QUOTE(juliofrommississippi @ Dec 13 2006, 02:05 PM) 372069
Also, Onalaska just got too big and competitive, and I know many groups just didn't have fun at Onalaska's competition, so they tried going to other competitions. Both Linn-Mar and Monona Grove are a lot of fun, so many groups switched because of that. Onalaska just became all about the competition, and not about the fun.
I somewhat disagree. I had a blast traveling/performing/hanging out at Onalaska. It was my groups first competition of the season and the first time of the year to see many show choir's shows. It was to me a learning experience since show choir was my life in high school and still is currently in college. Yes, it did get to the point of extreme competition, but too me I find THAT fun. It makes the shows that much more exciting during finals since all the groups have to step it up.
I think Tom will do a great job rebuilding the program back up to where it was. It just takes time.
Also, Onalaska just got too big and competitive, and I know many groups just didn't have fun at Onalaska's competition, so they tried going to other competitions. Both Linn-Mar and Monona Grove are a lot of fun, so many groups switched because of that. Onalaska just became all about the competition, and not about the fun.
A agree with Adam - I also thought a number of schools might come back and give it a fresh start. While I certainly don't know for sure if the controversy etc. was the sole reason some groups started going elsewhere, for me personally it would have been more than reason enough to stop going.
But I suspect there is more than enough interest that first weekend out for all the number of contests to co-exist with a great line up at each. While it may not appear to be the case this year, things could very well even out in the future.
However, if I had a choice? I'd be heading over to Linn-Mar to catch the Ankeny / Totino / Urbandale / Kennedy / Johnston (home town always trumps) / everybody else on that list match up. That's insane...
and ana's
I think I would guess it's a combination of a few things bringing the numbers down.
It's not a secret that some groups have chosen not to go to Onalaska because of the 2004 incident- but there were groups before and after that year that were looking to go elsewhere for their first time out due to issues taken with Ona's comp.
Monona Grove and Linn-Mar are two really fantastic competitions being held on the same day, in our same little area of the country. Having been at Ona from 2000-2004, Monona in 2006, and Linn-Mar in 2005, I can say that Linn-Mar and Monona seem to do things as well, if not better than the best I've seen from the Classic.
I think the third reason is that so many show choirs are improving and growing so quickly that you no longer have to go to Onalaska to see some of the best groups- that used to be the case. 2004 was kind of the high point of that- prelims were crazy that day (for a few reasons lol) because of the number of high quality groups, but the years before that, it was almost as big.
Now you can go to Monona Grove and see a strong field, you can go to Linn-Mar and see a strong field... groups are not as compelled to go to Ona as they once were. I think it's lost some prestige as the other two big comps in the area have gained some.
I hope that The Classic goes well this year- you can't deny they still have great groups coming, Mt. Zion vs. Buffalo Grove would be a tough showdown anywhere- Tom Munderloh seems to have a very fresh and optimistic outlook on both the show choir program at Onalaska and the Classic- as he said in his letter to directors, it's a "brand new day" at Ona- I think it will be interesting to see what he does with such a high profile program.
I agree with that also, the controversy made some schools leave. Also, remember that back in 2004 there were like 2 competitions on the day of Onalaska, then Linn-Mar and Monona Grove moved their competition up a week. So schools have more choices when it used to be the Onalaska Show Choir Weekend. And some of the groups used to go to Onalaska and Monona or Linn-Mar but can't obviously now cos they are the same day, and just chose the school that was closer.
so we discovered tonight at practice...that we only have approximately 10 practices left before the Onalaska invite. and we have our last dance camp on the 28th. woooahhhhhhhhhh. scary but so thrilling too.
I'm agreeing thus far with those finals predictions, I think Mitchell might have a short day if Davenport West pulls out big guns earlier this year,
That top five should be a good showdown, and I dont think Sioux City has compteted with any of those groups before, save MTZ who the Headliners competed against in Nashville in 2004.
Im not going to use the word snarky in my post, but I think at some point we should make an informative website regarding the 2004 "Scandal on the Panel," for those who arent familiar with the story, since "No one will discuss" it.
