Hey this is just a random question...but why were several groups shouting "2-14"?? Just because of valentines day??
Because Hersey and Prospect High Schools are both in the same school district--District 214. There are at least 3 more schools in the district (including Buffalo Grove and Rolling Meadows), so you'll hear this chanted at any competition where 2 or more of the schools are competing. There is a lot of talent in that one school district, that's for sure!
To all the groups, great job on Saturday, and thanks to the folks at Fort Atkinson for their hospitality.
Mt. Prospect- I'll be quite honest, the day show was sloppy. There was a solid core of sound all throughout until the closer when things just sorta seemed to die. You guys need to focus on choreography because it was not clean. The guys song was probably the messiest out of all of them. I did enjoy the stuff you were given, just think it needs to be fixed
Mundelein- Very entertaining show. The opener was crisp and you guys produced great sound. The a capella ballad is a brave choice, and you guys did good with it, but it just wasn't effective enough to me personally. I'm not even sure how to describe the closer so I'll just stick to technical things. It was clean, you guys played the parts of "Aladdin" very well. The genie and Aladdin soloists were very good and Aladdin deserved the Best Male Soloist award (I think I've got the right guy?). However, I feel that the tempos were taken to slowly all throughout every segment, the combo parts weren't very good and didn't really give off the impression that I was in Agrabah or in the Middle East or wherever. Also there were some weird vocal moments of times when I thought there should have been solos, or where the girls would sing nasally for no apparent reason. Some of it just didn't make sense to me. The elephant was mega cool and kudos to your fantastic crew! Congrats on the Grand Championship.
John Hersey- I feel your show has a ton more room for growth. The moves seemed clean, but somewhat lazy. You guys can sing so well, LET IT OUT! The entire opener was hard for me to hear, even though I could hear your guys diction clearly. I just want you guys to sing out. Also, my friend Maura was making fun of me for this, but I love your blue girls dresses. Idk why, but they just strike me as being very elegant and pretty.
Janesville- Great show! The choreography is very sharp all throughout, and your show kept me intrigued. My only gripe in visuals is facials. The facials were somewhat lacking from the guys in the day round show. There seemed to be some tempo problems in the opener as well. Overall a very entertaining show
Wahlert- First off, I did laugh when they put both of your groups in the program as being from Davenport, IA. As for the show: I love Stephen's choreography. He always keeps it interesting, and you guys have gotten it very clean. The big problem is the woman's vocals. They're somewhat weak throughout the whole show. I also don't understand some of the costuming. I don't know why the girls roll up that part of the green dress to reveal part of the pink dress that they never wear full out on stage. I enjoyed the "Girls and Boys" mainly because the guys exuted great energy and sang very well. The closer seemed really thrown together randomly, sorry. I hope you guys progress through your season very well and fix a lot of things!
The winners of the solo compitition were so fantastic! I usually am unsatisfied with the way solo comps go, but the winners deserved it. Summer sang I'm Here, and that is not an easy song to sing, but she was amazing.
And Fort Atkinson is just always fun (e.i. dance parties!) Thanks to Davenport who danced with us!
Jack janowicz from depere jam session and a girl from new london vision ( I don't remember her name but she was AMAZING!) won best male and female soloists in competition
I don't know about scoring judges, but Spots Choreographer Ben Schrank told me he'll be one of the clinicians. As Spots is competing, he will not score in the finals round.