Where in this did you explain what happened with South? LOL! And IMO, if a group's choreography is so strenuous that it compromises the vocals, then why not scale down the choreography so that the vocals are better? You have to have good choreography and vocals among other things to be a good show choir. Good choreography doesn't have to be vocally compromising choreography. So why do it? Clinton has obviously figured this out. Ever see them sing and do very strenuous choreography at the same time? When they sing, their choreography is scaled down so that the vocals are up to par. That's why it's called a dance break. LOL! Same at Albertville. So I don't see why Albertville catches so much flack for it. Not saying that you were attacking, but a lot of people do!
IMO, Clinton's choreography doesn't seem "scaled down" when they sing. The first time I saw them on youtube this year, I was sitting in my education and technology class in front of a computer. I had the volume completely turned off, just watching the show. I remember thinking "what part of this is the dance break".
And I appreciate the constructive critique and I understand the views expressed. Mike pretty much gave "CenterStage!" choreography that complements the show. There's only so much one can do while wearing a top hat or a hoop skirt. "Are You Jimmy Ray" has some pretty sweet moves in it if you ask me.
Andy, let me make it clear my comments about how some small groups have better vocals wasn't aimed at Albertville, as they surley aren't a small group. What might have happend to south was in the post, you had a group of judges that were going to give more weight to vocals and two small groups got in possibly due to better vocals than South. I'm might not be right but what I saw did seem to jive with what I heard about the judges favoring vocals. As for you comment about why not scale back the choreo, well that the thing some weeks you don't have judges looking this heavily at vocals. It's diffrent every week no matter where you gol. I think you do have some groups that strike a better balance than others, in fact I think that's one reason Clinton is as good as they are, they seem to be able to achieve that right balance. I can't say I have seen it that much lately but in the past Clinton was one of the best at coming out and opening up strong while standing still and then going into a dance break and not singing. In other words the did a good bit of singing while standigng still and during the hard choreo they weren't singing, as you even pointed out in your post. I guess one of the main points I was trying to make is if you gain that vocal advantage by easier choreo then I would think it should offset itself to some extent in the choreo scores. This weekend these judges weren't looking that much at choreo so that didn't happen.
Andy, what scfan2 meant is that we ALL know that SJ can dance well. With that being said, since the judges at Petal were choral judges, that may have been why SJ didn't place high. Since SJ chooses not to make their choreography less difficult, like you say that Clinton and Albertville does, that may have been why SJ didn't place as high as they did. If I'm not mistaken, that's what scfan2 meant by his previous post.
Well Derek, in my opinion this is not a sign that things are changing but just the opposite, that things remain the same. The past several years small groups have made finals over large groups due to better vocals. Andybearden ask what happened to South Jones, well let me see if I can give you some insight into what may have happend. During the lunch break I overheard a former director tell a current director that the panel of judges at Petal would be heavily weighted toward vocals. Prior to the beginning of this comp. I felt that Tupelo was the favorite to win due to the fact that Albertville had finished 1st runner up the past several weeks to a group who had a traditional show and good vocals. Well when I heard that the judges would lean heavy to vocals I told some people who ask my opinion who would win that I now thougt things favored Albertville. Well that tured out to be the case. Now back to South Jones, but first let me say those of you who can handle the truth, don't want to hear the truth or anything close to constructive critisim, don't read any further. It has been hashed and rehashed on this board that a director can improve their groups vocals if they chose to use one of several methods or a combination of them. That being you come out and stand still and sing, stand still and use arm movments and sing, the group comes together into a tight formation while standing still and sings, or yells as the case may be, or you use less physically exerting choreo while singing. Well when you combine the above with the fact that South doesn't normally use the above methods (note I have only seen a very small part of South's show from the wings this year, so if I wrong then I'm wrong), then you get an idea what could have happened to South Jones. AndyBearden it seems that your style leans to the above methods, and that is completly your right to do so, but not everybody prefers that style. The thing that I can't understand is how that judges who prefer vocals can't watch the groups and see the diffrence in choreo that is used to achieve the better vocals. Andy let me say this so you don't think I am trying to down Albertville, first I am not a fan of the drama/musical style, it's just not my favortite, having said that I give Center Stage all the credit in the world it's a really good show and the vocals are excellent, plus I haven't heard a better band, and this weekend as I loaded equipment I couldn't help but notice how well Albertville's group behaved. So this is not a slam on Albertville in any way, just an attempt to point out what may have happend and that some people do prefer diffrent styles.
