No, it's not really. In fact, if more of the schools were to do it, that would only make the competitions that more intense, which is what I personally would really like to see!
I disagree. The Prep division to me is where students that cannot compete at the open class level, due to school size, talent available, etc, get a chance to compete against other schools of a similar caliber and hope to take home a trophy. A school sending a bunch of students that are talented enough to, and do, compete in open class is wholly unfair to the students that do not have that ability. To put it into a sports metaphor that would be like a division 1 school sending half of its football team down to division 3 to "make it more competitive". In reality it is just a much larger school with a lot larger talent base essentially shoving disadvantaged schools aside for their own selfish reasons.
I have no problem with a group moving up to compete at a higher level but when you have students that compete at that higher level coming down to an easier level I have an issue with that.
Isn't that kind of unfair to the rest of the prep groups that Mundeline's prep groups contain a lot of experienced members of a mixed varsity group?
No, it's not really. In fact, if more of the schools were to do it, that would only make the competitions that more intense, which is what I personally would really like to see!
The rule in Iowa actually changed after the debacle at Great River. We (Mundelein) have been able to come back to Iowa to compete, going to my alma mater, CR Wash, to compete in MoShow a few years ago. Regarding the "fairness" of students in both groups, it really also depends on your school's numbers. For example, if we did not allow students in both, we would not have enough men for both groups. Having them in both groups gives them wonderful experience, and helps them learn how to do show choir faster. They get the unique opportunity to compete with only guys, and then also in the mixed group. Unfortunately, we have not been lucky enough to have as many guys as so many groups in Iowa and Indiana, so this is how we can provide multiple performing opportunities for our students. For the competitions we attend, we register for the appropriate division, which (as already noted) tends to change from place to place, depending on the rules. This was the first time our all-male group has made evening finals when eligible.
This is true. Now the duplication of personnel is only for the same type of group (i.e. - you cannot have the same performer in two mixed show choirs, but can have a performer in a mixed show choir and a Single-Gender show choir).
The rule in Iowa actually changed after the debacle at Great River. We (Mundelein) have been able to come back to Iowa to compete, going to my alma mater, CR Wash, to compete in MoShow a few years ago. Regarding the "fairness" of students in both groups, it really also depends on your school's numbers. For example, if we did not allow students in both, we would not have enough men for both groups. Having them in both groups gives them wonderful experience, and helps them learn how to do show choir faster. They get the unique opportunity to compete with only guys, and then also in the mixed group. Unfortunately, we have not been lucky enough to have as many guys as so many groups in Iowa and Indiana, so this is how we can provide multiple performing opportunities for our students. For the competitions we attend, we register for the appropriate division, which (as already noted) tends to change from place to place, depending on the rules. This was the first time our all-male group has made evening finals when eligible.
Tiffany Williams (Critique/Finals)
Kristy Sims (Vocal Prelims/Finals)
Leslie Smith (Critique/Finals)
Kari Jensen (Visuals/Finals)
Terry Hudson (Overall/Finals)
All I remember is being stuck in the Adler for what seemed like multiple hours. The longest award ceremony ever. But, that was a really fantastic competition, in terms of caliber of choirs and experience!
I have heard many people over the years complain about choirs that have some people in both their varsity and girls/prep groups. I can see both sides of the issue and agree that it should be a competition-by-competition rule.
Long story short- Both Mundelein "Sound" and "Lights" qualified for finals. But they were unaware of the "no double personnel" Iowa rule. The competition was also unaware of Mundelein having kids in both groups. It was brought to the attention of the comp after they had performed. The wait for prelims awards was delayed well over an hour (almost two if I remember right). The final decision made was that Mundelein would be able to pick ONE group to perform in finals. They ended up choosing the girls group, "Lights", since they were the winners of the division they competed in (prep). "Sound" didn't perform in finals, and the 7th place varsity group Davenport North was then made a finalist. The final exhibition performance of Davenport West started at 1:30 in the morning.
Jay can fill in anything I left out or got wrong. It's been so long!
Isn't that kind of unfair to the rest of the prep groups that Mundeline's prep groups contain a lot of experienced members of a mixed varsity group?
It truly depends on the rules of the competition. For example, in the state of Iowa there's a rule against it - members of the Prep groups cannot also be members of the Varsity group. I think it results in automatic disqualification of one of those choirs. I think California is a state that also doesn't share members between choirs, except for the men's show choirs.
Aside from those examples, I think the competitions in Wisconsin and Minnesota that have the "Open" and "Prep" or "Open" and "Class A" divisions - it's up to the individual competitions to have rules for or against it. In the past at some competitions, Bloomington Kennedy and Eau Claire Memorial, we saw Totino-Grace's men's group have to compete in the "Open" division, because the guys are also in the varsity show choir.
So ultimately unfair or not? They're just following the rules. Apparently, Burlington didn't have an issue with it.
Correct. All but one boy and one girl in Sound are also members of FX or Lights and this is the first time Sound FX has ever made finals, let alone place ahead of Sound. We are very proud of all of our groups for every performance Saturday
They aren't a prep group. Most if not all of the boys in Sound FX are also in the mixed group. Half of the girls in Lights are also in the mixed group.
This is probably the first time that Sound FX has beaten Sound. Lights has beaten Sound a few times.
I don't understand how Mundelein's prep group constantly places higher than their varsity group... Can someone help explain this to me?
They aren't a prep group. Most if not all of the boys in Sound FX are also in the mixed group. Half of the girls in Lights are also in the mixed group.
GC: Mayville Next Edition
1RU: Fort Atkinson 4th Street Singers
2RU: New London Vocal Motion.
There was also a solo/duet competition.
Best Male: Nathan Fink
Best Duet: Kira Kruger and Nathan Fink
Best Female: Her name escapes me but I belive she was from Hamilton and she had one of the richest tones I've ever heard come out of a high schooler
Burlington Chocolate City Showcase 2016
