I was at this one last year so this will be built off of what I saw here last year and what I've heard this year
GC: Omaha Westside(BV and would get BB if they were eligible)
1 RU: GCS
2 RU: Linn Mar
3 RU: Hastings(heard they graduated a big class from last year)
4 RU: Johnston
5 RU: Xavier(would be higher but hear they, like Hastings, graduated a large class
I heard that ATSC returned almost 30 of their 46 singers and dancers and they were great last year so they will definatly be a group to watch here to possibly even get BC. even though they are not a choreo centered group.
GCS is always competitive where ever they go
Linn Mar was competitive here last year taking 2 RU behind Hastings(BC,BV) and ATSC(who had BB taken away because they had an adult in the band)
Xavier has won this competition in the past.
Prarie could also end up making their way into finals but it is gonna be extremely difficult for any of these groups because any of the top 6 could win it.
THIS IS JUST MY OPINION AND SHOULD NOT BE TAKEN OFFENSIVELY BY ANY GROUP BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS ONLY ME SAYING IT. THIS POST IN NO WAY SHAPE OR FORM REFLECTS THE OPINION OF ANY GROUP WHETHER IT BE IN THE MIDWEST OR ONE OF THE COASTS. GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE HERE AS THEY COMPETE. I hate having to put this disclaimer but sadly most people dont respect the opinions of others and always think that they are attacking others groups.
yeah basically our whole varsity group this year (xhilaration) was our prep (xuberance last year)
im from xavier
She was good. Also, can't believe I forgot to mention the blonde girl from Hastings... WOW!!!! I couldn't stop watching that girl the whole show. Work!
She was good. Also, can't believe I forgot to mention the blonde girl from Hastings... WOW!!!! I couldn't stop watching that girl the whole show. Work!
AWESOME competition! Been at Viterbo for most of the last 8 years and I think this was very easily one of the best ones I have ever been too!
Linn Mar- AAAAAHHHHH. The amount of hair flipping and spot on dancing was amazing. April James, you have done it again. Such a creative show and I was in complete awe the entire time. You are all beautiful at what you do and I believed every single one of you. You all appear so dedicated and committed to what you do, so huge props to you! And on a side note, the blonde girl in the front the whole last number, AMAZING. YOU KNOW HOW TO WORK THAT HAIR!!!
Central- Nothing short of amazing. Jet Set was one of my favorites of the day, and your vocals were great. Very clean show that will take you far this year. Smaller group then years past, but still that huge choral sound.
ATSC- Haven't seen your group in a long time and was very impressed! Your sound is awesome.
Hastings- The creative themes of your show each year is something I always look forward too. Very cool numbers and overall, a super entertaining show.
Logan- I have watched your shows for SO long and this is one of my favorite. Kevin is doing an awesome job with your group and I think the new look is great. You are working super hard and it shows! You will have a great season!
All the prep groups were SUPER IMPRESSIVE! I think some of the best prep shows I have seen and it is only the first weekend!
Awesome first competition to attend. Looking forward to attending a few more throughout the year! Good luck in your seasons everyone!
Jay's been hit with the Hannah Blazek bug. I understand.
She was good. Also, can't believe I forgot to mention the blonde girl from Hastings... WOW!!!! I couldn't stop watching that girl the whole show. Work!
Jay's been hit with the Hannah Blazek bug. I understand.
HAHAH ETHAN PRICE. youuuuu little goofball. thank you mister and everyone else! love love love love love show choir, and my grandma came from Florida--she is now a huge show choir fan. she bought all the videos of everyone and the picture reels---yikes!! but yay new show choir fanatic haha
and for my input on the competition: everyone was amazing; i could not have been more pleased with the results and I felt there was really no bitterness after the competition, just respect. We all respected what each group put out there, that was amazing. There was so many congrats and you all did so well between members of different groups and parents. THAT was really awesome.
