And here is that magical moment we were all talking about.
Wheaton Warrenville's last performance of the competition season. This is the performance of "Anyway" that brought an entire audience to their feet and to tears. There is so much pure emotion on stage. These kids are absolutely amazing.
And here is that magical moment we were all talking about.
Wheaton Warrenville's last performance of the competition season. This is the performance of "Anyway" that brought an entire audience to their feet and to tears. There is so much pure emotion on stage. These kids are absolutely amazing.
I've heard amazing things about the groups in finals already... lots of texts and calls.
I have heard from multiple sources that the highlight of the day was Wheaton Warrenville's ballad... close and trusted sources tell me that it receieved a rousing standing ovation and brought then entire choir to tears... I will most certainly be ordering this DVD!
All true. Actually most of the girls were crying before the song even began, but they knew what was coming.
I would have to say i feel sorry for The First Edition this year this has been not one of their greatest years competition wise. Hopefully they do better next year!
I probably should have said 'the conductor of the band', whoever that may have been, which is closer to what I meant. Though I didn't know their vocal music director was in the audience - must have been quite a treat for him to see his kids perform so emotionally. I will remember that one for a long, long time.
It was a great performance. I will remember it for along time. it was a great comp and my last as a senior.
I'd almost call that the highlight of the season. Spectacular. Thing is, I don't think the director had any idea of the extraordinary thing that just happened on that stage as he was behind the risers and the choir. He launched right into their guys /girls number - probably not aware that the applause for that ballad could have gone on for minutes uninterrupted. Wheaton Warrenville was obviously tired for their exhibition show - but to still have that kind of emotion is incredible. I love this group so much!
Actually I bet that the director knew what was going on because he did not direct the band as he was sitting in the audience after he started the show. Just thought you like to know
I probably should have said 'the conductor of the band', whoever that may have been, which is closer to what I meant. Though I didn't know their vocal music director was in the audience - must have been quite a treat for him to see his kids perform so emotionally. I will remember that one for a long, long time.
I'd almost call that the highlight of the season. Spectacular. Thing is, I don't think the director had any idea of the extraordinary thing that just happened on that stage as he was behind the risers and the choir. He launched right into their guys /girls number - probably not aware that the applause for that ballad could have gone on for minutes uninterrupted. Wheaton Warrenville was obviously tired for their exhibition show - but to still have that kind of emotion is incredible. I love this group so much!
Actually I bet that the director knew what was going on because he did not direct the band as he was sitting in the audience after he started the show. Just thought you like to know
Word on the street is that Eisenhower and Marysville TIED. The tie was broken with the vocal score, which gave the win to Marysville!
What a close competition!
wow- congrats to Marysville AND Eisenhower. That's awesome too bad they had to pick a winner- looks like they both deserved it. Congrats to Marysville on the win though!
You had Marysville in fourth? I don't know ... maybe it was just me but I thought Marysville's vocals were in a completely different stratosphere than any other group there tonight? Honestly, I didn't think anyone could touch them vocally.
I was VERY impressed with Eisenhower's choreography. Wow ... Well deserved.
Palatine - You guys were a good surprise and deserved your finals spot. Your show was very unique and kind of 'different' at times - but it was still pretty cool. You guys sang beautifully and your choreography was really clean. Congrats - I loved how excited you guys were to get announced in finals. Well deserved .
Lafayette Jefferson - WOW! Your show was crazy! I loved it. I was very impressed with the volume of this group. 28 singer dancers and one of the loudest tonight (although there were a couple of times in prelims where you pushed yourself out of key, but you fixed that in finals). Also, how did you not win Best Combo? Dear lord that pit was rocking! I thought you guys were going to be in the top 3, honestly. I thought you guys would have been light years ahead of the rest of the pack in the "show" category of visuals. I loved Turkey Lurkey, haha ... very cool. And also, it made me smile that you guys brought back "You Can't Stop the Beat" to the show choir world, haha. But I agree with what ising75 said about your finals show. There were some issues. I feel like you had a MUCH MUCH stronger showing in the daytime.
John Hersey - Vocals were a little bright for my taste, but still were undeniably good. I'm not a big fan of Rivars costumes either (just a personal pet peeve I have) ... but there's no doubt that you guys sang and danced well. I also noticed that your finals performance was SO MUCH better/more energetic then your preliminary performance. Congratulations on that .
Omaha - Your vocals were AWESOME! In my opinion, your vocals were solidly in 2nd place (behind Marysville). I was very impressed with the volume of this choir. I love the first three numbers most. And I REALLY enjoyed the 2nd number. Congrats on 2nd Runner Up!
Eisenhower - Tons of energy, great choreography ... that ending dance break was insane! I loved your show - it was so much fun, and as I said a very well deserved "Best Visuals". However, vocally I didn't think you guys were up there with Lafayette, Omaha, or Marysville ... this is just my personal preference, personally I prefer more mature tones, and those three groups had the most mature tones of the evening. But honestly, I was VERY impressed overall, and I did predict you guys with Best Visuals and 2nd place. The blonde guy in the center for most of the show is such an awesome performer too, probably the best I saw all day.
