I'm surprised more people aren't talking about this competition, I think it's gonna pretty close and very competitive, especially since there will be at least one group who regularly makes finals that will be sent home early. Here are my sure to be wrong predictions...
GC: Prairie (BV, BC)
1RU: Kennedy
2RU: Linn-Mar
3RU: IC High (BB)
4RU: Davenport Central
5RU: Xavier
6RU: Linn-Mar Prep
Fort Atkinson could take Central or Xavier's spot in finals, Kennedy could definitely take BV, and City High and Linn-Mar could flip. I honestly don't know what's gonna happen.
Also, side note, I'm finally excited to meet Abe! We've been at a lot of the same events together these past years but never got to meet. Now that we're alum and not busy we can sit back and just watch together (even though it slightly kills me inside to not be on the other side of things).
Are the auditorium judges going to be scoring finals as well? This competition is going to be so close and I'm sure as many opinions as possible would be appreciated!!!!
Can't wait to see this year's Big Dance come together. Thank you to all of the volunteers who will be stepping up to make this happen!!! Safe travels to all and make sure you Bring it!!!
It's also interesting that they've decided to include a 7th finalist this year, but I don't blame them with that big of varsity division.
Correction! I forgot that the 7th finalist spot is actually reserved for the highest scoring group in the auditorium. They were planning on starting that format last year, but due to the bad snowstorm that occurred that day they canceled finals so that's why it slipped my mind.
In the auditorium, Decibelles through Lexington Singers is the Women's division, Xuberance through Protege is the Prep division, and West Branch is in its own 2A division. I believe everyone in the gym is in the 4A division except for West Delaware who is in their own 3A division. It's also interesting that they've decided to include a 7th finalist this year, but I don't blame them with that big of varsity division.
Are they still having it in the gym and auditorium?
After looking at their site it seems like they are sticking with the same set up they've had in years past with performances in both the gym and auditorium.
Judging Panel (According to their site)
Auditorium
Nancy Allen (Critique)
Allen Chapman (Critique)
Matt Huth (Scoring)
Gym
Mark Kretschmer (Combo)
Mike Esser (Vocal)
Tara Tober (Visual)
Lovar Davis Kidd (Critique)
Heath Weber (Vocal)
Jeni Donahue (Visual)
Bettendorf "Surround Sound"
Bettendorf "Decibelles"
Davenport Central "Blue Vibrations"
Davenport Central "Central Singers Inc."
Fort Atkinson "Lexington Singers"
Fort Atkinson "South High Street Singers"
Iowa City High "City Lights"
Iowa City High "4th Avenue Jazz Company"
Kennedy "Chanteurs"
Kennedy "Protégé"
Kennedy "Happiness Inc."
Linn-Mar "Hi Style"
Linn-Mar "In Step"
Linn-Mar "10th Street Edition"
Prairie "Focal Point"
Prairie "The Ambassadors"
Southeast Polk "Vocal Gold"
Southeast Polk "RAMification"
West Branch "Christopher Jive & the Uptown 45"
West Delaware "WD Forté"
Western Dubuque "Aristocats"
Western Dubuque "5th Avenue"
Xavier "Xuberance"
Xavier "Xhilaration"
This looks to be like another great competition at Davenport North again this season!