Viterbo is just magical, thank you all for your lovely critiques and comments of everyone's groups. It was done tastefully and again with that respect for each other. Amazing groups were there! Wish there was a Viterbo at the end of the year!! boo
Hey all-- sorry, I did make a mistake. GCS did loose by 7 points, not .5. Sorry for the confusion! We were misinformed at the time because of a misread.
VERY impressed with all the shows this weekend. See you at Onalaska!
All the videos I have are finally up! I'll get the rest of Central's show at Classic this weekend and I wish I got Johnston! I was expecting them to be in finals and waited to film them
Ok time for my long comments. Bear with me, this will be a novel. I scored the groups all day, from my scoresheet that I made up in the topic here on SCC.
Focal Point- You were the first group we got to see Saturday. Wow. This group is much improved from last year. Vocals are WAY up- by far the best prep group vocals we heard all day. Choreography was pretty simple, but it was extremely clean. All that adds up to a GC performance. Congrats!
In-Step- I actually had you guys winning, but not by much at all. I thought your choreography was fantastic, better than a few varsity groups. So clean, and very well composed. Vocals can be improved on. The tone quality was a little spread and immature. Musicality and Intonation can also be worked on. Also, the band was really really good (my fav prep band), but it did cover up the vocals a little bit.
Protege- I'm going to be honest, and I'm sorry if people don't like that. The show is not a typical Protege show. It is not well-choreographed, it does not have good song selection. It is sung pretty well (i had you 2nd vocally). The band was also not very crisp. I was just disappointed by the show. Not the Protege I'm used to seeing.
Logan- You guys surprised me a lot. I hear you have a new director? Well keep him/her. The choreography was actually pretty good. And the singing wasn't too bad. I didn't have you in finals, but I was impressed by how much better you are this year than last. Congrats on the very good show.
Altoona- Sorry. I needed to eat and the line was insanely long during lunch break.
Prairie- I was also impressed by this group. You guys took the new direction and new choreography well. It was a great show. I liked the 2nd song a lot, though it was a bit long. The song selections themselves were just a little relaxed for my taste. The singing was excellent, and it definitely got you into finals. Band can also be improved on, really rock it out during dance breaks. I enjoyed the day show very much, but I felt finals was a little lacking in energy. However, I agreed with your placing above Xavier both rounds.
Johnston- Wow. I couldn't believe you guys didn't make finals. My 4th-8th were all VERY close but I was still surprised you didn't make it. Choreography was EXCELLENT. Not the same old stuff, and very well executed. Vocals can improve. Just overall they were pretty good, but can go to great. Work on tone quality and pitch will help. I thought it was a fun show. Really sad that it wasn't in finals, but this was a very tough and even competition.
Milton- I had heard that this was a down year for you guys. I didn't see it. The vocals were MUCH better than last year. Last year I had made the comment that there needed to be more connection to the chest voice. Well that happened this year. The sound has so much more body to it. Intonation was good even with the extra chest voice. I enjoyed the ballad with the piano accompaniment. It was nice. Choreography was good, although the composition wasn't the best. I've never heard of your choreographer. He did a very good job. It was surprising how good it was, but there was just something a little off. Not quite put together as well as some other choreography, but really not bad. Some extra cleaning would probably help with it. And I was up in the balcony, on the floor might look different. Band was incorporated into the show well. Really nice show, and I really hope I get to see it again!
Xavier- Vocals are about the same as last year. Same dark tone quality. I really feel that the sound is almost getting too swallowed, to the point that it isn't projecting well, and definitely isn't clearly projecting over the band. Thankfully you had the ballad. While I didn't care for the actual arrangment itself (just totally cut out half of the female solo???) it provided a time where the band was mostly out at we could actually hear the lovely tone quality. That DEFINITELY helped you guys. The closer was a mess in day round. Band seemed really out of it, there was no energy, bodies were flying. I was not impressed. I had you .5 out of finals. I do have to say your finals show was MUCH better. The closer was more in-sync. Vocals were projecting better. Band was playing better. And this is how I felt about the show last year too, so I think there is room for improvement, and the improvement will come. Congrats on making finals and I look forward to seeing you at Linn-Mar!!
