How is Viterbo pronounced? Lol its "vih-tur-boh" ;)
Me, Wes, and John were up in the Balcony in the 1st center row starting right after lunch break. We were writing down our observations of each group and giving them rough rankings in Vocals, Choreo, Band, and Show Design on the laptop. Though we disagreed slightly, here were my results going into Awards for the Daytime:
1. Milton
2. Totino
3. Hastings
4. Linn Mar
5. Johnston
6. Cedar Rapids Prairie
Sorry I don't have you in there Waconia...as much as we love you as another MN group, your show fell flat for me. While Milton had the "wow" factor that had me enjoying myself the entire show, I don't feel like the rest of the groups had that exact "wow" feeling. It's hard for me to comment about Totino because I am naturally biased as an alum of the group, but I felt they were right up there with Milton. The choreo. was mostly clean, the vocals were solid with fantastic diction (i've never heard Company have such solid diction in the 5 years I've been watching them). I had them in 2nd barely.
The rest of the groups had solid shows. Everything was there that they needed except that "warm fuzzy feeling". All of the Iowa groups had fantastic vocals, which I know you are known for. I think every group (including Totino) needs to work on cleaning choreo. a little bit more, but that will get better over the season.
I agree, Linn Mar had a really great band!
I was VERY happy about the male soloist in Johnston's ballad. I'm sure you'll hear this a million times throughout the season, but he is FANTASTIC! I know some may believe opera has no place in show choir, but I respectfully disagree. It was one of the most beautiful solos I have ever heard, and it added some oomph to Johnston's show.
It was disappointing for Totino to miss finals, but from what I observed, the group is putting this competition behind them and gearing up for Linn Mar, which looks to be a shoot-out for the top...have you SEEN the groups going to that competition?! It'll be a huge accomplishment to get into finals next weekend.
Anyway, despite what I think, congratulations to all of the groups for doing a great job, especially the 6 finalists who won.
Hi Gretchen,
Just because the girls in Company were recurling their hair does not reflect a negative attitude. Company has placed in Finals consistently for many years, the only glitch in at least 4 years being last year at Onalaska. Also, the show was solid and many had been telling them throughout the day that their show was great and that they would have no problem making finals. They had no reason to think they would not make Finals. Yes, there is always that chance, and unfortunately that possibility came true yesterday, but it is not normal for Company to wait on bated breath to see if they will make finals.
I just wanted to say Congratulations to everyone who competed at Viterbo this year. Your groups were all incredible and the more I watched them throughout the day, the more I realized what my group needs to strive for. I would give anything to be a part of your group for a competition and sound as amazing and look as clean as your groups do.
Sadly I did not get to watch Linn-mar or Holmen this year. Two of the few groups I missed. But Congratulations and I hope to see ya'll at another competition this year.
Hastings, I loved your show this year, and am always a supporter of your groups because of your kindness and friendliness I've witnessed at competitions. Your costumes looked amazing on stage. And I loved your creativity with your closer. Very cool.
Milton, I saw your improvement from Thursday in Janesville, to the day performance on Saturday. Your show is very entertaining and facials are always amazing. The cleanliness of the opener blew me away, and variety of your show and ability to switch moods and perform them with such accuracy really proved that you deserved to make finals. Vocally I believe that you have some amazing singers, but every once in a while during your show it does seem a bit shouty, not only during your novelty number. This could be for a number of reasons, but in no way a terrible thing. Your show is still incredible.
Totino, I have to say that I believe you should've been in finals. I enjoyed your show and for no reason could I think you didn't deserve to be there. However, unexpected things happen in show choir and your group has to maintain a positive attitude. Also, I was almost offended that you reacted the way you did. Yes, it is true that most people believed you should be in the top six after the afternoon performances, but I also heard someone saying that the girls were already recurling their hair and getting ready, among other things, before awards were even announced. This shows a cocky, "We're better than you" attitude that I am not impressed with. I am sorry you didn't make it into finals, but congrats on your placing. You did an amazing job. Just remember that your actions and words are seen and heard by many other people than the ones in your group. I can't wait to see you perform again.
Congrats to everyone! Great job this weekend and good luck at future compeitions.
Thank you so much to everyone at Viterbo for such an incredible competition!
I was sooo impressed by every group I saw, and us Waconians are all very honored to have placed well.
Also....props to hastings! I would have definitely broken a limb if I even tried to walk in heelys.
... And to all those who talked about speeding tickets before. I too did not go unscathed in the happy town of Onalaska. I was pulled over, but my sweet eastern Iowa charm won the day, resulting in only a warning.
This is wonderful to hear. You can't get down about some foolish results. You have to keep going and knock the socks out of everyone next week at Linn Mar for your devoted fans, like me and the many others who were devastated once finding out they weren't going to see you again, or in my case, at all.
two things....
one~we are definately not looking back on this competition in a bad way at all... as hard as it is to believe... yes we were all devestated when hearing we weren't going to perform again... but there's a reason for everything that happens.... and on behalf of the group i would love to say that like tucker said we are not giving up...
two~ they are actually 4 1/2 inch heels.. :-P but hey who's measuring?
thank you to all of those who are in full support of Company of Singers.. it is greatly appreciated and when it comes to linn mar next weekend... you will not be dissapointed... cause we're not gonna let that happen
And furthermore, I think April did a lot of quality work with our group this year, seeing that it was a drastic change from Mike Weaver to April.
Just my opinion.
NOTHING will stop Totino from doing their best. Not Viterbo results, not opinions of other people, and not even 3 1/2 inch heals for the opener. Ain't nothin gonna break our stride.
This is wonderful to hear. You can't get down about some foolish results. You have to keep going and knock the socks out of everyone next week at Linn Mar for your devoted fans, like me and the many others who were devastated once finding out they weren't going to see you again, or in my case, at all.
I was actually there for prelims here and went to Ona for the night...Here's what I saw.
Milton was great during the day. A great Milton group this year. Energy is fantastic.
Hastings had some great choreo and a great guys sound.
Johnston got a slow start IMO but really brought it together for the end. Good work.
CR Prairie had some fun choreo and a very interesting 2nd song.
4th Avenue was classy and had a great novelty. Good showing for them.
Waconia. Maybe something happened in your finals show that some people refuse to make a comment about it but IMO you do have a good show. Vocals are good but were often covered by the band. Choreo is clean. You guys have fun and it shows.
AND THEN: Totino.
Yes, Totino: Should they have made finals? YES. Would they have won? That is a matter of opinion. In mine, they wouldn't have. They were in the middle of my finals group. BUT--They have the ability to make waves this year. They're a solid group.
Overall--I felt like a lot of these shows mirrored each other. But I had a lot of fun in prelims. Congrats to all!
QUOTE(moolahball07 @ Jan 11 2009, 03:25 AM) 445405
Now...Totino...ah, Totino. I will have to (as much as this pains me) disagree with everyone else who thought it was a travesty that Totino didn't make finals. #1...yes, they should have been in finals. #2...I was completely and totally underwhelmed by their show. Like I said earlier, I had you at 6th going in...so I felt you should have been there. If Waconia had performed it's night show during the day, though, I would have agreed with sending you home...sorry! First impression...Totino does not = April James...never will it or should it. Second impression....how do your girls dance in heels that high? Vocals were pretty good...I thought Linn-Mar, Hastings, Johnston, and Milton had you beat in that category, though. Choreo just turned me off...it wasn't bad, but it definitely wasn't solid. I saw wayyyy too many "floppy arms", and with April James stuff that is a cardinal sin. And there was just no intensity to the moves. I guess, lastly...it just didn't feel like a Totino show. I didn't get that warm fuzzy feeling I usually get from a Totino show. I was very disappointed. But, *sigh*, life goes on.
What exactly defines a Totino show?
And furthermore, I think April did a lot of quality work with our group this year, seeing that it was a drastic change from Mike Weaver to April.
Just my opinion.
NOTHING will stop Totino from doing their best. Not Viterbo results, not opinions of other people, and not even 3 1/2 inch heals for the opener. Ain't nothin gonna break our stride.
QUOTE(thewaterotter9 @ Jan 11 2009, 12:42 PM) 445448
After talking to my dad the three judges I know were, Steve Woodin, Katie DiCicco (Karen), and the assistant director at LaCrosse Central. Feel free to correct me if I'm misinformed.
Rob Jones as well.
My thoughts on Viterbo only pertain to finals since I was at Onalaska during the day. I'm going to keep them short and sweet.
