Every year, time and time again, Ankeny Centennial has the best male sound. Ever. I also have to mention Broken Arrow who blew me away with their show. It was so different and unique, complimented with fantastic vocals! Placement well deserved! It was a joy to watch each finalist on the live stream, I have no doubt that every group who competed tonight is going to have a very successful season!
It’s really difficult to compare Waukee to Ankeny Centennial. I think Waukee’s choreography was cleaner, but overall I thought Ankeny Centennial’s visuals (highlighting the solo dancers) were more sophisticated and dramatic. Vocally, I think Waukee executed better overall (difficult divisi, desirable tone quality, dynamic contrasts, and male sound in particular), but Ankeny Centennial was more powerful and unified (vowel shapes, blend, unisons).
My placements:
GC: Ankeny Centennial (BC, Show Design)
1RU: Waukee (BV)
2RU: Urbandale
3RU: Broken Arrow (BB)
4RU: Wheaton North
5RU: Millard North
Hooooly cow. This evening has been absolutely insane. Every single group I saw was fantastic. Thank you so much to Johnston's livestream team. This is one of the highest quality livestreams I've ever seen. Good luck Flight! You represented Illinois soooo well tonight!
Not that anyone cares, but after daytime my personal rankings were:
1. Centennial
2. Urbandale
3. Waukee
4. Broken Arrow
5. Wheaton North
6. Millard North
After finals my personal placements are:
1. Centennial (BV)
2. Urbandale (BC, BB)
3. Waukee
4. Wheaton North
5. Millard North
6. Broken Arrow
To me, the top 3 were close and the bottom 3 were very close. Honestly, these six shows were all absolutely fantastic and regardless of placement, the groups should be ecstatic with the performances they gave. One of the best finals I've watched in a while.
All of this was via live feed so take it with a grain of salt.
Well, Spectrum, I watched you for a second time. And I cried again. I just, what? Y'all are just.. It's just.. SHOW choir. But also great vocals so like, show CHOIR. So actually, SHOW CHOIR. Okay. I'm rambling. Whatever.
Hadestown in show choir sets makes me very excited.
Johnston Showzam 2020
