I would just like to take the time out of this 'discussion' to say that I thought Poquoson's show was wonderful this year. I was so glad when we got to see their show before we competed. And the fact that they made their own costumes or worked on their own choreography wasn't evident at all. They looked and sounded wonderful.
And, coming from someone who is craft stupid, I'm super impressed that you guys make your own outfits. I could never do that in a million years. You guys have fantastic show that you should be extremely proud of.
This is really the first year that we have done extremely well. We did win a couple times last year, but as someone said, we didn't place at Hanover. So why are we being persecuted for not moving up to A when we ourselves didn't know how the show would be received, what the judges would feel. If another year goes by and we are still receiving the same place, yes, it would be time for us to move up to A. Personally, I think it would be weird to switch to A with one more competition to go, but that is up to our director and I will trust her judgement either way. But we (our director mostly) worked extremely hard for 6 years to get (m)pulse to where it is today. We're proud of what we have accomplished and you should be proud of Poquoson's accomplishments, regardless of whether or not they have a trophy.
(Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting you aren't proud of them. I know a lot of things can be misunderstood in a computer setting.)
This might be a little behind the discussion, but this quote is PRECISELY how I feel. So many times at the past 2 competitions, people from Poquoson have come to me saying that its unfair Menchville is still in B when they should be in A. This is the first time they have swept the board at EVERY competition. It was honestly (and I mean this in no offense to anyone) a luck of the draw situation. Everything went in their favor, with good choreo, good costumes, good teaching, and good TALENT. So next year if they compete in B and win all over the place again, maybe they will be able to comfortably say that they have figured out a good rhythm and to test it against the A talent. But we're ALL still trying to figure out how to get better! So why are we trying to (or at least seeming to) punish them for possibly achieving what we're ALL looking for? I LOOOOVED Menchville's show this year. But maybe next year Poquoson will whip out a nearly perfect show and win it all. Would it then be fair to say that Poquoson should move up because we placed a couple times in 2010 and proceeded to rock out in 2011? We have to remember to think of this as if we were in their place. I personally don't think Poquoson would be ready to move up to A in the above situation; from such a deduction, I don't think it's fair to push Menchville into such a decision when they may still be working out the kinks in their system.
P.S. I love everyone and appreciate all their opinions. None of my statements are meant in a hating or disrespectful fashion. I apologize if that is how they come across.
No more commenting for me in this subject because I think its done. Just know bringing Ms Gregory into this is low. What happened to LC Bird and Patrick Henry are two totally different things.
I guess we can meet next year when I see you at Hanover. Is Show Dog your mother btw?
I wasn't trying to direct what I said at you. Sorry if you thought I was. You were way too cool when I met you last week, so I wouldn't do that to you.
Uh, I think everything's just a big misunderstanding. I was just saying that's one group that switched to B right before Hanover, because you said there weren't any. Nothing was personally directed to any choir like Menchville nor PH. I don't know anything about PH Soundsations, I just noticed that haha. And when you say more drama than anyone ever should I believe you're being a little over dramatic. Every show choir has their own pool of drama. Not even just drama, but obstacles they must overcome. Look at LC Bird. I can't imagine what they must be going through. Even my school. If anyone knows anything about what's happened to Poquoson this year then yeah. Everyone everywhere has obstacles. Even when I was in Beavercreek show choirs. We had our own problems. So when I said that's not the point in the other post, I meant it. You didn't have to make a sarcastic response.
So Show Dog is upset Soundsations, a group who has been a B group pretty much since they lost their Director of forever and has been through more drama over the last year than any choir ever should. Don't they have a new director also this year clearly qualifying them to be a B group?, plus... ya know what, done. If this was really about Patrick Henry I feel sorry for you.
Then wouldn't that mean they were saying that the Hanover director was talking about that group? Which wasn't what happened?
Actually Patrick Henry's "Soundsations" were an A group and dropped to B. But that's not the point haha. Yeah It was hard going from one of the top show choirs in the state of Ohio to Poquoson Virginia where we have a rep for being the show choir nobody ever remembers. Thank you all for the compliments on our show this year! It means a lot. We literally started everything from legit scratch. It was rough. The worst thing is we spend so much time stressing about what we don't have, trying to make the best show we can with out any resources at all. I love everyone in any show choir. I am so excited for this Saturday at Kecoughtan! I hope to make great memories and even greater friends
So Show Dog is upset Soundsations, a group who has been a B group pretty much since they lost their Director of forever and has been through more drama over the last year than any choir ever should. Don't they have a new director also this year clearly qualifying them to be a B group?, plus... ya know what, done. If this was really about Patrick Henry I feel sorry for you.
