Here's my input:
Chula was amazing. Period.
Burroughs and Brea had like the most awesome sets EVER.
Hart made us all very happy with Power Rangers.
Even though I didn't get to see Los Al, I'm pretty sure they were fantastic.
ALYSSA.
I love your sig.
And I WANT IT.
:>
And Kevo.
I always thought it looked like Mortal Kombat too.
Another Citrus College comp with the usual curious results.
As I saw it…
BREA OLINDA MASQUERADE “In the Hills of Shilo” “Songs of the South” “The Corny Collins Show” “Supercalifragilistic”
Heavy on the medleys – each virtually its own finale – and as usual, with plenty of recycled material from the director’s Diamond Bar and Nogales days, Masquerade is nevertheless well staged and entertaining. The addition of a “down” number would let the audience – and the performers for that matter – breathe a bit, but no choir consistently puts out the energy Brea does, and remarkably, they sustain it throughout. Costuming in the Corny Collins and Mary Poppins medleys is particularly well done. Vocals suffer somewhat in heavily choreographed parts, but overall the best I’ve heard this choir sing in the last three or four years.
• my placing: first, outstanding showmanship
• actual: second
JOHN BURROUGHS POWERHOUSE “Welcome” “Man On the Flying Trapeze” “Freak On A Leash” “Tightrope Walker” “The Greatest Show On Earth”
There’s another number coming, and some transitions to be worked out, but Burroughs carnival/circus-themed show is already a feast for the eyes. Sepia-toned depression-era clothes in browns, tans, and greys in the first half of the show are replaced with vibrant circus costumes in plum, pink and green velvet, satin, tulle and ostrich plume in the second. Choreography throughout is just as inventive one expects from Burroughs; particularly unique is “Man On the Flying Trapeze.” Vocally, Powerhouse sends out one outstanding soloist after another, and their interpretation of Korn’s “Freak On A Leash” is already the ballad of the year.
• my placing: second, outstanding musicianship
• actual: third (tie with Arcadia)
BURBANK IN SYNC “This Is Your Dream” “Stronger, Taller, Better” “Tribute to the Top 40 from the Back 40…” “The Last Disco Medley”
Few choirs if any have Burbank’s consistently outstanding charts (I love me some Joshua Greene), no one stages novelties as well as Damon Brown, and April James is one of the most popular choreographers in the business, but I too expect a little more over-all uniqueness year-to-year from a choir I consider one of the top 4 or 5 in the country. This year’s show is almost a “Best-of” from the past few In Sync shows – even the ballad sounds a lot like last year’s “I See Light.”
Then again, if it ain’t broke, why fix it? Clearly, it’s still working.
• my placing: third
• actual: first, outstanding showmanship, outstanding musicianship
CHULA VISTA MAIN ATTRACTION “A Quiet Lullaby” “ Resolution” “Fix You” “Cold As Ice” “Electric Youth”
Perhaps having to immediately follow Burbank’s performance did them in, but it is inexplicable to me that Main Attraction did not place. I was about to type “went home empty handed” but clearly, they did not. They left Glendora with the support and best wishes of virtually every member of the audience – dumbfounded as we may have been – as well as an outstanding show design (best of the night in my opinion). Terrific soloists on “Resolution” and “Fix You,” too.
• my placing: fourth
• actual: did not place
HART SOUND VIBES “Saturday Night” “River Won’t Flow” “Morning Star” “If You Asked Me To” “Tarzan Medley” “Power Rangers Theme”
"Go, Power Rangers! Go, Power Rangers!" Without a doubt, the crowd favorite number of the night: Hart’s way-too-short Power Rangers finale. (“What!?! They’re bowing already!?!”) Sound Vibes are solid in every category, with a particularly well done a capella ballad, and a beautiful interpretation of the Diane Warren piece. As a whole, though, the show is somewhat disjointed; each number works unto itself (most with a new costume), but flow from one to the next – or rather lack thereof - left several of us scratching our heads.
