Interesting; Mr. Storm has Tier III placements as Vermillion, Sheldon, and Rock Valley (with Missouri Valley not listed as placing). If Missouri Valley got 8th overall, we should see Sheldon and Rock Valley higher on that list - unless MV competed in a different division. Do you have any insight into that?
The USD comp is likely one of the oldest and longest running show choir competitions in the US. It is at least 45 years running if not more. And yes, although show choir has changed dramatically since it’s origin. It still offers a solid competitive performance opportunities to the many area schools, both big and small.
Quite similar to the College competitions and non-comps they do in Iowa, Nebraska and a few other Midwestern States. To encourage participation in the University Musical Arts Programs.
Do the show choirs have a 3-song limit? I saw that note for jazz ensembles, but not show choirs. If so, though, it wouldn't be completely unheard of. When McKendree University hosted their Midwest Nationals competition they had a 3-song limit for prelims and then finalists would perform their full show.
My groups competed at this competition last year. All groups did their entire shows (3,4,5 songs.) The strange thing was there were only 12 sets of platforms (as opposed to the usual 16), with extra space in the front to make up for the lack of platforms. And the warm-up center is at a church two blocks away with students having to bus over to the performance venue. Very strange event none-the-less.
This is less of a competition and more of a festival. And it focuses more on small schools.. like, really small schools. And it happens on a Tuesday. It wasn't made to be a prototypical weekend competition. More of a showcase for the smaller groups.
I appreciate that approach. A lot of times in Wisconsin comps back in the 90s you’d get random local schools who only did that comp for the year... that doesn’t happen anymore around here but I like to see that it’s happening still.
University of South Dakota Coyote Jazz Festival 2019
