Our director told us that we were invited due to only being 5 points behind Omaha Westside ATSC this year at Millard West, but sadly we won't be attending because we don't have the funds to make the trip...
I'm in no way, shape or form an employee of FAME, but I have judged a number of competitions for them over the years. Here's what I've learned over the years about the people of FAME:
-I have always seen them treat directors, students, and audiences with respect and friendliness
-As someone who has judged for them over the years, I have ALWAYS been impressed by how they stress fairness. Judges have to read and sign an agreement that states they will not discuss shows or scores with any other judge during a competition. Being a judge of over 100 competitions over the USA in the last 25 years, this is too often something that clouds the waters or results of a contest. FAME (along with a growing number of other wonderful competitions) insists on these agreements.
-FAME has always respected my scoring and NEVER asked me to adjust or reconsider scores or rankings (again, this has happened to me before!).
-Over the years they have been innovative and trend-setting in things like the Aspire Awards. These awards present people in our industry with the opportunity to achieve special recognition for achievements and levels of excellence.
-Personally, I have witnessed the staff at FAME pouring over and really sweating scoring systems and results in order to achieve maximum fairness at their competitions (NO contest is perfect in this regard, but I've been in the rooms where people are triple and quadruple-checking each others' work)
-I've never seen the FAME people treat the "really great" groups well, and the "not very good" groups as less than. I've always seen effort given to treating students from all schools exactly the same.
I know it's expensive to rent venues, pay union labor, hire staff, sound, lighting, etc......and groups obviously have to pay those costs to make it worth the event being held. Perhaps in coming years, venues will be adjusted, etc......who knows? I've been blessed to work with the AWESOME people at the Heart Of America events (who do an incredible job holding beautiful events that are a blessing to judge and attend.....REALLY GREAT EVENTS and outstanding people of integrity!) But the FAME people are good people...people of integrity...and I wish them also to have continued blessing and success in their events. When many opportunities for travel competitions are available to students and directors.....everyone's a winner!! Thanks! Damon Brown
This is awesome! I'm glad there will be some Ohio representation in whatever this line up ends up being! Ohio has been represented here each year of the FAME Finals. Personally, I also saw your Y2K show at your host invitational and just loved the nostalgia realness that was served. Certainly wishing you all the best.
Jeff, thank you so much for the kind words. I've been with Walsh for 8 years now and it has been a journey to say the least to get the group to where they are today.
It's an honor for us to have done well in Branson and be invited to the FAME Nationals Finals in Chicago. It's the support from not only our friends and family but other schools/directors that see and know our hard work that continue pushing us to achieve those next steps.
As more FAME regional competitions are occurring, is there any word on who's coming to finals? I'm aware both Carroll groups are attending. I've also heard Northrop Charisma was one of the groups invited due to a "sanctioned competition" and they'll be attending. Anyone else confirmed? This already seems to be an exciting lineup, well represented from Indiana!
Our director told us that we were invited due to only being 5 points behind Omaha Westside ATSC this year at Millard West, but sadly we won't be attending because we don't have the funds to make the trip...
I definitely do agree with you. Since you posted about the prices, I did want to acknowledge that it prompted us to update the ticket prices on our page above. While the majority of FAME's web pages are painfully outdated and severely lacking any real useful information, the ticket section must have been updated recently so those adjustments were made. Even with the change, I still agree $60-70 is a high price to pay for show choir considering this genuinely has no semblance of a national-caliber competition. Granted we don't have a line-up at this point, but it would appear FAME is handing out invitations and probably just trying to fill the line up. That isn't meant as any disrespect toward attending choirs, but I don't think anyone can argue that FAME 2017 is at all comparable to the earlier years of the FAME SCNCS. The company and landscape of show choir has changed a lot, which to me doesn't justify those prices. Although on the plus side, it is actually in Chicago and I'm hopeful that makes the experience more enjoyable for attending students and parents so long as they still have money to spend after these ticket prices.
I know I said this in 2015, but I'll say it again. FAME is a for profit organization. While they would like to have the highest caliber show choirs there, in the end, they need to fill the venue to make money. The field at the regional competitions (the ones that weren't cancelled) was pretty small so at this point they are going to do what ever they can to fill the venue and make money. Remember, most of the competitions we attend are put on by schools with an army of volunteers. FAME is at a very expensive venue that they have to rent and pay for labor (light and sound techs, ushers, janitorial staff, ticket office staff, etc.), most of whom work for union scale, and union rules. They reserve the venue way before they even know who is coming. I am not sure why they moved Nationals back to downtown Chicago although my guess is that they have noticed interest declining and thought, perhaps people might be more excited to go to Chicago than Waukegan. Personally I prefer Waukegan because it is way less expensive to stay and park there. Regardless, FAME needs to figure out what it's going to take to attract groups again or they're going to be out of business.
It is confirmed that the Harmony Gold Show Choir from Walsh Jesuit High School in Ohio will be attending!
This is awesome! I'm glad there will be some Ohio representation in whatever this line up ends up being! Ohio has been represented here each year of the FAME Finals. Personally, I also saw your Y2K show at your host invitational and just loved the nostalgia realness that was served. Certainly wishing you all the best.
Have you seen ticket prices and costs to attend this? My parents would have my head on a chopping block if I did something like this. I can't believe people pay this type of money to go to FAME. I used too when I had no options. People complain about tresona.....This is just as ridiculous.
I definitely do agree with you. Since you posted about the prices, I did want to acknowledge that it prompted us to update the ticket prices on our page above. While the majority of FAME's web pages are painfully outdated and severely lacking any real useful information, the ticket section must have been updated recently so those adjustments were made. Even with the change, I still agree $60-70 is a high price to pay for show choir considering this genuinely has no semblance of a national-caliber competition. Granted we don't have a line-up at this point, but it would appear FAME is handing out invitations and probably just trying to fill the line up. That isn't meant as any disrespect toward attending choirs, but I don't think anyone can argue that FAME 2017 is at all comparable to the earlier years of the FAME SCNCS. The company and landscape of show choir has changed a lot, which to me doesn't justify those prices. Although on the plus side, it is actually in Chicago and I'm hopeful that makes the experience more enjoyable for attending students and parents so long as they still have money to spend after these ticket prices.
Have you seen ticket prices and costs to attend this? My parents would have my head on a chopping block if I did something like this. I can't believe people pay this type of money to go to FAME. I used too when I had no options. People complain about tresona.....This is just as ridiculous.
Any word on Ankeny Centennial, Los Al, Johnston, Glenwood? I know the last 2 have had really good seasons and wouldn't be surprised to see at Finals!!!!
Also 99% sure Glenwood won't be attending, I have a couple pals from there that claimed they won't be. Bummer!
Any word on Ankeny Centennial, Los Al, Johnston, Glenwood? I know the last 2 have had really good seasons and wouldn't be surprised to see at Finals!!!!
I am 99% certain that neither Ankeny Centennial or Johnston will be attending the FAME National Finals this year. However, I am certain that Los Al will be returning again this year.
Any word on Ankeny Centennial, Los Al, Johnston, Glenwood? I know the last 2 have had really good seasons and wouldn't be surprised to see at Finals!!!!
I know that Northrop is going to FAME Nationals by way of a video entry,I believe. You are right, FAME has spent money on the venue and needs to fill it!
I'm sure many choirs will be attending through different methods, although I figured I'd clarify that Charisma was extended the invitation due to "qualifying scores from a sanctioned competition." I'm sure FAME has changed their rules a bit and at this point are just inviting established groups. Nonetheless, congratulations to all groups that will be attending!
FAME Show Choir National Finals 2017
