To be perfectly honest, winning every time doesn't mean that you're a great choir. Yes, there are choirs that win every time that are amazing, but just because you win doesn't mean that you're amazing. Inflammatory as it may be, I don't say that to cheapen the value of the awards; that's not my intent. I'm just saying that if a choir is handed a first-place trophy, the capabilities of the choir do not grow. Those out of tune notes (if there are any) don't magically fix themselves. The unclean dance break won't sharpen. I'm not saying that these things apply to anybody, I'm just saying that in a hypothetical situation, they are true.
There have been times when it's obvious that one choir was more entertaining, but lost to another, perhaps cleaner (more boring) choir. Isn't entertainment what show choir's about?
Obviously, all of the choirs that we're talking about here are great, but a choir going undefeated doesn't mean much to me in terms of me forming my opinions about them. It depends on who they defeated. (Haha, inside joke.)
Powerhouse has not gone undefeated for at least 2007 and 2008, but I think that they are the best choir in the country. Biases aside (I promise) they are amazing this year. I watched them last night, and I literally went into a physical state of shock after I saw them. They have some things that no choir will have in Chicago; those of you going will not get another choir confused with Powerhouse. Obviously, though, all of the other choirs have things over Powerhouse as well, which is what will make it such a close competition.
And, to those of you that haven't seen Powerhouse, as others have said, you really are in for a treat.
I know that there are probably a bunch of people that disagree, but so be it. It happens. :]
I am very excited to see them again A WEEK FROM TODAY!
ok now i mentioned North Central isn't as incredible as everyone is making them out to be... BUT, i still think if anyone is going to beat clinton again this year it will be NC, And they are extremely hungry to prove themselves after getting what they consider a Ripoff Second place at Indiana State competition.
As for the guy who didn't know about Burroughs, My fav video of them is Still Earth Song from the finals at Branson 2005, they tore the house down with that show! No one at that competition, be it Clinton, Totino, FC, CRK, Nobody could come CLOSE to matching the energy in that show... Of course clinton won, but in my opinion that was all in a name...
In 2006, North Central, John Burroughs, Burbank, and Chula all went to fame NY and North Central won by a Decent Margin... In my opinion, Burroughs, North Central, Burbank, and Clinton are Easily in the top 5 show choirs in the country... Waubonsie is good, but these are groups who win GC after GC Every year...
NC was undefeated in 2004, they got ONE 2nd place iin 2005 to Teays valley at their first comp, 2006 they were undefeated, 2007 they again got one 2nd, at indiana state, 2008, so far they have won over most people as the "best choir in indiana" which is saying a lot, considering the groups that come from indiana...
I agree, there's no way to make predictions, because i keep thinking about changing mine... And that never happens... i usually have a pretty good solid idea of what i am expecting to happen.
QUOTE(Carl @ Mar 22 2008, 02:44 AM) [snapback]429445[/snapback]
Jen and Brendan have put together one of the tightest and most original shows in Burrough's history.
I'd even say in the history of show choir, period...
Will it win? Don't know. Don't really care. With this show, Burroughs has taken it to a whole new level.
I saw Powerhouse's revamped set about 5 hours ago at Arcadia's Pow Wow. Chicago is definitely in for a treat and a great threat from the west coast. Jen and Brendan have put together one of the tightest and most original shows in Burrough's history.
If only In Sync were going too, then it would be a double threat! But it will be New York's turn to worry about Burbank the following week. What an amazing duo of choir programs from ONE city.....!
QUOTE(GAsax27 @ Mar 22 2008, 02:36 AM) [snapback]429430[/snapback]
I think Clinton will win...they might not sweap, but I think Attache maxes out the whole score sheet better than anyone. Some groups sing better, some might dance cleaner(not as many in this area), but I think when you look at the whole package is where Clinton picks up most of their wins.
Agreed. Everything about Clinton is at least solid, if not spectacular, when you look at a score sheet. As reactions from SCN has proven, they are no vocal weakling this year by any means. As far as choreography goes, it's Clinton, enough said. The same statement goes for the band. They have an entertaining show and it is executed well. With the changes made to the show, I definately see them taking home Grand Champion.
