Well, regardless of people's opinions (which you are all entitled to), congratulations to ALL the groups that performed last night.
CRP - I didn't get to see your show at Monona Grove, but I must say, when I saw it yesterday, I couldn't help but be entertained. It was simply amazing. I was stunned by 'All the Lonely People'. What an interesting choice for a show choir song.
CC - ZOMG!!! I am sooooo proud of you guys! -huggles CC girls- You were great last night. You have no idea how psyched I was to watch you guys during finals yesterday.
These were the only two shows I got to see yesterday, but they were great. And from what I've heard, everyone else did incredibly well too. It was a great competition guys. =D Hope I get to see those shows that I missed yesterday sometime in the near future.
I don't understand why members of the band need the director to turn the volume down for them. Somehow every other band gets by without a soundboard. And obviously every band can turn down volumes of electric instruments but by having the director do it allows him to change balance and blend. The players should be conscience of how loud they are playing instead of just playing one volume the whole time and having the director turn up the volume or down the volume at different parts. We don't mic our piano because its the pianist's job to play at different dynamics not the directors to turn her down or up. The director should DIRECT, not do it for the kids.
I understand that you already "redid" your post to try and make it less controvesial but this part kinda made me think a little more... I am not writing this to pick on the words used and continue a discussion that doesnt need to be continued but i want to make some points as jsut a general comment about show choir (even though its mainly about this particular situation )... Even though I am NO LONGER in the show choir at all nor was i EVER in the band...I can guarantee that EVERY member of that band is VERY conscience of how loud they are and how they are blending. Practice is what that is for. They are in NO way shape or form, using the soundboard to try prevent any musicianship in the individuals on stage.
As far as everything else goes...I dont remember who said it and I dont feel like rereading everything to find it...each competition is judged by people that have learned how to look past fancy machines and amazing lifts that last for a fraction of the show and look at the performance as a whole. it jsut makes me sad that some would think that a hydrolic machine, fancy lifts, fancy costumes, or all of the above will win a competition for you...
I also have seen davenport west's show and agree COMPLETELY how enjoyable their show is, but jsut as a fancy lift and a hydrolic machine cannot win a competition, neither should one song. they are very good and deserve being as high as they are.
I dont mean to carry on this discussion even farther but i jsut wanted to put in my two cents .
As a final note, judges scores are judges scores, there is nothing any one can do to change them. Just as one person may feel one way about things, others may completely disagree. THAT IS THE BEAUTY OF SHOW CHOIR!!!!
I apologize if ANY of my posts seem harsh/mean/angerful/whatever, i did not mean it too...
I don't understand why members of the band need the director to turn the volume down for them. Somehow every other band gets by without a soundboard. And obviously every band can turn down volumes of electric instruments but by having the director do it allows him to change balance and blend. The players should be conscience of how loud they are playing instead of just playing one volume the whole time and having the director turn up the volume or down the volume at different parts.
well, i kind of actually do need the director to turn the volume up or down for me considering i don't have a personal soundboard for my vibraphone mic. but the piano and synth actually do control most of their volume, the soundboard just helps.
wow. all i can say is that i definitely did not expect some of the messages on here about this weekend. dang. this stuff got heated.
i did not get to watch CR this weekend but i saw their show at monona grove and bought the DVD and lets just say that i've watched it a lot. they perform it very well and I find it very entertaining. i did get a chance to watch GCS's finals show this weekend and i believe (even being a logan kid) that it was the best i have seen them do it. i was fully entertained the whole time. i also got to watch DW Connection. i had never seen their show before the finals and i LOVE IT! i didnt know that choirs were allowed to leave the stage and continue performing...thats something new that i have personally never seen before. i think it added to the performance and made that guy feel special. =) i got sick during the day so i also got to watch my group CLASS ACT perform in finals. i felt upset because i wished i would've been on stage with them but i give them MAJOR props on coming out with a great show. i've never been able to actually watch our show because i've always been on stage, but i could feel the energy that i have heard other people talk about. GREAT JOB GUYS!!! i think that WD Forte did a very good job as well and dang...DICTION is all i can say. i think i heard every word.
i could understand the comment about other people not being as entertained as the people there to support the choir are because it is always easier to be entertained by your own or a local choir. i'm not going to lie. there are choirs out there that i've watched and have been like "omg...is it over yet?" and they are usually a good choir but its just that some shows can be kind of boring or held out for a loooooong time. lack of entertainment for one person however, cannot substitute the amount of entertainment perceived by the judges. i believe that the competition among the 5 varsity choirs this weekend was very good. i thought that the judging would have turned out closer in points range but placing overall i think is how it should be...this coming from someone who saw all the finals shows except CC and CR. GCS's hydraulics add to their show, CR lifts add to their show, the spelling bee adds to DW Connections show, Boogey Wonderland adds to our show. every choir out there has some major aspect that adds to their show and can not be used as an excuse to get the upper hand at a competition and shouldnt be held against anyone. the judging is how it is. this weekend is over. lets all go practice some more and continue to get better! =)
the MC here though....i had some major problems with him. the whole "we're all winners here....well except for these guys.....LaCrosse Central Connections 5th Runner-Up" that made me take a HOLY CRAP DID YOU JUST SAY THAT?!?!??!?! he said some other things throughout the day that were disrespectful or uncalled for as well.
overall, i think this competition went well. i just think that people need to not make reasons as to why people didnt place where they "should have". this was just the opinion of a few judges at ONE invitational. if people want to place where they "should have" then i think that they need to go back to their school and get crackin on things that could be improved to make their show the best it can be. everyone has potential its just whether or not they decide to live up to it.
ALSO!! Central Connection. way to go. i didnt get to see the finals show but i'm sure you girls held your own against 5 varsity choirs. good job girls! way to rep the la crosse women!!!
p.s. i'm sorry if anything on here offends anyone or if my wording of anything is done in a way that is misleading. i have nothing but good intentions and please personally message me if i've have said anything or you have interpreted anything miscorrectly. THANK YOU!!!!!
I see that some people have misunderstood the intention of my earlier post and I would like to clear some things up. My intent was not that of taking away from GCS. I do understand that they are very talented and this is obvious by their accomplishments. I understand that what the judges look for are more than what makes the audience have the most fun. I poorly worded some things that I will take a second chance at now. Davenport West did a great job and they have what I would call the funnest show on Saturday. GCS had some IMPRESSIVE things like the lift and the band coming on stage at the end but these things did not provide as much fun as Davenport did with the Putnam County Spelling Bee song.
I would like to apologize for "GCS won simply based on a hydraulic lift with flashing lights, a soundboard controlling band volume, and the fact that some of the judges were not very in depth show choir people." What I meant to say was that without things like the lift and soundboard I think the competition could have been closer. The phrase "simply based" was not what I meant to write and I apologize for the mistake. I don't want to take away from GCS's win. They did a very fine job and I'm sure they will continue to win with their show that is very good. I apologize for the poor wording in my earlier post. The intent was to commend Davenport West not take away from GCS. I apologize that it came off that way. GCS was a very good group and I'm sorry if what I said seen as taking away from them.
QUOTE(show choir/wrestlingmom @ Feb 24 2008, 03:33 PM) 421905
But I do have a question, if there is no communication with anyone outside of the band why do your band directors were communication devices with headsets?
The confusion here is that it's split. The GCS band director does NOT wear a headset, but I DO wear one directing the Central Connection band. That's probably the confusion over that issue.
As for other peoples comments, they are what they are. It just like judging. It's just someone's OPINION
And on the topic of opinion, i'll chime in with my two cents about what I saw. I only saw GCS, Class Act, and The Ambassadors.
Class Act - Nice job again as usual. I think you left some on the table with this one. I've seen you perform that show better then you did in finals.....I totally understand though the major health issues going through the group right now. I wish I was coming to your next comp, but this was the last one for me this year
Ambassadors- I had only seen you at Monona before. I didn't enjoy the show at Monona, but now seeing it a second time, I really enjoyed it. The second song definately grew on me. And I honestly thought you would have had best vocals. Your diction during the day show (the one I saw) was ridiculously present. They could have turned the mics off and you still would have been understood
Again, another good competition. I don't think anyone should be sour grapes about their performances or their placement in finals. Everyone did a great job. Look forward to more show choir this weekend!