Where in this did you explain what happened with South? LOL! And IMO, if a group's choreography is so strenuous that it compromises the vocals, then why not scale down the choreography so that the vocals are better? You have to have good choreography and vocals among other things to be a good show choir. Good choreography doesn't have to be vocally compromising choreography. So why do it? Clinton has obviously figured this out. Ever see them sing and do very strenuous choreography at the same time? When they sing, their choreography is scaled down so that the vocals are up to par. That's why it's called a dance break. LOL! Same at Albertville. So I don't see why Albertville catches so much flack for it. Not saying that you were attacking, but a lot of people do!
Well Derek, in my opinion this is not a sign that things are changing but just the opposite, that things remain the same. The past several years small groups have made finals over large groups due to better vocals. Andybearden ask what happened to South Jones, well let me see if I can give you some insight into what may have happend. During the lunch break I overheard a former director tell a current director that the panel of judges at Petal would be heavily weighted toward vocals. Prior to the beginning of this comp. I felt that Tupelo was the favorite to win due to the fact that Albertville had finished 1st runner up the past several weeks to a group who had a traditional show and good vocals. Well when I heard that the judges would lean heavy to vocals I told some people who ask my opinion who would win that I now thougt things favored Albertville. Well that tured out to be the case. Now back to South Jones, but first let me say those of you who can handle the truth, don't want to hear the truth or anything close to constructive critisim, don't read any further. It has been hashed and rehashed on this board that a director can improve their groups vocals if they chose to use one of several methods or a combination of them. That being you come out and stand still and sing, stand still and use arm movments and sing, the group comes together into a tight formation while standing still and sings, or yells as the case may be, or you use less physically exerting choreo while singing. Well when you combine the above with the fact that South doesn't normally use the above methods (note I have only seen a very small part of South's show from the wings this year, so if I wrong then I'm wrong), then you get an idea what could have happened to South Jones. AndyBearden it seems that your style leans to the above methods, and that is completly your right to do so, but not everybody prefers that style. The thing that I can't understand is how that judges who prefer vocals can't watch the groups and see the diffrence in choreo that is used to achieve the better vocals. Andy let me say this so you don't think I am trying to down Albertville, first I am not a fan of the drama/musical style, it's just not my favortite, having said that I give Center Stage all the credit in the world it's a really good show and the vocals are excellent, plus I haven't heard a better band, and this weekend as I loaded equipment I couldn't help but notice how well Albertville's group behaved. So this is not a slam on Albertville in any way, just an attempt to point out what may have happend and that some people do prefer diffrent styles.
It seems as though my post was misunderstood. By posting this, I was trying to support and take up for Imagination. I did not realize that my post could be taken as a bash on West Jones. The talent, energy, and hard work that the West Jones students put into their show is evident and amazing. As I said before, I am so proud of WJ and how much they have come. I was at Petal finals, and I sincerely believe that West Jones deserved higher than 4th RU. I am extremely sorry if anyone from West Jones misunderstood and was offended by my post.
I didn't think you were bashing West! But as for the whole placement thing... I believe the judges got it completely right. But just so everyone doesn't think I love Albertville so much that I think they should win everything... I had Tupelo taking choreography and it was a toss-up on show design. So IMO, Tupelo could have very well won!
Although South is a great show choir and all, i'm glad they didn't make fianls; it's a wake up call to all larger groups who usually dominate, the show choir world is changing. Step your game up. You can no longer win on your name alone ((talent is required))
Wow!!! You just basically said that South Jones has no talent. Are you crazy? Oh wait... I think we all already know the answer to that! Can I get an AMEN?!?!?!
Yes, but that doesn't help me much now, does it? ha. If anyone knows the company who filmed, please let me know so I can try to get the contact.
On the West Jones topic, I am not a fan of their show this year mainly because I've seen all of it before- the country, the parody, and the rock and roll. However, the way in which they execute the choreography, staging, and vocals is outstanding, and shows that they have brought it up a notch. So many people that I have talked to many people who believe that they should not score well because they are not a fan of the show, but that's not what the scores are about. I am proud of West and the improvements and accomplishments they have reached in the past few years.
It seems as though my post was misunderstood. By posting this, I was trying to support and take up for Imagination. I did not realize that my post could be taken as a bash on West Jones. The talent, energy, and hard work that the West Jones students put into their show is evident and amazing. As I said before, I am so proud of WJ and how much they have come. I was at Petal finals, and I sincerely believe that West Jones deserved higher than 4th RU. I am extremely sorry if anyone from West Jones misunderstood and was offended by my post.
