I already miss this competition so much haha
really wish that I could compete with more Nebraska groups at the end of the season because of the fact that so many of them are really starting to pour it on
I don't want to be critical of any groups because of the fact that I would get yelled at by some of the people on this forum for expressing how I felt so if you want to know what I though of your group send me a message
But I can't express how happy I am for GISH. They have really worked their butts off to get to where they are and they really deserved what they got yesterday.
Thank you SO much. We're very excited about yesterday's competition. And CONGRATS to you, ATSC and Warrior express!!
READ THIS FIRST: My disclaimer is that I am a 20-year-old business major with few, if any, qualifications. Consider my opinions to mean very little or even less. If you are able to handle some criticism with class (and self-restraint :p), go ahead and read, and feel free to respond. If not, just skip over it. It is not worth getting frustrated over, I promise.
I had alot of fun yesterday and I loved seeing all of the groups. Of course I'm proud of Warrior Express. Always gotta stick by my Prep group.
As for other groups, I have not seen Norris's show but I'm very proud of them for 2nd place. I hope we see them again, cause I'd like to watch their show now. Davenport West was the group that I heard would be our main competition but I'm sorry to say that when I saw their show, I was very unimpressed and walked away feeling like they weren't a threat. GINW and GISH are both groups that I'm very proud of. I've always loved GINW's shows but I feel that this year it's a little overdone. Not my cup of tea, but performed well. But I can't express how happy I am for GISH. They have really worked their butts off to get to where they are and they really deserved what they got yesterday.
GC-Omaha Westside "ATSC", BV, BB
1RU-Norris High School "Gold"
2RU-Grand Island Senior High "Ultimate Image", BC
3RU-Grand Island Northwest "14 Karat Gold Singers"
4RU-Davenport West "West Connection"
5RU-Omaha Westside "Warrior Express"
I wish we had more of an opportunity to compete against/see schools from Nebraska. Nebraska has really poured it on this year. Groups are starting to come out of the wood work that I really wish I had the chance to see.
Good job to everyone, sounds like a great competition!
GISH! Soooo proud! :D awesome job!
Thank you so much!! Today was an amazzzzing day. Lots of great groups! Norris's vocals are ridiculous and I think they are deserving of the huge jump in placement they made from day time to finals. Thanks to LSW for hosting a great competition as alllllways
Congrats to Norris on their high finish! The "surprise" group for Nebraska this season... keep up the hard work!
Honestly, there are a LOT of surprise Nebraska groups this season. Norris, Grand Island Senior High, Ralston, and Elkhorn South are just a few. They all seem to have stepped it up this year and can compete with each other on any given day. It makes Nebraska a (friendly) blood-bath competitive state!
READ THIS FIRST: My disclaimer is that I am a 20-year-old business major with few, if any, qualifications. Consider my opinions to mean very little or even less. If you are able to handle some criticism with class (and self-restraint :p), go ahead and read, and feel free to respond. If not, just skip over it. It is not worth getting frustrated over, I promise.
Omaha Westside "Warrior Express"-
This was the first time I had seen the show and I was impressed with what I got. Vocals were decent throughout most the show, but pretty impressive in the ballad. Dancing was strong and clean. While some of the vocals and dancing will just have to come with getting older, gaining maturity and getting in some more practice, I feel like there is immediate room for growth with the performing-side of things, things like facials and energy. As happy as I was with their performance, it was pretty evident they would not be a factor in finals. I did not see all the groups that they competed against in the auditorium division (women's and prep) but I did see Simply Irresistible and felt like they were more deserving of winning the auditorium division. That isn't a knock on Warrior Express, just a compliment to the more mature sound that comes from the more experienced singers in Simply Irresistible.
Davenport West "West Connection"-
I had never seen you before, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I don't have a program and in my advanced age ;) I don't remember every single song. One thing I do remember is that the ballad was a combo of Anyway and His Eye is on the Sparrow, ala Wheaton-Warrenville 2008. I was at the performance of WW's ballad at the competition they hosted, which to me was the best single song performance I have ever seen. Remembering that they were given a 2+ minute standing ovation directly after the ballad, it was going to be a pretty steep task to pass that up. It didn't hit that level, but it was still a lovely performance. The other main thing that sticks in my brain was the quartet in the closer. None of the individual vocalists was bad (in fact they seemed pretty good), but the quartet plus the rest of the choir didn't seem to be put together into any coherent form. Sorry to dwell on those negatives. You guys had great energy up there. I had someone with me that had never seen show choir before. She wanted you guys at second place after GINW. Your group was good from a fundamentals perspective, but I think it is pretty high praise that someone off the street enjoyed your show above many others.