Linn-Mar. Your show was so entertaining. By far the most crowd-pleasing show of the day. It was innovative, it was difficult, and it was fresh. From the moment Africa started you had the audience hooked. The ballad was SO difficult and very well-sung. Choreography was a little sloppy during the day (i still had you tied for best choreography), but it was definitely cleaned up at night. I thought vocals and overall energy were lacking at night, but probably a lot of that had to do with when you were going. I didn't have you guys winning, but I don't feel that you didn't deserve the win. It was just a REALLY fun show. Band DESTROYED the show. Absolutely gigantic sound. It was overpowering the vocals a little bit during the day, and that could be a reason why it didn't win. I personally had the band #1 in the day, very close #2 at night. I like the 1st half of the show better than the 2nd, but that happens. I actually had you tied with GCS in day round on my scoresheet 128-128 and you guys did tie in prelims!!! Just shows how close this competition was. It was anyone's game. Congrats on the HUGE win!
La Crosse Central- During day round, I thought energy was a bit down in both choreography and vocals. Maybe were a bit nervous or hesitant. I also prefer the 2nd half of the show to the 1st half. Still, with the show you had I had you tied for first with best vocals. Finals.... I was just thoroughly overjoyed. First two songs had much more energy. THAT BALLAD. It is just stunning. So gorgeous, well sung, SO musical, perfect intonation and blend. I mean really really great. I was crying by the time the choir came in after the solo. It was just a gentle envelope of sound that was so comforting. Just so high-quality. I don't know how else to describe it. Everyone needs to WATCH OUT for this group this year. I mean, wow. Then we got to Spark of Creation. I kept crying throughout the whole song. It taught me a lesson, it told me a story, and it was so sophisticated and well-executed in finals. The visuals are an interesting mix of soft and hard. It created the perfect #4 for me. People didn't like the costumes, but i totally did. The guys cape/coats/shirts were so avant-garde and really fit the song selections. I didn't love either of the green dresses, but again I get the inspiration for them. I am still singing Spark of Creation. So keep in mind I'm still crying throughout the entire song, I never stopped. Then the closer comes. I'm really not a fan of the song "One World" but it was done all right. But that DANCE SECTION! I mean the band just rocked it. It was like showing us the creation. It kept building the story from the ballad on. It was like (pardon my language) an orgy on stage, in the best way possible. There was so much going on, and it was very tribal/wild- this is some of the best choreography I've seen Mike give in awhile. Coupled with the costumes, I really felt like we were watching a reenactment of the creation of the world. It was very exciting for me. I was dancing in my seat the entire time. The story just really spoke to me, and the show was a HUGE improvement over day. I want to see you guys everywhere you go this year, but I can't. I'm devastated, because this show touched my soul. I loved every moment of it, and that's why I had you guys sweeping in finals. I think it was so super close between GCS and Linn-Mar, but in finals, I gave it to GCS based on the elegence, sophistication, and musicianship in the show. Seriously guys, SO SO good. You cannot feel anything but happy about the way the competition went. It was just breathtaking. Thank you.
Omaha Westside- I think your vocals are great. IMO 2nd best vocals in both rounds. The ballad was well sung, great tone quality. However, the visuals and the song selection really didn't do it for me. I really feel like Westside is never going to make the jump to national powerhouse unless they change choreographers. In day round I had Westside dead last in choreography. It was semi-clean, not great staging, but it did have lots of energy. Great band too. I wish you didn't have an adult playing piano. You really don't need it. The horns were the best part about the band, and they cannot be given recognition because of someone playing a piano part that we hardly ever notice. I just have a hard time believing you can't find a student pianist. There were other groups that had adult pianists, but they at least had difficult piano parts. I mean I've played piano for 16 years, so I know piano. Anyway, I was really bored in finals. It was a long day, but the show just didn't excite me. Sorry. I had y'all 3rd in day round and a close 4th in finals. The vocals REALLY helped you guys. The choreography really did not. Facial expression was also very good. Can't stop watching the redhead (she even got some tweets during the day). Good job though. You'll have a great season.
