I just got to home to st. louis! and i sat and reflected on the weekend just somethings i would like to say. First the judges where great and i think some of the most well informed and intelligent people in the judging world. I had a blast, the Opery Hotel is awesome and plentiful with things to do. I watched all the groups and i do have to this comp was probably the most talent i have seen in a building since the big dance in 2005! Clinton, what amazing and caring host. I loved the show. and all the staff at the opery house was so helpful and i think this is my favorite competition! I met some very cool people and the wild horse saloon was great! best cover band i have heard! I met Jorge and hes not a troy hater, so i hope that clears up. lol overall i i think everyone should get to come and perform here at least once because it is an experience! hope we go back next year!
Watching finals at Nationals was an amazing experience. I wish it could have turned out differently for my group, but we were just honored to be there and watch everyone perform their hearts out.
Here are my thoughts on finals groups (in performance order)-
Troy- Your show is just so entertaining! All of the songs are very memorable… I have been singing the opener solo a million times since seeing it at Mt. Zion (in the same range as the girl, it's quite comical). The first two songs are just hip and trendy, I love the feeling you get from watching them. "February Song" is beautifully arranged and sounded great (although, I thought the end of it sounded slightly better at Mt. Zion). It's a special song to my tender and weepy heart, so… it wasn't a big surprise in prelims to see me sitting out in the audience crying. I know… I know… I'm a sap, but the lyrics are powerful. The closer is just a lot of fun. The guys trio sounds awesome!
Bonita Vista- I was a bit skeptical at first on you guys making finals, but you definitely proved that you were a worthy contender. The night show was so much better than the day. Your kids are very passionate on stage (something California is known for) and it shows. You believe in your show and you portray it full out. I'm not a fan of the show, it seemed a bit scattered… just generally all over the place (the light show was a bit odd)… but your vocals were full and commanding… and I think that really helped you guys out. It was really awesome to hear your a capella ballad. Thanks for coming all the way out and showing what California was made of!
Petal- It was fantastic getting to see you! I have heard a lot of mixed things about your season this year… but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the "Another Openin'/Too Darn Hot" was really cool. The ballad was really powerful (Great job Bethany!). I wasn't a fan of the guys or girls song. They just really aren't as exciting as I hoped they would be… but I really enjoyed the closer.
Sullivan- It was pretty clear from the preliminary performance that you would be going home Grand Champions. You all just have the entire package. A fantastic and entertaining show, phenomenal vocals, clean and stimulating choreography, and one hell of a band… top that off with the great leadership of Dave Moellenkamp… and you have a Grand Champion show choir. The show is just fantastic… I can't really say much else! Congrats on your well deserved wins this season… I'm really happy you all had such a successful season, and I hope it continues. It would be awesome to see you guys compete in Iowa (specifically at Davenport West and Central's "Great River" competition! wink wink)
Findlay- This is my FIRST time seeing you live. And you are only my second Ohio group I have ever seen live in my life (Twinsburg being the other). Wow wow wow! 36 singers and dancers on stage performing their hearts out. What's better than that? I was VERY impressed with your sound for so few people. The choreography was fresh Andy stuff. The "Boingers" had a lovely sound… very impressive. I really enjoyed the "Music and the Mirror" opener… followed by the cool tap "Cold Feets". I was not a big fan of the arrangement of "In His Eyes / Lily's Eyes" (Check out Dr. Peter Eklunds'… it's grand!) That's just my personal preference though, the vocals were great. It was also really cool to see the contrast between Sullivan's "It Had Better Be Tonight" and yours. They both were VERY different, and very awesome. Thank you for coming to Nationals… now if we could get you out to Iowa to compete!
Buffalo Grove- I've never really had a positive history of talking about your shows on this website. I know pretty much everyone knows that. But, SURPRISE! Wow… I really enjoyed what was presented at Nationals. Seeing the show at Onalaska, I wasn't impressed (for another year). But you all have worked your butts off! And it certainly shows. I think your vocals were awesome! I've NEVER liked them. I always felt they were weak and breathy (especially the girls). But you had a full sound. It wasn't just soft/loud, it had some nice depth. I also felt that you just backed each song with immense energy. I've always felt the shows over the years were dull, but not this year! The energy was awesome! "Where Or When" was a very BG ballad… I'd like you guys to shake it up and do some other type of ballad. But the other songs were very engaging. I can't say much on the choreography, because Randy does a tremendous job and you have it all crisp, full of life, and clean. Congrats on a fantastic performance and I really can't wait to see what the future holds!
Clinton- I'm not going to gush too much... but your "finals" performance was incredible. FAME Chicago is not going to know what hit them. I'll see you there... and will be cheering you all on... especially our three sweet hosts Aaryn, Tommy, and Lindy!
I can't even begin to list the amount of people from SCC and groups in general that I met and chatted with at this competition! I've never met so many people in my life that have come up to me and said "You're Jorge on SCC, right?!!?"
It was great getting to have long conversations with the Troy Trio and Findlay's director at the Wild Horse Saloon (To FFE- Mr. Manley is awesome! You're lucky you have such a kind and talented guy as your director. He's also good at pool… or so he thinks!)
I met kids from every group who were just extremely nice and personable. Shout outs to the random Findlay boy who came up to me on Delta Island (Mr. Manley told me your name was Grant), the Sullivan boys who our girls fell in love with and followed like little puppies, Bethany Fagan / 2 Petal girls at the dance, the fantastic Troy Trio, and the nice Bloomington kids in the ice cream line.
The parents at this competition were also amazing. I had a very long conversation with a lovely Sullivan mom. I also bonded with ONE Clinton mom and saw her everywhere I went… the mall… the competition… the Wild Horse Saloon… I didn't catch her name, but I'll call her "Aquarius Mom" (she'll know). I'm glad I get the chance to receive a big hug from her again at FAME Chicago.
All in all… wow. Nationals was the most fun I've had at a competition since… Showstoppers Chicago 2004! I'm jealous I never got to experience something like Nationals when I was in high school. Everyone treasure your special moments... they fly by fast!
Oh… And for all that were maybe curious (and I forgot to mention this to him when we chatted), but had we made finals… we were hoping to search out Mr. Dave Fehr to be our "special speller"! He lucked out though!
Davenport West "West Connection" WILL be returning to Show Choir Nationals 2009, come hell or high water!
i disagree i think the judges were some of the best around. the inconsistency was just due to the fact that there were so many good groups at that competition it was soo hard to choose who was number one. I thought nationals was awesome! by far my favorite competition ever! I recommend going if you havent been and if u have been i recommend going again haha....well run, fun, great stage, just awesome. This weekend was a blast and I will greatly miss everything show choir has given me.
I just would like to say once again congradualtions to all groups!!!!
competitions this year were crazy!!!!
hope to see all of you next year
keep in touch!!
no need to lose friends because season is not going on!!!!
Love you all
Lukie
Show Choir Nationals 2008
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