I'm just excited to go. It seems like in Iowa we're in this little box of Iowa show choir and never get to see anyone else. Wisconsin show choir is ok, but Indiana show choir is fun to watch. We only go to Indiana once a year, and some years not at all. I'm excited to see everyone, especially CG (because last year I LOVED their show) and Carmel (because of all the hype).
Not to rain on the parade but CG will NOT be at NC MIC!
I'm just excited to go. It seems like in Iowa we're in this little box of Iowa show choir and never get to see anyone else. Wisconsin show choir is ok, but Indiana show choir is fun to watch. We only go to Indiana once a year, and some years not at all. I'm excited to see everyone, especially CG (because last year I LOVED their show) and Carmel (because of all the hype).
The Carmel Ambassadors won six Grand Championships and two first runners-up trophies at Luers in Ft Wayne from 1977-1988. This was during the era when the Luers contest had the finest reputation in the country. To win at Luers then was to win it all, and the Ambassadors were the gold standard. Other powerhouses at the time would be Edgewood Music Warehouse, Mt Zion Swingsations, Marion 26th Street Singers, Lafayette Jefferson First Edition, Highland Singers, Norwell Swingset, Northrop Charisma, Anderson Singers Unlimited, Iowa City West Good Time Company, Noblesville NHS Singers - all of whom were bested more than once by Carmel. (In Clinton Attache's only appearance at Luers, mid 80s, they placed 13th.) Mt Zion's two Luers titles both came when Carmel skipped the contest. Same with Noblesville's title in 1984 and Edgewood's second in 1982 (though Warehouse was victorious over Carmel in 1981). Marion won in 1975 and 1976, but was first runner-up in '77, '78 and '79 to guess who before they finally gave up and stopped competing in 1979.
As is often the case, success breeds imitators, and like Clinton's influence today, Ambassador clones were everywhere. Carmel's director Ron Hellems reportedly became frustrated enough with the outright copying that he refused to allow Carmel's show to be taped for the 1988 PBS broadcast. But that may have been a few years too late as J Kevin Butler and Lafayette Jefferson First Edition, with what was in many ways a Carmel-style show, took not only the Luers Grand Championship that year, but also the Best Vocals, and Best Show trophies. Only Ron Hellems and his successor Ann Conrad could really say for sure, but regardless the reason, Carmel never competed again.
Why did Carmel go into a periodic retirement? I heard they used to be amazing so I am slightly confused as to why they stopped. I have heard different reasons, but I was just wondering if anyone had a definate answer.
QUOTE(show choir_man @ Feb 22 2007, 10:40 PM) 386988
I would have to say that the thought of Carmel "Ambassadors" coming out of retirement is a HUGE thing!!! I would not underestimate that group....they have been out of the circut since the late 80s early 90s and the only way they would come back out to compete is if they were ready to kick some butt....I am sure they will be a force to be reckoned with!!!! To remind those people out there that do not know who they are...Carmel was the first actual "power house" show choir of the mid-west. When they competed they usually swept the awards very easily but when Lafayette Jeff hit the circut, along with Edgewood, and Marion Street show choirs, they gave Carmel a run for their money....this should be a very interesting competition.
I would have to say that the thought of Carmel "Ambassadors" coming out of retirement is a HUGE thing!!! I would not underestimate that group....they have been out of the circut since the late 80s early 90s and the only way they would come back out to compete is if they were ready to kick some butt....I am sure they will be a force to be reckoned with!!!! To remind those people out there that do not know who they are...Carmel was the first actual "power house" show choir of the mid-west. When they competed they usually swept the awards very easily but when Lafayette Jeff hit the circut, along with Edgewood, and Marion Street show choirs, they gave Carmel a run for their money....this should be a very interesting competition.
North Central Metropolitan Interscholastic Conference Choral Competition 2007
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