This is how I had it after finals-
1st- Linn Mar (BV & BC)
2nd- Johnston
3rd- Hastings
4th- Milton
5th- Cedar Rapids Prairie
6th- Waconia
Linn Mar had a show once again resembling the same "flow" and song genres of the last three years of shows. Beautiful vocals, clean choreography, but the performance was just not as energized as I would have liked. Usually you add that over the weeks to come, so I'm eager to see you in the weeks to come. Congrats on a wonderful win.
I wasn't a fan of Johnston during their first two songs... but from the ballad on (which I have waited for someone to do for four years now) I was a fan. From what everyone said, your night performance was light years better in the day. You had some of the best vocal moments of the night in the last half of your show.
Hastings. Entertaining as always. Had I not known Stephen Todd did the choreography this year, I would have thought it was still Andrew Cao (that really is a compliment). Good singing and very clean. Great showing.
Milton was the audience pleasing choir. But, I'm just not sold on how you sing. Never have been, never will be. You have some really good sounding moments, but then it just disappears and you hear some very unhealthy sounds from young singers who should be learning to sing properly. It worries me. The choreography was energized, as always... but from what I hear, your night performance was a lot sloppier than the day. I wasn't surprised to see you not in the top three, but below Waconia is a FAR stretch.
Cedar Rapids Prairie. It was just "eh" for me. Good vocals, clean choreography... but there was no energy at all. There were some girls with completely blank expressions on their face the entire show just looking like they were going through the motions.
Waconia, I don't know what to really say. So, I'll say nothing.
From sitting in the auditorium at night, parents all around us could be heard chattering about the days events. All of it pertained to Totino Grace not making finals and how "shocked" or "angry" this information made them. Some Johnston parents (who were very nice) made comments about how they thought it was outrageous. It seemed to be the dominate feeling at the competition. I can't say, since I didn't get to see them. But, from the looks of some of the adults and educators at Viterbo who ran the competition... I think they agree too.
Overall- I was a bit disapointed with Viterbo this year.
QUOTE(thewaterotter9 @ Jan 11 2009, 10:42 AM) 445448
After talking to my dad the three judges I know were, Steve Woodin, Katie DiCicco (Karen), and the assistant director at LaCrosse Central. Feel free to correct me if I'm misinformed.
Steve Woodin, Katie DiCicco, and a/ the choral director at UW-Platteville (I don't have a program, and have never seen him judge before, so I truly don't remember a name) were the scoring judges. Rob Jones and Kim Shively were critiquing. Nancy Allen and Stephanie Feld did video critiques.
Totally random side note: way to keep it together, to the girl whose shoe came flying off in finals (I think it was during Johnston's show). I was extremely surprised when those girls walked on stage in heels without ankle straps, and my first thought was, "Those shoes are going to come off." They're super cute though!
I'm sorry if I missed it when I just scrolled through all the pages, but judges?
After talking to my dad the three judges I know were, Steve Woodin, Katie DiCicco (Karen), and the assistant director at LaCrosse Central. Feel free to correct me if I'm misinformed.
Overall, this was the BEST viterbo competition I have ever been to. I was with some other show choir alums and we had a VERY hard time picking finalists. I missed Totino, Johnston, and Waconia during their day shows so my day time predicitions were not completly there. As for finals, I thought that it was a toss up for many things. I had Milton GC and Linn Mar 4th Runner Up as well as Hastings in 1RU. After watching all the shows, I had a very hard time picking my favorites. Great job to all of the groups! It's going to be a very competitive year for all of these groups!
P.S. Good Job Midwest Magic on taking GC in your division!
I left Milton out of the finals because though their choreo was great, their final female soloist had such a whiney, irritating voice that i deducted major points. She's probably the one who got best female soloist.
So what you're saying is, that you would have left Milton out of the finals based on your opinion that the soloist in the closer had a whiney and irritating voice?
p.s.
Wes, was that you with the macbook on the balcony?
So yeah it is really unfortunate that totino did not make finals.....
HOWEVER, maybe people should just not dwell on it and be so shocked about it.
it is kinda mean to the other groups too to be so shocked that they were capable of beating totino.
totino is still an good group and i am sure can still beat practically everybody...but NOBODY STAYS ON TOP FOREVER!
so chill.
Wow, that's a GREAT point! We're SO lucky to have people like you to create random, anonymous accounts purely you show us all our faults! THANK you SO much! We're SO grateful to have you as a member of our community!
Viterbo 101 2009
