There's not really anything different... A Division = Groups more established, larger in most cases, B Division = Groups that are less established, maybe a new teacher, are smaller. The school sizes don't really have anything to do with it in VA like they do in WV and some OH competitions. Hopewell and Menchville are B division, they are large schools, they just don't have the funding or huge interest like other schools. The line of which division you HAVE to compete in isnt completely established like it probably should be (like in the South, if your in the smaller div you have to be under 28 members).
There are also no finals in VA mainly due to the lack of interest from Directors and Parents. Theres no cap on the amount of groups able to perform at most competitions, like Manchester and Lee Davis/Hanover so groups start performing around 10am and the last groups will perform around 9pm. Everyone is tired and I think in many minds they think they should've been judged correctly the first time. (I'm a fan of Finals though =-.))
Captions are different at different competitions. Most are now only doing captions for OVERALL SINGLE GENDER and OVERALL MIXED, not necessarily within the divisions, though I believe Powhatan still does, (Which why not? It's just a trophy)
River City unfortunately didn't have a large turnout last year for whatever reason. It's a very well run competition (now being called the Mid-Atlantic Show Choir Spectacular) and so they did the placements within the divisions (4 (sgA, sgB, mA, aB)) and then the captions were given overall. GC was given to the highest score like Dane said, which was the winner of the sgA division.
Not really that different, cut the finals, and do top 3 in each division instead of 5 or 6 like in finals.
well for whatever reason, on the east coast, the only schools that are generally competitive for having the highest overall scores for the night are the large class mixed groups. only the schools with the biggest populations are ever really competitive. i guess because show choir just hasn't taken root financially in smaller schools. so, since its extremely rare for a B group to beat an A group, historically the divisions just compete within each other. atleast that's how i personally understand it.
but here at river city invitational, the idea was to "revolutionize" east coast competitions, and we were the first competition to have finals in our area 2 years ago when this competition first started. but due to conflicts, we didn't have finals this year. however, the overall grand champ was awarded to the group with the highest score. but all other awards remained within each division. does that answer your question?
Haha. I doubt that I end up going but if I do, I'll make sure I say hey. I'd really only be going to see the Clover Hill groups/ Ms. Thomas and Austyn.
To go or not to go on my weekend off. If there were more groups going I would seriously contemplate it. And yes Will, I most definitely agree. Phil is the man!
I've got an official update for RCI, mandated by the beautiful Mrs. Thomas herself
As usual, there will be awards based on placement within each division (Single-Gender, Mixed B, and Mixed A). There won't be finals this year, however, there will be an overall grand champion. The grand champion will go to the choir with the highest overall score for the day. Also, the caption awards this year will consist of Best Choreography, Best Vocals, Best Show Design, Best Crew, and the coveted Cavalier Award (which will be awarded to the group with the best sportsmanship). All divisions compete against eachother for these caption awards, so only one of each award will be given out.
We also have a top-notch judging panel this year from various show choir programs throughout the United States:
Phil Lawson
Brian Robaduh
Byron Sabree
We're all super excited to host such a great collection of talented groups!
Does anyone maybe have a link to an image of the new auditorium? Im interested to see how their technical elements are going to line up. 2 years ago, it was awesome!
I went and saw it when I went to their show choir show preview, it's exactly identical to Cosby's auditorium.
EDIT: I vaguely remember it being a bit smaller, not completely sure though.
Does anyone maybe have a link to an image of the new auditorium? Im interested to see how their technical elements are going to line up. 2 years ago, it was awesome!
During Finals they did... But during the day round they didn't. Maybe they'll still judge overall? Who knows?... I do know I'm excited to see their new auditorium though!
Clover Hill River City Invitational 2011
