Thanks for the summary....even so, the results are very surprising and kinda out of whack...especially after looking at where a lot of these choir have placed this year. Crazy how different a one group of judges might be in comparison to the rest.
This was a crazy competition! I totally agree with you that all groups left everything on that stage. It's so hard to compare apples to grapefruit in a competition like this. Each group was different and outstanding in its own way. Congrats to CC for pulling out the GC. Those kids work hard and have an amazing director to pull them through. I mean, it's just show choir, y'all. Each weekend is different from the next, which is what makes this art so great! Celebrate diversity!!
Thanks for the summary....even so, the results are very surprising and kinda out of whack...especially after looking at where a lot of these choir have placed this year. Crazy how different a one group of judges might be in comparison to the rest.
Thanks for the summary....even so, the results are very surprising and kinda out of whack...especially after looking at where a lot of these choir have placed this year. Crazy how different a one group of judges might be in comparison to the rest.
Fair. EN's panel doesn't really get replicated elsewhere.
Regardless of how placements went, I hope that this weekend was a positive experience for everyone involved. I'm at the point now where I've been out long enough that I go back to do my thing tabulating in the pit and watching shows all day; I don't have a lot of attachment to any one group. I know (and heard in the hallways...) that some weren't very happy with their placements, but what I saw was 21-odd groups of kids having the time of their life giving a piece of themselves to an audience of people that was largely people they didn't even know. I saw so many good things from so many kids, and in the end that's what will last. People remember great shows more than they remember who got which trophy.
That being said, I totally get why people questioned this comp, to which I say it was close and it shook out this way this week. Things happen.
As far as the merit goes: I wasn't shocked at how it turned out, and I watched every single show from the pit. Day show had the order going MH, CC, HN, BNL, Northrop, and Busco. The spread between 1st and 5th in finals was 13.5 points; there were only 3.8 points between 1st and 3rd. It was a tight, tight day, and there were eight or nine groups who were right up there and could have taken a finals spot. CC looked great on Saturday, simple as that.
I'll be honest, it probably didn't help that the judges had to watch all the small-school mixed groups in the morning and the large-school mixed groups in the late afternoon, with single-gender in between. I'm not personally certain of why it was scheduled that way, but that's how it was...and there wasn't a huge shakeup in the night show afterwards. CC and MH switched 1 and 2, and Northrop and Busco switched 4 and 5, each by a close margin.
Thanks for the summary....even so, the results are very surprising and kinda out of whack...especially after looking at where a lot of these choir have placed this year. Crazy how different a one group of judges might be in comparison to the rest.
As far as the merit goes: I wasn't shocked at how it turned out, and I watched every single show from the pit. Day show had the order going MH, CC, HN, BNL, Northrop, and Busco. The spread between 1st and 5th in finals was 13.5 points; there were only 3.8 points between 1st and 3rd. It was a tight, tight day, and there were eight or nine groups who were right up there and could have taken a finals spot. CC looked great on Saturday, simple as that.
I'll be honest, it probably didn't help that the judges had to watch all the small-school mixed groups in the morning and the large-school mixed groups in the late afternoon, with single-gender in between. I'm not personally certain of why it was scheduled that way, but that's how it was...and there wasn't a huge shakeup in the night show afterwards. CC and MH switched 1 and 2, and Northrop and Busco switched 4 and 5, each by a close margin.
The judges for Saturday were Jeff Bowen and Nancy Walburn for vocals and Nikki Prichard and Justin Chaple for visuals.
Jim Swartzlander was instrumentals, Ric Geist was one of the middle school judges, Donna and Sue were solo competition, Carol Resler was best solo in a show, and Lindsey Kraner was best performer.
This is an aside from the current conversation about judges, but I'm happy to see Bedford-North Lawrence's placements here! I'm if remembering correctly from previous comments, they had a director change in late January/early February which isn't exactly an ideal time - it looks like they have recovered nicely.
Judges from the program are listed as Jeff Bowen, Ric Geist, Lindsay Kraner, Nikki Prichard, Carol Resler, Donna Russell, Sue Simon, Jim Swartzlander, and Nancy Walburn.
I have to say I'm pretty taken back by these results. After watching the livestream and hearing from some friends, I really thought the final results would be:
GC: Northrop Charisma
1st RU: Huntington North Varsity Singers
2nd RU: Marion Harding Singers
3rd RU: Bishop Luers Minstrels
4th RU: Churubusco New Era
I'm very surprised that Luers didn't make finals and that Busco only made finals due to BNL's absence. Needless to say, this was an interesting competition to say the least. But congrats to everyone who performed!
If you look at the results, it shows Bedford North Lawrence beating Churubusco in small school awards. That is correct. BLN elected to drive home early rather than take their finals spot because they had an extended drive home. We filled in the fifth spot.
2RU Single Gender was Columbia City City Lights.
1RU Single Gender was North Bedford Lawrence Starlets.
2009 Central Sound won a GC without having won a single caption. It happens. It's shameful when people come on sites like this spewing such negativity. Especially when things such as what happened in the middle school competition happen all the time in HS.
Congrats to all groups in all divisions. Have your best possible show and have fun!!
I'be never been to a competition where middle school kids were robbed Grand Champions because they didn't have a live band.
East Noble definateley taught those kids a lesson and it wasn't a good one. Mabye you should change your score sheets for MIDDLE SCHOOL, SYou even knew you had to explain your scoring because it makes no sense how one group could win best vocals and best choreography and only get 1st runner up. Change your score sheets for middle school so kids aren't put through that ever again. Just my opinion.
Directors get the rules prior to attending the competition. Therefore, the director knew what they were and should have informed the kids. If the Director felt it was not a good place to go or disagreed with the rules. Do. Not. Attend.
I'be never been to a competition where middle school kids were robbed Grand Champions because they didn't have a live band.
East Noble definateley taught those kids a lesson and it wasn't a good one. Mabye you should change your score sheets for MIDDLE SCHOOL, SYou even knew you had to explain your scoring because it makes no sense how one group could win best vocals and best choreography and only get 1st runner up. Change your score sheets for middle school so kids aren't put through that ever again. Just my opinion.
Though not typical, it's not uncommon for a school to receive one or more caption awards. Example: At Homestead Churubusco received best vocals but ended up 2nd runner up.
I'be never been to a competition where middle school kids were robbed Grand Champions because they didn't have a live band.
East Noble definateley taught those kids a lesson and it wasn't a good one. Mabye you should change your score sheets for MIDDLE SCHOOL, SYou even knew you had to explain your scoring because it makes no sense how one group could win best vocals and best choreography and only get 1st runner up. Change your score sheets for middle school so kids aren't put through that ever again. Just my opinion.