I won't lie and say I didn't hear grumbling from directors, parents, and even students of some of the show choirs say things like, "That isn't show choir." Rather than tell them why I thought it was, I simply asked them why it wasn't. Most them couldn't give me solid concrete reasons why it wasn't.
Hence, my point.
Anyone? Anyone at all?
I hate hijacking the SCN thread for a discussion of what is or isn't show choir, but here are my thoughts.
I personally don't feel strongly one way or the other about what is or isn't show choir. If it includes singing, dancing, staging, and emoting and is entertaining, I'm for it. I know there are some of the people that have been around longer than I have that would love to see it stay exactly the way it's been in the past because that's what they're comfortable with. They want opener, second number, ballad, guys number, girls number, closer. I know a few were bothered by the fact that there wasn't a chance for the audience to applaud between songs in Burbank's show. I actually didn't really notice that when I watched it live because I was so enthralled by the performers...not the show or the story or the concept.
I won't lie and say I didn't hear grumbling from directors, parents, and even students of some of the show choirs say things like, "That isn't show choir." Rather than tell them why I thought it was, I simply asked them why it wasn't. Most them couldn't give me solid concrete reasons why it wasn't. Honestly the concept of Burbank's show went shooting right over my head, but it didn't prevent me from enjoying it. They sing and dance wonderfully and each and every kid on that stage was so invested in the performance that I loved every second of it. I had a discussion with Mr. Carroll about it at the Wildhorse. I told him that I didn't necessarily "get it," but that I'm a big proponent of judging show choirs (for placement purposes, not enterainment value purposes) based on what the kids do on the stage. I'm not going to punish them for decisions about the content of the show that were made by their director or choreographer months ago. I just care whether or not they performed what they were given the best they could.
I can guarantee you that the vast majority of the kids in attendance at SCN were blown away by it and would love to be in a show just as theatrical and conceptual.
Did Burbank's show entertain me. Absolutely. Did it offend me? Not really....except maybe for the use of the song "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails since I'm familiar with the actual lyrics. (Maybe that's the next barrier to be broken. If you want to use a song like that, or "Freak On A Leash," just keep the original lyrics like "a cheap #### for me to lay" or "I wanna #### you like an animal.")
Variety is good. Different is good. It would be terribly boring if each and every show choir was exactly the same.
Okay, what do most consider to be show choir?
I've always tried to keep an actual definition VERY open ended. I simply say it's "adding visual elements to vocal choral music". That's it. Visual can be dance, theater, special effects, costumes - anything goes. And vocal choral music can be anything from show tunes to classical. If a show is sung well and performed well - I'm game for anything.
But I think it's safe to say that the general stereotype of show choir tends to be jazz hands and show tunes all done in a fairly square manner. Heck, even my boss said as much when I was asked about my trip to Nashville for this event (I think he even included dorky bow ties - just to amp up the cheeze factor). And, in some cases - yes, the stereotype fits.
Perhaps what Burbank's show did was just tip what had already been done before (VERY in depth investment in a theme show) into newer territory - adding a linked story. I actually predicted YEARS ago that I thought show choir would become much more theatrical, and gee - I was right. So I'm not surprised at all.
But nor do I feel any of the 'old' style is now totally devoid of merit. Note - the initial definition I wrote says NOTHING of what show choir MUST be, just what it CAN be - and it can be a rock opera, or it can be a revue style show of 5-6 totally unrelated songs - and both can work.
So - what's next? Well - until someone can top this theme and storyline, I wonder if this style of show has reached its peak. I kind of hope not - it was incredible and I'd like to see more. But regardless of what the whole concept and design of their show was, it was the actual skills in performing it that I am also still impressed with. These kids can sing, dance, emote and perform the heck out of it - and they'd be just as good doing a show 'inside the comfort zone of what most would consider show choir' - and I'd probably enjoy it just as much.
Anyway - long story short (too late) - I think the comment that sparked this latest bit was more or less just complementing on how Burbank's show is indeed ground breaking (or, at least taking another step further into territory in what Burrough's had already smashed open the past few years).
I do find it fun that the show most being talked about wasn't even the winner! Proves there was a LOT of great stuff going on in Nashville this past weekend - should make for a great DVD to add to one's library...
Why does it always seem like you've got your hackles up, Scott?
I don't think he meant it in a derogatory way. It's just different than the status quo. Nobody said it's a bad thing. I thought it was terrific, but would agree that it's probably a bit outside the comfort zone of a lot of show choir people. Stretching the boundaries is a good thing in my opinion, but that doesn't mean there aren't going to be a few growing pains along the way.
I'd call In Sync's show a rock opera. It was duly impressive and in all honesty beyond what most consider to be show choir.
Okay, what do most consider to be show choir?