I think I would guess it's a combination of a few things bringing the numbers down.
It's not a secret that some groups have chosen not to go to Onalaska because of the 2004 incident- but there were groups before and after that year that were looking to go elsewhere for their first time out due to issues taken with Ona's comp.
Monona Grove and Linn-Mar are two really fantastic competitions being held on the same day, in our same little area of the country. Having been at Ona from 2000-2004, Monona in 2006, and Linn-Mar in 2005, I can say that Linn-Mar and Monona seem to do things as well, if not better than the best I've seen from the Classic.
I think the third reason is that so many show choirs are improving and growing so quickly that you no longer have to go to Onalaska to see some of the best groups- that used to be the case. 2004 was kind of the high point of that- prelims were crazy that day (for a few reasons lol) because of the number of high quality groups, but the years before that, it was almost as big.
Now you can go to Monona Grove and see a strong field, you can go to Linn-Mar and see a strong field... groups are not as compelled to go to Ona as they once were. I think it's lost some prestige as the other two big comps in the area have gained some.
I hope that The Classic goes well this year- you can't deny they still have great groups coming, Mt. Zion vs. Buffalo Grove would be a tough showdown anywhere- Tom Munderloh seems to have a very fresh and optimistic outlook on both the show choir program at Onalaska and the Classic- as he said in his letter to directors, it's a "brand new day" at Ona- I think it will be interesting to see what he does with such a high profile program.
I'm not sure about this theory. I was surprised not to see more groups attend this year after all of the controversy that has continued to cut the number of competitors since 2004. I mean a new director does entail a fresh start, correct?
In 2004 there were something like 28 groups... 2005 I think either 22 or 23. 2006 there were 18. And now 2004... 14 groups. At this rate, Onalaska won't have a competition in a few years.
I'm being snarky. Sorry.
Thanks for the kind vote of confidence Jay.
I'm not even going to cast predictions.
wow Adam, I think I heard t his converstaion last night.
A agree with Adam - I also thought a number of schools might come back and give it a fresh start. While I certainly don't know for sure if the controversy etc. was the sole reason some groups started going elsewhere, for me personally it would have been more than reason enough to stop going.
But I suspect there is more than enough interest that first weekend out for all the number of contests to co-exist with a great line up at each. While it may not appear to be the case this year, things could very well even out in the future.
However, if I had a choice? I'd be heading over to Linn-Mar to catch the Ankeny / Totino / Urbandale / Kennedy / Johnston (home town always trumps) / everybody else on that list match up. That's insane...
Yah... its kind of expected for this competition to take a hit in attendance this year because of paul retiring last year...
I'm not sure about this theory. I was surprised not to see more groups attend this year after all of the controversy that has continued to cut the number of competitors since 2004. I mean a new director does entail a fresh start, correct?
In 2004 there were something like 28 groups... 2005 I think either 22 or 23. 2006 there were 18. And now 2004... 14 groups. At this rate, Onalaska won't have a competition in a few years.
I'm being snarky. Sorry.
QUOTE(juliofrommississippi @ Dec 8 2006, 12:13 PM) 371763
hmmmmm my prediction of finalists:
BUFFALO GROVE (because hell will freeze over before they don't make finals)
Mt. Zion
Omaha Westside
Sauk Prairie
Sioux City East
Davenport West
I'm going to have to go with my Iowa groups, sorry!
Thanks for the kind vote of confidence Jay.
I'm not even going to cast predictions.
This is the complete list of groups in time slot order.
La Crosse Logan (girls)
Tomah
Marshall
Sioux City East
12:20- Davenport West
Altoona
La Crosse Logan
Neenah
Mitchell
Holmen
Westside
Sauk Prairie
Mt. Zion
Buffalo Grove
14 show choirs. Any idea who Marshall High School is?? If I wasn't an alumni of Davenport West, I would much rather go to Linn Mar over Onalaska. But, I've got to show my support!
Answering my own question... Marshall High School in Marshall, WI is about 30 minutes northeast of Madison. The school website says they have a show choir, but it provides no further information about them.
Onalaska Show Choir Classic 2007
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