This was my first competition as a performer (rather than tech) in Masquerade and it was AMAZING! I hope everyone enjoyed our show. <img src="style_emoticons/default/smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="smile.gif" /> It was so fun to perform and sing! Plus my mom is in the band. <img src="style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> So I'm happy about having her there too.
This was my first competition as a performer (rather than tech) in Masquerade and it was AMAZING! I hope everyone enjoyed our show. It was so fun to perform and sing! Plus my mom is in the band. " border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> So I'm happy about having her there too.
I'm Dave Willert, director of Brea Olinda choirs. Just to clarify, I imagine our show probably was 18 minutes long at The Aztec Sing, but there was no rule against it. The total time there is 20 minutes including tear down. Set up for us was not counted because we were the first group. Mrs. Clutterham never told me the group was overtime, so I am not sure where that myth surfaced. On the other hand, Brea was docked 15 seconds of overtime in 2007 which dropped us from 2nd place to 7th. It's always a good idea to check your information. Congrats to all the groups. It was a lot of fun sharing our shows on stage! Thanks, Dave
The mistake is likely on my end, and I'm sorry. Thanks for the correction- I assure you I have nothing against Brea- My remarks were said out of distaste for the aztec competition alone.
I should have better confirmed my facts before making a statement. Thanks for the reply and another jaw-dropping, energetic, show design. Can't wait to see more of you!
QUOTE(Mama D @ Feb 1 2009, 05:46 PM) 451040
Hi:
I am the director of the Rancho Verde show choir and I appreciate your comments. We have no intention of exploiting Darfur in our show. Our reason for including it is to raise awareness. We all decided at the beginning of this year that we were NOT in this to win, but to educate. I must commend my students (particularly the seniors) for choosing what is right over competition. We will continue to do the show, just as it is. Win or lose, impressions aside, we know why we do it, and we know what is right. We hope that someone at least now knows what is going on in that region and what better format to educate than a high school competition.
~live~learn~love
Hey,
I commend you for an incredible and unique show.
I can completely respect your motives on the show and I hope you don't think otherwise. Like I said, i understand the motives behind the show design, I just felt a little uncomfortable with the dramatization of such a crisis. However, I am so happy to see that people are trying to raise consciousness of the genocide, and I thank you for putting up with critics like me in the process. Thanks for clarifying your intentions, your reply is much appreciated. Congratulations again on a great show, can't wait to see you more throughout the season.
Okay, let's see. Fun competition, cool seeing the new sets, but scoring stuck to aztec's traditional questionability. i just have a couple comments to say and i hope their received in the light i intend them to be. I absolutely loved all the choirs and it feels good to be back in competition season.
First off, Rancho Verde- What a powerful and unique show design. Some of the choreo felt a bit hectic at times, but it stayed true to the culture and feel of the show as a whole. As for the Darfur genocide reference, i must commend them for the bold approach to draw attention to a world issue. HOWEVER, in light of the way it WAS presented, i felt uncomfortable seeing the reference in a show choir performance. It was almost as though they were exploiting Darfur for the sake of their show, though i know this was by no means their intention. I say this because, any judgement against Rancho Verde STRICTLY as a show choir seems like a vote against Darfur. I am glad they placed, though I was not surprised to hear some murmuring in the audience that they should have gotten first. This of course is because, world issues aside, RV's show was good, but not as good as Burbank's. It would be impossible, however, to pass them by without recognizing their OUTSTANDING closing number and soloist. By far the best of the night.
Also, they need to take the "RV" lettering off of their boxes, really tacky.
Brea- Another traditional flashy show, though i don't mean that negatively. Fun and energetic, and they stayed pretty true to their formulaic storyline. Vocals were of course powerful, though with 43 people on stage, i suppose that's a given. Their a'capella was unique and probably one of my favorite's of the night. They also made good use of the props and stage as a whole. Their entire show totaled about 18 minutes, and had they been docked the 10 pts for every 15 seconds over as the rules stated, their score would have put them below the placing line. Not that i feel they should lose a trophy over a technicality, their show was phenominal. here i point the finger to aztec alone. I think they just need to stick to the rules they make, and not apply them only when they see fit.
Glendora- Good to see you again! fun show, though it lacked some of the energy it carried last year. it will be interesting to see it evolve throughout the season.
Burbank- I didn't get to see you, but I don't doubt you were amazing. Way to hold up the rep.
Overall, the entire competition was not a night for soloists, though their were of course some outstanding ones. Many of the shows came off too wacky- trying too hard to hit the funny bone. Unfortunately, it's another season that lacks originality. Many of the songs are done every year without fail and the approach is no different. I'm also tired of seeing show choirs without the "Show". Many choirs make me feel as though I'm watching a chamber choir that occasionally repeats a piece of "armography." -I'm sorry, that's not a show choir. Though i guess it's competitions like aztec that are to blame. They continually use a formula with a 73% emphasis on music, and that's exactly what they get. Hats off to the choirs that seek to please the audience over the judges.