Although South is a great show choir and all, i'm glad they didn't make fianls; it's a wake up call to all larger groups who usually dominate, the show choir world is changing. Step your game up. You can no longer win on your name alone ((talent is required))
Well, I am NOW finally somewhat rested enough to think about yesterday!
I do not normally do this, because I don't ever have the time to go watch groups! But I am going to give my opinion on the groups that I did see.
Northeast Jones- All I can say is WOW! I am an absolute SUCKER for a good ballad, and you hit the nail on the head! I was extremely impressed with your entire show! Your ballad has some very powerful, in-depth lyrics, and believe me, you certainly lived up to them! The rest of your show was very entertaining as well, and I wish ya'll good luck the rest of the season and the coming years!
Tupelo- Jai Ho! I LOVE THAT SONG! It was such a fun song to listen to and watch, and your soloists were GREAT! Especially the closer solo. That solo is FILLED with some insane and funky rhythms and octave jumps, but she pulled it off PERFECTLY! I was TOTALLY loving the backdrops! All-in-all, you had a wonderful show, and did exactly what we all love to do: Get up on that stage, perform, and entertain!
Beech- I was so impressed with "Melodic Impact"! I have seen ya'll at Belmont for the past 3 years (except for this year) I believe, and every year ya'll improve soo much! And I have to say, I bet making finals at the 2010 Petal Invitational was the absolute epitome for the seniors, yes? Your show was great! So entertaining, and as I said about Northeast Jones, I am a sucker for a good ballad! And trust me, you got me! The entire show fit together perfectly, and I hope you have a wonderful rest of season, and if Petal was your last competition, I can't wait to see what ya'll come up with next year, and I will DEFINITELY get to see it, because next year, I will be a GRADUATED SPECTATOR!
Petal- THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!! You put on a wonderful competition yesterday, and I had soo much fun! Everything ran smoothly (from my vantage point at least ), and I think it did for ya'll as well! I was also EXTREMELY impressed with your exhibition show! Ya'll have made some AMAZING improvements since the Diamond Classic (which when I last saw ya)! I want to give a shout-out to Whitley and Colby for being some ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOSTS!! They helped us with any-and-every thing!
Well, this was my last Petal "Show Choir Invitational", and it was certainly a great one! I can't wait to come back as a "graduated spectator" next year, and get to watch and compare everyone as a graduate!
I wish everyone the best of luck at their remaining competitions this year, and in the years to come!
Albertville- I am not a huge fan of the show, but you do it well. Vocally, spot on. I def think you deserve best vocals and best band. Congrats on all your success this year.
West jones- I thought you guys were awesome! I'm a HUGE fan of the show and personally would have had you 1RU and best choreography. I LOVE your opener and I agree with an earlier post, the hoedown song makes me smile the whole time! I think this is a strong year for you guys, but if it is a "down" year like somebody else said, then I say "WATCH OUT" for west jones!!!!
Tupelo- GREAT JOB!! who knew you guys would be so good, I loved the show and especially the opener!! Congrats to you for a job well done.
Pascagoula - solid, not my favorite show of yours but I still always live pulling fir the little guy and I think you do a GREAT JOB!
Petal- you hosted a great event, but honestly, I can see why you're having a down year and didn't make finals this year, the vocals are not great and it's not my favorite weaver show.
South jones- keep working, I'm sure it's a shock not to be in finals, but you have to know there are tons of good groups these days. I think it's always humbling and a good motivator to not make finals once in a while.
Yes, but that doesn't help me much now, does it? ha. If anyone knows the company who filmed, please let me know so I can try to get the contact.
On the West Jones topic, I am not a fan of their show this year mainly because I've seen all of it before- the country, the parody, and the rock and roll. However, the way in which they execute the choreography, staging, and vocals is outstanding, and shows that they have brought it up a notch. So many people that I have talked to many people who believe that they should not score well because they are not a fan of the show, but that's not what the scores are about. I am proud of West and the improvements and accomplishments they have reached in the past few years.
Petal Show Choir Invitational 2010
Are you crazy? Oh wait... I think we all already know the answer to that!
Can I get an AMEN?!?!?!
), and I think it did for ya'll as well! I was also EXTREMELY impressed with your exhibition show! Ya'll have made some AMAZING improvements since the Diamond Classic (which when I last saw ya)! I want to give a shout-out to Whitley and Colby for being some ABSOLUTELY AMAZING HOSTS!! They helped us with any-and-every thing!