I loved all of the shows this weekend! FDC was my favorite though for sure.
I love that no one predicted GISH to even make finals, and so that made making finals that much better! Im so proud of us UI and i cant wait to keep on keeping on with this group! Cant wait for next weekend! I love my UI family!
First competition of the season and it definitely didn't disappoint.
I watched every single group from 11:10 on. It was a day FULL of singing and dancing.
Let's see. Where to start.
Non finalists:
Sioux Falls Washington. I was pretty underwhelmed. Over the past few years, you guys were always one of my favorite shows. But this show was just.. messy. Your fans are always super nice and I love talking to them. This group is full of great sportsmanship. Oh, and I REALLY enjoyed the guy's number. Hilarious.
Iowa City West Prep. You guys are very good for a prep group. I had you in front of a couple non-prep groups. Congratulations on first place. You deserved it.
Elkhorn Excel. Last year I loved your show. I understand the split of the schools damaged you some. I thought the show was entertaining, but it still needs a lot of work. I really enjoyed HandJive. It was a very fun song.
Papillion LaVista. Honestly, I felt this group was the biggest disappointment of the day. I know we shouldn't go on tradition, but you guys are always one of my favorite shows. But this show was... laughable. I feel bad saying this, but it just isn't a typical Free Spirit show. I honestly hope you guys improve because Papillion LaVista is always a respected name.
Lewis Central. Oh, Brian Johnson. I miss that man. I really enjoyed the show. It wasn't finals worthy, but it was entertaining. There were moments where I was blown away and other moments where I was underwhelmed. Overall, it was a very good show.
Kellar. I really liked your show. It surprised me. I didn't like your show last year, but this one was very good. Except you sang a Justin Beiber song. And because of that, think you did not make finals (just joking.)
Finalists:
Lincoln Southwest. The first part of your show is kind of boring. Decent vocals, decent choreography. But your closer is by far the best part of your show. I LOVED it. Great tap. I felt your finals show was much better vocally, but the choreography stayed about the same.
Ralston. My new favorite show choir ;). The opener is honestly one of my favorite openers of all time. The opening soloist is fantastic. One of the best I have EVER heard. I loved the beginning of the ballad with the diagnal line. And the ballad soloist was okay ;) (just joking. Maddie you're freaking amazing.) The Les Mis song was freaking hilarious. During daytime AND finals. I cracked up. The changes you made to finals for this song were perfect. Just overall hilarious. I loved the costumes for the money song. And your closer was also great. I LOVE the tap. Ralston has great choreography and good vocals. Huge shout out to the gorgeous Angie, the entertaining Carlos, Dianna Lee, and everyone else that I met throughout the day. (Oh, and to the girl who texted angie asking if I was Ethan Price. Hi! )
Grand Island Senior High. Your finals show was LEAPS better than your daytime performance. Your vocals in finals blew me away. Jump was extremely entertaining. There is this redhead girl that is in the front most of the time that was a fantastic performer. So shout out to her. Your ballad was one of my favorites of the day.
Grand Island Northwest. This show is one that tears me apart. Honestly, each song separatly, is fantastic. I love it. What You Wear is extremely entertaining and very fun to watch. It's a bit busy, but it works perfectly. Freeze frame is a very fun song and you cant help but smile through it all. The closer. If it were alone, it could make me tear up. Easily. But with the rest of the show.. well.. it left me super confused as to what it is doing there. It doesn't really make sense. Other than that, your show was one of my favorites of the day.
Sioux City East. The last half of your show is extremely entertaining and I love watching it. Happy Days in show choir? PERFECT. I loved the costumes. You are honestly one of the most fulfilling show choirs out there. It's cookie cutter, but it's perfect. I could watch you guys over and over.
Mitchell. What more can I say? You say that name around show choir land and people just smile. This show wasn't as out of the box as last years show, but honestly, it's more emotionally fulfilling. I loved all of your costumes (what was it, 3 costume changes for the girls?). I knew after seeing you in day time you guys would win. Everything about your show just makes me smile. There is not one down to it. What I love about Mitchell is that it doesn't go with the norm. It has a tim burton feel to it, and I just freaking love it. And everyone else does, too. And what makes it better is you guys are all very nice, compassionate people and amazing performers. Honestly, I would gladly show Mitchell "Friend de Coup" as the face of midwest show choir. Congrantulations on the grand championship. You guys 100% deserved it. (Shout out to Boyce, Brianna, and Emily)
Iowa City West - I REALLY wanna know what happened to put you guys in 7th place. Your vocals were freaking amazing and your choreography was very clean. Your ballad honestly made me tear up. I enjoyed everything about your show. No lie.
Before finals I had it -
1. Mitchell
2. Iowa City West
3. Sioux City East
4. Grand Island Northwest
5. Ralston
6. Lincoln Southwest
7. Grand Island Senior High
8. Keller
9. Lewis Central
10. Sioux Falls Washington
11. Iowa City West Prep
12. Excel
13. Papillion La Vista
After Finals I had
1. Mitchell
2. Sioux City East
3. Grand Island Northwest
4. Ralston
5. Grand Island Senior High
6. Lincoln Southwest
Official rankings after prelims:
1. Mitchell
2. Sioux City East
3. Grand Island Northwest
4. Ralston (trailed GINW by 4)
5. Lincoln Southwest
6. Grand Island Senior High
So I was pretty close for most of it. This day was just all around fantastic. Especially with the amazing company I kept all weekend. Congratulations to all the performers! I hope to see you all again soon!
hahaha You guys are putting yourselves on the Midwest map just as much as we are! :>
I definitely agree with the talent and heart comment!
That is such a nice thing to say (: I have loved Ralston since my sophomore year so it's been fun to watch you guys grow!