Most fun competetion I've ever been too.EVER. The choirs were RIDICULOUSLY good, the people were too awesome, and the Attache girls were gorgeous. Couldnt have asked for a better trip!
I think everyone from Urbandale would concur, Sevy. I wish you could see the pictures some of the Studio kids put up and the glowing things they had to say about you like, "Best soloist ever. He sounded like he stepped right off a Broadway stage."
It was extremely fun spending some time with you, Paulie, Mary Lou, and the many other Burbank kids at Wildhorse.
Most fun competetion I've ever been too.EVER. The choirs were RIDICULOUSLY good, the people were too awesome, and the Attache girls were gorgeous. Couldnt have asked for a better trip!
Burbank's show was almost life changing. It was like a story. I really appreciated that there weren't breaks between songs for applause because it helped the flow of the show.
I felt honored to be able to witness a show like that live.
I dont think i'll ever forget what i saw that morning.
Does anybody know about how long it usually takes to receive the DVDs from Show Choir Nationals? I realize it's too soon to already get them this week (although I wish it could be right this instant), but I was just wondering when to expect it in the mail.
I really have to echo just about everything Adam said up above there - true on so many levels. I too was just mesmerized by that whole show - it was just so INTERESTING. I'm not sure if I "got it" - or if what I understood of it is what they actually intended for their audiences to get out of it, but it's amazing that a show choir show has risen to that kind of height in which it can contain so much substance that it works on so many different levels. Simply amazing.
I found this little quote on Wiki about the song Life on Mars, and think it can also be applied to the Burbank show as a whole:
Neil McCormick of the Telegraph ranked it as #1 in his 100 Greatest Songs of All Time list<2> He also commented on the song:
A quite gloriously strange anthem, where the combination of stirring, yearning melody and vivid, poetic imagery manage a trick very particular to the art of the song: to be at once completely impenetrable and yet resonant with personal meaning. You want to raise your voice and sing along, yet Bowie’s abstract cut-up lyrics force you to invest the song with something of yourself just to make sense of the experience. And, like all great songs, it's got a lovely tune.
Kudos to April, Damon, all the directors - but most especially, the students for embracing something that went beyond a meer song and dance routine. Even if the intent wasn't to do anything like that at all, it was one happy accident that it did.
Never said it was. I am just saying, in my very biased opinion, that the Choraliers choreography was harder and performed extremely well, best of the competition.
That being said, vocally, Los Al and Burbank were tremendous. Loved Burbank's show. Fantastic. The Los Al ballad was awesome.
As for the final placements, I was not far off the mark with my final rankings, I just think Fairfield should have gotten the Choreography caption. Of course, I may have a bit of tunnel vision when it comes to this.
Thanks to all groups for providing a wonderful weekend of entertainment.
Thanks, Adam, for the kind words. All I can say is, it's ABOUT TIME you got around to seeing In Sync! In addition to the vision of Brett Carroll and the talents of April and Damon, much credit should also be given to Josh Greene who arranges most of In Sync's music and had a major role in the show design.
I have so much to say... but I just need to go right into the one thing that made this competition so special to me- Burbank "In Sync".
I hadn't planned on attending this competition until I stumbled upon Burbank's show on YouTube. I watched the entire thing, the three videos from the Los Alamitos competition. I was NOT a fan. The only song that I found myself enjoying was "Mr. Roboto"... the rest of the show, at that time, was rubbish to me. But like I said... "Mr. Roboto" haunted me. I'd sing it ALL the time. I don't really understand why it stuck with me so much. Something about it just really blew me away, which is hard to do through a computer screen. I thought to myself, "I have NEVER seen Burbank live before... I feel that this might be the year to do it." I had toyed with going to SoCal last year, because the 2009 In Sync show was one of the first Burbank shows since 2004 that I really enjoyed all the way through (watched it online of course). But, I ended up deciding against it. I've seen Burroughs live in 2004, 2008, and 2009... so I knew that it was time to see the rival choir... especially with the very high caliber line up at Nashville.
So blah blah blah... I drive to Nashville... all 9 hours, eager to see ONE show. And, boy... am I glad I did so.
Burbank's show, for me, was and is the best show choir show I have ever seen in my life. Yes. Thats right folks, I said it. I'm not trying to be overly dramatic... it just moved me like no other show choir has ever done before. (and I've seen A LOT of show choir) I just really STILL can't put it into words... I was a blubbering fool after they were done performing. Once I got the tears out of my eyes... and started to form words... I still couldn't quite describe what watching them made me feel like. Damon Brown came up to me and asked what I thought... I couldn't tell him. I still can't. Its THAT mind blowing.
The thing that sets them SO far apart from everyone else in the show choir world is simply the show itself. Its pure genius. Some might not call it that... some judges at SCN obviously didn't see it that way. But... the roller coaster of emotions created, the wonderful repertoire, and the fusing of plot through song and character building just made it a completely different caliber than anyone I have ever seen. I could go on and on. And I will...
