I think the random draw for spots is a little bit of a cop out because you're going to be forced to adjust for some of the groups, so the randomness is really artificial. If you have two groups from the same school competing they obviously can't go at the same time in different centers or right before or after one another...so you adjust. You might have to adjust for a group that is heavy in sets like Laff-Jeff. If you're working to get that big group (like a Clinton for instance) to come to your competition and they say they'll only come if they can have a mid-afternoon slot you'll likely make that concession.
While, I agree with what you said, I still think random draw is one of the better, more fair ways to schedule. This way no one can really complain about politics when getting their time slot, especially when they are allowed to barter with other groups. I'm pretty sure DK does put the more prestigious groups later in the day anyways, so while it isn't COMPLETELY random, i think it is a fair way to do the scheduling. Also, since DK does Mo-Show scheduling off of this, he can't be mad if we get an early timeslot, unless it conflicts with state events (speech, etc.)
The main reason Holmen got the spot we did, right after lunch, is because we are on microphones so we need to have a sound check and get hooked into Viterbo's sound system. This also is a reason scheduling is done the way it is.
just a quick post. i'm sorry this scheduling change has caused such distress for people, but please believe me that a lot of thought was put into the schedule. as we explained to the directors when the new schedule was sent out, we mean no offense. i hope that you will still enjoy your experience at Viterbo 101, because we are hoping to provide you with one of the best possible.
We are looking forward to seeing you all in a week!
Let me start by stating that I have absolutely nothing to do with the schedule at Urbandale's competition, so my comments are in no way representative of the way Urbandale sets its schedule.
I think that when scheduling a competition you have to give consideration to many factors including:
1. Finish in last year's competition
2. Travel distance from the site
3. Other competing groups from the same school
4. Setup and tear down time needed by the groups
5. And...like it or not....prestige of the group
I think the random draw for spots is a little bit of a cop out because you're going to be forced to adjust for some of the groups, so the randomness is really artificial. If you have two groups from the same school competing they obviously can't go at the same time in different centers or right before or after one another...so you adjust. You might have to adjust for a group that is heavy in sets like Laff-Jeff. If you're working to get that big group (like a Clinton for instance) to come to your competition and they say they'll only come if they can have a mid-afternoon slot you'll likely make that concession.
Note: As far as I know Clinton doesn't do that...it was just for the sake of the example.
I really love what Kennedy is doing this year: allowing groups to pick their finals performance slot based on their prelim placements. Obviously this has a little something to do with the fact that we performed pretty late in the day everywhere we competed last year and got the first finals performance slot everytime but one.
QUOTE(juliofrommississippi @ Dec 30 2006, 10:49 PM) 373078
Idk how many people know this but Lafayette Jefferson was slated to come to Mo-Show in 2005. They thought it was unfair that Dr. Kreitzer had them scheduled right after the lunch break so they would have time to set up and take down their background without causing a huge delay.
And what a delay they cause. At Mundelein 2005, they took a half an hour of time all together setting up and tearing down. We got out of warm up and had to wait forever.
There is no universal guideline on how to put a competition's schedule together. Yes, some competitions will commit to scheduling groups with certain priorities (previous placements, travel distance, date registration was received), but none of those things HAVE to be taken into consideration. Places that advertise their use of these factors to set schedules will often give themselves an "out", saying that there may be exceptions made.
I agree. I have seen MANY a Mo-Show schedule get changed.
Dr. Kreitzer always makes it a point to put the group who won last year last in the day round. But, he always says that is the only thing that is for sure. He chooses all of the other groups times out of a hat, and then puts them onto the schedule. The only time there will be a change in the schedule is if a group is competing at another competition the same day and there is a time conflict (i.e. Johnson 2006). Also, if a group really needs to arrive later in the day because of traveling, I'm sure he will help accomodate them by talking to other directors and trying to find a way to switch.
