Predictions
GC: Zionsville BV BC BB
No group in the nation sings better than Zionsville. This has been the case for the last 8-10 years, and I don’t see it changing soon. Their choreography has improved a ton the last few years so I gave them BC too.
1RU: Fishers
Fishers just gets better every year. I could see an impressive 1RU finish here this year.
2RU: Castle
Castle knows how to dance! Their vocals have been steadily improving the last few years too, I could see them getting 1RU as well. Maybe I’m biased idk
3RU: North Central
This is the big question mark for me… in 2018 north central was among the nation’s top 5 groups, but has seemed to steadily place lower since then. I have no doubt they’re a good program, so it’ll be interesting to see what they bring to the table this year.
I respectfully disagree that Zionsville is the best vocal group in the country. They seem to focus on being really loud and should be adding artistry to their singing instead. In addition, there vocals have too much vibrato, and that ruins their vocal blend (especially during the loud sections, the quite sections are better). Sorry for my take, I just had to get it out their in response to yours.
While I also do not think that Zionsville is the best vocal group in the country, I think your reasoning is wildly inaccurate. Zionsville sings beautifully with a lot of dynamic contrast, see their 2020 ballad. They have a lot of vibrato in their sound because they use proper breath support in their vocals, and while you are correct that this can effect blend, in Zionsvilles case it is minor and certainly not “ruined”. When you listen to them sing you can hear that they are not shout singing, they are fully within the level of sound that they can produce.
Reducing their vocal sound to “focusing on being loud” is not productive not constructive criticism. This is a premier vocal group in the country, regardless of region or tier.
I do not think that you intended to be rude to Zionsville, but the wording of your comment certainly implies a lot of negativity.
It looks like there was a late change to the schedule. Castle withdrew due to ISSMA solo & ensemble and New Palestine added to the schedule. The single gender finalists have also been added up above.
Plainfield Quaker Classic 2022
