It seems that as far as show choir is concerned Urbandale and Johnston have been on opposing paths. For many years in the 80's and 90's Johnston was one of the top Iowa show choirs and Urbandale was still in its infancy. In other words Johnston dominated Urbandale for a long time.
Late in the 90's Urbandale made a huge leap in show choir competitiveness (mostly coinciding with the hiring of Damon Brown as our choreographer). There were 2 or 3 years in there where we traded positions with Johnston and then for the last several years we have had a little more success. Johnston was very impressive the two times I've seen them live this year and are definitely back in the discussion when determining possible GCs at any competition they attend.
We definitely know that this weekend will be a dogfight not just between us and Johnston, but amongst all the big schools attending Kennedy. As Great River proved anything can happen depending on that day's performances and the particular judging panel's preferences. It's going to be fun!
Oh...and from what I can tell the rivalry between Johnston and Urbandale is mostly very friendly. The majority of the kids attending Johnston and Urbandale have grown up together. They have shared a swim team for years. They all went to preschool with each other, attend the same churches, played little league together, etc. Many of them literally live right across the street from one another. They're friends, but make no mistake they want to win when the two schools come up against each other in anything be it show choir, basketball, football, baseball, and so on.
When has there been a close competition between Johnston and Urbandale?
I'm a bit confused as to what you mean. Did you mean when 'hasn't' there been a rivalry? Because they're neighbors! And even when Johnston was just a 2A or 3A h.s. they were competitive against each other, which has now only intensified since Johnston grew to 4A size and joined the same conference with Urbandale - so they face each other in just about everything. It's intense (though hopefully friendly on the whole...)
As for the last time it was really close for show choir? I would have to say it was indeed a while ago - 2002. They traded placements a couple times that year. I know Johnston beat them in prelims and finals at the Great River that year, but later on Urbandale edged them out at the Jefferson invite. 2003-2006 have more or less been the "Ankeny Urbandale" show as they seem to have gotten most (if not all) the attention.
But Johnston is totally on a roll this year - winning a big GC last weekend in Wisconsin (their first since 2001, and sending the 4 time repeating champ home with 3rd place...) I don't know who will finish ahead of whom - I'll wait until Saturday to make that decision, but I can guarantee - it WILL be close!
And hopefully fun as well!
Edit: I seemed to have written this simultaneously with Jason! But I'll leave it all anyway...
When has there been a close competition between Johnston and Urbandale?
i dont know if you're referring to show choir? because i was talking about anything competitive in high school. if your talking about studio and innovation, urbandale has come out on top for the last few years, last time johnston beating urbandale was in 2002. and before that- there were toss up years of who outscored who.
In case any of you were confused, here are brief descriptions of any or all of these judges:
Terry Voss- Director of Totino-Grace's Company of Singers, only one of the best show choirs.
Connie Mulligan- Director and Choreographer from Illinois (one of my favorite choreographers)
Jim Fronczek- Former Director of Pike High School in Indianapolis (Great Show Choirs)
Jim Berry- Former Director at CR Prairie and in Iowa City. Very active judge throughout Iowa.
Martin Hearne- Instrumental music professor at Cornell College. Does a lot of arranging for groups.
Ann Berry- Jim's wife. Also a very active clinician and judge throughout Iowa and other states.
when HASN'T johnston been after urbandale and vice versa. lets just throw trophies away and perform for fun!.........
:cough: maybe not?
yeah...lets say NOT! this competition is going to be one of the most intense between urbandale and johnston in years...i know each choir is going to bring it like never before.
The last time I checked, Mr. Cameron Arndt and I were attending preliminaries to this competition. I should probably check with him and verify seeing as it's in 6 days.
I'm so pumped to see Urbandale...which is why I want to go.
The judges seem to really enjoy Momentum's show, so I wouldn't be surprised at them doing well. I was also extremely impressed with Johnston at Supernova, and from what I've heard they are incredible - I know they gave Ankeny a run for their money. Central also seems to be greatly improving, so expect great things from them. This competition could go so many ways!
I can tell you that we at Urbandale aren't taking anything for granted at this competition or any of our remaining ones. Our kids are working their behinds off preparing for the remainder of our competition season because we know just how difficult it's going to be.
Kennedy is shaping up to be quite the competition. I heard that Momentum was very impressive at Mt. Pleasant last weekend. I was super impressed with Johnston's exhibition performance at their competition. And you can be sure Mr. Reese will have Central ready to go. I think this one could go in just about any direction depending on how everyone performs on that day.
The following weekend we go to Totino-Grace's "Spectacular" where we'll come up against Hastings, Bemidji, Waconia (who was a crowd favorite among our supporters at Johnston), Bloomington-Jefferson, Milton, and Lincoln-Southwest.
After that it's Waukee and GCS who is obviously awesome. I've heard they are in top form this year and will be extremely tough.
Then we have Showstoppers-Orlando with Center Grove, EEE, Omaha Westside, and Buffalo Grove the weekend after that. (I heard there is a pretty good competition across town at Fame this same weekend too. Some group called Visual Adrenaline is gonna be there. I think I've heard of them. ;) )
Cedar Rapids Kennedy Raise the Roof! 2007
