I could see it having been very close. I still think Totino sang MUCH better than Waconia. Totino just had a much better tone quality than Waconia, and Waconia also sang in 2 or 3 parts WAY too often for my taste. But Waconia was MUCH cleaner, and had a much more entertaining show IMO. This was just from the Milton vids though. I haven't watched the Omaha Westside video, and I know shows can drastically change week to week.
What's ironic about this is Waconia's vocal scores beat Totino's at Milton, and Totino beat Waconia in choreography. I would definitely agree with you in saying Waconia's dancing was cleaner, but I also stick by my previous statements about these two groups' vocals. Judging is a funny thing in the show choir world! You never know which judge is going to have a certain taste for a certain style of performing.
Actually the Milton playlist had several songs with obscene/vulgar lyrics that were totally inappropriate for show choir. One song contained a 'm***** ******', another had multiple mentions of 's***'.
Keep in mind that it was probably high schoolers running the music. Do you really expect that to not pop up at all?
Actually the Milton playlist had several songs with obscene/vulgar lyrics that were totally inappropriate for show choir. One song contained a 'm***** ******', another had multiple mentions of 's***'.
I was a little surprised myself but the sound guys definitely chaired that committee themselves...great for the students not so great for the parents.
milton had an awesome playlist, so talk to them., for real (: in addition to that, some billy joel and prince. and no journey.
oh and cecilia by simon and garfunkel ;)
Actually the Milton playlist had several songs with obscene/vulgar lyrics that were totally inappropriate for show choir. One song contained a 'm***** ******', another had multiple mentions of 's***'.
As far as the head-to-head battle at Milton, I have heard that in the scoring breakdown, Waconia was actually extremely close to Totino. There is no way anyone could use that competition's results as evidence to predict who will win between these two groups.
I could see it having been very close. I still think Totino sang MUCH better than Waconia. Totino just had a much better tone quality than Waconia, and Waconia also sang in 2 or 3 parts WAY too often for my taste. But Waconia was MUCH cleaner, and had a much more entertaining show IMO. This was just from the Milton vids though. I haven't watched the Omaha Westside video, and I know shows can drastically change week to week.
As always, take my comments with a truckload worth of salt. These are my personal opinions, and for sure all of the judges will not think the same as me. I don't even know who the judges are, let alone their personal styles. I'm also VERY picky about singing. I always prefer intonation and a certain kind of tone quality over spread belty singing and volume, which is unfortunately something a lot of groups don't care about anymore. It's no longer show CHOIR, it's show shouting. And that's not a knock on any specific group we've been talking about, just a trend i've been noticing the past few years in general.
This will be a super close competition. I could even see 2nd and 3rd taking the captions and the winner not taking any captions. It will be a hard decision for the judges to make.
Honestly, having watched Bemidji's show, the theme this year doesn't come across as blatantly as past years (Numbers, Colors).
A paradigm is a distinct pattern. From what I gathered, the show was more about patterns in life, and was much more broad than other recent years. The singing was much better than past years, but still doesn't quite have the musicality and tone I desire, but that's a personal opinion, not one that I necessarily saw judges agreeing with. The choreography was just REALLY fantastic at Linn-Mar. Also it's really hard to tell how they will come out from there, especially since the results at Linn-Mar have been totally mixed up, and are still really confusing...
From what I saw Totino probably sings the best of the top 3 groups. But their choreography and show design is a little.... off this year. If they worked on cleaning the choreography they could TOTALLY win this competition.
Head-to-head Totino beat Waconia so that's kinda why I have this between Bemidji and Totino. But it really is going to be a close, and HARD FOUGHT competition. This will be a fun one to see! Good luck to all groups!
And for song selection..... not Wicked or Glee. PLEASE!!!! (haha ya right like that will happen)
From what I can see/hear in the video of Bemidji, I totally agree with you. Great dancing, good singing (nothing outstanding, but not bad by any means), and a theme that's a little difficult to grasp.
As for Totino, once again just from videos, I found the vocals to be very underwhelming. Clean, maybe, but no emotion or contrast. It's just lacking a certain spark that Totino usually brings with every song. It felt like I was eating a tub of vanilla pudding. Sure it tasted ok, but where's the pizazz?! There were no vocal "Wow!" moments and very little dynamic contrast. The boys had some very impressive dance breaks, but the rest of the show's choreography wasn't much for cleanliness.
