I really wish I could see Burbank live. The impact they had on Adam Peters is extremely fascinating and I really wish I could have the same experience.
Ethan.... I wish you could see them live. I literally sat there for half the show just bug eyed. It was beautiful. And I didnt want it to be over when it was!!!!!! I wish you could see them!
The Burbank parents next to me though my face was so funny. I was in awe.
Looks like someone just joined the big boys in California. Way to go Los Alamitos! Finally some fresh new variety thrown into the winners circle mix over in California show choir! The So-Cal festival should be an interesting competition this year!
And this just upped the intrigue for April 17 in San Diego (SoCal competition) about 100%. Can't wait to see Powerhouse, Sound FX, In Sync and Brea Masquerade go at it.. Can you spell "epic"?
well now this is just one big mess:
-burroughs beat burbank at diamondbar
-burbank beat burroughs at los al
-burbank beat burroughs and los al at hart
-brea came within two points of beating powerhouse at arcadia
-los al beats burbank at nationals.
April 17th is going to be like southern california's finals.
lol, God I feel old now. Made me think back to my freshman year in high school and wearing all white with a gold sequin vest... (yes, like when Clinton originally did Gold). Thank goodness I was around during the big switch in costuming (Black suit by my junior year, and thanks to Burroughs, get to work in a time where costuming is taking a whole nother route.
I remember seeing those... Good Lord, I welcomed the switch though! haha
Oh my Lord, I would NEVER watch show choir again. I go nuts with sequined vests as it is, but step-touches too?!?! I would shoot myself!
lol, God I feel old now. Made me think back to my freshman year in high school and wearing all white with a gold sequin vest... (yes, like when Clinton originally did Gold). Thank goodness I was around during the big switch in costuming (Black suit by my junior year, and thanks to Burroughs, get to work in a time where costuming is taking a whole nother route.
Like I said on Youtube, Los Al... "Fireflies" is simply unreal and a HUGE congrats go out to yall. I may not have been able to see it in person, but wow! I've never been a fan of the song itself, but when you guys sing it... its simply gorgeous.
And Burbank, you (and Clinton of course) have my favorite shows of the year. Huge congrats to yall also!!!
I completely agree with this. You basically have a choice to push the envelope and take the risks associated with it, or play it safe and do a type of show that you know has scored well in the past. Unfortunately, "playing it safe" isn't usually very entertaining. Like I mentioned before, if no one tried anything new or different, we'd all still be doing step-touches in sequined vests. Heck, there are probably choirs out there that are still doing that. But from the bottom of my heart, I don't think you'd see a vested interest in show choir by so many youth around the country today if that's all there was to offer.
Oh my Lord, I would NEVER watch show choir again. I go nuts with sequined vests as it is, but step-touches too?!?! I would shoot myself!
Hi, Jason. It looks to me like you're saying almost exactly the same thing I am... perhaps you're just interpreting my meaning differently.
A lot of the times aren't being appreciated for their attempt at doing something different since its not the norm, which is why you won't find too many groups breaking the barrier. It really comes down to doing a safe show that you know will do well at a competition or risking an innovative show that could be taken as genius or absurd.
I completely agree with this. You basically have a choice to push the envelope and take the risks associated with it, or play it safe and do a type of show that you know has scored well in the past. Unfortunately, "playing it safe" isn't usually very entertaining. Like I mentioned before, if no one tried anything new or different, we'd all still be doing step-touches in sequined vests. Heck, there are probably choirs out there that are still doing that. But from the bottom of my heart, I don't think you'd see a vested interest in show choir by so many youth around the country today if that's all there was to offer.
Things have to evolve and mature and grow or they get old and tired. And I fully understand that going outside one's comfort zone can sometimes result in poor scores. I believe that show choir has taken on a much greater artistic component than it has had in the past, and great art isn't easy! It's also not something that can just be done by sheer hard work alone. It takes a lot of creative talent, and it doesn't always work. I like how the article in the L.A. Weekly put it: "If done poorly, it's accidental camp. If done well, it's a fizzy, thrilling delight." The key is to be able to push yourself in new directions and still be able to execute the material well.
I am absolutely grateful for the choices that some of the groups on the west coast have made, regardless of how people are judging them. But many people do appreciate those efforts, and as my post that you quoted said, "it's nice to see that 'different' isn't always being interpreted as 'bad.'" That wasn't a slight at midwest choirs at all. I meant simply what I said.
When it comes down to it, a lot of it is just preference of show- you had said there are three main schools who when being 'judged' are the best in the nation. Although results show they are the most successful, I would argue that there are other groups out there who are making impacts too, but aren't competing against these elite 3.
Again, I agree. I do stand by my opinion that those three particular groups are, at this particular point in time, the three best show choirs in the nation. I did say that "what order you want to put them in comes down to pure preference." I also said "they are each capable of beating the other depending on the year, the judges, and the show."
As for other groups making an impact, I straight out said "there is no question that there are other groups with outstanding records across the country that are absolutely commendable and right up there, but the simple fact remains: none of them have bested Burbank, Clinton, or Burroughs in the last four years, period." That's just reality. There is nothing is stopping any group from competing against any of these choirs each year. Some fantastic groups have tried in the last few years... Center Grove, Waubonsie Valley, Findlay, Wheaton-Warrenville... they are without question great choirs, but they have all come up short against the big three. Other high-caliber groups have chosen not to compete against Clinton, Burbank, or Burroughs. But that isn't Burroughs', Burbank's, or Clinton's fault. Perhaps there were scheduling conflicts or travel restrictions or financial issues or whatever... but there are multiple opportunities in any given year. Would Totino Grace have had an undefeated season this year had they gone to Fairfield? I have no idea. I certainly would have loved to see!
