Watching the feed...and we didn't have to pay. It was said earlier there was a $12 charge to watch the feed...anyone know what the deal is. And yes...if the feed is truly live they are already 25 mins off schedule...Northridge is supposed to go in 3 mins and Bonita Vista is before them and hasn't performed yet.
I think the free feed is live; they're just running behind on the schedule. Bishop Dwenger is playing now, they were supposed to be on at 11:55 but they came on at 12:20.
News from my family members in attendance have not been very flattering. Not particularly well orginized, D&B night cancelled, less than stellar venue... Don't know how much of that is the orginizers or the fact that this type of event, which works well at a gigantic midwestern high school (with lots of extra rooms and real estate) doesn't translate so well to a cramped Manhattan theare. Kudos to those driving the equipment! Good luck to all!
Also I heard that it is actually illegal to charge for a live feed such as this. I heard it's related to the music rights or something.
Yes, in the murky world of copyright law and enforcement, the right to profit from a given tunes public performance must be paid for. If you look inside many pieces of published music, you should find the phrase 'All Rights Reserved'. Buying a piece of sheet music does not cover public performance, just like a dj has to pay for a blanket license to play other peoples music as a business.
They probably have a similar agreement for the live feed, paying a single (probably large) sum to BMI or Harry Fox or some other rights organization. This is probably the single largest reason to charge such a high price for the right to view the live feeds; to cover that cost.
In other news, will there be videos made of this event? Like Haakons infamous boxed set?
It seems to me that a whole lot of people are pissed off because they aren't in the loop as to what is going on with this competition. I'm sure after the competition mr chavez will be on here giving a full accounting of the misfortunes of this event. I'm quite sure at this time he has bigger fish to fry. I think its to everyones benefit that we focus on the positive and wish all the artists performaning this morning the best of luck. Things don't always go as planned and it is a great learning lesson for our children how to adapt and overcome adversity.
I'm sure they are having the time of their lives in New York
Where have they been brought to light? It sure hasn't been here. I think I would be a lot more emphatic if all the "happenings" were actually divulged.
The only thing we have really learned on here so far is that the whole competition got moved to one day. I heard from a friend that Mario Lopez cancelled (personally I think he is a male chauvinist a la the dancing with the stars incident). Can anyone confirm this?
Also I heard that it is actually illegal to charge for a live feed such as this. I heard it's related to the music rights or something.
Honestly by this point I'm also hoping that we are all proven wrong and that everything goes without a hitch. Hopefully everyone has fun and they enjoy it enough to tell everyone else how good it was.
Feels a little bit like the Finale people don't know their audience. I know very few high schoolers that have paypal accounts. And I know there's some alumni that don't either. I'm also curious as to how they arrived at the 12$ number. Seems at least double what you would want to attract the casual consumer. But hey, I'm sure they have their reasons.
I know a lot of issues with this competition have been brought to light, and I know the people running it are doing their best at handling some last minute issues that i dont think they foresaw being issues.
Where have they been brought to light? It sure hasn't been here. I think I would be a lot more emphatic if all the "happenings" were actually divulged. Because hey, every competition has problems. And most schools get through it without cancelling half of it a week beforehand.
Obviously, I hope this competition goes well. And everything I've heard about it up 'til now makes it sound like an awesome and ambitious endeavor. But telling me there are extenuating circumstances and then not bothering to share them leaves me disaffected to the calls for patience and stays of judgement.
They sponsored almost 15 competitions this year around the country...
What competition were these? And by "sponsored" do you mean the Finale folks gave these competitions money?
im hungry lol and its lights out....but i want to sneak out and go eat pizza. AHHHHH i think i'm still on CALI time tomorrow is going to be LONG!! But i can't wait to perform!!!!! goodnight time square <3
Have you considered the massive cost of renting a venue THAT LARGE in NYC for several days, the technical crew, the ushers, the fads of paperwork and custodial stuff, the media, and not to mention time spent coordinating with each show choir, and the Im-sure-its-massive-because-they-are-celebrities cost of judges and emcee's?
Frankly, Im amazed they are pulling it off and charging ONLY 12 bucks for online viewing. Think of it as the WWE Pay per view of Show Choir.
I dont like to comment too often on forums, but feel the need to on this one... I know a lot of issues with this competition have been brought to light, and I know the people running it are doing their best at handling some last minute issues that i dont think they foresaw being issues.
Making money, I can assure you, is NOT the top priority of the people running this comp. They sponsored almost 15 competitions this year around the country, and one of the reasons they are given scholarship money to certain placing groups is because they believe in giving back to the show choir programs.
I know this is a first year competition, and I wish them the best in running an organized, successful, and exciting event.
GOOD LUCK to everyone participating in the Finale National Competition!
Best advertisement they could have made to attract groups next year - not to mention the best way to dispel the rumors circling - would have been to make this stream free.
that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard...this contest now seems to not be about the experience, but about the amount of money they can procure from the people who are participating and want to enjoy it. my skepticism is rising quickly.
Have you considered the massive cost of renting a venue THAT LARGE in NYC for several days, the technical crew, the ushers, the fads of paperwork and custodial stuff, the media, and not to mention time spent coordinating with each show choir, and the Im-sure-its-massive-because-they-are-celebrities cost of judges and emcee's?
Frankly, Im amazed they are pulling it off and charging ONLY 12 bucks for online viewing. Think of it as the WWE Pay per view of Show Choir.
Does anyone know if you have to pay to watch the show online? I was browsing the website and it took me to PayPal for $12 for the whole day.
that is the most ridiculous thing i have ever heard...this contest now seems to not be about the experience, but about the amount of money they can procure from the people who are participating and want to enjoy it. my skepticism is rising quickly.
Finale Nationals 2011
lol and its lights out....but i want to sneak out and go eat pizza. AHHHHH i think i'm still on CALI time 
tomorrow is going to be LONG!! But i can't wait to perform!!!!! goodnight time square <3