I love all you show choir kids out there! can't wait to see you more as the season progresses!
Hi:
I am the director of the Rancho Verde show choir and I appreciate your comments. We have no intention of exploiting Darfur in our show. Our reason for including it is to raise awareness. We all decided at the beginning of this year that we were NOT in this to win, but to educate. I must commend my students (particularly the seniors) for choosing what is right over competition. We will continue to do the show, just as it is. Win or lose, impressions aside, we know why we do it, and we know what is right. We hope that someone at least now knows what is going on in that region and what better format to educate than a high school competition.
Azusa High School-The Aztec Singers
I don't think they compete any more. (but don't quote me)
BTW: It was good to see most of my Loves! " border="0" alt="wub.gif" /> I loved everyone's sets.
I cant wait to see those of you who didn't attend! Hopefully I see you at Diamond Bar's competition! " border="0" alt="happy.gif" />
I'm Dave Willert, director of Brea Olinda choirs. Just to clarify, I imagine our show probably was 18 minutes long at The Aztec Sing, but there was no rule against it. The total time there is 20 minutes including tear down. Set up for us was not counted because we were the first group. Mrs. Clutterham never told me the group was overtime, so I am not sure where that myth surfaced. On the other hand, Brea was docked 15 seconds of overtime in 2007 which dropped us from 2nd place to 7th. It's always a good idea to check your information. Congrats to all the groups. It was a lot of fun sharing our shows on stage! Thanks, Dave
Okay, let's see. Fun competition, cool seeing the new sets, but scoring stuck to aztec's traditional questionability. i just have a couple comments to say and i hope their received in the light i intend them to be. I absolutely loved all the choirs and it feels good to be back in competition season.
First off, Rancho Verde- What a powerful and unique show design. Some of the choreo felt a bit hectic at times, but it stayed true to the culture and feel of the show as a whole. As for the Darfur genocide reference, i must commend them for the bold approach to draw attention to a world issue. HOWEVER, in light of the way it WAS presented, i felt uncomfortable seeing the reference in a show choir performance. It was almost as though they were exploiting Darfur for the sake of their show, though i know this was by no means their intention. I say this because, any judgement against Rancho Verde STRICTLY as a show choir seems like a vote against Darfur. I am glad they placed, though I was not surprised to hear some murmuring in the audience that they should have gotten first. This of course is because, world issues aside, RV's show was good, but not as good as Burbank's. It would be impossible, however, to pass them by without recognizing their OUTSTANDING closing number and soloist. By far the best of the night.
Also, they need to take the "RV" lettering off of their boxes, really tacky.
Brea- Another traditional flashy show, though i don't mean that negatively. Fun and energetic, and they stayed pretty true to their formulaic storyline. Vocals were of course powerful, though with 43 people on stage, i suppose that's a given. Their a'capella was unique and probably one of my favorite's of the night. They also made good use of the props and stage as a whole. Their entire show totaled about 18 minutes, and had they been docked the 10 pts for every 15 seconds over as the rules stated, their score would have put them below the placing line. Not that i feel they should lose a trophy over a technicality, their show was phenominal. here i point the finger to aztec alone. I think they just need to stick to the rules they make, and not apply them only when they see fit.
Glendora- Good to see you again! fun show, though it lacked some of the energy it carried last year. it will be interesting to see it evolve throughout the season.
Burbank- I didn't get to see you, but I don't doubt you were amazing. Way to hold up the rep.
Overall, the entire competition was not a night for soloists, though their were of course some outstanding ones. Many of the shows came off too wacky- trying too hard to hit the funny bone. Unfortunately, it's another season that lacks originality. Many of the songs are done every year without fail and the approach is no different. I'm also tired of seeing show choirs without the "Show". Many choirs make me feel as though I'm watching a chamber choir that occasionally repeats a piece of "armography." -I'm sorry, that's not a show choir. Though i guess it's competitions like aztec that are to blame. They continually use a formula with a 73% emphasis on music, and that's exactly what they get. Hats off to the choirs that seek to please the audience over the judges.
I love all you show choir kids out there! can't wait to see you more as the season progresses!
Way to go Burbank! I'm so happy that I was able to see you guys in person tonight. Lots of stuff to work on, but what a great start. i was very proud of you!
By the way, after 27 years, tonight was my first SoCal competition. I loved the comraderie, quality of groups, Pledge of Allegiance,.....and 78 degree sunny weather. Very enjoyable competition.
God Bless, Damon Brown
ps: It was nice to meet Rollie and Dave, and say a quick hello to Haakon!
Azusa Aztec Sing XXXIV 2009
" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> So I'm happy about having her there too.
" border="0" alt="laugh.gif" /> So I'm happy about having her there too.
Congrats to all the groups. It was a lot of fun sharing our shows on stage! Thanks, Dave
" border="0" alt="wub.gif" /> I loved everyone's sets.
" border="0" alt="happy.gif" />
"break-a-leg" everyone.