From all of the online evidence I could gather, Waconia sings the best, Bemidji dances the best, and Totino is, well, Totino (props, show tune medley, tap dancing, awesome guy dancing).
As far as the head-to-head battle at Milton, I have heard that in the scoring breakdown, Waconia was actually extremely close to Totino. There is no way anyone could use that competition's results as evidence to predict who will win between these two groups.
I'm so excited to see how three of the top groups in Minnesota compete against each other. Not to mention the other countless amazing groups that will be in it to win it.
Oh, and as for song choices for the day, please please please PLEASE no "Don't Stop Believing" or "I Gotta Feeling". I realize how much I am asking of a show choir competition, but please, just this once! Those songs still haunt me to this day...
Honestly, having watched Bemidji's show, the theme this year doesn't come across as blatantly as past years (Numbers, Colors).
A paradigm is a distinct pattern. From what I gathered, the show was more about patterns in life, and was much more broad than other recent years. The singing was much better than past years, but still doesn't quite have the musicality and tone I desire, but that's a personal opinion, not one that I necessarily saw judges agreeing with. The choreography was just REALLY fantastic at Linn-Mar. Also it's really hard to tell how they will come out from there, especially since the results at Linn-Mar have been totally mixed up, and are still really confusing...
From what I saw Totino probably sings the best of the top 3 groups. But their choreography and show design is a little.... off this year. If they worked on cleaning the choreography they could TOTALLY win this competition.
Head-to-head Totino beat Waconia so that's kinda why I have this between Bemidji and Totino. But it really is going to be a close, and HARD FOUGHT competition. This will be a fun one to see! Good luck to all groups!
And for song selection..... not Wicked or Glee. PLEASE!!!! (haha ya right like that will happen)
I'm in charge of making the playlist for the music this year, and I was wondering what the people who were attending would like to hear? Any suggestions?
milton had an awesome playlist, so talk to them., for real (: in addition to that, some billy joel and prince. and no journey.
I think the title of their show is related to the style of visual effects in the first two numbers. However, I can't figure out how it would relate to the second half of their show.
The "Paradigm Shift" title, I believe, is referring to a change in perspective, sort of like an optical illusion that looks like two things at the same time. This is also accented by the optical illusion-esque "VM" logo on the Paradigm Shift sign.
Interesting. I haven't seen any shows, and Bemidji's is definitely one I'm extra excited for. I've always said they're my favorite besides Waconia Choirs. I've admired Mr. Fettig's abilities to put together theme shows so well. I've always found choirs who try and follow themes only to end up looking tacky, But Bemidji has always pulled them off with such class. I still stick to my guns in saying their 2010 "True Colors" show was the most brilliant show I've ever seen. If Power Company doesn't take Grand, I'd like Bemidji to. (Or The Current of course! :D )
Our theme "Paradigm Shift" is about changing one's perspective. The VM logo is an example of an opitical paradigm. The show begins with the perspective of just wanting to win, but later we realize that life is about relationships and loving each other. ( Not in the dirty way!!) I hope that clears it up for anyone!
Can anyone tell me what the theme is for Bemidji's show this year?
I think the title of their show is related to the style of visual effects in the first two numbers. However, I can't figure out how it would relate to the second half of their show.
The "Paradigm Shift" title, I believe, is referring to a change in perspective, sort of like an optical illusion that looks like two things at the same time. This is also accented by the optical illusion-esque "VM" logo on the Paradigm Shift sign.
I'm in charge of making the playlist for the music this year, and I was wondering what the people who were attending would like to hear? Any suggestions?
top 40
I'm in charge of making the playlist for the music this year, and I was wondering what the people who were attending would like to hear? Any suggestions?
I was incredibly impressed with the youtube video I found of Bemidji. The one thing that Waconia's show has that Bemidji's seems to be lacking is an emotional connection to the songs. Bemidji's facials were certainly appropriate for the songs, there just wasn't any spark.
As for Totino, I'm sure they've worked an enormous amount since Milton, but their show design is lacking the creativity of Bemidji and the power of Waconia.
Bemidji's choreography is crazy in the first two numbers!!! So many wild visual effects, I can't wait to watch.
Oh, and The Current's show from Omaha (via youtube) was INCREDIBLE! I would be shocked if they weren't in finals.
Eau Claire Memorial Winterfest 2012
