One way that we think about it is that Varsity athletes aren't allowed to play on the freshman team, so why allow it in another "team" format like show choir? For many schools, ours included, prep groups are the training grounds for our kids to work their way up to the top group. Many are freshmen students who have never even been exposed to show choir before. There are directors on both sides of this issue, of course, but we just happen to think that this way is best for our competition.
I just think it's hard to fairly judge groups that are competing with incompatible groups, but it is what it is and directors are aware of it. So I guess the show must go on regardless.
It definitely is, and I don't like the mixing of choir types either. In fact, I don't care for the concept of "the highest scoring choirs of the entire day move to finals" either, because that infers that all groups are being judged on the same scale with all variables being equal. And if you're judging everyone on the same scale, why have divisions in the first place?
That being said, as long as a group is willing to move "up," then I don't see anything wrong with that. What isn't fair is when a lower-tier group is padded with students from the advanced choir. If they want to compete against the other big dogs, that's fine... but they shouldn't be able to just walk in and pounce all over the other intermediate level groups. So that's what he's saying; they'll still let you compete but you can't do it in the lower-level division.
That's definitely the way it should be. Thanks for the clarification.
I suppose I agree- I'm not familiar with Westside, so I guess that makes sense. It's an imperfect system, though mostly because each school has a different amount of interest in show choir, and there are examples of this all over the show choir circuit. Men's groups competing with women's groups, women's group competing with advanced mixed groups (like here), or even women's groups competing with prep groups (which I was asking about). I just think it's hard to fairly judge groups that are competing with incompatible groups, but it is what it is and directors are aware of it. So I guess the show must go on regardless.
If a prep group has 1 or more varsity members performing in it, then that group must be registered in the "AA" division rather than the "A" division. It's one of our competition rules.
That's definitely the way it should be. Thanks for the clarification.
The event has been updated above. Ignore my previous question, according to the schedule via the Hastings website, "Simply Irresistible" is competing in the "AA" division instead of the "A" division. Seems strange to me, but that's what the Hastings site says.
If a prep group has 1 or more varsity members performing in it, then that group must be registered in the "AA" division rather than the "A" division. It's one of our competition rules.
This weekend should be a blast! I cant wait to compete agasinst Lincoln SW again considering how close it was at Norris!! (FYI- They only beat us in finals by one point) Also Omaha is doing our opener Ready! Its gonna be cool to see their version!
The event has been updated above. Ignore my previous question, according to the schedule via the Hastings website, "Simply Irresistible" is competing in the "AA" division instead of the "A" division. Seems strange to me, but that's what the Hastings site says.
Before I add the event above, can I get a quick clarification? Is everything Omaha Westside "Simply Irresistible" and above the prep division and everything after the mixed division?
GC: Lincoln Southwest/Westside
1RU: Lincoln Southwest/Westside
2RU: Johnston "Innovation"
3RU: Totino Grace "Company of Singers"
4RU: West Des Moines Dowling "Dimensions"
5RU: St. Francis "Bridge Street Singers"
BC: LSW
BV: Westside
BB: LSW
I don't know who will win this one. I have my sights set on the next four unless Johnston has a good day I can see them taking the 1RU spot. From what I've heard Johnston is a extremely good group this year and have a great chance of being extremely successful. I've watched LSW and ATSC both and I kinda think that LSW has the edge in this battle but ATSC is capable of taking it! Battle for Nebraska! I can't wait to see how it all plays out!
I was told they were adding some things to their show post viterbo. Maybe they decided not to! I don't know... I haven't seen them this year.
No they did add ribbons for the Lincoln Southwest Showdown.
Only a 3 hour drive, to see some of the best MN and NE show choirs? I think so!
ALSO RIBBONS?! I SAW ATSC AT VITERBO. THEY DIDN'T HAVE RIBBONS.
I was told they were adding some things to their show post viterbo. Maybe they decided not to! I don't know... I haven't seen them this year.
Anyone have a prediction for this competition? I don't know many of the groups but I think Southwest and Westside could be the top 2 groups. I know Westside is undefeated so far but Southwest is having a great year as well and I have some hope for my former group.
According to our director, the last time Westside was beat by a nebraska group was in 2001. So this is going to be a big competition but I am very excited to go!
It was at Lewis Central 2001 when Omaha North won GC. I don't remember if ATSC was even 2nd that day.
lol I was thinking about that too. Unless it was before 2004 I don't remember any time.
According to our director, the last time Westside was beat by a nebraska group was in 2001. So this is going to be a big competition but I am very excited to go!
Hastings Swingin' on the River 2013