• my placing: fifth
• actual: fourth
bahah I could not believe everyone's reaction for our closer last night--it was so exhilarating X>
But yes I think all the groups did an amazing job last night--everyone made such an improvement from the Blast! I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's shows as they progress even further .
As of this week, I've become quite the sentimental show choir freak(on a leash?).
That said, I am so pumped for the rest of the season. I couldn't see Los Al or Brea last night, but according to feedback I've heard, they are forces to be reckoned with this season. Congrats to all the other choirs who successfully continued the tradition of incredible talent here in SoCal.
I'm so motivated by the fact that our circuit has tremendous cohesion among groups. Our competitors are our friends, and that is something in which we can all take pride.
Once again, thank you to Diamond Bar. Hopefully we got you out of the theatre on time...
i think the placements were total BS! I thought the only choir with a "real" show last night was burroughs. I think its time for burbank to come up with new ideas. its looks pretty bad when you use the same props two years in a row.
Uh, define "real." As far as I'm concerned, EVERYONE performed a "real" show. Everyone learned music, learned choreography, and took the time to rehearse it. Every single choir put in the effort to build their competition set and perform it for an audience. Sounds like a "real" show to me.
well, i saw them perform at Blast ,and they were great then ,and they've gotten better since then, and they actually have a pretty legit show. I don't know what you're talking about with the same props because i don't remember seeing torches, sheets, or cowboy hats in their set last year. And apparently the judges didn't think they were just copying last year, because they still thought they were the best choir of the show.
what i mean by same props is the boys costume change behind the sheet.
i think the placements were total BS! I thought the only choir with a "real" show last night was burroughs. I think its time for burbank to come up with new ideas. its looks pretty bad when you use the same props two years in a row.
well, i saw them perform at Blast ,and they were great then ,and they've gotten better since then, and they actually have a pretty legit show. I don't know what you're talking about with the same props because i don't remember seeing torches, sheets, or cowboy hats in their set last year. And apparently the judges didn't think they were just copying last year, because they still thought they were the best choir of the show, though everyone did perform a great show.
Without saying anything about placements, because we know that opens a can of worms, I had a lot of fun last night. I know performing felt amazing again, and I was impressed with so many groups last night. Congratulations to all it was a fun night and everyone did amazing. Thank you all, see you at the next one.
" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Congratulations to Patty Breitag and the entire Diamond Bar Vocal Music Department for putting on an exciting and well run competition last night. The hosts were friendly and helpful, and to my mind everyone had a wonderful time.
In so far as the placing. It would be nice if every group placed everytime. There is no doubt that all of those kids put out so much of themselves no matter what group they are in. But, every score sheet, panel of adjudicators and festival philosophy is different, so results are going to vary. Show Choir competitions are not a science, but to my mind the adjudicators always try to score the most fairly and honestly they can according to the philosophy of that particular competition. Some of the competitions this year will cater more to a particular style of show choir, or to more show or music categories, and results could be significantly different at those. Just know that every group competing is appreciated and regardless of results, they are adding a wonderful musical and show experience to all of us in the audience. Thanks to all groups who participated at Diamond Bar last night, and good luck in the future!.
Dave Willert, Brea Olinda High School
i think the placements were total BS! I thought the only choir with a "real" show last night was burroughs. I think its time for burbank to come up with new ideas. its looks pretty bad when you use the same props two years in a row.
HOORAY BURBANK!!!!! Very proud of you guys and the awesome start to the season you had tonight in a field of really great groups. Take your comments, and get to work making yourselves even Taller, Stronger and Better than before! God Bless, Damon Brown
What a great start to the year......Favorite shows were....
1.Burbank
2.Los Alamitos
3.Chula Vista
I was a little confused by the placements....other than Burbank....not what I had predicted.....I guess that is what makes this world of show choir interesting! Good job to everyone who performed last night!
Diamond Bar Spectacular 2008
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" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> Congratulations to Patty Breitag and the entire Diamond Bar Vocal Music Department for putting on an exciting and well run competition last night. The hosts were friendly and helpful, and to my mind everyone had a wonderful time. 