Davenport Central "Central Singers Inc." is going to FAME Orlando. Not sure if they'll make the trip to Indy if they're fortunate enough to qualify for Nationals
I agree with a lot of what's being said.
I know for my choir, getting to a FAME event again will be tough this year. We're from Mass, so even the closest qualifier (New York) is a long drive. Plus, we placed in New York last year, but the types of groups that attend every year vary GREATLY. I mean look at FAME New York 2009... Burroughs and all the big guns. And sure, Hart was with us this year, but the groups that attended this year were FAR different than the groups that attended last year. So you never know what will happen at the qualifiers.
And also, this is our concert choir travel year, the first one in a while. We were planning on going to DC for that, but all of the show choir kids are in chorus. So DC and New York and then Indy if we place? It's difficult to think about. What we were talking about doing was possibly driving up to New York for only the competition day. But even still, that won't be free, easy, or comfortable. So agreed, it's a fantastic idea, but it's going to be difficult for a lot of choirs to really be able to pull it off, financially I mean.
What a year 2010 was! We saw some amazing groups and performances at each event we hosted this year. Congratulations to all that performed. The 2011 season is shaping up to be the best ever! Of course with the announcement of the National Show Choir Championship Series including the culmination of the Show Choir Finals on April 30th in Indianapolis and the announcement of a true National Champion, the response has been very exciting! Just to recap:
- 5 regional qualifying events hosted in Los Angeles (Hollywood), New York, Orlando, Chicago and Branson
- The top 3 groups from each event will be invited to participate for FREE. This will include 2 nights hotel accommodations and all festival participation.
- MENC: National Association of Music Educators have announced they will be the education partner with FAME Events to ensure The National Show Choir Championship Series is the most educationally sound program for show choirs in the nation.
We recently returned from Indianapolis to preview several performance sites and will announce the venue for the 2011 competition in the coming weeks as well as our hotel partners for the competition weekend.
The qualifying events are filling up very quickly. We encourage all that are interested in participating to complete your registration and return it quickly to ensure a spot in the competition of your choice. Further information can be obtained at www.showchoirs.org or from www.fameevents.com. If you have any questions, feel free to call 800-289-6441 and ask for Bert, Lori or Joel.
If a school makes state finals in a sport, I'm sure they never have any trouble getting the approval and financing on short notice to make the trip.
The schools that really want to be there will be there.
Yeah...and the trip to the state championship is usually a three hour drive away at most and within the boundaries of your own state. So your argument holds up if you're talking about all of the Indy choirs that live within a short driving distance from there.
Why are there two Branson's? They should have dumped one of them long ago. The Fame Nationals may not prove who is best, but it is the best attempt anyone has ever made to determine a national champion. I will be there with bells on.
I wondered why they kept two Bransons when they decided to make The Cup a traveling competition.
We could plan our trip to the regional event, but would have a very difficult time getting approval for and financing the travel to the finals in Indy .
If a school makes state finals in a sport, I'm sure they never have any trouble getting the approval and financing on short notice to make the trip.
The schools that really want to be there will be there.
Why are there two Branson's? They should have dumped one of them long ago. The Fame Nationals may not prove who is best, but it is the best attempt anyone has ever made to determine a national champion. I will be there with bells on.
I hate throwing cold water on the idea, but I just think that logistically it isn't realistic that the fifteen best show choirs in the nation are going to wind up at this event. This won't solve the "who is the best" debates, but it might make some money for Fame if people want to be able to claim that whole national champion thing.
I think the idea of a national champion is very intriguing to a lot of people, but I can tell you from the standpoint of most directors that it's not at all what we're worried about.
And really if you've followed the discussions of show choir rankings or which state is the best you'd know that there are really only about three groups that truly deserve consideration as the best in the country.
In addition, out of state trips have to be approved by the school board in most districts. At Urbandale this approval process isn't quick. We could plan our trip to the regional event, but would have a very difficult time getting approval for and financing the travel to the finals in Indy.
I wonder how much the tickets for the national championship will be? If spectator tickets for the current Fame events are $40 or so, will the national championship tickets be $100?
I hate throwing cold water on the idea, but I just think that logistically it isn't realistic that the fifteen best show choirs in the nation are going to wind up at this event. This won't solve the "who is the best" debates, but it might make some money for Fame if people want to be able to claim that whole national champion thing.
They should have a judge competition. Take the top 3 judges from each competition and pay for their everything, too.
That's what I was thinking Ethan- but take it one step further- there should be a judge certification process- like in sports- and it would be great if they had 5 judges- 1 each from the different regions- and the same judges for every competition
Wow, I am a huge fan of this idea. Thanks to mom for posting this in her facebook status. To respond to Ethan, I believe that the concept should be taken with a grain of salt. It's just like SCRS, in the fact that many people will argue with the idea. But I believe this method will be much more legitimate in determining a 'national ranking.' Although funds are limited, to be honoured with the title of 'the nation's best' seems worth the extra cash. I hope show choirs decide to utilize this.
FAME Show Choir National Finals 2011
To respond to Ethan, I believe that the concept should be taken with a grain of salt. It's just like SCRS, in the fact that many people will argue with the idea. But I believe this method will be much more legitimate in determining a 'national ranking.' Although funds are limited, to be honoured with the title of 'the nation's best' seems worth the extra cash. I hope show choirs decide to utilize this.