As for second place, I'm going to go with Powerhouse. Like Clinton, they always have the total package. I believe that their originality gives them an edge over most of the rest of the competition as well. Everytime Burroughs gets on stage, its always a treat. I havn't seen the show this year, but I've heard good things.
North Central and Waubonsie Valley have the same show layout issues from what I've heard. They start strong and finish weak. However, they both have strong vocals. From what I've heard, as well, Waubonsie dances well and has pretty complex choreography, whereas NC dances well and has borderline simple choreography. Here, I would give the edge to WV, but I believe that the tides would shift in North Central's favor.
Below that, I don't really know, but I know that South Jones and Kennedy have done well and I see them placing 4RU and 5RU.
EDIT: I just now saw Kennedy's accolades for this year and they have officially landed in at 4RU!
well, ive seen clinton. their great. amazing! never heard of john burroughs until 2 weeks ago, and ive heard great things. but the other choirs, never heard ANYTHING about them. but i sure hope we do good.
I think Clinton will win...they might not sweap, but I think Attache maxes out the whole score sheet better than anyone. Some groups sing better, some might dance cleaner(not as many in this area), but I think when you look at the whole package is where Clinton picks up most of their wins.
I think it is really difficult to make a prediction even now, a week before the competition. Nothing can match the energy of performing in a national competition in front of hundreds of people and some of the best choirs in the nation. Even if you saw each and every one of these choirs the day before in a rehearsal, it'd still be extremely hard to make an accurate prediction. But, predictions are always fun " border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> !
GC - Waubonsie Valley
1st - Clinton Attache
2nd- John Burroughs
3rd North Central
4th Bloomington Kennedy
5th South Jones
Best Choreo: Clinton
Best Vocals Waubonsie
Best Band Clinton
I just don't think Clinton can keep up with the energy and emotion that is in Waubonsie's show, and who knows how much they've done to improve the back half of their show since they've been on youtube.
GC - Clinton Attache
1st - John Burroughs
2nd- Waubonsie Valley
3rd North Central
4th Bloomington Kennedy
5th South Jones
Best Chorea: Clinton
Best Vocals Waubonsie
Best Band Clinton
I've seen Clinton Attache and John Burroughs I picture I hard fight for the top but I think Clinton will come out at the end. I know creativity John Burroughs would win but putting everything together Clinton sould win. Hart should have never of won I don't know what thoughs judges were on but its messed up.
GO ATTACHE!!!
QUOTE(lghtmycandle16 @ Mar 21 2008, 06:02 PM) [snapback]429383[/snapback]
I'm a huge Clinton fan and would love to see them win, but I don't see them dominating- call me crazy but I be the top 3 places are within 10 points of eachother. North Central and JBHS's choreography is right up there with Clinton, and Clinton's vocals arent at their best. I can see them win for sure, but win by a comfortable margin? I doubt it.
Oh no, i totally agree! i think the top 3 will probably be excruciatingly close...Actually i think we might see less than a 10 point margin between Clinton, North Central, JB, and WV... Depending on how WV has progressed since the beginning of the season. If the way they started is any indication of how they are going to finish, it might be Really really interesting.
Good Luck EVERYONE This will be a hugely talked about competition, regardless the results... Probably close to the toughest top 4 contenders i've seen. Wish i could be there.......
I fully believe that it is all judges opinion...one judge may like one group that another judge just does not like, whether it be their style, choreography, vocals, or just anything else in their show...
Also, does anyone know what kind of scoring will be used in finals awards? And if you do know, is that scoring the same for all of the FAME competitions?
Well, my two cents...good luck to everyone...we all know that everyone has worked soo hard this year, and I fully believe that anything is possible at this competition! once again, good luck!!