I feel as though, yes, California does bring a different style with them, but it's nothing that hasn't been done- or tested before in the Midwest. .
Really? Because I dont recall ever seeing a group anywhere do an Alice in Wonderland themed show, I have also have never seen anyone do or test a Nine Inch Nails song in thier set LoL
What a fantastic way to represent California. It's nice to see that "different" isn't always being interpreted as "bad."
This has been brought up a lot lately with the California groups coming out to the midwest. I feel as though, yes, California does bring a different style with them, but it's nothing that hasn't been done- or tested before in the Midwest. We (the midwest) have had choirs do shows/songs far outside of the box before (i.e. Cedar Rapids Jefferson 1996). A lot of the times they either aren't being appreciated for their attempt at doing something different since its not the norm, which is why you won't find too many groups breaking the barrier. It really comes down to doing a safe show that you know will do well at a competition or risking an innovative show that could be taken as genius or absurd.
More often in the midwest you'll see snippets of originality to somewhat test the limits. Either way to say that "we" midwesterners don't appreciate different is wrong as seen by other posts and topics. When it comes down to it, a lot of it is just preference of show- you had said there are three main schools who when being 'judged' are the best in the nation. Although results show they are the most successful, I would argue that there are other groups out there who are making impacts too, but aren't competing against these elite 3.
First of all a HUGE congratulations to los al and alll of the groups this weekend. Los al was fantastic and blew me away. You were all amazing and I was truly impressed with your set (fireflies in particular since it was better than the original :D ) Fairfield was fresh and a blast to watch. Randy does amazing work with you. There was so much talent from all the groups. And of course... Viva los burbank! to clinton: thank you for being the most amazing hosts! It was great to meet all of you as well as to see you live yet again and to all the other choirs and people we met over the weekend, I was so glad and fortunate to meet all of you. All groups were so friendly and hospitable and we all truly appreciated it. I hope you had as much fun getting to know us as we did you. Haha. The saloon dance tonight was insane! Once again, thank you to the people who made this comp possible. It was a great trip ill never forget.
Just got back to Indianapolis after leaving the Grand Ole Opry and had a few thoughts. First, a big congrats to Los Al and their director, David Moellenkamp. A really great, humble guy, and his group did 2 fantastic shows. Fireflies was one of the real highlights of the contest.
To my Burbank folk, I couldn't be more proud of you. You showed tremendous growth from prelims to finals and had beautiful art and passion behind what you were doing. I have such respect for what you all do and admiration for how you do it. I feel so fortunate to be a small cog in your wheel, and am thankful for the honor of working with each and every one of you. You fixed everything we asked you to, and poured your hearts out onstage. We just can't ask for more than that! Keep pluggin' away and I'll see you guys at So Cal in a few weeks!
To Urbandale, words can't properly express how emotional I was watching you celebrate your "One Final Moment" of performance onstage with Mr Woodin. The past 2 decades of working with you guys has been beyond fantastic. Mr Woodin gave me an opportunity nearly 20 years ago to work with a school I'd never even heard of in a town that I did not know existed! Look at what, together we all built! The great constant, though, through all that time has been Steve Woodin. He's become a great friend, a trusted colleague, and a man whom I have great love and tremendous respect for. Along with Jeff Temple's wizardry at the keyboard, Mr Woodin has built a show choir that's about great music, no special effects, and tremendous discipline. More than that, though, it's been built on his love and compassion for his students. Urbandale has truly been blessed, as have I, for a wonderful journey with Mr Woodin leading the way.
To the Show Choir Nationals folks, thank you for a beautifully run event! God Bless, Damon Brown
Well, well....this certainly puts Los Alamitos "on the map." A sincere congratulations to Sound FX and In Sync for finishing one/ two at what must have been a very close and exciting competition. Safe travels to all back to California. I wish I could have been there..!
And this just upped the intrigue for April 17 in San Diego (SoCal competition) about 100%. Can't wait to see Powerhouse, Sound FX, In Sync and Brea Masquerade go at it.. Can you spell "epic"?
Great job to all the choirs today! It was a great day of show choir and a lot of fun to be part of! In Sync and Sound FX you guys were both awesome! finishing 1-2 Was a heck of a way to represent So Cal!
Burbank and Los Al will both be at Burroughs the week before So Cal also so that should be good too! But your right So Cal is looking like it's going to be a heck of a contest with Burbank, Burroughs, Brea, and Los al in attendance.
Does anybody know a point break down or did they do rankings for finals. I heard at prelims there was a four point difference between 1st and I think fourth
I know you're being sarcastic, but to be fair, you probably didn't think you would hear Fireflies or Revolution in show choir (here's the music video for the latter). Kinda reminds me of the "Muse" stuff Burroughs and Burbank have done in the past couple of years. Go look up their FAME L.A. performance on YouTube; they're pushing the boundaries in their own way. I say congratulations and good for them!!
Shucks, you caught on . However, I do know of a couple groups that are still debating the use of "Fireflies" in their show next season. I like "Revolution" . In all seriousness though, now that I think back on it, David Moellenkamp, the previous director of Sullivan's show choirs, I don't doubt that Mr. Moellenkamp and his staff put together nothing short of a great show on stage. Congrats to everyone this weekend! I'm sure you guys did phenomenal!