Just wanted to say that West Connection is very pleased with our 3rd place finish. The finals groups were all very good groups and losing to schools such as CR Prarie and GCS is definately not something that we feel cheated over.
CR- i was absolutely amazed by your show!! The lifts were amazing and your dynamics blew me away! Your group is one that many show choirs can look to to try to make themselves better. I know i wish our dynamics were at your level!
GCS- Very displeased that we didnt get to see your show. After seeing it at Logan i was hoping to get to see it again in finals but, yet again, we got scheduled to perform right after you.
Logan- Must say I am in LOVE with your show. I've seen it twice and still want more. Your ballad is just awesome and i love how you all feel it inside you. it really expresses well to the audience. Cant say that i agree with your placing at WD, i thought you deserved better.
Didnt get a chance to see the other finals groups, Wd forte im sure you rocked it, and congratulations to central connection for making it into finals!
Hey guys. I just wanted to say sorry about PHSBAND, I don't think anyone should come on here and just openly say someone should have won cause they are beter. I like GCS's show a lot. They are amazing and the judges scored them that way. It is the way it is. It doesn't matter to me. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing Logan and GCS again. Also, seeing Davenport West was fun. The other groups I did not get to see sorry. All in all, it was a fun day. Awesome competition and good luck to the other show choirs the rest of the year!
EDIT: Misread someting so I changed the text a little bit.
QUOTE(show choir/wrestlingmom @ Feb 24 2008, 03:33 PM) 421905
But I do have a question, if there is no communication with anyone outside of the band why do your band directors were communication devices with headsets?
this really isn't my place to say anything, but the GCS band does not use head sets to communicate.
QUOTE(show choir/wrestlingmom @ Feb 24 2008, 03:33 PM) 421905
Did anyone else have issues with the EMCEE however. I know several people felt that at times he was a bit inappropriate with comments and things he would say. GCS was the only one that got any comment coming off stage during the daytime, " NOW THAT WAS A TRIPLE WOW" , and then during awards he would basically give it away by his little remarks, like just stay here in front when there were still 2 to give out. Pretty much told everyone else not to hold hope.
I did have a very large issue with the MC. Only it wasn't because of his constant fawning over "that group with that three intitials... "G"... "C"... "S"...!" My actual issue arose with his comments right before announcing the "5th Runner Up" award (which was La Crosse Central's prep, "Central Connection").
He was making his comments about awards, preping everyone for the big announcement. He then said, "and finally... we all know that everyone did such a fantastic job here today... and that ALL groups are winners .... except this one... 5th Runner Up is La Crosse Central "Central Connection".
I was sitting with our head director and band director upon hearing this... and our faces each showed our immense disgust. The MC thought he was being sarcastically witty, or something... but it just turned out to make him look like a sleaze. We all must remember though, that some MCs don't know what is appropriate and what is not when working for show choir competitions. I give the Western Dubuque competition the benefit of the doubt that they weren't aware that their MC was so unknowledgeable of "show choir MCing" conduct. This was their first competition in seven years... so hopefully they will take some careful time in selecting a better representative of their competition for next year.
Thank you to Western Dubuque for this weekend!
All I can say is WOW to CR. I didn't get to see you at Monona Grove because we were at a wrestling meet. But I had heard about your show! It was awesome. It was probably my favorite show of the day(besides our group ) I do love Davenport West as well. They have come to our invite the last 2 years and their shows are great as well as just being all around awesome people!
GCS-I have seen your show now several times this season and yesterday was flawless. I will say that I think this was the best I have seen it and I did really enjoy it yesterday. I actually did have you winning it but very closely follwed by CR. In the past I have not liked it real well. I understand the whole lift thingy and if people think it betters your chance I may have to agree a little as it did get your group to get a "triple wow" response from the emcee, and by the way the only group to really get any comments from him. But it is what makes that whole closer what it is and if people have issues with that then so be it, If I remember right it didn't work(go up) during the 1st show at our invitational and you still were in 1st after the daytimes if I remember right. So it obviously didn't matter there. But I do have a question, if there is no communication with anyone outside of the band why do your band directors were communication devices with headsets?