Hastings- I enjoyed your costumes a lot (cough cough we all know who that is). The green sleeve was my favorite. I thought when the bodies were turned that way the line was so great. Didn't love the sparkly lighter green part, but it wasn't awful. The handbells sequence was just really unexpected and very cool. Was a little off in finals though. Just didn't have the crispness of chords we experienced in day round. I love the shimmer you guys have in your tone. Vibrato is healthy and GOOD! However, the vowels were too spread for me. There needs to be a vertical column of sound, and yours is horizontal. But the spin in the tone helps. Pitch was off in the sopranos. Day round closer comes to mind, and then sopranos were just a bit off in finals. Those big chords you guys make, like at the end of the ballad are stunning. I enjoyed the visuals in the closer. My personal style is very Las Vegas drag queen, and so I very much enjoyed the closer. Not a huge fan of the red and yellow put together, they remind me of my closing costumes junior year, which everyone always said looked like ketchup and mustard. Well now I understand. I probably would've preferred the colors to be blue, green, and purple. Just seemed to fit with the color scheme better. Maybe not have two different red headdresses. Idk. Something to think about if you can. Choreography was excellent, I had y'all tied for first with choreography in day, but tiebreaker would go to you. You and GCS were the only choirs I scored higher in finals, but I didn't score you much higher. I also really hope to see your show again. It was an interesting blend of my style, and the preferred show choir genre.
Just from what I've been watching on YouTube, I love the new styles and directions that these, and I'm sure other, groups are taking. It's going to be an interesting (in a great way) year for show choir!
I don't actually know if anyone will read/care about this post, but I've decided to post one for each competition I'm at, so here goes nothing.
Let me start off by saying that this competition was one of the best I've ever been to. In my 8th year in attending competitions, and after being at some truly awesome competitions, this has been my favorite to spectate. The performances were great and the competition was close. Late February and early March performances in the early half of January, and some of them being the first competitions for a lot of groups.... Just a great day.
Also, please keep in mind that these are nothing but my honest opinions of the performances given. There is no personal prejudice or previous animosity in any of the words I write here, and I hope that you all treat it the same way when reading, and if you feel so inclined, when responding. I sincerely hope that I don't personally offend anyone, and I hope what I say can be viewed as constructive. I, like everyone else, am entitled to my opinion, and I don't believe that opinions should be attacked maliciously, but challenged with debate. As I hope that you will treat me and my opinions with mature respect, I will do the same for you. Too many people start petty, immature, and inappropriate/inappropriately personal drama over posts, and I really don't think that it needs to happen.
ANYWAY...
10th Street Edition- I really like your show. When I saw it for the first time in the day round, I wasn't sure how to feel about so many of the numbers being, in some part, if not totally, in a different language. But, in night round, I really enjoyed the variety and ambition. A lot of groups never have done, and never will do numbers in any language other than English. Because, chances are, the judges/audience members don't speak the language well enough to be able to understand what you're saying, directors fear that judges will be turned off by it. To me, it shows ability and creativity, as well as skill. Singing in different languages is very difficult, especially in a way that the people watching can understand what you're saying, even if they can't understand what it means. However, it also forces the judges and spectators to wake up and pay attention, because they WANT to understand you. It's an interesting double-edged sword. I thought, on the whole, you did a good job of letting us hear the language, and understand it. Musically, I think you guys have a lot of great stuff going for you. I really like your natural, healthy sound this year. It seems to fit into your voices really well, and you seem to be singing with a lot of ease. It's a full, dark sound, but I think that your intonation and musicality could improve. It seemed to me that you all sang forte and up and just pulled the band back to sound softer. It's really impressive when choirs can sing the entire dynamic spectrum; from piano to forte, and I feel like you definitely have the skill to do just that. Your band had an AMAZING performance in Day Round. They really brought it. However, I felt like they overplayed at Night and I think it hurt you, musically. I like how your show looks, too. The choreography was very interesting to watch, and also exciting. I think that you have a deal of cleaning that needs to be done and I thought your pictures, at times, were off. However, I personally think this is the best choreography I've seen a 10th Street showcase, so my hat is off to you for that. You guys are dancing with some serious energy, drive, and intensity. You're really working it, and that makes your show very exciting. I personally had you in second behind GCS with Best Choreography after Finals. In all seriousness, you had a great performance. This is already my favorite 10th Street show to date, and I cannot wait to see it grow in the season to come, as I'll be at three, if not four of the competitions that you will be. Bravo!
