Everyone keeps saying that stuff.  I've only seen Clinton a couple times, and I did like their show this year quite a lot...although it does drift in and out from time to time.  I guess I'm wondering what exactly they have done better?  I'd love some specifics...vocals?  choreography?  show design?  band?  costumes?  set?  What exactly is it about the 2005 show that people keep "bashing"?

Maybe i should have said.."they had some crazy girls costumes or ones that you would surely remember"...i think we all know that girls have costumes....just that these ones were a little different.

I already posted this in another forum -- but I persoanlly thought this competition was the best competition I have ever been to.  I went to both Showstoppers and Nashville when I was in choir and this was DEF better than either of those.  The hard rock was incredible!!!! Truly the best venue I think a show choir could be in --- plenty of space both out front and in back --- FAME did a great job of sectioning off parts of the house for "home sections" for each group - but then the EMcee (who was SOOO good) did a great job of rotating group supporters down front for the first 10 rows --- kinda a great idea --- they Emcee was funny - knowledgeable -- and really kept the pace of the day moving right along --- they got about 20 minutes behind at one point but he realy kept it moving along and I think they ended up catching up by about 10 mintues or so.

BAckdstage they had tons of room for set and prop storage --- somthing i remember being a big problem for MY group in Epcot.

Universal and city walk being right out the front door were incredible!!!!

The judges were perfectly placed at the back of the room and elevated up a good 3 feet or so --- i obviously didnt get up on their platform but it seemed like they must of had the perfect view --- also a great line up of adjudicators i must say

BUT most of all the SOUND (which I know is always an issue at any comp you go to) was NEARLY PERFECT.  Honestly some of the best sound I have heard in my 7 years of competing and travelling to show choir comps all across teh country.  I dont know if it was FAME or Hard Rock - or both --- but they got it RIGHT!

Clinton was FLAWLESS ----- it will be VERY hard for anyone to beat them at the CUP. 

Sullivan was SOOOO good too ---- I have seen them once each year for the past three years in a row and this was by far the best I have ever seen Sullivan perform.  They were GREAT!!!

Mundelien was also good --- I just didnt care for their show.  It was a bit dark and not overly visually appealling.  I think they are great, but wanted a much better visual presentation form them.  Does their director ALWAYS do a Madonna song? 

Long Beach --- I loved these guys --  I thought they should have taken Mundelein for 2RU --- they have such a creative show paklage and great visuals --- I only thought they could have stepped up their vocals a tiny bit and they would have been 2RU

I dont know how everyone felt but I heard many parents and students alike really talking about what a great event it was --- I was just an observer, just there with my friend Kate but we thought it was VERY impressive.  I know that big arguement bakc and forth is FAME or showstoppers better --- well to each his own, some will like one for one reason, others the other for different reasons, but my personal opinion on this event it was it was VERY TOP NOTCH --- the red carpet arrival - the full color program - the auditions running all day - the groups - the emcee - the judges - the space - THE SOUND --- ooh ooh and I loved how they added all the lights for the finalists --  this was great --- my friend Kate had never been to such an event or to Universal Studios and after watching the show choirs and then riding rides and seeing shows in the park - she said her favorite thing about the show weekend was the show choir event.  I think she's gonna come with me to the CUP now shes so excited.

They had some girls costumes i remember...