Out of curiosity, and as someone that knows very little about Waukee and Iowa show choir in general, why hasn't Waukee competed at the national level in recent years? Assuming the SCC database is accurate, Waukee has had a remarkable past couple seasons including winning GC at 7 of their last 8 competitions with the only non-GC in that span being a narrow 1RU to national champion Wheaton. Waukee is clearly a powerhouse in Iowa.
It seems like FAME Branson and Chicago, along with SCN in Nashville, and even Grand River in WI (if that actually counts) would all be within a reasonable distance. Not that Waukee doesn't face quality competition already with local and regional competitions, because they do, rather I don't think Waukee is known very well outside the Iowa region whereas Kennedy, Jefferson, Ankeny, Urbandale, and maybe some others are more established. I just think that if Waukee is as good as they seem to be- and they seem phenomenal- it would be wonderful if they could showcase that to the nation.
Being a member of Waukee SC for the past few years, I have wondered this too. I believe (not 100% certain) that it has to do with our school district higher ups not having a great amount of support behind these championships and we are allotted a certain amount of competitions per year due to budget. However it would be pretty cool. But again, this is a student opinion and I don't know everything.
After watching Waukee live for the past two years at Westwood and seeing them have a caption sweep and blow away that gym, my director and I have wondered the exact same thing several times. As hard as it is and understanding how much effort and time and pain that a district can put a choir through to travel significant distances, I can understand their lack of travel outside of Iowa if that be the case. I've found myself wondering how they would fare at competitions outside of Iowa with high caliber groups and I have thought that they would place very high at Wheaton or at FAME Branson or FAME Chicago. I think it would be very cool to see Waukee travel out of state to see how they'd fare against larger groups outside of Iowa, like jdL. said.
Out of curiosity, and as someone that knows very little about Waukee and Iowa show choir in general, why hasn't Waukee competed at the national level in recent years? Assuming the SCC database is accurate, Waukee has had a remarkable past couple seasons including winning GC at 7 of their last 8 competitions with the only non-GC in that span being a narrow 1RU to national champion Wheaton. Waukee is clearly a powerhouse in Iowa.
It seems like FAME Branson and Chicago, along with SCN in Nashville, and even Grand River in WI (if that actually counts) would all be within a reasonable distance. Not that Waukee doesn't face quality competition already with local and regional competitions, because they do, rather I don't think Waukee is known very well outside the Iowa region whereas Kennedy, Jefferson, Ankeny, Urbandale, and maybe some others are more established. I just think that if Waukee is as good as they seem to be- and they seem phenomenal- it would be wonderful if they could showcase that to the nation.
I'm going to go ahead and take a whack at this. I've been out of the show choir scene for 8 months now, but I think Buffalo Grove will take this. With them being known for shows, you have to account for that category, you can't count out there vocals as well. They did Sleep last year as a ballad, and from what I remember 2 years ago at FAME Chicago, they can really perform. As for Waukee, they literally blow you away with their vocals, and Mike Weaver is an excellent choreographer. From what I remember, Buffalo Grove has a really great band. Since it is also a one time performance, you have to take in mind who can preform the crap out of their show every time, and since they both do it it's hard to call. As for the other groups, they are all groups that never seem to disappoint, it's really hard to call, but I'm going to call it as follows:
GC: Buffalo Grove (BC/BB)
1RU: Waukee (BV)
2RU: Jefferson
3RU: Iowa City High
4RU: Xavier
5RU: Johnston
GC: Waukee (BV)
1RU: Buffalo Grove (BB) (BC)
2RU: Johnston/ Xavier
3RU: Xavier/ Johnston
4RU: Jefferson
5RU: IC High
I went to Jeffersons Debut and I'm aware the show will get better but I feel their show is good vocally but choreographically a bit boring and the theme aspect of their show this year isn't well executed. Xavier is coming off of a good year last year and they usually have a very good program.
This is all my opinion and I may be biased but my opinions are mine and these predictions are just my views.
Similar to Alexgib 05 only one change I'll make on my prediction though:
GC: Waukee (BV)
1RU: Buffalo Grove (BB/BC)
2RU: CR Jefferson
3RU: Johnston
4RU: IC High
5RU: Xavier
Buffalo Grove will take BB and BC but only by a short margin.
Waukee will dominate with vocals however and that is how they will take GC
I definitely agree with your predictions as well. I was teetering back on forth on who should get the BC. I already knew the BV and BB because of Waukee's killer vocals and Buffalo Grove's usually stellar band but that BC was puzzling me. Waukee is an all around great group though and has a little "best" of everything. For that reason, that's why I agree that they will take home this competition.
I'm so excited to host this competition again and it's only 25 days away! I guess I'll take stab at predictions that will probably be wrong like most of mine are
GC: Waukee (BV/BC)
1RU: Buffalo Grove (BB)
2RU: Jefferson
3RU: Johnston
4RU: IC High
5RU: Xavier
Awesome, thanks for the clarification! Everything has been posted above. Looks like a really great kick off to the show choir season for some of these groups!
Hi Everyone!
We are looking forward to a great day of show choir on January 11th! Just to offer some clarity… The first three groups of the day will be competing in the 9th grade division (at least 50% 9th graders). Everyone else before lunch is prep. The first four groups after lunch are 3A and everyone else is 4A/Open Class. Yes, Norwalk is 4A this year!
I hope you can join us at Premiere! We look forward to hosting everyone!
Thanks Adam for providing all this information, as always, you rock.
Two quick questions:
1. Is the instrumental judge Steve "Stanley" or "Shanley"? The personnel database on here has a "Steve Shanley," but I know you posted "Steve Stanley" and they seem too similar so I figure one might be a typo?
2. Any idea about divisions? It looks like the division could be prep before the lunch break and advanced mixed after the lunch break, but I know Iowa likes to have 4A, 3A, etc. and that Prairie had divisions last year. I'll just need clarification on that to enter it correctly.
1. It should be Shanley.
2. Regarding divisions: Everyone before lunch looks to be a prep group. Western Dubuque through Norwalk should be the 3A division.
I really hope I can come to this competition! Lots of great groups!!!! Cedar Rapids competitions are looking great so far this year!
Thanks Adam for providing all this information, as always, you rock.
Two quick questions:
1. Is the instrumental judge Steve "Stanley" or "Shanley"? The personnel database on here has a "Steve Shanley," but I know you posted "Steve Stanley" and they seem too similar so I figure one might be a typo?
2. Any idea about divisions? It looks like the division could be prep before the lunch break and advanced mixed after the lunch break, but I know Iowa likes to have 4A, 3A, etc. and that Prairie had divisions last year. I'll just need clarification on that to enter it correctly.
And those questions can be for anyone, not just Adam.
Prairie Premiere 2014
