I think we went to Jefferson my junior year too......in 1984. You're far from old, my dear.
HaHa show choir existed back then I'm kidding! But Yea This competition seems like its going to be awesome My Mom is doing a ton with this Comp so I will probally end up helping when I come back home, but I'm excited to see the level of Competition that is coming!! Yeah!!!
I'm Alomost Positive its the same size! The old wooden table style ones that are heavy and spread apart by the end of the night!
I don't remember it getting spread apart, but I do remember it moving a bunch. When we used to regularly attend Jefferson's competition I often would hit wrong notes on the piano when the group would do a rapid side-to-side movement just because the piano would shift three or four inches beneath my hands. You could get a little seasick.
I've performed other places though where they had the old Wenger platforms with the fold up legs. Those were scary. I remember once a leg on one of the shortest risers folded up in about our second song and the whole riser lifted up on the opposite end like 6 or 7 inches. One of our guys happened to step in the hole beneath it and when the person on the other end stepped off it crashed down on his shin. He instantly pulled his leg free and finished the set like nothing ever happened, but when he came off stage he had a huge gash in his leg and blood was pouring into his shoe.
My most vivid Jefferson memory would have to be sitting way up in the bleachers after our finals performance and seeing Happiness do Madame Guillotine for the first time. It was incredibly hot in the gym, and it was super late, and they were about to cut off someone's head.
I also remember the stage being kind of small, which is why I was wondering if it compared to MoShow's.
i'm pretty sure it is the same size as Mo-Show's. I haven't performed there since 2003 though so I might not have the best memory. I'm guessing it's the same since Mo-Show came out of Jefferson and so I'm sure Mo-Show bought the same type of stage as Jeff.
My most vivid Jefferson memory would have to be sitting way up in the bleachers after our finals performance and seeing Happiness do Madame Guillotine for the first time. It was incredibly hot in the gym, and it was super late, and they were about to cut off someone's head.
I also remember the stage being kind of small, which is why I was wondering if it compared to MoShow's.
I remember performing at Jefferson last year and having to crane my neck up to look at the judges. I also remember how hot it got in the gym, how they don't let people sit in the aisles or on the floor in front of the stage, how pictures were taken right by the pool on these small and shaky wooden platforms, and how Kennedy broke the stage last year while celebrating their win.
I think 2001 was the last time I was at Mo-Show. Umm, I know at Jefferson it's a portable stage with the typical 4-riser setup. Yeah, it's pretty much the typical portable stage at one end of the gym. Also, tell your singer/dancers not to be shocked when they go in there. The judges and sound people are on high, multi-leveled, platforms at the other end of the gym. When performing, you will walk into the gym from the small gym (warm-up location) and take an immediate right and that will take you right to the stage. I noticed on the Jefferson website that they have a staging form link but it didn't work. Below is the Staging for Touch of Class, which is also a typical portable stage. It is pretty similar if not exact, except Jefferson doesn't (or at least didn't) have the changing rooms. Also at Jefferson, you are up against a wall so there are no back stairs. The prop storage at Jefferson is in another location where is at Benton it is all immediately behind the stage. I wish I could be more help.
That is really a wonderful approach to show choir competition... It's also about music education- what a concept!
Someday, I'd like to go to Benton.
IMHO, Benton has it down to a science. They have two huge screens in the gym with a direct feed from the cameras shooting the DVDs, so the people in the back can see the faces and such. Also, they allow you to bring your own video camera.
Jefferson is very good as well, they have been doing it for many, many years.
W00T! My choirs are coming all the way from Columbia Missouri. Rock Bridge's Satin & Lace and City Lights. I think we should be good competition this year, considering that so far, we have won all our competitions. (Albeit there were only two of them, and the only Iowa Choir there was Davenport North, but I think we did well) Absolutely psyched to meet new and challenging competition. You Iowa show choirs are the stuff of legend....
*bounces around in happy circle*
Its gonna be so much fun!
Can anybody post or pm me all of the Iowa state rules for show choir? Good luck to all who is going to be there.
These are several pages long. However, I have provided a pretty standard rules listing. Generally, all directors are recommended to read the regulations that govern the high school music programs by their state associations in information sent before the competition (I would assume that this happened at Great River, for example). Then, they are also provided competition specific rules for each particular competition. Below is taken from Benton Community's Touch of Class (from their website) and is nothing out of the ordinary.
Choirs will compete during the daytime competition in three divisions based on school size, class 1A-2A, 3A and 4A. Trophies will also be awarded to choirs in the prep division , with the majority of the members being 9th and 10th grade students. Choirs in classes compete under sized regulation of the Iowa High School Music Association, which has sanctioned this event.
All performers, including instrumentalists, must be students of the participating school, although one adult may play the acoustic or electric piano as the main accompanying instrument.
The riser levels are 8",16",24" and 32". Our stage is a 40' X 40' raised (24 inches) stage. The band area is carpeted. It will NOT be a SET stage. You may indicate the riser formation you wish to have on the director submission page or fax a set up to John Hayden at 319-228-8747. It would help us if your parent group knows your set up and can assist, but it is not necessary.
Choirs are free to present any type of performance they wish. Directors may be on stage with their choirs and may direct. Any type of instrumental accompaniment is allowed, however, the IHSMA rules prohibit the use of taped accompaniments, sequenced sounds or drum machines.
There is no time penalty, we simply ask groups to set up, tear down and perform as quickly as possible. Timing has nothing to do with music education, so there are no penalties, thus helping to alleviate stress for everyone.
No pyrotechnics and no strobe lights are allowed. Glitter, confetti, smoke machines, are permitted.
Our stage crew will assist you in setting up any additional equipment.
Who is eligible for evening finals?
The top five scoring groups from the daytime competition are invited into the championship finals. In addition to the five groups, the HIGHEST scoring show choir from 1A,2A, or 3A will also be invited to compete in the evening finals. If the highest scoring 1A, 2A or 3A group is ALSO one of the top five scoring choirs from the day, then the sixth spot will be reserved to the NEXT highest scoring 1A,2A or 3A group.
Cedar Rapids Jefferson Show Choir Invitational 2007
... I never get to see those Iowa choirs...
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