeks and heck, Ankeny Centennial last competed February 27th. While the National Finals are slim and with FAME obviously struggling as a whole this year at least the people of Waukegan, IL will get a few of the top notch show choirs in the country.
Probably the only thing I'd change about your post, and perhaps it's my Ohio bias, but I'd say Findlay could be included more in the conversation with Los Al and Ankeny Centennial than Daniel Hand and DeKalb.
I'm so happy that Los Alamitos will be spreading their musical gifts to Chicago for the FAME National Finals. I saw their shows for the final time last night and I must say they never got old... Everyone who is going to see them here are in for an amazing presentation of vocal and visual talent and creativity! My favorite Sound FX show since I've starting watching them in 2012! And Soundtax is excellent as well... Just wow!
Thank you for the kind comments. As a senior and a three year member of the group, I am so ecstatic and pleased to be able to perform my final year set one last time at the Waukeegan theater and am also very excited to watch the other groups attending this competition!
I'm so happy that Los Alamitos will be spreading their musical gifts to Chicago for the FAME National Finals. I saw their shows for the final time last night and I must say they never got old... Everyone who is going to see them here are in for an amazing presentation of vocal and visual talent and creativity! My favorite Sound FX show since I've starting watching them in 2012! And Soundtax is excellent as well... Just wow!
I'm sure a lot of people consider this competition a lockup for Los Al, but I beg to differ. Though I do think it's highly probable that Los Al will win, I think that Ankeny Centennial could get very close. They've had a remarkable season and their show this year is incredible. The same goes for Los Al, so I think this will play out very interestingly all around. Daniel Hand vs. Dekalb vs. Findlay should also be interesting to watch
If I remember correctly, Stephen Todd is one of Clinton's many choreographers. I may have the year wrong, but I think Clinton when I see him for some reason.
very true statement! i tried to tie each judge to an area they reside/locate in rather than tie them directly to one choir since multiple judges are associated with numerous choir (Stephen Todd for example). If I did not know their whereabout/it was not provided in the email from fame I left it blank!
Vocal
Sandra Thomas - Clover Hill
Darren Dale - Oak Grove
Storm Ziegler - Cedar Rapids
Visual
Damon Brown - Carmel
Stephen Todd
Tara Taber
Overall
Linn Warren - Waconia
If I remember correctly, Stephen Todd is one of Clinton's many choreographers. I may have the year wrong, but I think Clinton when I see him for some reason.
Well, we do have the personnel feature now (highlighted here by Häakon) so you can see their correct spellings, where they've been, etc. And then if we're missing any information, you can always help us add to it!
and I'm pretty sure Damon Brown hasn't been directly affiliated with Carmel since at least 2014......
+1.5 Häakon points?
heard by word of mouth... sorry about spelling. also I just added Carmel because that's where Damon is from. regardless of my (numerous) mistakes I think we should appreciate how awesome the judging panel is!
Here's the full list of the FAME Aspire Award nominees:
.........hmm.........
Also I thought Nicholas Janssen directed Naperville North?