*Clears Throat*
*clap/clap*
BRAD REVIEW
This will probably be the last Brad review of the season ;-; but that is okay
I got to see just about every group, and even had the opportunity to observe some groups in warm up {yes that was me, thanks for speaking up >:/ } ANYWAY let's get to the review. Here's how it's gonna go: I'm gonna give an individual analysis of each group, which will also include some constructive criticism that you may or may not care about ;}. Then I'll give my breakdown of placements and how I feel about the scores in general. Starting with...
WAIT: before I do that, special shoutout to Clinton Christian Academy and Oak Grove middle school. My two favorite groups to observe in finals. OG has an amazing staff and such a charismatic Director in addition to some amazingly talented kiddos. CCA definitely stole my heart. They seemed to enjoy the music more than concerning themselves with judging <3
OK, now let's begin..(That's a Jon Bellion reference and I'm not ashamed)
NWR: I enjoyed seeing your show mature throughout the season! Definitely some well executed choreography, especially the fellas. In my opinion, the best boys number of the season with regards to choreography. Your concept was easy to understand while also being a little bit more than "we is singin' an' dancin'" Which is something I always enjoy :}
CC: If I'd have any advice going into your next competition/ and after that, next season-- It's all about control and knowing when you really need to let loose. The choreo has to read well as a choir/group not only half or 75% of the group. I can't wait to watch you all again next year and I hate that I have to wait another 10 months to ;;-;; Luh u guys
Jackson Prep: YOU DID IT AGAIN <3 ALMOST A NEAR PERFECT SEASON. I refuse to check your page because the OCD will kill me, but all memes aside, I have to be real for a second. I actually enjoyed your show this year more than the one last year, and some how you lost ground.(I'm still puzzled as to why this is) I thought the choreography was much stronger and the vocals were on par with the vocals from last year. Maybe I'm trippin. And your soloist(s) give me chills every.single.time "AND I CLIMB EVERY-" (calm yourself, brad)
CC: Volume. To me, you all have the numbers to put out enough sound. There are moments where It doesn't sound as balanced and it feels like your stepping over the line! If two out of 4 parts are dominating the space, then we can't hear the other two as well and that makes me sadbrad. With all that being said, you guys had a wonderful show this year and I predict you will procure at least to GC's next year.
West Jones: OH MY GOODNESS YOUR CHOREOGRAPHY. I was not surprised to see you all got 2nd for visuals. you absolutely killed that choreo. My wig was snatched completely off, sown back on, and snatched off again. When I begin to show my clients how they should look doing their choreo, I will reference your show. Your set was SO much fun to watch and TINA BROUGHT down the house. (also pretty sure she blew me a kiss while performing, I'm claiming that.)
CC: To me, the latter half of the show was just so exciting that it made the first half seem almost normal, or average. Dynamically the show spikes after the ballad, not just because of Tina either. Everyone seemed to invest more in the 2nd half. nevertheless the show was amazing and congratulations on a great year.
Grenada: (I'm not crying) I'VE seen your show almost 10 times and I never get sick of it. At this point, I could literally get up there and do the choreography with you! I know many of you have seen, or saw me down in the front freaking out and for good reason. Solid concept. Amazing song selection. Wonderful solos. STILL THE BEST FACIALS IN THE SOUTH GOING ON 4 YEARS. And my goodness the costumes are flawless. okay and can we please talk about how amazing your ad libs are? Like I would literally look over to Kayla (my wife), or Jay and say "here comes the ad-lib" and you all never failed me ;-; (my favorite one is after the first phrase ("I swear I'll behave") in Moves Like Jagger where someone goes "aow!" on beat 5. It's so perfect. It's perfect. I can't get over it.
CC: When it came to this competition in particular, I felt like the vocals were not as broad as they could've been or as they have been. There were moments where it felt thinner than usual. With that being said I've believed in you all even when many didn't and I'm glad that this season belongs to you all. One of the best groups in the south. Congrats
JACKSON ACADEMY: Saturday was your night. It really was, and Congratulations on retaining your undefeated streak at this competition! Your vocals were just undeniable in finals and even in prelims, I was very pleased with your sound. I also quite liked how invested each of you were in your specific characters, like I was this close to giving you character names and such. Each vampire had their own story it didn't just seem like a Latham Nance show (although I'd prolly watch that) shout out to Ash and LIZZY and GABE, DOM, NEO, AND BRENT ! I love you all and you all had me "dead" (get it? cause yall is vampires? XD) okay I'm done I promise.
CC: Personally I enjoyed the story, but I still didn't know exactly how It went until seeing it in finals. Throughout the season, there was a lack of clarity. But Congrats on an amazing performance, and you most certainly earned it. <3
As for Placements, I could not initially tell who was going to win because there were 5 groups in finals capable of taking it home that night. But I feel like Coming out of missing finals at WJ was a wake up call for JA and they really put in the work for it.
I'm gonna miss throwing away 45 minutes of my time to analyze competitions, but you can bet I'll be back next year ;}
I’m just wondering why if the scores place the choir in placing but then the choir is given a different placing which isn’t reflected by the scores; how does that happen or why?
Okay the final scores say that Jackson Prep score was 686.5 placing them in 5th, west jones’ score 697.5 placing them in 4th(3rd runner up), NWR’s score was 702 placing them in 3rd(2nd runner up), Grenada’s score 711 placing them in 2nd (first runner up), JA’s score was 733 placing them in 1st (grand champion); but NWRHS received 4th (3rd runner up). But clearly that is not what the scores projected.
Finals is usually done by rankings, which usually helps keep one judge from skewing the results. Of course, when you do captions by points and places by ranks, then it gets dicey.
It's called consensus judging. So 3/4 judges actually had West Jones over NWR, but because one judge had NWR at way ahead of West Jones, the points actually added up for NWR to be over West Jones. The real question is: should we allow one judge to rule over the other 3? I don't know, there's a ton of discussion that goes into it. I hope I answered your question <3
It also could’ve been 2-2 looking at the score, with the tie broken with best vocals. But like I said, it’s to try to prevent a judge from skewing the results. Works about 98% of the time.
No, it really doesn’t answer my question. I feel like it’s an answer given just to hush me from asking questions. I also feel like it was done bc they were the only middle aa division and it would have hurt this competition for them to be placed to high in the rankings for future years for this competition to be held at Madison Central. Bc regardless of what they should not be able to give whichever placement they feel to the choir just bc that’s what they want to do. If that’s the case why take score?
I do not agree. Bc I saw the scores before going into finals and NWRHS was 20.5 points ahead of all other choirs competing and first in vocals. I really believe bc they are middle aa division played a large roll in decision making, due to large divisions bringing more money and attention to a competition.
Well to be fair your question was "why if the scores place the choir in placing but then the choir is given a different placing which isn’t reflected by the scores; how does that happen or why?" And I explained to you how consensus judging works and that in finals 3/4 judges had West Jones ahead of ya, and that is why you were placed under them despite scoring higher. NWR put on a phenomenal performance, but EVERY group in finals was phenomenal. I'm sorry you feel that way// Congratulations on a wonderful show.
Awesome performances from all. However, it was very confusing and disrespectful to see judges not taking notes and texting during the final shows. Is this a normal practice? If so, let me know.
I'm sure there's a good explanation for it! I'm assuming you've never judged a show choir competition and neither have I so I guess someone who has can let you know whether or not it's a normal practice.
4th ru- Jackson Prep
3rd ru- NW Rankin
2nd ru- West Jones (Stage crew)
1st ru- Grenada (Costumes, show design)
GC- Jackson Academy (Vocals, choreography)
Madison Central Deep South Classic 2019