And I know Beavercreek very well. Been there, shopped at your outdoor mall, I've seen Friends live. (twas doing a show in Springboro) I had a friend who moved from MtZion to a school here in VA where they didnt even have show choir. He died... not really but he wasnt happy. Glad to see your still sticking with it!
Hmmm, I saw everyones forms they sent in when I was at Hanover in February because im nosey and I don't see anything different in the B division. I'm not 100%, but im 99... Everyone looks like they competed in the catagorey they should have. Not a huge "surprise" in the results, though I'm sure switching even one judge with someone else could've changed around the entire top 3 in the A division. I can't wait to see the DVD of this competition.
Clover Hill, The judges say you were the best thing in VA that they've seen in years.
Cosby, Saw yall at Powhatan and fell in love. FinAlly an updated contemporary group in VA! (Though I don't descriminate, It's just refreshing seeing yall) I think everyone can see who the East Coast Powerhouse of the future is.
Much love errybody and breaks legs Saturday!
Actually Patrick Henry's "Soundsations" were an A group and dropped to B. But that's not the point haha. Yeah It was hard going from one of the top show choirs in the state of Ohio to Poquoson Virginia where we have a rep for being the show choir nobody ever remembers. Thank you all for the compliments on our show this year! It means a lot. We literally started everything from legit scratch. It was rough. The worst thing is we spend so much time stressing about what we don't have, trying to make the best show we can with out any resources at all. I love everyone in any show choir. I am so excited for this Saturday at Kecoughtan! I hope to make great memories and even greater friends
I am so proud of the students! You guys are fabulous. It is not your fault that you have been subject to a bad economy that the adults have created. It is not your fault school budgets have been cut so hard. You all have fabulous shows and have worked so hard. It is your job to go out and have fun and do what you do best! It is the grown ups job to make sure it is safe and fair. Setting standards to make things right only causes fear for those who benefit from it being wrong. I love all the shows this year! They are creative and full of talent.
And for everyones info...I was never talking about Menchville. I was talking about the group who originally signed up for the competition as an "A" team and then switched right before the competition to "B". That was not Menchville.
I am done here, because everyone misunderstood my point...and the janitor threw most of our backdrop away and we must rebuild. "Break a leg!"
Hmmm, I saw everyones forms they sent in when I was at Hanover in February because im nosey and I don't see anything different in the B division. I'm not 100%, but im 99... Everyone looks like they competed in the catagorey they should have. Not a huge "surprise" in the results, though I'm sure switching even one judge with someone else could've changed around the entire top 3 in the A division. I can't wait to see the DVD of this competition.
Clover Hill, The judges say you were the best thing in VA that they've seen in years.
Cosby, Saw yall at Powhatan and fell in love. FinAlly an updated contemporary group in VA! (Though I don't descriminate, It's just refreshing seeing yall) I think everyone can see who the East Coast Powerhouse of the future is.
I am so proud of the students! You guys are fabulous. It is not your fault that you have been subject to a bad economy that the adults have created. It is not your fault school budgets have been cut so hard. You all have fabulous shows and have worked so hard. It is your job to go out and have fun and do what you do best! It is the grown ups job to make sure it is safe and fair. Setting standards to make things right only causes fear for those who benefit from it being wrong. I love all the shows this year! They are creative and full of talent.
And for everyones info...I was never talking about Menchville. I was talking about the group who originally signed up for the competition as an "A" team and then switched right before the competition to "B". That was not Menchville.
I am done here, because everyone misunderstood my point...and the janitor threw most of our backdrop away and we must rebuild. "Break a leg!"
I would just like to take the time out of this 'discussion' to say that I thought Poquoson's show was wonderful this year. I was so glad when we got to see their show before we competed. And the fact that they made their own costumes or worked on their own choreography wasn't evident at all. They looked and sounded wonderful.
And, coming from someone who is craft stupid, I'm super impressed that you guys make your own outfits. I could never do that in a million years. You guys have fantastic show that you should be extremely proud of.
This is really the first year that we have done extremely well. We did win a couple times last year, but as someone said, we didn't place at Hanover. So why are we being persecuted for not moving up to A when we ourselves didn't know how the show would be received, what the judges would feel. If another year goes by and we are still receiving the same place, yes, it would be time for us to move up to A. Personally, I think it would be weird to switch to A with one more competition to go, but that is up to our director and I will trust her judgement either way. But we (our director mostly) worked extremely hard for 6 years to get (m)pulse to where it is today. We're proud of what we have accomplished and you should be proud of Poquoson's accomplishments, regardless of whether or not they have a trophy.
(Just to clarify, I'm not suggesting you aren't proud of them. I know a lot of things can be misunderstood in a computer setting.)
@flooziedrake: its refreshing that you have a positive outlook no matter what (ie going from a "top Midwestern group" to a show choir that is run on fundraising). Thank you for sharing that
Here is my opinion as a student.