Also, if a group has a HUGE set he will try and put them in a spot that doesn't interfere with the smoothness of the day. Idk how many people know this but Lafayette Jefferson was slated to come to Mo-Show in 2005. They thought it was unfair that Dr. Kreitzer had them scheduled right after the lunch break so they would have time to set up and take down their background without causing a huge delay. So sometimes competitions feel they have a need to put groups early or late, depending on the situation. I have a feeling the people at Viterbo contacted at least Mr. Anderson at Linn-Mar and asked if the schedule change was ok.
I don't mean to say its wrong at all. I understand that some competitions will take other things into consideration for the schedule but there is no guideline.
Most of the competitions I've attended, those were some of the things used, I see why Celebration was early, and its not hard to point the fact that the "prep" choirs are in the morning.
There is no universal guideline on how to put a competition's schedule together. Yes, some competitions will commit to scheduling groups with certain priorities (previous placements, travel distance, date registration was received), but none of those things HAVE to be taken into consideration. Places that advertise their use of these factors to set schedules will often give themselves an "out", saying that there may be exceptions made.
So, I have to ask- does anyone know what Viterbo 101's process is for setting a schedule? If not, I'm confused on how you can say it's wrong. You can certainly say you don't like it, but how is it "wrong" when it's completely within their rights as the people running the competition to set the schedule in any way they please?
But Dranscht, look at Hastings Divaz, they are first. I think then that I can safely assume thta Hastings Riverside will be there to cheer on the Divaz. Immeadiately(sp) after is Holmen: the local group. I just think more though could have been put into scheduling. Still, Viterbo looks to be a great competition.
I don't think that the last daytime spot is necessarily the best. You perform, you're all tired, and then, what if you're chosen for finals and are the first to perform? Time crunch, for sure.
One thing that might bear into scheduling: Holmen is a half hour from La Crosse, Eau Claire an hour and a half. Brodhead, Fort, Linn-Mar, Hastings -- all further than that. Perhaps some of these groups are scheduled later so that they don't have to leave WAY early in the morning. (I realize that that point doesn't really fit with Celebration's 11:30 time.)
Can I just say (and I hope this offends no one and if it does I'm sorry) that the order is really weird? Holmen and OASC made finals last year yet we are put really early. While Brodhead, who didn't make finals in this past is later.
On another topic: I can see why they put Fort where they did: not to disrupt the rest of the schedule but it does make me mad that they get the best spot when they registered late. I suppose it's the only option though. I like Fort's shows and and excited to see this year!
My guess (and keep in mind, it's ONLY a guess) is that Celebration performs "early" because, even though they've made finals and have beaten varsity groups, they are still classified as a prep group, so they perform with the rest of the prep groups. It also makes less of a ripple in the schedule if Fort is just added on to the end rather than shifting every other group. I can see why some'd be displeased with it, but I also completely understand why the schedule is as it is.
How does a group that joins late gets last spot to perform?
Doesn't make sense.
I am sorry, I am not the most happy with this schedule. Linn Mar should have last spot no matter what, they took home GC last year and deserve the last day spot (granted they will make finals no matter what), what about the groups that signed up on time, fort should go first and move everyone to the next time slot. Then there is the fact that Celebration made finals the first year, beat Brodhead last year and now they perform third. Yes, this is my old choir, but I would be upset about this even if it wasn’t my choir, like any normal person.
Another change in the schedule! Fort Atkinson will be at the competition!
10:30 Hastings Divaz
11:00 Holmen Midwest Magic
11:30 Cedar Rapids Celebration
12:00 Lunch Break
1:00 Holmen Midwest Express
1:30 Altoona Locomotion
2:00 Eau Claire Memorial Old Abe Show Choir
2:30 Milton Choralation
3:00 Brodhead “Guys and Dollsâ€
3:30 Hastings Riverside Company
4:00 Linn-Mar 10th Street Edition
4:30 Fort Atkinson South High Street Singers
5:00 VU's Tonal Impact, followed by awards
6:30 FINALS BEGIN!
I am very excited to see how Celebration does for this competition. I saw them practicing today and they looked very rounded out, alot more so than last year at this time. I am going in to help them clean tomorrow!
Viterbo 101 2007
