If you like musical shows, then it's too bad that you're not going to see Mayville in person this year, unless you already did. Having seen Mayville's show three times (and Sauk once), I definitely think it was even better than Sauk. Ironically, Davenport West and Mayville are both going to Brodhead this year, but I take it you'll be at CR Kennedy.
Yep... I'll be with Muscatine competing with the amazing Xavier, Urbandale, Davenport Central, and Cedar Rapids Washington at Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
I'm sure Mayville does a fantastic job with their show... but something also tells me that "Hunchback" probably wouldn't have touched me as much as "Working" does/did.
I will say though, Mayville was the first NON-Davenport show choir I saw some seven years ago when I was a wee freshman host at Great River. Their "Anti-War" show was amazing (Another story I always tell)... one of my favorites of all time.
-I would just like to say thank you to everyone who made Great River 2010 as wonderful a competition as possible! I think this is by far my favorite year of Great River since I've been coming to it since 2003. For anyone who wasn't happy with something, I hope that it improves (except the homeroom squares. That will never go away ).
-I honestly could not see me hosting anyone at this competition except for Wheaton-Warrenville. I'm not that big into hosting, mostly because I want to watch a bunch of groups, however hosting you guys was an absolute treat! Everybody was so incredibly awesome, and I can't think of a bad thing to say about you guys. I was so happy when you guys won and charged the stage...5 mins after awards were done lol. I truly hope that you guys decide to come back next year because it was just marvelous having you guys at Great River.
-Everybody that I talked to at Great River, no matter how long, I enjoyed seeing you. That would be: Jay Burken, Chris Stolba, Xavier alum sitting next to Chris (I forgot her name ), Adam Peters, Kevin Chase, Nick Oswald, Ben Schrank, Fro Jimmy, Margaux, Dwight Jordan (I was like a giddy school girl), Mr. Burlace, and probably most of all Joe Foltz, who really helped me get to know the WWS people. Can't wait for college next year!
Hope to see you all next year! I hope I'll be coming!
If you like musical shows, then it's too bad that you're not going to see Mayville in person this year, unless you already did. Having seen Mayville's show three times (and Sauk once), I definitely think it was even better than Sauk. Ironically, Davenport West and Mayville are both going to Brodhead this year, but I take it you'll be at CR Kennedy.
What a fantastic day of high caliber show choir! This competition was probably the most intense in all of the country yesterday. Props to Davenport Central, and my alma mater Davenport West for putting on a high quality competition for all to enjoy.
Here are some short comments on shows...
Wheaton Warrenville- You came to win! You seriously won this competition with the conclusion of your prelims performance... after that, everyone else was competing for second place. Your show is so much fun and I feel like all the performers are SO genuine... nothing is ever forced and it is all just really high energy yet "chill" at the same time. Your ballad is gorgeous- such a beautiful sound and great message. I love the 4th song just to watch all the 13-18 year old girls FREAK OUT over the 6 boys on stage.... So funny and a stroke of genius on whoever thought of that section. Kudos to you, Mr. Burlace, Dwight Jordan, and anyone else who equates into your success. I can't wait to see your show at your competition! (shout out to Ellie Jordan... I am so happy to see that your senior year gets to be filled with this beautiful show choir- and we get to see your raw awesomeness on stage.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy- I'm going to keep it really really short because I'll get to gush more when I see you at your own competition AND FAME Chicago. I love Happiness, Inc. with all of my heart. (I know everyone is thinking, "How many times have we heard that one?") Once again... you conjured upon the "Great River" magic of yours and pulled out an amazing performance in finals. Be proud of what you did... move forward and work even harder to pull off an AMAZING finish at Chicago!