Grand Island Northwest "14 Karat Gold Singers"-
This show choir holds a special place in my heart, they always have since I believe 2005. That was a great show, a very real and personal performance. Now to this year. Somewhere in the world of music, there exists a line between loud, strong, powerful singing and yelling on pitch. Ever since GINW began doing these musical (as in from a musical) openers, I have felt that you have danced dangerously closed to that line. Often right where you want to be, but on occasion crossing to the other side. Your opener this year (Fortune Favors the Brave) fits that same category. The song had very impressive moments, but two or three parts in particular it seemed more like yelling. I feel that with some work here could improve the show leaps and bounds. I also have never been a big fan of novelty numbers. I can stand some props here and there, but the model runway and light-up dresses and such were a little much for me. But that is just my taste in show choirs, and nothing that the members of the show choir have any meaningful control of. In my Davenport West review I mentioned that someone I brought with me who was new to show choir liked them second best, she liked you the best! She was impressed by how much energy and excitement you brought to the table. I don't agree with her about first place, but I agree that your show was fun and exciting and well-performed. You have a lot to be proud of.
Grand Island Senior High "Ultimate Image"-
I probably have a little bias towards you guys. Two of my cousins have gone through your show choir program and I think a third is on his way. First off, I would have never picked "Time is Running Out" by Muse to be a show choir song. Nonetheless, it was entertaining. I can kinda get into the dark show choir songs if they are done well. My main criticism would just be a lack of consistent singing throughout the show. I don't remember what the second song was, but I felt that one and Jump just didn't have the gusto they needed. That being said, I thought the ballad was the best song in the show. I've heard Blue Skies before, but this was a good rendition. Nice work. Dancing was on tonight and the Best Choreography award was deserved. The switch to Stephen Todd a few years back was a good move. Also, you guys should be sure to thank GINW sometime. The "GGOOOO GGGGIIIII" chant they did for you was a very classy move, make sure to give them some props and to do the same if you run into them again this year.
Norris High School "Gold"-
Don't hate on me please, I just didn't have you guys making it this high. The singing was solid, which is always the first thing I want out of a show choir. Proper volume, good blend, fundamentally strong. Where I didn't have you guys ranked so high would have been the difficulty/effectiveness of choreography and the performing aspects. The moves were sharp for the most part, they just don't have the intricacy of many of the other show choirs. This is something Westside struggled with for a long time, but with time was able to improve at. There is no reason your group can't get there too. The show also lacked some of the excitement that the others had. I don't know how much of that is from the design of the show and how much is from the performing of the show, but it was apparent to me. Don't let me get you down though, you guys obviously did quite well for yourselves tonight. Just goes to show you how little I know. Also, I truthfully don't think most people from Omaha at least are familiar with Firth, Nebraska. You represent your neck of the woods very well and help show people that you don't need to be from a huge high school to have success on the stage.
Omaha Westside "ATSC"-
I will not try to hide the fact that I was cheering for ATSC the whole time. That's the group I cheered for growing up, was blessed to be a part of, and will continue to cheer for. Just cause I cheer for you doesn't mean I can't be critical either though. My biggest complaints would be with volume and diction. While these may be attributable to the performance space (a gym), you have to do whatever is within your power to deal with the situation at hand. The big moments need to be bigger (mostly in the opener) and the closer needs that little extra umph to get you pushed through. There are issues that can help take you far if you get fixed. My biggest plus for ATSC this year is blend. It was not perfect, but I haven't heard very many groups get that close to perfection. This is especially true in the ballad. Each part being sung is unified and unquestionably beautiful. ATSC has also made leaps and bounds in the dancing category over the years. The first show that I recall very strongly was from 2004. The amount of calories burned during the shows since then has probably tripled. Under Mr. Johnson and Katie, ATSC has improved slowly and strongly every year. Also, I am glad to see the Forcefield is still in existence. GO ATSC!
Congratulations to everyone! Especially to those at Grand Island Senior High! Way to come out swinging and finally knocking off your neighbors AND grabbing best choreography. Norris - WOAH. I really wish I could see your show! Fantastic showing. Congratulations to the champion Omaha Westside! And to GINW and Davenport West. Also good showings by both of you. And can't forget Warrior Express! Great job on making finals here. I really wish I could have been at this competition.
That's so great for Norris. From where they were about 3 years ago when I saw them at a competition for the first time, to where they are now, that's amazing.
GC-Omaha Westside "ATSC", BV, BB
1RU-Norris High School "Gold"
2RU-Grand Island Senior High "Ultimate Image", BC
3RU-Grand Island Northwest "14 Karat Gold Singers"
4RU-Davenport West "West Connection"
5RU-Omaha Westside "Warrior Express"
Lincoln Southwest Showdown 2011