I agree with both sides of the arguments, only because I come from a small group that is self efficient. We make our own backdrop, costumes, and do our own choreo. We have broken risers that we can hardy dance on, no stage, and 0 funds. It's very very hard. It sucks that we have all this extra work and have to compete against all these amazing groups in a lower division. BUT it is true that we DO have the option to put fundraisers to use and parent/student fees. Not that we don't do those, the money just goes to different expenses like our spring trip and competition fees. It is all in the hands of the director. It is their option how they want to spend their money, how they design the show, and what choices they make. I congratulate MHSdirector for putting all her hard work into her show, because it has obviously paid off. Judges aren't going to care how poor the group is financially, what they did or didn't spend money on, or if one is bigger than the other. It's not what you lack or have to work with. It's about the skill of the group as a whole, including the mentoring of the director. I used to live in Beavercreek, Ohio, I am in my 9th year of competition show choir, and I know what it's like to be in a top Midwestern group. It's a lot of work and money. A lot different from Poquoson show choirs. I loved Menchville's show and think they have improved miraculously over the past years I have seen them. It is very clear they guys have worked extremely hard. I do think they are capable of competing in A division. I hope most of this made sense. I'm a little scatter brained.
as a student from menchville i absolutely agree with this and some other views expressed. we have absolutely no bitterness towards any other choir and do what we can to help. our risers aren't the best, but we make the best of what we do have at hand. there is no reason to make excuses for the outcome of a competition. whats done is done, and if the directors feel that there is an issue among themselves, then its up to them to bring it to the table and have it discussed. as students, its our jobs to learn and do what our directors advise, because they do know whats best for us. as parents and spectators, its your jobs to support each and every student in what they are doing, because its important to remember we all work hard, whether we have completely adequate resources or not. its not all about that.
Here is my opinion as a student.
I agree with both sides of the arguments, only because I come from a small group that is self efficient. We make our own backdrop, costumes, and do our own choreo. We have broken risers that we can hardy dance on, no stage, and 0 funds. It's very very hard. It sucks that we have all this extra work and have to compete against all these amazing groups in a lower division. BUT it is true that we DO have the option to put fundraisers to use and parent/student fees. Not that we don't do those, the money just goes to different expenses like our spring trip and competition fees. It is all in the hands of the director. It is their option how they want to spend their money, how they design the show, and what choices they make. I congratulate MHSdirector for putting all her hard work into her show, because it has obviously paid off. Judges aren't going to care how poor the group is financially, what they did or didn't spend money on, or if one is bigger than the other. It's not what you lack or have to work with. It's about the skill of the group as a whole, including the mentoring of the director. I used to live in Beavercreek, Ohio, I am in my 9th year of competition show choir, and I know what it's like to be in a top Midwestern group. It's a lot of work and money. A lot different from Poquoson show choirs. I loved Menchville's show and think they have improved miraculously over the past years I have seen them. It is very clear they guys have worked extremely hard. I do think they are capable of competing in A division. I hope most of this made sense. I'm a little scatter brained.
Ok...so you want to turn a blind eye on finding a solution to a problem that I heard the very choir you are speaking of complaining about last all last year. Fine. I stand by my belief that Divisions in choir should have the same standards as every other competition or sporting event. Why do you think there is even an "A" and "B" in the first place? Someone out there figured it was the civilized way to compete. Leave it the way it is, then.
And you say I was "clearly pointing to someone" when I was calling out a "A" group posing as a "B" team... and you "clearly" guessed it was Menchville? Interesting it's so "clear" to you.
Clearly, Ghostwriter and Showoff21 are offended. If you feel better being angry at me for what I am saying, go right ahead...But realize I am just the one who is not afraid to say what many (including Menchville) have been saying for a long time.
It was very clear to me as well. You are correct in saying this is a forum for discussion. However, coming on here and attacking Menchville in your first post is not the best way to start a civil discussion. I'm sure that the same people you keep offending would be more than willing to discuss the divisions if you would change your approach.
Ok...so you want to turn a blind eye on finding a solution to a problem that I heard the very choir you are speaking of complaining about last all last year. Fine. I stand by my belief that Divisions in choir should have the same standards as every other competition or sporting event. Why do you think there is even an "A" and "B" in the first place? Someone out there figured it was the civilized way to compete. Leave it the way it is, then.
And you say I was "clearly pointing to someone" when I was calling out a "A" group posing as a "B" team... and you "clearly" guessed it was Menchville? Interesting it's so "clear" to you.
Clearly, Ghostwriter and Showoff21 are offended. If you feel better being angry at me for what I am saying, go right ahead...But realize I am just the one who is not afraid to say what many (including Menchville) have been saying for a long time.