To expand on what Haakon is saying, when competitions in California began in the mid-seventies, there were only mixed groups and there were no divisions. When Arcadia formed New Spirit, an all-girl group, in the seventies, there was no place for them to compete until Dave Willert at Nogales divided the mixed groups into an advanced/intermediate format. New Spirit competed in the intermediate division against mixed groups and occasionally in the advanced division. After other schools developed all-girl groups, there were sufficient groups to form an all-girl division. Typically, a competition might have 5-6 mixed and 5-6 girls groups at the same competition. The Sweepstakes was created to give that special award for the highest combined scores, as Haakon said. Each division had their own musicianship and showmanship awards (there were no "caption" awards). When some schools developed more than one mixed group and wanted them both to compete, the intermediate division for mixed groups was developed to allow that to happen. With some schools now having multiple mixed and girl groups, the present division with various tiers to accommodate both group size and performance level differences.
Some, for reasons bewildering to me, give a sweepstakes award to the highest scoring group in the whole competition, regardless of ability. It is almost always a "Tier 1", group now; although in the past, those large groups weren't always the highest scoring group. Several times, the highest scoring group came from what is now called "Tier II' and I know of a couple of cases where the all-girl group scored higher than the mixed group from the same school and would have won the "Sweepstakes Award" if it had existed, at the time.
I never understood the need for "Grand Champion" and then having the second highest scoring group winning "1st Place". Ridiculous idea, along with most of the so-called "caption awards". Who cares who has the best "female sound" in a mixed group?
At this particular competition, however, sweepstakes was awarded to the single group with the highest overall score of the day (from any division). I suppose it's a way to recognize the best of the best, though I have always had a hard time with awards that judge choirs across multiple divisions (why split them into divisions if you are just going to judge them together anyway?).
That does seem kind of weird, it seems like the only time a choir other than the grand champs to receive the award at this competition would be in the lower mixed tiers which seems to be highly unlikely due to the fact if you can score that well overall why not be in the top tier? The old way definitely sounds very unique though I could imagine the pride in receiving that kind of honor as a school. Thanks for helping me clear that up Häakon!
Would someone be willing to explain what the "Sweepstakes" caption is? Might be a weird question but being I've never competed outside of the midwest I've never heard or seen of such a caption and it sounds interesting
It's a great question! In California, especially in the past, many schools had/have both a mixed and women's group. Sweepstakes traditionally went to the school with the highest combined score of their mixed and women's groups, which wasn't always the school who took first place in the top mixed division. It was sort of a way to show the depth and quality of a program overall and I actually thought was a pretty cool system. It was usually considered the top honor of a competition, though obviously winning first place in Tier I and beating your rivals was still a huge thrill even if you didn't manage to grab sweeps. This approach has faded over time as not every school has a women's group and the mixed divisions have become more fragmented.
At this particular competition, however, sweepstakes was awarded to the single group with the highest overall score of the day (from any division). I suppose it's a way to recognize the best of the best, though I have always had a hard time with awards that judge choirs across multiple divisions (why split them into divisions if you are just going to judge them together anyway?).
Would someone be willing to explain what the "Sweepstakes" caption is? Might be a weird question but being I've never competed outside of the midwest I've never heard or seen of such a caption and it sounds interesting
Congratulations to all of the groups! I was able to watch most of them and I throughly enjoyed myself!
On that note, I was most impressed with how far along all of the groups were for being so early in the season (especially Powerhouse and In Sync). Can't wait to see what the rest of the season holds for Southern California!
Wow! Great for Impressions! Sound Sensations is not usually an easy group to beat, especially from coming right off of an undefeated season. Did Sound Sensations or Impressions have themed sets?
Wow! Great lineup (as per the usual with Arcadia)! One thing I will say I'm pretty sure Brea's new Mixed Tier II is called "Tiffanys & Company." Just to give it a distinction from the long-term Tiffanys girls group... Thanks!
Arcadia Big Pow Wow XXII 2016