Did anyone else have issues with the EMCEE however. I know several people felt that at times he was a bit inappropriate with comments and things he would say. GCS was the only one that got any comment coming off stage during the daytime, " NOW THAT WAS A TRIPLE WOW" , and then during awards he would basically give it away by his little remarks, like just stay here in front when there were still 2 to give out. Pretty much told everyone else not to hold hope.
well i knew there was gonna be a dispute when i heard this i just wanna put it out there i think that the judges maybe had there minds fully made up after prelims.... on the other hand i watched dav west when they came to ours 2 weeks ago and i watched them yesterday i think they improved much more than any other group in the 2 weeks it may just be that it was a small venue but that place was roaring for them i agree more with that dav west really got the crowd more excited than central.............. i just am happy that we put up a good enough show to only lose to dav west by what was it like 20 pts wow that is all
well i knew there was gonna be a dispute when i heard this i just wanna put it out there i think that the judges maybe had there minds fully made up after prelims.... on the other hand i watched dav west when they came to ours 2 weeks ago and i watched them yesterday i think they improved much more than any other group in the 2 weeks it may just be that it was a small venue but that place was roaring for them i agree more with that dav west really got the crowd more excited than central.............. i just am happy that we put up a good enough show to only lose to dav west by what was it like 20 pts wow that is all
And... Don Stein- Why in the world do you think I'm from Davenport North? How long have we known eachother? How many times have you said "West Connection" in reference to me at the Classic?
LoLz!!!!
Man... I REALLY was off yesterday.... " border="0" alt="sweating.gif" /> " border="0" alt="alien.gif" /> I must have been on a different planet!
I haven't met too many judges that base their decisions off of props and equipment. My experience (as someone who uses lots of props) is that props and sets do not win you contests, but they can cause you to lose contests. I don't know who the judges were at WD, but most of the judges on the circuit know what they're doing, and wouldn't be swayed by a lift alone. We all have to remember that the results of a contest reflect how the judges (and only the judges) felt about a given set of shows on a given day.
(Just saw a teachable moment here, and I thought I'd chime in.)
QUOTE(I_Got_Rhythm @ Feb 24 2008, 10:22 AM) 421812
Just wanted to clear some things up.
There is no communication between outside sources in the crowd and the band for them to know that the band is overplaying. Nothing is mic'd besides the marimba, which needs to be, to be heard during it's solo. The sound board DOES have control over volumes of piano, bass and synth, and the marimba, but it's only a convenience to the players in the band. Instead of losing their place in music by having to worry about turning down volume during soft spots, the director can do it for them. Again, every band is back there and most have no communication in the audience to tell whether they are playing too loud or not, neither does GCS. Every band can turn down their volume on their electronic instruments, and the horns can always play softer, and that is all GCS's band does.
I'm not sure I understand where you are coming from with the audience not having any fun. The audience can relate to the show, the "vegas" effect at the end is fun for everyone. Maybe the Prairie kids weren't having any fun, but I can assure you that most the audience was. Davenport West has a great show that incorporated the audience into the show, and it was a lot of fun.
I don't want to comment too much on your comments about our lift, but I want to add that there is no score sheet in the world that says if you have a lift you win the competition. There is an effect created with that lift, and when it all comes down to it, you don't win competitions unless the fundamentals are there, great singing AND dancing.
I'm not affiliated with GCS anymore, other than a spectator, but I did want to clear things up.
First off, the Prairie kids did have fun! If they didn't, why go? What I said was other people in the Audience were not having as near as much fun as they did during the Davenport show. I have no doubt that what wins competitions is great singing and dancing. But if you took away everything but singing and dancing who would win? GCS may win again, seeing how they got best vocals and best choreography but I can't help but wonder how did other things play in. When the hydraulic lift goes up are the judges playing more attention to that or to the singing and dancing? I understand the lift provides an effect, but the matter is, can the same energy level and effect be reached without the lift? I don't understand why members of the band need the director to turn the volume down for them. Somehow every other band gets by without a soundboard. And obviously every band can turn down volumes of electric instruments but by having the director do it allows him to change balance and blend. The players should be conscience of how loud they are playing instead of just playing one volume the whole time and having the director turn up the volume or down the volume at different parts. We don't mic our piano because its the pianist's job to play at different dynamics not the directors to turn her down or up. The director should DIRECT, not do it for the kids.