Grand Central Station- Let me start by saying this was my first GCS show live. Wow. I have been missing out, I see. Something that I firmly believe is that Show Choir is about singing. I think that competitions and programs get so caught up in the show and visual aspects of Show Choir that it takes away from the singing and disregards the fact that Show Choir, by definition, is a choral activity out of choral departments. Yes, it incorporates aspects of dance and theatre, but doesn't branch from a dance or drama department. Singing. And, boy, that's what you do. You sing with a blend that is healthy, beautiful, and dynamic. In your Night Round performance especially, your sound was so mature and huge. We could understand 90% of what you sang, which is excellent, but definitively could improve. Your intonation was impeccable at night, and excellent in the day. Even though this competition was very close, I don't think that any other group held a candle to you vocally. You produced massive, gorgeous sounds with ease, and not with unhealthy and gritty sounding shouting/belting/screaming/not singing sounds that some groups rely heavily upon. Above all, I think that your musicality is bar none. You sensitive, phrasing, dynamics, and just general musical artistry is outstanding and I believe that you should be commended for that fact. I loved the pace of your show, and song selection. Your ballad is absolutely stunning, and that's all I can say about it. You dance with such ease and style that is so easy to watch and enjoy. It's not busy at all, and some people would mistake how well you dance your show as it being "easy" or "simple" choreography, when the fact is that you have difficult choreography, you all just look so natural dancing it. That really comes out in the closer, I feel. You really rip into some difficult choreography, and you do it so naturally. It's an awesome number to end your show on. Your show makes sense, and isn't hugely abstract, which is refreshing and much appreciated. Your staging; pleasing and effective. Your lights; awesome, effective, and tastefully used. I enjoyed your first costume, but after that, it wasn't necessarily my cup of tea. I agree, though, with the ideas that they're appropriate for your show. I personally had you in 1st with Best Vocals and Best Band in both Day and Night rounds. You've got amazing singing, excellent and effective visuals, and an immeasurable amount of style in both categories. Keep up the already amazing work, and I cannot wait to see your success in this season!
Amazing Technicolor Show Choir- This was also my first time seeing you perform live, and I really enjoyed what you guys brought to the stage. If there was a choir to come close to GCS vocally, it was you. I really appreciated your wonderful blend, diction, and intonation throughout the entire show. Some argue that the ballad is the moment in the show that you must sound the best. But the score sheet doesn't ask for how a choir sounds during one number, it asks how they sound throughout the entire performance. It takes different types of vocal skill to be able to sing and dance at the same time, and keep pitch and blend, and I think that you guys have that figured out. I had heard that your sound is always nice but doesn't always get full enough, or reach it's full potential. I don't think, by any means, that you've capped out vocally, but I do feel that you guys have a great grasp on what needs to be happening, vocally, but maybe your visual aspect needs a little more attention. I liked your staging and pace of show but I thought that you guys didn't quite bring the energy your choreography needs, but I am going to guess that is because you're still breaking your show in, so to speak. As this being your first competition, I don't feel that I need to speak on cleanliness or all that stuff, but there is definitely work there that needs to be done. That also covers my comments on spacing and how your show paces itself. I had you in 4th during the day, but passing Hastings at night into 3rd, as you did. I had you with the second best vocals of the night, so it was great to see you get moved up to 3rd place like I felt you did. A lot of people view your passing Hastings as an upset, where I view it as well deserved. Congratulations on a great performance, and best of luck this season! You've definitely attracted a new fan.