Marysville - Two amazing performances today. You should be so proud. The vocals are out of this world (just to illustrate what I mean, I'd say they were on the same level as Wheaton's). And there was so much energy in the day and night, especially in the closer. Can't wait to see what you guys do next year ... this years group has come such a long way from the beginning of the season when I first saw you guys @ your invitational. The ballad is absolutely beautiful and moving. It really got me choked up during finals. The closer is so much fun, and it was a well deserved win for you guys - it would have been scandalous had the results turned out any other way.
Wheaton Warrenville - The ballad was incredible. One of the most magical moments I've ever witnessed at a show choir competition. The ENTIRE gym stood up after their ballad AT ONCE. The gym was packed, there were HUNDREDS of people in there, and every single person stood up and cheered on Wheaton Warrenville. Half of the group was up there in tears while singing (I'm guessing it was your last performance of the year, ?) and somehow through all the sniffling and crying they sounded absolutely perfect. Great show, I love you guys. One of my all time favorite groups, ever.
So in conclusion it was a very well ran competition. I couldn't believe this was their first year doing it - it seemed like it had been around for years ... it was that well organized!
I too was there today, and it was a great day. The folks at Wheaton did a GREAT job with their hosting, and for it to be the first year, i agree, it was well ran.
As far as the groups - I found something to like about all of them. I did not have Marysville placing so high, to be honest, i had them 4th. I just felt that John Hersey had a better show in finals, but thats just me, and im sure once i get my DVD i will change my mind. I was happy for Palatine - i talked with some of their parents, and they really are a great bunch of people!
I felt that Jefferson would have finished higher, but their finals show was not even close to the prelims show. They had some issues with props and tempos and just really seemed to be all over the place -- unlike EEE, Marysville and ATSC, who, i felt, really came out of the gate to win tonight!
The highlight for me tonight was WWS ballad - i was so moved to see how close they are as a group and the passion they have for what they do. Before their show even started two girls were crying on stage and at the ballad, it caught on and half the choir was sobbing... they sang that from their heart and you can tell they loved what they were doing!! Hats Off!!
This is just a recap of the day and only my two cents -- I mean no disrespect to any choir with what I say - Each group did a GREAT job and should be proud of how well they did today!
Anyway - it was a great contest, and I can see it coming down to the wire. But I picked Marysville to win and by virtue of a well deserved best vocal caption. And I understand this to be a young choir - this is a group to pencil in on one's list of future national champs, I think they'll really be something of serious note in the next few years - as if they're not already.
Over half of the group is composed of freshmen and sophomores!!!! Congrats Swingers on a great win Wish I could have been there to see all of the amazing choirs that competed!!!
To the Swingers,
Congrats on an extrememly successful and AMAZING season!!! I already cannot wait to see what will happen next YEAR!!!!
I have heard from multiple sources that the highlight of the day was Wheaton Warrenville's ballad... close and trusted sources tell me that it receieved a rousing standing ovation and brought then entire choir to tears... I will most certainly be ordering this DVD!
I'd almost call that the highlight of the season. Spectacular. Thing is, I don't think the director had any idea of the extraordinary thing that just happened on that stage as he was behind the risers and the choir. He launched right into their guys /girls number - probably not aware that the applause for that ballad could have gone on for minutes uninterrupted. Wheaton Warrenville was obviously tired for their exhibition show - but to still have that kind of emotion is incredible. I love this group so much!
Anyway - it was a great contest, and I can see it coming down to the wire. But I picked Marysville to win and by virtue of a well deserved best vocal caption. And I understand this to be a young choir - this is a group to pencil in on one's list of future national champs, I think they'll really be something of serious note in the next few years - as if they're not already.
I could have ordered EEE, Omaha, and Hersey in any way as well 2-4. EEE was my vote for best choreography as well, but I honestly wasn't sure how far that caption would carry them in their over all score, as I felt they were behind the rest of that pack vocally (but obviously - not by much).
I didn't realize when I drove out there that this was the FIRST ever WW contest. From their stage set up etc. you wouldn't know it - the lights and sound were great I thought. I did hear there were some food issues (they ran out of candy of all things " border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> - and I know I wasn't alone in driving off campus to find dinner... sorry!) And they did cram WAAAAAAYYYYYY to many chairs in there, folks were even folding them up and doing away with them themselves to get more elbow room. But frankly - they need all those seats because the place was packed to the rafters! A great first time out - with an amazing list of competitors. I'm not quite sure how they accomplished all that never having hosted a contest before. I suggest others should keep this event on their radar in the future.
Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic 2008
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?) and somehow through all the sniffling and crying they sounded absolutely perfect. Great show, I love you guys. One of my all time favorite groups, ever.
" border="0" alt="blink.gif" /> - and I know I wasn't alone in driving off campus to find dinner... sorry!) And they did cram WAAAAAAYYYYYY to many chairs in there, folks were even folding them up and doing away with them themselves to get more elbow room. But frankly - they need all those seats because the place was packed to the rafters! A great first time out - with an amazing list of competitors. I'm not quite sure how they accomplished all that never having hosted a contest before. I suggest others should keep this event on their radar in the future.