All of us at Prairie are not upset if we get beat by a group that is just flat out better than us, and according to the judges at Western Dubuque GCS is better than us. The thing is, judges at Monona Grove don't agree.
QUOTE(I_Got_Rhythm @ Feb 24 2008, 10:22 AM) 421812
Just wanted to clear some things up.
There is no communication between outside sources in the crowd and the band for them to know that the band is overplaying. Nothing is mic'd besides the marimba, which needs to be, to be heard during it's solo. The sound board DOES have control over volumes of piano, bass and synth, and the marimba, but it's only a convenience to the players in the band. Instead of losing their place in music by having to worry about turning down volume during soft spots, the director can do it for them. Again, every band is back there and most have no communication in the audience to tell whether they are playing too loud or not, neither does GCS. Every band can turn down their volume on their electronic instruments, and the horns can always play softer, and that is all GCS's band does.
I'm not sure I understand where you are coming from with the audience not having any fun. The audience can relate to the show, the "vegas" effect at the end is fun for everyone. Maybe the Prairie kids weren't having any fun, but I can assure you that most the audience was. Davenport West has a great show that incorporated the audience into the show, and it was a lot of fun.
I don't want to comment too much on your comments about our lift, but I want to add that there is no score sheet in the world that says if you have a lift you win the competition. There is an effect created with that lift, and when it all comes down to it, you don't win competitions unless the fundamentals are there, great singing AND dancing.
I'm not affiliated with GCS anymore, other than a spectator, but I did want to clear things up.
First off, the Prairie kids did have fun! If they didn't, why go? What I said was other people in the Audience were not having as near as much fun as they did during the Davenport show. I have no doubt that what wins competitions is great singing and dancing. But if you took away everything but singing and dancing who would win? GCS may win again, seeing how they got best vocals and best choreography but I can't help but wonder how did other things play in. When the hydraulic lift goes up are the judges playing more attention to that or to the singing and dancing? I understand the lift provides an effect, but the matter is, can the same energy level and effect be reached without the lift? I don't understand why members of the band need the director to turn the volume down for them. Somehow every other band gets by without a soundboard. And obviously every band can turn down volumes of electric instruments but by having the director do it allows him to change balance and blend. The players should be conscience of how loud they are playing instead of just playing one volume the whole time and having the director turn up the volume or down the volume at different parts. We don't mic our piano because its the pianist's job to play at different dynamics not the directors to turn her down or up. The director should DIRECT, not do it for the kids.
All of us at Prairie are not upset if we get beat by a group that is just flat out better than us, and according to the judges at Western Dubuque GCS is better than us. The thing is, judges at Monona Grove don't agree.
Everyone at this competition knows that the best group did not win (except for the people of GCS because they don't want to admit someone else could be better). GCS won simply based on a hydraulic lift with flashing lights, a soundboard controlling band volume, and the fact that some of the judges were not very in depth show choir people. Everyone at this competition also knows that the best group did not finish second. The best group finished third. The show choir of Davenport West was clearly the best. When you strip away the hydraulic lifts, costume changes, and props, show choir boils down to having fun and getting the audience to have fun. Davenport West did this the best by far. When GCS was on stage the only people having fun was the folks from LaCrosse. When the Ambassadors were on stage the only folks having fun were the Cedar Rapidians. When Davenport was on stage, everyone had fun. Davenport West deserved to win that competition and we in the PHS band commend them on a job very well done.
Just wanted to clear some things up.
There is no communication between outside sources in the crowd and the band for them to know that the band is overplaying. Nothing is mic'd besides the marimba, which needs to be, to be heard during it's solo. The sound board DOES have control over volumes of piano, bass and synth, and the marimba, but it's only a convenience to the players in the band. Instead of losing their place in music by having to worry about turning down volume during soft spots, the director can do it for them. Again, every band is back there and most have no communication in the audience to tell whether they are playing too loud or not, neither does GCS. Every band can turn down their volume on their electronic instruments, and the horns can always play softer, and that is all GCS's band does.
I'm not sure I understand where you are coming from with the audience not having any fun. The audience can relate to the show, the "vegas" effect at the end is fun for everyone. Maybe the Prairie kids weren't having any fun, but I can assure you that most the audience was. Davenport West has a great show that incorporated the audience into the show, and it was a lot of fun.
