QUOTE(juliofrommississippi @ Dec 12 2006, 10:02 PM) 372023
Let's remember the two staples of Xavier show choir- Laura Fuller and Ryan Deignan- have both graduated.... In my mind, that puts Xavier at an extreme disadvantage to previous years. Also I have a feeling that Bemidji could break the top 3. Let's all remember some later results of last year (I know nothing solid to base predictions on). But, Totino did beat Urbandale at Johnston, and Bemidji did beat Totino (controversially) at Waconia. I wouldn't put it past Bemidji to do well. Let's also remember how Cedar Rapids Prairie had their best result at Linn-Mar last year. The judges definitely loved them, and I would expect a similar show this year. Also, all the vocal talent (minus a select few) did not graduate. For some reason I also have a feeling Cedar Rapids Kennedy will have their worst result here in a LONG while.
p.s. Chelsea, thanks for telling my sister I was coming to see her performance.... You totally ruined my news.... I hate you.
I agree on the Xavier issue to an extent. As much as Laura (now my Luther buddy) and Ryan were a "staple" in "Xhilaration"; I am confident that the choir will continue to grow under the great direction of Mr. Last. He is a pro and each year "Xhilaration" continues to get better and show much growth. I look forward to seeing them compete at "Great River" in February.
I wish I could have seen Prairie at the beginning of the year last year. I saw them at Fab Five last season and was not impressed, at all. It made me really wonder how they made finals at Linn Mar. I do understand though that the Fab Five performance is a little bit out of season and that it does not always reflect the level of caliber that a show choir is at, but I saw Prairie the year before (2005) at a Fab Five performance and was extremely impressed. I also understand that Prairie seems to compete strong at the beginning but then they continue to stay at the same level, while other groups improve as the season goes on. I thought last years show was a big step down from 2005.
I can't say much about Bemidji. The last show I saw performed by them was in 2003.
As for Cedar Rapids Kennedy, I went to a performance held by them on November 7th. I think that this may be a difficult season for them as well (as Jay said). Last year was a wonderful year for "Happiness, Inc.". They had a great show, a great sound, a wonderful energy, all with a fun group of kids. It's hard to "move on" after years like that, but groups do it all the time, and Kennedy is no different. The performance given only had three of their competition songs (no ballad or novelty). I'm not going to go into specifics, but overall it was not an impressive performance. Now... this of course was in November when some groups still didn't have choreography, costumes, vocals and other things etc. It was merely a performance in which to show their progress and to gauge how much further they had to go. I know that by Linn Mar competition time, Kennedy can have their act together and that they can do well. And before anyone can accuse me of "hating", let's keep in mind the deep and profound love that I have for "Happiness, Inc." They are my favorite show choir of all time, and I will stand by them thick and thin.
I have also viewed Ankeny's show on video from their performance in November. They will have another strong season.
From what I have heard, Iowa City High is doing very well already. They had a strong year in 2004, a down year in 2005, but they then rebounded with a wonderful season in 2006. I think once again that they may have a great season.
I haven't heard anything about Totino, but I am just going to take a wild guess and say that they will have a good season.
I'm excited to see Urbandale's show... I've heard from at least one person who has seen the show that they will definitely thrive this season.
I kept playing all those in my head, and thinking about them when I made my predicitions, but most of the stuff happend "later" in the season, I think I would add Prairie in, cause you are right and I said it to Adam (on IM) that Prairie does well at the start.
Well, I'm just rambling.
Let's remember the two staples of Xavier show choir- Laura Fuller and Ryan Deignan- have both graduated.... In my mind, that puts Xavier at an extreme disadvantage to previous years. Also I have a feeling that Bemidji could break the top 3. Let's all remember some later results of last year (I know nothing solid to base predictions on). But, Totino did beat Urbandale at Johnston, and Bemidji did beat Totino (controversially) at Waconia. I wouldn't put it past Bemidji to do well. Let's also remember how Cedar Rapids Prairie had their best result at Linn-Mar last year. The judges definitely loved them, and I would expect a similar show this year. Also, all the vocal talent (minus a select few) did not graduate. For some reason I also have a feeling Cedar Rapids Kennedy will have their worst result here in a LONG while.
p.s. Chelsea, thanks for telling my sister I was coming to see her performance.... You totally ruined my news.... I hate you.
Im guessing April James will be a citique judge again. She has been one for the last three years. Other then that i don't know who any of the judges at Linn-Mar would be.
Woo-Hoo! I get to be the one to make the observation that Supernova officially kicks off one month from Today. That's right... Friday, January 12th, 2007.
As for Predictions (Sure to Go Wrong)
Grand Championship: Urbandale, "Studio 2007" (I have a hard time picking against a group that is returning to a competition where they haven't lost)
First Runner-Up: Ankeny, "Visual Adrenaline" (I am sure that they will be very strong again this year.)
Second Runner-Up: Totino-Grace, "Company of Singers" (Incredibly strong choir)
Third Runner-Up: Cedar Rapids Kennedy, "Happiness Incorporated" (I believe the Top 4 will be close)
Fourth Runner-Up: Bemidji, "Vocalmotive" (Perhaps after a bit of a drop, still a very, very good show choir)
Fifth Runner-Up: Cedar Rapids Xavier, "Xhileration" (I have to go with a bit of the hometown advantage)
My only thoughts on how things could go at Linn Mar are as follows...
I think that Ankeny, Totino Grace, and Urbandale will all make finals and probably be in the top three.
After that, it all gets shady. Any of the other groups could get into finals. I will not be surprised if a well known or well loved group besides the three listed above does not make finals.
Hmmmmm I'm really excited for this competition. I really love Urbandale, but I just want an upset this year so I am pulling for Totino-Grace or Ankeny. Totino and Urby have faced each other many times in the opening part of the season, i.e. Onalaska 2003 (Urbandale higher) Onalaska 2004 (Totino higher) Linn-Mar 2005 (Urbandale winning) Johnston 2006 (Totino winning). So if we go off past results it is confusing. They both, in the past 4 years, have beaten each other the same amount at the first or second competition of the season. They switch off every other year, so if they do that again, Urbandale should win. Of course Urbandale has never lost Linn-Mar, so Urbandale should be predicted to win again. Overall, Totino has beaten Urbandale more in the past 4 years (using later competitions- Big Dance 2004).
It all depends on who is more prepared this early in the season. That being said, Ankeny did get a caption award off Urbandale at Linn-Mar last year, showing an improvement in early season work. I have heard that their show could be late-season clean by Linn-Mar. Naturally, we can't completely go off this, but it's for fun and games. In other words I am just trying to make conversation and confuse the heck outta people as to who should win!
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;)
umm... Tom? Your nose is gettin a lil bit brown there...
I am very excited for this comp... cant wait...