Riverside Company- This was ALSO my first time seeing your choir live and I thought you all had a good couple of performances. I really enjoyed the "bell choir" that starts your show. The hand-bell is a sound that isn't EVER heard in not only Show Choir but a lot of music in general. I thought that the sound was interesting and innovative, but also appropriate and cool; not weird or contrived. And since there isn't any physical possibility for chromaticism, it allows your sound to develop a bit more, which gives a growth that not all shows necessarily have. I personally felt that your sound, especially in the men, was a little harsh and too forced. You've got some great points that showcase your female sound, and when that sound was brought up a little bit, your blend was great! I could understand a lot of what you were singing, which is something that I believe gets too often overlooked, so props to you for that. I think that the biggest thing holding your vocals back is intonation. There were points that were really nice, but there were also points that I had to cringe, and I felt that your intonation had to improve by a few steps to close the gap ahead of you, and, unfortunately, I think that it went down in Night Rounds. It's really exposed in the ballad, I feel. It's a song that I like, and I like some of the musical ideas you had, but I think that your vocal flaws really shone in the number. There were points that I felt the pitch center wasn't universal, and your blend really gets out of whack. I generally think that your male sound needs to come back one dynamic, not only in the ballad, but in the whole show. I had you 3rd after your daytime performance with, believe it or not, Best Choreography. I really like how you guys dance under Stephen Todd. I think the choreography he gives you is natural and unique to you in many ways. Your movements were very clean, but as is always true in Show Choir, have room for improvement. One thing that I really love about your show is your staging. It's so effective and it looks really really nice. Your pictures are great and I think that you guys were spaced really well. There was rarely a time in your show that I couldn't see every member in the spot they needed to be. I was really entertained by your closer. It's danced well, staged well, costumed well, and performed well. I would say that, especially in the night, your show lacked energy and drive, and that was a big component in where your placed (and also why I didn't have you with the choreography caption). Your movements were great, but they it looked like you were really thinking about it, and going through the motions, as opposed to being comfortable and natural with it, but I feel that will come with time and practice! After your Finals performance, I had you in 4th, with your vocal scores really bringing you down. I think there is a whole lot of potential in your singing, and I think that you've already got some really great moments. Start by improving your intonation, blend, and pitch, and you'll be singing great in no time! Thank you for a great performance and best of luck to you this season!
Ambassadors- I must say that I was very pleasantly surprised with your performances. A lot of people didn't think you'd even make it to the night round, let alone in 5th places in Finals!! Congratulations to you for really bringing it last weekend! Overall, musically and visually, I think that your show is just a little juvenile for you guys, and that's a testament to your skill, not your lack of performance. You're singing very well and you're moving great, and I believe that you deserve to get a little more difficult material in both respects (especially choreographically). While I felt as though you sang well, I believe that you could use some improvement in every aspect, specifically in blend and musicality. Everything seemed "high and loud" to me. A lot of Soprano/Tenor and either mezzo-forte or forte, consistently. I thought that your choreography was very clean and looked nice, but there were points while you were dancing that I just wished you were doing more! It seemed sort of "start and stop" instead of continuous movement, and I think that set back the pace of your show a bit. I think that you guys have some definite areas for improvement, but I believe what needs to, will. It seems like Mr. Sands has a really good grasp on what needs to be done, and it's apparent that he's been well received into your school. Before seeing a single choir this weekend, I came into this competition with you guys in 6th, and after Night Rounds, I had you guys in 5th, where you ended up. I believe you guys are going to have a great season and really turn some heads. Best of luck this season!
Xhilaration- Coming into Saturday, I predicted you in 5th. After seeing your daytime performance, to be honest, I did not have you guys in Finals. I felt you made some definite improvement from Day to Night, but I didn't think that your daytime show warranted a finals spot. I think that your show has a lot of growing room. Your sound, to me, was a little underwhelming and I didn't feel like you all locked in to the same pitch center, and that persisted throughout the show. Your blend was nice, but had a tendencies to get too Soprano heavy. I think one thing that you guys do really well vocally is singing with a mature sound. For the most part, it's very healthy and moderately warm. I think that your vocals have potential, but need some real attention, especially in the ballad. I don't think that you guys had a good performance of "All the Wasted Time" in either performance this weekend, and I think that a lot of why is because of the arrangement. I really love the song, and I think that you guys are going to be able to do some really great singing with it, but I just think it's awkwardly written and not given the correct tone both musically and dramatically. Visually, I think that you're doing some pretty nice things. I like your staging and when you guys put some serious drive and energy behind your movement, you get a pretty good product. However, I felt the entire show lacked energy and that really took away from your choreography. I think that you, above all, need to spend time cleaning. For most of your show, I had to guess at what everything was supposed to look like, as opposed to being able to tell what was correct and what wasn't. It looked like most of you weren't comfortable with the dance, so it came across as sloppy. I had you 6th after your Finals performance, and was pleased with the improvements made after the Day Round. I think that your show has potential, but I feel like you guys need to really work vocally and visually to get it to where it could be. I hope you don't all peg me as some "Xavier Hater" after reading this, because I have really liked what Xhilaration has brought to competitions in the past, and I think that this show has potential to bring out the aspects of Xhilaration that I really enjoy, and that you have done well. I understand that this was your first competition, and that's why I truly believe that you guys are going to make some big improvements and put on some good shows this year! Best of luck with your season.
All in all I had a really wonderful time watching all the choirs perform this weekend. It was a great competition, and I am really excited that the season is underway. I'm sorry that my post is a little long-winded, but you took the time to read it, so you're at your own discretion. Best of luck to everyone this year! I think it's going to be a really great season!!
What is Cedar Rapids Prairie "Ambassadors'" ballad called?? It was amazing!
And why didn't they have a spirit award? Grr... but anyway - my shpeel:
I was blown away with yesterday's performances. For a few of these groups (ATSC, Xavier, Johnston, Linn Mar, Ambassadors - you know, the finalists) it was the first time I have ever seen them live and I've never had so many times I got goosebumps. Astounding. I'll be at Onalaska this Saturday so feel free to find me and chat!
Thanks and it is One and Only by Adele. I had a great time yesterday. Everyone did a fantastic job and I am so proud of Focal Point for winning the prep division. I hope everyone liked our show I know we all had a grand time performing it.
Here are my critiques on the top four groups . take em or leave em. love em or hate em. Just my opinion.
10TH STREET:
What an amazing show. You guys killed it. I just think you need to clean up the choreo a little bit more without losing the energy. Yall had the best energy last night. I know it is the first comp for everyone too so I love that my only critique for you is a critique I know will be fixed in time.
GCS:
killer vocals. Wow. You guys always have top notch vocals and the choreo was so clean. I loved the use of the lighting this year. I always feel like the lights are jsut there for a little bit of sparkle. but to see images of flags and all that, it was awesome.
OMAHA:
Your ballad is a standing ovation ballad. I love it. You guys always get up on stage with so much confidence. I think that the girls need to really work on their facials and stepping it up just a tich more. But Overall. yall killed it
HASTINGS:
Your ballad was beautiful. simply stunning soloist (who also did amazing in the solo competition) what was his name? he is going places. anyways, I feel that yall are way better than alst year in vocals and choreography but the intensity was not there. The girl sound was very rish until ballad. The show was a bit confusing and the closer was a little too blah. There was alot of color and prettiness with the show girl head toppers but the use of them was not essential and it detracted, in my opinion. All around I say pump up the energy. Great Show. I will see you in Fame next so I cant wait to see the improvement.
Viterbo 101 2012
