Prediction:
(Since this is a Cali competition, I'll do placements instead of runners up.)
1st Clinton (BC)
2nd Burroughs (BV)
3rd Mt. Zion
4th Twinsburg
5th Bonita Vista
Burroughs had some very impressive vocal moments this past weekend at Wheaton. From what I've seen of Clinton this year, choreo vastly outshines vocals, but still I think Clinton will have enough of their impeccable performance power to surpass Burroughs once again (I'd love to see Burroughs in 1st though, I still love you Clinton!). Mt. Zion has really had some amazing performances at their last two comps and I think they will def bring it to California. Twinsburg has not really had their greatest year (except of course for Northrop). I will forever love them, but vocals are lacking and I just feel a void of creativity from them this year. Bonita Vista, while doing great things in Tier I, I feel will not be able to overtake any of the groups traveling this weekend. Prayers for the livestream!
Predictions:
GC: Clinton (Showmanship)
1RU: John Burroughs (Musicianship)
2RU: Twinsburg
3RU: Mt. Zion
4RU: Bonita Vista
Of course, the only group I've seen in person this season was Clinton (saw the show twice). I loved their Carnival/Fun House theme, and their set was really cool too (be prepared for the evil clowns)! One thing I noticed was how great the middle of their show is (I got all the feels in the song after the ballad). Their choreography as always was high quality and on-point, particularly their guys (as expected). Vocally they sounded comparable the previous few years (mature sound, great diction) but somewhat shaky when doing lots of movement. And as usual, the combo was phenomenal.
I saw JB both on YouTube and the Wheaton live stream. I like their show concept (which by the way is very similar to Greneda's show here in the south with the Tower of Terror theme, and they feature similar song selections). The set was very cool, although I thought some of the screen imaging to be awkward/distracting. I think vocally, they were better than the past few years, and I'm surprised they didn't snag a caption from Waubonsie at Wheaton. Hologram=so cool.
Twinsburg--I saw some of your show on a live stream a few weeks ago. Your choreography was on par. Your spins are amazing. You took best choreography from Waubonsie, which is no small feat (esp. considering they swept at Wheaton).
Mt. Zion--also have not seen. However, your award record has steadily improved all season, which means you are probably working your faces off to prepare for this weekend. Leave it all on the floor!
Bonita Vista--have not seen, but I loved your show last year. I approve the movement up to Tier I. Your song selections always make me smile and your shows make me feel good inside :D
Predictions on order of best choreography:
Clinton
Twinsburg
Mt. Zion
John Burroughs
Bonita Vista
Predictions on order of best vocals:
John Burroughs
Clinton
Bonita Vista
Mt. Zion
Twinsburg
All in all, I think it will be a close one. I believe Clinton will out-dance JB more than JB will out-sing Clinton (this is becoming a cliché). Also, I've always noticed in southern competitions that Clinton's show is exactly the same level of intensity in prelims and finals, while other groups tend to *come out fighting* in finals. That could be a factor here for the Midwest groups. There is no chance for redemption in finals!
Couldn't the broadcasting team just set up a wide-view camera in the back of the auditorium? Then they wouldn't have to work with the other team (and we'd see what the judges/audience see anyway).
I'm trying to see that, a wide view shot would be easy to do and won't require constant attention towards which is great, but the issue in hand is now about live streaming and licensing (Tresona). They are trying to figure it all out.
A few updates about this comp (sad news):
• Livestream at the moment will be unavailable due to the fact that we'd have two video teams in the stage trying to record (one for recording and one for broadcasting) and since neither of the video teams have worked with eachother it would be a struggle. So at the moment there will only be recorded video (on DVDs) available.
• Website will be undergoing a few changes in order to keep it as the official website for following years of Xtravaganza.
Couldn't the broadcasting team just set up a wide-view camera in the back of the auditorium? Then they wouldn't have to work with the other team (and we'd see what the judges/audience see anyway).
A few updates about this comp (sad news):
• Livestream at the moment will be unavailable due to the fact that we'd have two video teams in the stage trying to record (one for recording and one for broadcasting) and since neither of the video teams have worked with eachother it would be a struggle. So at the moment there will only be recorded video (on DVDs) available.
• Website will be undergoing a few changes in order to keep it as the official website for following years of Xtravaganza.
Could the recording company not broadcast the competition?
A few updates about this comp (sad news):
• Livestream at the moment will be unavailable due to the fact that we'd have two video teams in the stage trying to record (one for recording and one for broadcasting) and since neither of the video teams have worked with eachother it would be a struggle. So at the moment there will only be recorded video (on DVDs) available.
• Website will be undergoing a few changes in order to keep it as the official website for following years of Xtravaganza.
Time to find a different venue. Like the Gym.
Funny thing is a few blocks down is the Cottonwood Church venue that has a huge performance arts center that we perform at for our District Choral Festival. I think that would be a more appropriate place to have the competition space wise.
I was half kidding, but then again not really. It's probably not "sold out" yet, but let's put it this way: they routinely have an "overflow" room with a video feed set up for parents of performing students... so you know if they can't get in it is tight. Here is their seating chart:
http://www.showchoir.com/forums/uploads/media/losal_seats.jpg
Doing a super quick tally, I counted 594 seats. Tier I groups tend to have about 50 performers in them, not counting band, techs, the directors, choreographer(s), etc. So you should probably assume around 60-65 seats per group based on this. We don't have a schedule yet, but there have been 5 Tier I reported groups so far (and that may not be the full list). That's roughly 300-325 bodies accounted for alone, so now you're down to about 270 free seats for everyone else. I imagine the Los Al kids get to watch too (maybe they're sitting with the groups they are hosting?), which would bring it down to about 220. 220 seats isn't a lot when you consider there are a lot of out-of-town groups and parents who will be wanting to see their kids perform.
I'm not saying it's impossible, and with this lineup you should definitely try to go. This will certainly be one of the most competitive events of the year, however, and demand will be very high, so something will have to give. If 1,000 people want to watch it but there are only 594 seats, not everyone can just "stand in the back" (even if we didn't tell the fire marshals)!
Mr. Moellenkamp told me that there is probably a 1% chance to get a ticket for this show as a viewer. We do have a viewing area setup outside (but thats obviously not what most people want).
say it ain't so! I was planning on making this my first show choir event in ten years. Can I buy a ticket to stand in the very back? I promise I won't tell the fire marshals.
I was half kidding, but then again not really. It's probably not "sold out" yet, but let's put it this way: they routinely have an "overflow" room with a video feed set up for parents of performing students... so you know if they can't get in it is tight. Here is their seating chart:
http://www.showchoir.com/forums/uploads/media/losal_seats.jpg
Doing a super quick tally, I counted 594 seats. Tier I groups tend to have about 50 performers in them, not counting band, techs, the directors, choreographer(s), etc. So you should probably assume around 60-65 seats per group based on this. We don't have a schedule yet, but there have been 5 Tier I reported groups so far (and that may not be the full list). That's roughly 300-325 bodies accounted for alone, so now you're down to about 270 free seats for everyone else. I imagine the Los Al kids get to watch too (maybe they're sitting with the groups they are hosting?), which would bring it down to about 220. 220 seats isn't a lot when you consider there are a lot of out-of-town groups and parents who will be wanting to see their kids perform.
I'm not saying it's impossible, and with this lineup you should definitely try to go. This will certainly be one of the most competitive events of the year, however, and demand will be very high, so something will have to give. If 1,000 people want to watch it but there are only 594 seats, not everyone can just "stand in the back" (even if we didn't tell the fire marshals)!
Los Alamitos Xtravaganza (Day Three) 2016
