Congrats Waukee on making it in finals.
Waukee I hope you guys are going to a competition that LC Corp is going to, I've never seen you guys and I really want to since you have our old director.
Yeah Huth is really a great! HE's really turned the program around! What competititons are you going to? And thankyou we loved being in the ranks of all those great choirs!
Gotta remember that the judges are people just like we are. Even though they do their professional best to be objective, there's always a tiny bit of that human element that makes them like different shows better, just like we like different shows better.
I'm just kicking myself now for not watching Ankeny. Although, I'm not sure I had an opportunity to that day...
The complete list of judges was (please forgive any misspellings):
Linda McEachrern (Didn't judge finals because she did some choreo work for Valley)
Randy Sage
Heath Weber
John Hickling (Didn't judge finals because he was Valley's director very recently)
Paula Keeler
Lisa Dencklau
Josie O'Leary
Darcy Hendricks
Wendy Haight
Lisa Evans (Didn't judge finals because she was a former choreographer/director for Ankeny)
Now that's how I like it... If you were previous director of that school, or what not you shouldn't judge them. I like how they did that. Props to Johnston for doing that.
Thanks Jeff, I was about to post something about the "Urbandale Studio" person. That makes me upset. Every group at the competition was AMAZING and everyone did the best they could, and to anyone who took offense to the comments that person made, on behalf of Urbandale Studio 2008, Im sorry.
Yes, congrats to everyone in the competition yesterday, definitely! That was my first time seeing most of those show choirs, and all were very good! Again, I saw all but Ankeny, but am looking forward to seeing their show in a few weeks at Urbandale's invitational
loved the shows ..but unfortunately I had to watch them on a tv in the luchroom hate dthat too.. hopefully theyll find a bigger venue for next year
I wouldn't plan on that. They've had problems like this for years. The last time I was there before this year was 5 years ago and the same thing happened.
The facilities for an audience member were horrible. You couldn't get in to see the shows (at either veneu) and I spent most of the day standing. THey ran out of food during dinner and didn't even let all the performers in for the awards. The workers were nice enough, but the facilities, from an audience member standpoint, were no good.
loved the shows ..but unfortunately I had to watch them on a tv in the luchroom hate dthat too.. hopefully theyll find a bigger venue for next year
Who was judging this year? (my favorite question!)
The complete list of judges was (please forgive any misspellings):
Linda McEachrern (Didn't judge finals because she did some choreo work for Valley)
Randy Sage
Heath Weber
John Hickling (Didn't judge finals because he was Valley's director very recently)
Paula Keeler
Lisa Dencklau
Josie O'Leary
Darcy Hendricks
Wendy Haight
Lisa Evans (Didn't judge finals because she was a former choreographer/director for Ankeny)
I didn't know a lot of them, Ana, but the ones I can remember:
John Hickling (critique)
Linda McEachran (critique)
Randy Sage
Paula Keeler
Wendy Haight
I fairly certain that was not previously familiar with any of the other judges.
Hickling was not a critique judge, Heath Webber from Sioux City East was. In finals Hickling, Linda and one other judge did not score due to "conflict of interests" if you will. So there were 7 scoring judges and 3 only giving comments.
I agree with Mr. Temple. I thought all the groups competing at Showzam were phenomenal, and it was apparent that everybody was putting forth 100% effort. That's what helps really make a great competition. Congrats to all the finalists, and I'm looking forward to our next competition!
I was quite pleasantly suprised by the caliber of groups at Johnston. I had never seen Waukee, Valley or Omaha before, and they certainly were deserving of their finishes. Ankeny and Urbandale were their typical excellent selves! The big schock for me was that CR Jefferson didn't make finals. After a great showing last week, and a good show yesterday, I thought they would be in. But, it was certainly a stacked line-up, and not everyone can make it.
IMHO, the contest itself was not fun. The facilities for an audience member were horrible. You couldn't get in to see the shows (at either veneu) and I spent most of the day standing. THey ran out of food during dinner and didn't even let all the performers in for the awards. The workers were nice enough, but the facilities, from an audience member standpoint, were no good.
Anyone know where you can look at pictures that that guy in the front row was taking? I would like to buy some!
The photographer was Doug Martin of Des Moines. He hasn't posted any SHOWZAM photos yet, but his contact information is on his site: www.dougpics.com. You can also check our Web site, www.johnstonchoirs.com, for updated info and additional photos. The updates should be completed later today.
A most sincere "thanks" to all the choirs and fans who attended SHOWZAM 2008. It was pleasure to host all of you.
QUOTE(lghtmycandle16 @ Jan 20 2008, 10:26 AM) 412741
haha- whatever you say. I saw all 6 finalists, and I personally liked Omaha's choreography the best. This competition was so close that there was not one clear winner of choreography, vocals or even band. Ankeny won but you bet it was extreemly close. The difference between first and 4th place during the day was 15 points. Nobody stuck out as being a lot better than another out of the top 3, it was VERY close.
Anyone know where you can look at pictures that that guy in the front row was taking? I would like to buy some!
haha???? hmmmmm. Thanks for the facts on how close the points were. And to your point, if nobody stuck out in the top 3 during the day, what happened in finals to change the order so dramatically? Personally, I still don't see what happened to discount the Urbandale choir. Just didn't come through for me. I do agree Omaha had a great choreography and enjoyed their show completely.
The photographer is Doug Martins, I think he has a web site for pictures.
Oh well, off to the next competition! Good luck.
Whoever the people are that are posting under the name of Urbandale "Studio" need to stop right now.
We performed and did the best show we could. The judges judged and made their decision and we are fine with that.
Ankeny and Omaha are both outstanding programs and I have no problem whatsoever with the finals placings. You aren't doing anything more than giving our program a bad name with your posts.
haha- whatever you say. I saw all 6 finalists, and I personally liked Omaha's choreography the best. This competition was so close that there was not one clear winner of choreography, vocals or even band. Ankeny won but you bet it was extreemly close. The difference between first and 4th place during the day was 15 points. Nobody stuck out as being a lot better than another out of the top 3, it was VERY close.
Anyone know where you can look at pictures that that guy in the front row was taking? I would like to buy some!
QUOTE(unbiased reviewer @ Jan 20 2008, 10:09 AM) 412731
The choreography was not even close. It seemed like all of the other shows were in slow motion after Urbandale's performance. The microphone snafu also hurt the Urbandale vocals.
Anyway, I am not going to bash groups of 16-18 year olds all trying their hardest. I just know what I heard walking out from several groups of people.
I agree with you. I am not a student, I just don't know how to change the posting.
How did the Urbandale show go from first in day competition, to 3rd in Finals? I didn't see anything go so wrong a judge would move them so low. The mic problem isn't a Urbandale issue. Matter of fact, I thought the way the choir didn't miss a note was proof of a great choir.
All choirs did well. Ankeny, Omaha and Urbandale were the best choirs at the competition, and the judges agreed! I just didn't see what happened in the performance to move Urbandale to third.
QUOTE(lghtmycandle16 @ Jan 20 2008, 10:55 AM) 412719
obviousally that was not the opinion of the judges. Ankeny obviousally had the best choreography and vocals, and Urbandale obviouisally had the best band. A large team of judges that are very experienced voted on it.
The choreography was not even close. It seemed like all of the other shows were in slow motion after Urbandale's performance. The microphone snafu also hurt the Urbandale vocals.
Anyway, I am not going to bash groups of 16-18 year olds all trying their hardest. I just know what I heard walking out from several groups of people.