Cedar Rapids Washington- I felt that I enjoyed the first half of your show more when you competed at our competition... it seemed actually a little bit more polished at Musc... but the second half was fantastic. Your ballad is just haunting. Give me goosebumps every time and leaves me on the verge of shedding a tear. (I bought the original off of iTunes and would gladly listen to your version any day over it) I love Jai Ho... but I'm still waiting for the "Jersey Shore" moment to disappear from it. :-p Fantastic job Mo, one of my favorite Mo shows of all time (right under 1998).
Waconia- Wow wow wow. You blew me away during the prelims! It is the best Power Company I have EVER seen. My first time seeing you was waaaay back in 2004... and you guys have come SO far. The vocals in the ballad were fantastic... and your show as a whole is really high-energy. My only complaint was the closer. I really feel like you guys don't even need it. It seems like its not at the same level performance wise as the rest of the show... and the ending of Disturbia really does feel like its the end of the show. I'm sure you won't drop it just because little ole' "Jorge" says soo... but I would even consider moving it to the fourth song and closing with SOS/Disturbia. Just my little opinion. I didn't predict you as high as I should of in finals just because you went first... silly me. You really deserved your placing. Congrats! And thanks for FINALLY coming to Great River!
Linn Mar- I was left a little clueless after day round... but you really stepped it up in finals. I feel like its not the same 10th Street formula from the past 3 years... congrats on a great finish to your season!
and last but certainly not least... Sauk Prairie-
I am choosing to let myself gush over you guys because this was sadly my only time I get to see you this year. (Over the past few years, I feel like I normally get to see your show like at least 6 times a season. haha) I've heard nothing but mediocre and somewhat bad reviews since the start of your season... but none-the-less your performance was the one I was most eager to see yesterday. Your prelims performance honestly floored me. I sat there and wondered... "What the hell has everyone else been watching!?" It was just phenomenal. I sat there in tears sitting in front of a delegation of Sauk Prairie people (including Mrs. Luher) and just had to turn around and say, "I just don't get it... how these kids bring SOOOO much passion to the stage!" Not surprisingly, their eyes were filled with tears too. Its not really a new thing... I shouldn't have been that wowed because EVERY year, you guys bring so much passion and gusto to the stage- but this year was just even more. Lets be real here- "Working" is a long ways away from being one of the best musicals of all time. The songs aren't that thrilling ... but I feel like I really enjoyed all of your versions. Mr. Terrian did some of his best work with this show, bringing some of the more boring songs to life. Usually... I like to sit and pick out little bits of choreography I have seen in previous Exec shows... but it didn't seem like there was any in the show... or if there was, I was simply too blown away by some of the individual performers to notice. Two in particular, Dandy from Bugsy... and the Best Female soloist just gave sooooo much to the stage. I couldn't take my eyes off of them half of the time. But when I did... everyone was giving it their all, sticking to their characters and just being the true essence of the late 70s/early 80s American worker.
In finals... I wasn't as thrilled as I was in the day. I felt that the band overplayed... making it really hard to hear lyrics (then again, I sat on the floor in the day and balcony in finals)... so it didn't quite set us all up for the show stopping / tear producing closer. At the same time, my colleague said that he PREFERRED the finals performance. So, what do I know?
I love what is done at Sauk. I love that you guys perform twenty five minute musicals. Some people don't... I heard one of my friends say... "I'm two minutes into Sauk's show and I already hate it." You can't please everyone. But... one thing that CAN'T be said is that what you do is NOT show choir. That is FALSE. Show Choir can be a variety of things... it is an artform that is constantly changing and should never be pegged as ONE thing. No matter how you do throughout a season- just remember that you ARE touching people. That is what counts. Opinions come and go... but the memories you make on that stage and the lasting impressions created will last forever. The PASSION that you guys exude is palpable- that is your lasting legacy. Congrats to you. And thank you Mrs. Halloway and Mrs. Luher for giving these kids the tools to be amazing performers.
End of Sauk Gush Rant.
Some other favorite moments from Great River-
-The squirrel in the balcony during finals.
-Xavier children sitting with us during finals. HIGHLY entertaining.