QUOTE(lghtmycandle16 @ Mar 21 2008, 07:02 PM) [snapback]429383[/snapback]
I'm a huge Clinton fan and would love to see them win, but I don't see them dominating- call me crazy but I be the top 3 places are within 10 points of eachother. North Central and JBHS's choreography is right up there with Clinton, and Clinton's vocals arent at their best. I can see them win for sure, but win by a comfortable margin? I doubt it.
While I agree with most of what you say, I don't believe that North Central has choreography right up there with Clinton. While it is very well done, extraordinarily clean, and is fun to watch, I'm just unable able to see their choreography to hold up to the complexity of Clinton or the creativity of Burroughs. I don't want anyone to think I am taking anything away from NC, my favorite number they have ever done is actually their Black-Eyed Peas from 2005 (everyone needs to see this, this is showmanship at its best). I just think that they lack that "wow" factor choreographically that Clinton, Burroughs, and Waubonsie Valley have.
That said, vocally I have no clue. Three of the four groups I could see being able to win this contest are ones that I have heard distort sound systems and pass their voices through you. Ultimately I believe that the choreography scores will not even come close to deciding who wins this contest, it will simply come down to who can keep you in your seat vocally.
You can buy tickets at the door. I highly doubt that you can buy a finals only ticket, I have never heard of Fame ever selling one for any of their contests!
Okay, I think that I will try my hand at predictions...
Grand Champions: Clinton "Attache"
1st RU: John Burroughs "Powerhouse"
2nd RU: Waubonsie Valley "Sound Check"
3rd RU: North Central "Counterpoints"
4th RU: South Jones "Company"
5th RU: Bloomington Kennedy "Rhythm in Gold"
Best Vocals: Waubonsie Valley
Best Choreography: Clinton "Attache"
Best Band: Clinton "Attache"
Good luck to all groups, represent well, like we all know you all will!!
QUOTE(Wocttocs @ Mar 21 2008, 03:19 PM) [snapback]429356[/snapback]
I'm sorry guys, But David Fehr is an absolute Genious, I don't think there's any way his group will get beaten twice in one season. It's been a long time since Hart Beat clinton, and honestly i don't think Hart should have beaten them (just my opinion from watching the videos)... I fully expect Clinton to show up in chicago and Dominate once more.
GC: Clinton Attache (Band, Choreo)
1RU: North Central (vocals)
2RU: John Burroughs (my all time favorite choir i really hope they win it )
3RU: Waubonsie Valley
4RU: Bloomington kennedy
5RU: South Jones
What i would like to see, which i think is even plausible in this field this year...
GC: John Burroughs
1RU: North Central
2RU: Clinton
3RU: WV
4RU: BK
5RU: South Jones
Clinton's Choreo and show this year is still a Clinton Performance, the only thing lacking is the vocals, Even then i'm not SO sure that their vocals are bad enough to keep them out of the top 2... Who knows, i Wouldn't put any money on this competition. From what i've seen the top 3 are a toss up... In my opinion, North Central is not as incredible this year as people are making them out to be... From the vid of state that i saw, the Opener while inventive and cool is Definately a high school choir singing Carmina Burana, It doesn't sound like any decent recording of O Fortuna i've ever heard... People are getting blown over by the impact of that first number and aren't looking at anything else the "please don't stop the music"... ugh, Really? Rihanna? ....... Sorry, i love you North Central, But this is not my favorite show of yours...
John burroughs! i'm Rootin for you!!!
I'm a huge Clinton fan and would love to see them win, but I don't see them dominating- call me crazy but I be the top 3 places are within 10 points of eachother. North Central and JBHS's choreography is right up there with Clinton, and Clinton's vocals arent at their best. I can see them win for sure, but win by a comfortable margin? I doubt it.
5RU: South Jones "Company"
4RU: Waubonsie Valley "Sound Check"
3RU: Bloomington Kennedy "Rhythm in Gold"
2RU: John Burroughs "Powerhouse"
1RU: North Central "Counterpoints"
GC: Clinton "Attaché"
Band: Clinton
Choreography: Clinton
Vocals: North Central
I expect the top three groups to be ridiculously close