These kids are high schoolers! Yet, their investment in the show made me feel like they have been doing stuff like this for decades. These kids literally created an entirely different world in front of the audience. It felt like we were transported to their planet... in their time period... glimpsing into how their world operated. The three main characters of the show were simply breathtaking. The Alien and Geisha solo moments were incredible. Such raw emotion was put into their characters... wow wow wow. Everything felt so detailed... nothing was left undone.
The choreography that April and Damon created was so unique and fresh. I feel that it complemented the entire show PERFECTLY. The vocals were dynamite. Just so impressive. The costuming was so crazy and funky. The set wasn't just for flash and to impress... it really helped create and shift the mood along with the amazing music.
I'm not jumping up and down saying "THIS IS WHAT SHOW CHOIR SHOULD BE!"... its just a different way of doing things. One that I personally love. I love a story. And this story, is one of the best I have ever seen/heard/felt. I love concept shows. The group I work with did one this year (To a VERY far less degree)... and I personally feel that I could never go back to picking random songs for a show, and just performing them. Thats just me though. Show Choir is anything and everything. Directors... especially ones that end up judging need NOT be scared of this "new" style.
It was so interesting getting reactions from the parents around me after watching this. Some were SO confused. Some were offended. I heard one ask- "Is this some statement on the next coming of Christ?" The lyrics to the show are one of the major factors to the success of understanding it. You've really got to listen to what they are singing to piece the story together... for me it was easy... for others, not so much. Some parents who had seen the show before complained that it was just "too dramatic". I feel that it was perfect. It was a group of kids... on a stage, performing a show that ALL of them truly love and believe in. Talking to some of the In Sync kids (the wonderful girls in my signature) afterwards really cemented it for me. If you are confused about the show... ask them about it... They are more than happy to explain. I felt that I got it for the most part... but had a few character questions. They were answered quickly and efficiently. And really... to be honest- even if you somehow can't put the story together in anyway... you still will be able to take something away from it. This show touches people in different ways to different degrees. The emotion exuded from the performers alone is something so gorgeous and mystical. Its just pure bliss.
I'm sure this show causes some controversy... but I just am SO glad and thankful that Brett Carroll took the initiative to be bold and different. Brett, April, Damon, and whomever else works with this group in any fashion have put together a musical art installment. If you haven't seen the show live- you can't even begin to understand. YouTube does NOT do it justice. The sounds are SO different live. The energy created by the performers is not duplicated from the clips online. YOU MUST SEE THIS LIVE!
I am so sad that I could not have experienced it again at finals in Nashville... I left immediately following prelims awards on Friday and hit the road to FAME Chicago. But Burbank left such an impression on me, that I decided within minutes of the conclusion of their show that I could NOT pass up any opportunity to see this phenomenal show again. So, I'll be attending SoCal.
It was a true honor to watch you all. It was even cooler to meet some of you. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for making my show choir season. Do not let anyone take away from what you are creating on stage. There are always haters in this crazy show choir world... but usually, those haters are just scared of something new and different... or just jealous.
Regardless of simplicity, was it effective? Did it complement the lyrics? Did it communicate something? More isn't automatically better. It's not an endurance test.
Having seen both Burbank and Alamitos on YouTube (YouTube can still be a good judge of choreo), I would have given the edge to Burbank.
I am curious how they won best choreography when they basically have two songs with no choreography, back to back for the most part. That gives you a pretty big rest going into the closer.
Regardless of simplicity, was it effective? Did it complement the lyrics? Did it communicate something? More isn't automatically better. It's not an endurance test.
Middle School Grand Champs, Runner up in the Single-Gender and Second Runner up in Mixed.
I was at the competition and came away very impressed with all of the performances over the weekend. Burbank has a super show and I was very entertained. Vocally, I could not help but give it up to Los Al. I am curious how they won best choreography when they basically have two songs with no choreography, back to back for the most part. That gives you a pretty big rest going into the closer. NOT being impartial, I think Fairfield's choreography is more difficult and performed better than either of the top 2 at this competition.
Regardless, it was a wonderful weekend.
Rhythm Express 2009/2010 = 3 Grand Championships, 1 First Runner Up and 1 National Championship. Way to go Rhythm!!!!!!
I haven't seen Findlay or Fairfield, but Johnston has gotten best band 3 other times this year, so it doesn't surprise me as much.
True, but Fairfield has won best band 5 times this year (every competition Fairfield has competed in) and thus went into Nashville with an undefeated record.
Now, speaking as a member of the Fairfield combo, I would say that I am surprised at the result. However, I do congratulate Johnston's band. I was able to listen to them during finals and they had a great sound. They had great balance/blend and we couldn't quite seem to pull it together and be as tight as we could've been.
Show Choir Nationals 2010
