@TheInfoGuy - I totally get what you're saying. It's a current tension in show choir. Recognized by state music associations or not? I don't believe the OMEA cares about show choir at this point. I don't necessarily disagree with you that that is the direction we should be moving towards. But we have seen state associations and show choir be linked twice without much success (Iowa & Indiana), so I think if Ohio were to EVER move in that direction (which is unlikely in the foreseeable future) that it would have to be planned meticulously so it doesn't fail like those other states.
@Caleb - Yeah I get sports are set up like that. But since Ohio show choir isn't governed by any particular association at this point, Ohio competitions don't have to follow any set format. So I think with this freedom that directors/contest chairpersons have they could have more sensible class divisions.
To take it a step further, I never really understood why there are "overall day rankings" anyway, because that assumes everyone is judged on exactly the same scale. And if that's the case, what's the point of divisions in the first place? Ohio is dumb.
THIS. Exactly this. Ohio show choir, specifically, has these arbitrary daytime classes usually in an A/B/C format based on school size. Which makes no sense in the first place, because school size is not the best indicator of how well a show choir performs. So anyways there are these different classes and regardless of show choirs being divided into these divisions, they are all generally eligible to qualify for finals (or overall placements in this case since there weren't finals).
So as Häakon said, what's the point of having these divisions anyways? I agree with Alex that Ohio is dumb. And to expand on that, I think the Ohio system of show choir is set up just to give out a lot of awards and make folks feel good about themselves. EVERYONE gets an award! I mean, really, what other excuse is there? Most of the time the class divisions aren't even grouped together on the performance schedule so there can't be any excuse of having similar schools compete against one another… when they're separated by other choirs in other divisions. It's just nonsense. I appreciate that some Ohio competitions are moving away from this and have more appropriate Tier I/Tier II (Large/Small or Advanced/Less Experienced) such as the Marysville Showcase (next weekend!) and Fairfield Crystal Classic. I like those formats better and it's similar to the way that some other Midwestern states do it like Wisconsin. But ultimately it's really up to each and every director/contest chairperson to initiate that change. Reform, people! Reform!
Well I suppose it makes sense to someone. I mean, if we look at athletics, schools are put in divisions based on school size (because of average funding, feed pool, etc). I assume that it worked (back at the beginning) to set show choir events similar to the way athletic events were already taking place.
For example, 4A schools with football have their own division so that during the playoffs, 4A groups only play 4A groups. However, at the end of the season, there are still overall state (and national) rankings, regardless of division. So...competivity within classes based on school size, but overall rankings afterwards.
Also, it gives very much the feel of the state MEA festivals--all choirs are put in classes based on their school sizes.
it still doesn't have the overall rankings.
it was
GC: Colerain: Best Vocals, Best Band
1RU: Cabell Midland: Best Choreography
2RU: Ravenswood
3RU:Riverside
This is why I have always said, and will keep saying. Show Choir competitions should be connected back to state music education associations. So there can be a set of rules and awards like what has been said about division/class awards. So every competition will be a lot similar.
I can see with bigger competitions, there are more misc. captions like Best Costumes, Set Design, Show Concept, etc. But there are still basic captions like Vocals, Choreo,Combo,Male and Female Soloist.
You know honestly I just never questioned it till I saw the ass awards for this competition. But now that I've thought about it I would definitely agree for a reform in awards!
Not to diminish the class trophy wins but why would they do that if there aren't any finals? That seems rather strange because once those are announced you can pretty much assume who won To take it a step further, I never really understood why there are "overall day rankings" anyway, because that assumes everyone is judged on exactly the same scale. And if that's the case, what's the point of divisions in the first place? Ohio is dumb.
THIS. Exactly this. Ohio show choir, specifically, has these arbitrary daytime classes usually in an A/B/C format based on school size. Which makes no sense in the first place, because school size is not the best indicator of how well a show choir performs. So anyways there are these different classes and regardless of show choirs being divided into these divisions, they are all generally eligible to qualify for finals (or overall placements in this case since there weren't finals).
So as Häakon said, what's the point of having these divisions anyways? I agree with Alex that Ohio is dumb. And to expand on that, I think the Ohio system of show choir is set up just to give out a lot of awards and make folks feel good about themselves. EVERYONE gets an award! I mean, really, what other excuse is there? Most of the time the class divisions aren't even grouped together on the performance schedule so there can't be any excuse of having similar schools compete against one another… when they're separated by other choirs in other divisions. It's just nonsense. I appreciate that some Ohio competitions are moving away from this and have more appropriate Tier I/Tier II (Large/Small or Advanced/Less Experienced) such as the Marysville Showcase (next weekend!) and Fairfield Crystal Classic. I like those formats better and it's similar to the way that some other Midwestern states do it like Wisconsin. But ultimately it's really up to each and every director/contest chairperson to initiate that change. Reform, people! Reform!
To take it a step further, I never really understood why there are "overall day rankings" anyway, because that assumes everyone is judged on exactly the same scale. And if that's the case, what's the point of divisions in the first place?
Ohio is dumb.
Not to diminish the class trophy wins but why would they do that if there aren't any finals? That seems rather strange because once those are announced you can pretty much assume who won
To take it a step further, I never really understood why there are "overall day rankings" anyway, because that assumes everyone is judged on exactly the same scale. And if that's the case, what's the point of divisions in the first place?
Not to diminish the class trophy wins but why would they do that if there aren't any finals? That seems rather strange because once those are announced you can pretty much assume who won
Since there's only seven groups, it's going to feel really awkward when only one of them doesn't move to finals... Maybe they should just have a "re-score" or something like that, where every group just gets scored twice; Once in daytime's, once at night.
Since there's only seven groups, it's going to feel really awkward when only one of them doesn't move to finals... Maybe they should just have a "re-score" or something like that, where every group just gets scored twice; Once in daytime's, once at night.
No, we were lucky that all but one small community in Cabell County was not affected by the chemical spill. Thanks for asking though
That's good! Good luck to everyone today! It'll be a good match between Colerain and Cabell for GC!
The area where Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia meet is referred to as the "Tri-State" area. So Portsmouth, Ohio is in the Tri-State. That is my guess as to where this competition gets it's name.
Portsmouth Tri-State Show Choir Competition 2014