I don't want to comment too much on your comments about our lift, but I want to add that there is no score sheet in the world that says if you have a lift you win the competition. There is an effect created with that lift, and when it all comes down to it, you don't win competitions unless the fundamentals are there, great singing AND dancing.
I'm not affiliated with GCS anymore, other than a spectator, but I did want to clear things up.
QUOTE(I_Got_Rhythm @ Feb 23 2008, 11:45 PM) 421604
It was a great competition, and I'm sure our friend Adam Peters will be on to post scores eventually!!!
A full composite sheet wasn't passed out as you know. The only thing they handed out was a final points sheet with the 6 finals groups grand total in points. I don't have that with me now... but the points were. Off the top of my head-
La Crosse Central +50 over 2nd
Cedar Rapids Prairie +80 over 3rd
Davenport West +20 over 4th
QUOTE(PHSBAND @ Feb 24 2008, 10:22 AM) 421756
Everyone at this competition knows that the best group did not win (except for the people of GCS because they don't want to admit someone else could be better). GCS won simply based on a hydraulic lift with flashing lights, a soundboard controlling band volume, and the fact that some of the judges were not very in depth show choir people. Everyone at this competition also knows that the best group did not finish second. The best group finished third. The show choir of Davenport West was clearly the best. When you strip away the hydraulic lifts, costume changes, and props, show choir boils down to having fun and getting the audience to have fun. Davenport West did this the best by far. When GCS was on stage the only people having fun was the folks from LaCrosse. When the Ambassadors were on stage the only folks having fun were the Cedar Rapidians. When Davenport was on stage, everyone had fun. Davenport West deserved to win that competition and we in the PHS band commend them on a job very well done.
QUOTE(touchdown_8850 @ Feb 24 2008, 10:31 AM) 421760
wow i agree but im just shocked that this didnt come from someone from my school its just my opinion but everytime dav west does there show i want to be picked out of the audience i love it. they have a great mix of being theatrical and being a show choir it is so cool. thats all i have to say but man this topic will go crazy with people upset at what you said
These posts are so very kind and really great to finally hear, but I can assure you, the placings yesterday were more than correct. Grand Central Station is a amazing powerhouse show choir that produces such an rich sound with clean and exciting choreography. They're full of amazing performers (shout out to that one boy for winning Western Dubuque's Best Performer Award in a Show, Cameron Arndt... see picture below) and know how to put on a great show. And holy smokes! Prairie... what a wonderful show! I really enjoyed it and was impressed. These two groups deserved their top two placings, and we at Davenport West were honored being third place to them.
I'd like to thank you again for the really nice comments. We're glad you had fun with the show, because... that's the point!
Fantastic job to all groups yesterday.
And... Don Stein- Why in the world do you think I'm from Davenport North? How long have we known eachother? How many times have you said "West Connection" in reference to me at the Classic?
DAY ROUND RESULTS-
Middle School-
1st- Linn Mar
2nd- Hudson
3rd- Hudson (2nd group)
Prep-
1st- La Crosse Central
2nd- West Delaware
3rd- Davenport West
4th- La Crosse Logan
3A-
1st- West Delaware
4A-
1st- La Crosse Central
2nd- Cedar Rapids Prairie
3rd- Davenport West
4th- La Crosse Logan
OVERALL-
1st- La Crosse Central
2nd- Cedar Rapids Prairie
3rd- West Deleware
4th- Davenport West
5th- West Delaware
Best Band- La Crosse Central "Grand Central Station"
Best Crew- La Crosse Central "Grand Central Station"
Most Creative Show- La Crosse Central "Grand Central Station"
Best Male Soloist- Jon Sill from West Delaware
Best Female Soloist- Antoinette Holman of Davenport West
Western Dubuque The Main Event 2008
)... Even though I am NO LONGER in the show choir at all nor was i EVER in the band...I can guarantee that EVERY member of that band is VERY conscience of how loud they are and how they are blending. Practice is what that is for. They are in NO way shape or form, using the soundboard to try prevent any musicianship in the individuals on stage. 
) I do love Davenport West as well. They have come to our invite the last 2 years and their shows are great as well as just being all around awesome people! 
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" border="0" alt="alien.gif" /> I must have been on a different planet!
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