Congratulations to all the groups. Impressive number of impressive performances. Number of great solos, and good luck finding a musical combo that was not top shelf. Best of luck to all groups moving forward. Thanks for your hard work and passion.
The difference between actually competing at a competition and attending it as an audience member is very interesting. I'm excited to see how the rest of this year plays out. To be honest, I don't think there will be a competition in Ohio where if more than one high caliber choir competes the points and caption will be one sided. A sweep is almost impossible in my opinion this year in Ohio. It was incredible.
This was such an excellent contest and Marion Harding has done a lot to improve their competition in the short time they have been hosting! Kudos to them. I arrived for a portion of prelims starting with Piqua and through Marysville, here are a few brief thoughts:
Piqua: Your vocals stunned me. They started off strong in the opener and were consistent throughout the show. Great dynamics and a really fun show that I simply enjoyed. I also really liked the Shut Up medley.
Grove City: This was probably the first time I've seen Grove City in a while and I was most impressed with the visuals. Shane's doing some really great work with y'all. I love Lights And Sounds as a closer and it was the perfect way to tie a bow on this invention-themed show with the gears backdrop and light up shoes.
Loveland: Your energy was through the roof - I cannot even imagine the Finals performance. From start, middle, to end this is a solid show. Y'all have so much intensity when you perform Smooth Criminal and the effects, powerhouse vocals, and dynamic choreography in the Burn closer... Wow is all I can say.
Olentangy: I'm not too familiar with Ghostbusters, but I didn't need to be. It was a fun show. I don't know if anyone else has watched LOST, but the Downtown opener reminded me of that. I think the show started off a tad slow, but hit its stride later on. Some things to clean up and work on, but the theme has a lot of potential.
Findlay: So gorgeous, elegant, and timeless. Let Me Be Your Star was a stunning opener and I couldn't even handle the vocals - especially in the ballad. Holy moly. The dancing in the closer was fantastic, full of energy, and really clean. I'm happy to see FFE earned the GC!
Capital: The highlight for me was your vocal strength being a smaller group. I thought y'all sounded fantastic. The lights backdrop were kind of distracting through, they seemed to be constantly on and randomly changing as opposed to emphasizing certain sections. Nice work on back-to-back 5th place finishes at Marion Harding!
Marysville: Such a creative, cool, and well-rounded show. I love the complexity of dancing that Randy and Alex create for you all and how perfectly y'all execute it. I think this is the year of light up shoes. But also the staging and lights with Beam Me Up was an awesome effect too. Really enjoyed the show!
This was one of the best OH competitions this year without a doubt. Congrats to all groups and the hosts at Marion Harding.
So amazing being apart of this today. Top three groups were supremely outstanding!! Marysville cut about 45 secs of their closer at judges suggestion and it made a huge difference. Heard that Loveland made some show changes as well, but since I wasn't in the room witnessing it I can't confirm.
Tbh I love the return to the Findlay greatness. The first half (opener through ballad) are just so well done and classically executed. Personally don't like much of the choreography or interpretation in the second half but they still sound wonderful! Deserved win
As for Marysville and Loveland. Y'all brought it tonight. Love the relationship that has formed between current and past members of these two groups. Two very solid performances from two outstanding groups of performers!!
Final results were absolutely down to the hair. I can't explain how much of a pleasure it was to compete with so many talented young students. Between solo competition, and it being my last first competition, today was a day to remember Congratulations to Findlay! Y'all sang my dang face off.
Middle school
3RU: Hamilton
2RU: Jackson
BC: Loveland
BV: Marysville
1RU: Marysville
GC: Loveland
Single-Gender:
BC: Loveland
BV: Loveland
1RU: grove city
GC: Loveland
Class C:
BC: river valley
BV: river valley
1RU: Elgin
GC: river valley
Class B
2RU: licking valley
BC: Piqua
BV: Piqua
1RU: Whitehall
GC: Piqua
Class A
2RU: Marysville
BC: Loveland
BV: Findlay
1RU: Loveland
GC: Findlay
Overall awards
Best male soloist: Piqua
Best female soloist: Findlay
People's choice: Jackson middle school
Best combo: Loveland
Best costumes: Loveland
Best concept: Marysville
Finalists
Loveland
Marysville
Grove City
Findlay
Piqua
Capital
Got here in time for the final section of groups for daytime. Was nice to see Findlay being true to themselves. Opener and Ballad were awesome. Ballad was one of my faves since they did "What I Did For Love" in 2007
I'm heading that way soon to catch some daytime groups at Marion! I had a great time at Singsational last year and look forward to seeing some incredible performances!
Marion Harding Singsational 2016
I think the show started off a tad slow, but hit its stride later on. Some things to clean up and work on, but the theme has a lot of potential.