Ps. Tell Alex Reagan that I am his number one fan, from Allie Conklin ahahah
How sweet! I will definitely pass that along. You guys have always been good but this year your group is putting Ralston on the map and have sooo many people buzzing!! We also think of you guys as our buddy and our groups are VERY similar. You have a lot of talent and a LOT of heart! Can't wait to see you guys again at Mitchel!! Good luck these next few weeks
hahaha You guys are putting yourselves on the Midwest map just as much as we are! :>
I definitely agree with the talent and heart comment!
and GISH: If there is any other group that I'm anywhere close to as proud of as I am of mine, its yours . You guys have come so far too. Your show is so awesome and you guys always give it everything you have. You're the group that always keeps us on our toes! and not only do you guys do well of stage, but off stage you guys are too awesome too. We all collectively have agreed that you guys are seriously our "buddy" group in a way. haha It's ALWAYS a pleasure competing with you guys. (please pass along this message.)
How sweet! I will definitely pass that along. You guys have always been good but this year your group is putting Ralston on the map and have sooo many people buzzing!! We also think of you guys as our buddy and our groups are VERY similar. You have a lot of talent and a LOT of heart! Can't wait to see you guys again at Mitchel!! Good luck these next few weeks
This was seriously amazing competition.
This was RUSH's first time ever making finals here. :>
and we're also so proud of Runway getting first in the women's division.
Headliners: You guys have such a fun show. Loved watching and listening to the whole thing. You guys have so much energy through out the whole thing The costumes were so detailed and had to such a great effect to the last few numbers. I mean you guys were completely into it. You have some real great performers in your group.
Friend de Coup: Wow guys. You guys are amazing. All we could do on the ride back home was seriously just gush about your guys' show. It's one of those shows were i absolutely loved every single song . The outfits were amazing as always. Your choreography is flawless. You had us hooked from the very beginning to the very end. Truly my favorite show choir this season for sure. Really excited to see you guys at your competition in March.
and GISH: If there is any other group that I'm anywhere close to as proud of as I am of mine, its yours . You guys have come so far too. Your show is so awesome and you guys always give it everything you have. You're the group that always keeps us on our toes! and not only do you guys do well of stage, but off stage you guys are too awesome too. We all collectively have agreed that you guys are seriously our "buddy" group in a way. haha It's ALWAYS a pleasure competing with you guys. (please pass along this message.)
Thank you to al our hosts and everyone at Westside for such a great day and night, and good job to everyone that was there too.
What is the "troll" about then? I assumed it was you thinking Iowa City west should've made finals... There show was very good... I actually had them in finals in my predictions, but I didn't watch Ralston in daytime so I didn't take them into account. I was really impressed by Ralston, Lincoln, GINW, GISH, and East. All shows were incredible. After seeing Ralston I'm not terribly surprised that icw didn't make finals. The competition was steep and close, it sucks when good groups don't make finals... but it happens all the time, that's show choir.
The "troll" comment is me referencing how I feel like the user, RogerDavis, is a fake.
All the groups were amazing. friend de coup was INSANE as usual!! They are the nicest people ever too. My group has a lot of respect for them. Ralston too.. we're BIG fans
I too am interested... that is NOT why I said the "Troll" comment.
What is the "troll" about then? I assumed it was you thinking Iowa City west should've made finals... There show was very good... I actually had them in finals in my predictions, but I didn't watch Ralston in daytime so I didn't take them into account. I was really impressed by Ralston, Lincoln, GINW, GISH, and East. All shows were incredible. After seeing Ralston I'm not terribly surprised that icw didn't make finals. The competition was steep and close, it sucks when good groups don't make finals... but it happens all the time, that's show choir.
had an amazing time at this competition watching other groups perform! sad i didn't get to see GISH but i'm sure they did amazing :> i'm always excited to see GINW because of their great vocals and amazing props to make a fun show! Headliners, what can i say but wow! clean moves and such a great sounding group! and i just loveeeee your red dresses, shoes and the red glittery lipstick!! FDC, you blew me away. i'm pretty sure my jaw was dropped throughout your whole show lol i couldn't stop thinking about it! and i lovedddd the songs you guys performed and the costumes were amazing!! congrats on grand champion!
I don't really know any point spread. All I heard is that Iowa City West and Lewis Central were tied for 7th, followed by Keller.
So they came very close. There were just too many good groups; these 3 could have all easily made finals at a different competition.
It just wasn't their day! They were all great though.
Congrats to all of the groups yesterday! I watched so many amazing groups it was ridiculous! And thank you to ATSC for hosting an awesome competition.. I had a blast!
I hosted Voices of Central
And they were so amazing!!!!
They just put so much heart and soul into their amazing show
and all the people in the group were so nice and awesome and amazing!
This was just such an impressive competition, I was blown away by Mitchell their vocals were just awe inspiring!!!!! And the kids from Mitchell could not have been nicer
in fact after the final awards some people from the group came into Voices of Centrals rooms and talked about how much they loved their show!
This was just such a great competition! Everyone was so supportive and talented!!!!
Congratulations to everyone!!!!
Prep results:
3rd: GINW Bella Voce
2nd: LSW Ambiance (also received best male and best female vocalist awards)
1st: Iowa City West Showtime
Womens results:
2nd: Papio La Vista Heart and Soul
1st: Ralston Runway
Just want to say, this was a GREAT competition. Amazing kids, all super supportive of one another. It really was a fight for finals.. but ended up being a great top 6 performances... everyone really stepped it up.
As far as thoughts on groups or placements...
I was definitely impressed with Ralston.
I am in love with GISH Ultimate Image.
& Mitchell's show is... amazing. Front to back.
Omaha Westside Competition of Excellence 2011
(just joking.)
Good luck these next few weeks
