Today was a fantastic day. Davenport West was honored to perform on the historic Grand Ole Opry Stage along with eleven other fantastic groups! It's disappointing that we were so close to finals... but that disappointment is washed away by the amazing experience that is captured here in Nashville. When you perform and know you have made someone's day, you've done your job… and I feel that our kids did that. Trophies aside, it's really about doing your best and giving it all! Daryl Ussery puts on one hell of a competition… many thanks go to him for his tireless work. Many thanks also go to our fabulous hosts, Tommy, Lindy, and Arynn from Clinton (I know I spelled this wrong, and I can't believe I forgot how to spell it since we discussed it). You all were really sweet and fun! Their performance on Thursday night was fantastic!
I caught Bloomington Jefferson, Anderson, Bonita Vista, Troy, and Sullivan. All of these groups are chalked full of talent and did fantastic jobs! I cannot wait to see Buffalo Grove, Petal, and Findlay. I have had the pleasure of chatting with Findlay students… all who were very kind.
After five years of conversations on this website and online, it was wonderful finally meeting Häakon. He was a wonderful sport when drug on stage for our "Spelling Bee".
The kids really enjoyed his "performance" and can't wait to meet him in "non-performance mode" tomorrow. Thanks Häakon!
EVERYONE should experience this amazing competition! The hotel is out of this world. Performing on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry is out of this world. Petting sting rays at the mall is also out of this world (I screamed like the little girl that I am… they were creepy!). It's been a memorable weekend… many more memories are to come!
This isn't the last that Nationals will see Davenport West. We'll be back next year... I am certain.
Yes....
we didnt make finals my 5 points!
but omg these shows are so awsome!!!
i had the honor tonight for a little while after one of our "meetings"
to hang out with Minnesota Bloomington "Jefferson connection"
THEY WERE GREAT!!! i was so happy to see thier show!
i hope to see them again while we are both still here...
i have had a wounderfull time here at the gaylord opryland hotel!
i have to say that when we went to the mall one of the bathrooms reminded me of cedar rapids kennedy out fits! it was so cool!!
im sad to say this was our last competition!
but it was so much fun!!
i hope to come back some time when i am older!
i know that me and a few other cryed before we went on stage...
when i saw senoir pictures taken i wanted to cry also!
i wish the best of luck to all groups that made finals....
may the best group win
AND i have to say this was my fav competition ever!!!
I just wanted to congratulate all of the amazing choirs who performed today but didn't make it into finals. Everyone was fantastic and it was such a treat to be introduced to groups I have never had the opportunity to see before. I was going through the list after today's show and found myself thinking, "that group was really good, they deserved to be in finals... wait, so did that group!" Of course the tough reality is that if you want to put one group into finals it means you have to take a different one out. In the end, it all comes down to judge preference (and often just a few points), so I hope that everyone who performed today was happy with their shows regardless of placement. You all deserve to be proud!
I have to leave a special shoutout to Davenport West for giving me the honor of being included in your show. It caught me totally off-guard, but it was so much fun. I should have known better when Adam told me to "promise" to be in the front for West's set! But he's a great guy who I am proud to call my friend and I was very humbled to be the one picked. The best part for me was getting to interact with you guys on a completely different level than just saying "hi" in the auditorium between groups. I can't describe it, but it was a very cool feeling. I had no idea what was going on at first, but once I was up there I knew that I could trust you completely and I had a great time. I told Adam that you were the cleanest, most professional group I saw all day and I knew that if you didn't make finals it would be painfully close.
As for everyone else, I will see you again tomorrow... it is going to be one heck of a competition!
Show Choir Nationals 2008
But he's a great guy who I am proud to call my friend and I was very humbled to be the one picked. The best part for me was getting to interact with you guys on a completely different level than just saying "hi" in the auditorium between groups. I can't describe it, but it was a very cool feeling. I had no idea what was going on at first, but once I was up there I knew that I could trust you completely and I had a great time. I told Adam that you were the cleanest, most professional group I saw all day and I knew that if you didn't make finals it would be painfully close.
Way to represent the South!
My last minute prediction for mixed finals: