Yesterday truly was my favorite Muscatine competition we've ever held. There was an awesome atmosphere and vibe floating around all day- it was a perfect storm of awesomeness.
The best comment I heard was from a Waconia student- "We don't care that we didn't win... we had a blast and we came together and rocked it!" THAT IS WHAT SHOW CHOIR IS ALL ABOUT, FOLKS! Kids coming together as a family to put on awesome shows and grow as people and performers because of it!
I had three favorite moments of the day: (and since this is the place to nerd out, I'll do it here)
Two occurred while standing on the side of the stage for Wahlert and Washington's finals show waiting to back-announce them after their bows. In the case of the Wahlert show- I was watching my favorite dancer (he performs Ben Eklund's choreo with such precision always). When he struck his last post, hand and head straight up, he closed his eyes and just had this face of fulfillment that is pretty indescribable. It could have been in a movie. Not a Lifetime movie... like an OSCAR winning biopic on one guys journey to the show choir stage. (someone please make that movie)
In the case of the Washington show- they were rocking out their bow and somehow Cole (whom I had met from Wash last year) and I made eye contact. He gave a cheeky smile and his face essentially read "I JUST GAVE MY ALL AND I AM GOING TO WIN THIS COMPETITION... BY MYSELF." haha It was cool.
The last favorite moment was the best of the day in mine and many other eyes- Waconia was finishing up their show and the improvement from the day was just incredible. All groups improved in finals, but I feel like Power Company's improvement was leaps and bounds above. When they got to the end of their bows and began to do the typical "party off stage" schtick, two girls just began hugging each other like they would never hug another human being again. They were crying and you immediately just knew how happy they were. They knew what an amazing show they just had and you could sort of see their entire 5 month journey all the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs from the start of the season to that moment. After back announcing them, I went off stage to just see everyone hugging each other. Joy and elation was EVERYWHERE. I fought back tears watching it all.
These small moments contribute to the larger picture. It's why a lot of us do what we do.
A big thanks to Nick Oswald for starting this event six years ago. Good idea!
Jonathan and I have a million parents to thank for how this day ran- Good thing they accept payment in hugs!
We hope to see everyone come back next year! It was a BLAST!
One of the highlights of my time in Muscatine was starting this competition. Glad things went well this year. Adam, you are by far the best emcee of any show choir competition that I've ever been to (no bull!).
Huge congrats to a CR Wash on their win... phenomenal show! Waconia, Ankeny, Celebration and Western Dubuque--great job as well on putting on great shows as well!
Thanks to all Muscatine parents, performers, directors and volunteers for a great competition... loved the show too!
And a shout out to Wild Cat Men...(told you we'd get crazy!)
The last favorite moment was the best of the day in mine and many other eyes- Waconia was finishing up their show and the improvement from the day was just incredible. All groups improved in finals, but I feel like Power Company's improvement was leaps and bounds above. When they got to the end of their bows and began to do the typical "party off stage" schtick, two girls just began hugging each other like they would never hug another human being again. They were crying and you immediately just knew how happy they were. They knew what an amazing show they just had and you could sort of see their entire 5 month journey all the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs from the start of the season to that moment. After back announcing them, I went off stage to just see everyone hugging each other. Joy and elation was EVERYWHERE. I fought back tears watching it all.
Thanks for hosting a great competition Muscatine! It was a blast, and I'm SURE we will be back again next year! The atmosphere is always PERFECT, and Adam, a lot of that is due to your amazing emceeing. Hosts and parents were also fantastic!
Also, shout out to my best friend and the Wash band who had the Top 3 scoring bands in the day round. We are lucky to have a dedicated, hard-working show band led by an extremely intelligent and passionate director.
Thanks again to Muscatine. Best of luck to everyone in the rest of the season!!!
Thanks Jay!
Yesterday truly was my favorite Muscatine competition we've ever held. There was an awesome atmosphere and vibe floating around all day- it was a perfect storm of awesomeness.
The best comment I heard was from a Waconia student- "We don't care that we didn't win... we had a blast and we came together and rocked it!" THAT IS WHAT SHOW CHOIR IS ALL ABOUT, FOLKS! Kids coming together as a family to put on awesome shows and grow as people and performers because of it!
I had three favorite moments of the day: (and since this is the place to nerd out, I'll do it here)
Two occurred while standing on the side of the stage for Wahlert and Washington's finals show waiting to back-announce them after their bows. In the case of the Wahlert show- I was watching my favorite dancer (he performs Ben Eklund's choreo with such precision always). When he struck his last post, hand and head straight up, he closed his eyes and just had this face of fulfillment that is pretty indescribable. It could have been in a movie. Not a Lifetime movie... like an OSCAR winning biopic on one guys journey to the show choir stage. (someone please make that movie)
In the case of the Washington show- they were rocking out their bow and somehow Cole (whom I had met from Wash last year) and I made eye contact. He gave a cheeky smile and his face essentially read "I JUST GAVE MY ALL AND I AM GOING TO WIN THIS COMPETITION... BY MYSELF." haha It was cool.
The last favorite moment was the best of the day in mine and many other eyes- Waconia was finishing up their show and the improvement from the day was just incredible. All groups improved in finals, but I feel like Power Company's improvement was leaps and bounds above. When they got to the end of their bows and began to do the typical "party off stage" schtick, two girls just began hugging each other like they would never hug another human being again. They were crying and you immediately just knew how happy they were. They knew what an amazing show they just had and you could sort of see their entire 5 month journey all the trials and tribulations, the ups and downs from the start of the season to that moment. After back announcing them, I went off stage to just see everyone hugging each other. Joy and elation was EVERYWHERE. I fought back tears watching it all.
These small moments contribute to the larger picture. It's why a lot of us do what we do.
A big thanks to Nick Oswald for starting this event six years ago. Good idea!
Jonathan and I have a million parents to thank for how this day ran- Good thing they accept payment in hugs!
We hope to see everyone come back next year! It was a BLAST!
Thanks for hosting a great competition Muscatine! It was a blast, and I'm SURE we will be back again next year! The atmosphere is always PERFECT, and Adam, a lot of that is due to your amazing emceeing. Hosts and parents were also fantastic!
Also, shout out to my best friend and the Wash band who had the Top 3 scoring bands in the day round. We are lucky to have a dedicated, hard-working show band led by an extremely intelligent and passionate director.
Thanks again to Muscatine. Best of luck to everyone in the rest of the season!!!
Finalists have been posted in order of performance via the Muscatine Showcase twitter. If anyone has additional prep/caption/daytime awards, let us know!
I'll be watching this board for updates on Waconia Show Choirs Wish I could be there to support them.
If anyone there wants to keep me posted on all that's going down at the competition that would be awesome! I love to hear play by plays on different groups.
So glad I can make it to this today for prelims! Can't wait to see all these great groups! It'll be nice to go to a competition as a spectator instead of a performer for once Good luck to everybody today!
Muscatine River City Showcase 2014