-The emcee making performers wait on stage while he clumsily throws shirts... I really do need to start that "emcee 101" class.
-Seeing and chatting with 4/5th of the wonderful Jordan fam.
-Kevin Chase.
-Being told I have "amazing style" by a Happiness girl. Thanks!
-"Hey... are you Jorge?"
Sooooooo getting back on topic XD shout out to the soloist entry's that performed before finals. I got there right before finals just in time to see you 3 and all of them were incredible. I never thought I would ever hear King of the World performed that well by a high schooler! I was absolutely blown away. Not to take away from Everything I Know and Someone to Lean Back On because you were also realllllllllyyy good. Congrats!
From a former editor of technical manuals I have to intervene in this off topic diversion. It is most definitely and positively theirs without an apostrophe.
Sorry, Linds.
If you look at my original post, Mr. Temple, that actually means I do in fact earn the point.
You
Kennedy: Normally i'm not the biggest fan of novelties, but I absolutely LOVED yours. Kara Kruchten and I high fived during the farmville part, and I was almost in tears with laughter! Mad World was beautiful. Very chilling and well done! I love a dark ballad!
The farmville novelty was Davenport Central. Kennedy did the one "Men are from Mars, Women Are from Venus"
I had a blast for the day! Met some really cool girls was Waconia, and then they stalked us at the truck stop (despite what they think )
Wheaton Warrenville you didn't disapoint at all. Loved the opener. Didn't care for the ballad, but you guys sang it very well! Loved the opener and closer.
Washington I am so proud of your finals performance it was wonderful. I had you guys a bit higher then you were placed, but it was a tough competition and some wonderful performances last night!
Waconia- Glad to have seen you back kickin some butt. I remember first time i had seen a show from you was Milton in 05' the Blue Man group year and fell in love and this whole show has got me singing to it still. Usually not a fan of the pop music but i loved the Rihanna and your opening dresses are STUNNING. I am in love. Wasn't a huge fan of the closer, but Hannah Montana doesn't really do it for me (yes... i knew it was Hannah Montana right away *sigh*) You had the spot i thought you deserved.
Sauk- Good job to you guys, you do what you do very well. The female soloist was great and congrats to her! I'm sure i'll see you next year.
Kennedy- It was a good show, I love your ballad. Just the show in general doesn't get me like other shows in the past. 3rd time i've seen you, and I just have problems hearing what you are saying in your novelty especially.
Linn Mar- Good job making finals, i'm sure that was nice to get back to. Your finals perfomance showed why you deserved to be there last week especially. Its not my favorite show i've seen of you guys. But finals worthy.
There is one thing I do have to gripe about. That finals emcee. He was obnoxious and to keep two groups on stage for as long as he did, Waconia and Linn Mar, was not acceptable. Linn Mar was there much longer as he decided to throw 3 t-shirts in the audience and THEN thanked the 100 million sponsers. Do that in between groups, not right before a group goes on.
You caught us! Haha.
But thank you so much!
It was so much fun to see all of these groups we never get the opportunity to compete against. That's the blessing of an early performance slot...you get to see everyone else perform! I was blown away by every group I saw! We were also blown away by the performance venue. We knew it would be really nice, but it was by far the best place we've ever performed in my opinion. Even better than Disneyworld!
Protege: I was really confused when I first saw your show...because you all were so amazing!! Like Cece said, we were all astounded that you were a prep group!
Linn Mar: I can't express how grateful we are for all of your support! We were a little worried, since our prep group wasn't on the trip, and a lot of parents were unable to make such a long drive that we would have a dead audience, but you guys made up for our loss of "fans". Thanks again! Your show was incredible, and your ballad was breathtaking! I also want one of the pink dresses.
Kennedy: Normally i'm not the biggest fan of novelties, but I absolutely LOVED yours. Kara Kruchten and I high fived during the farmville part, and I was almost in tears with laughter! Mad World was beautiful. Very chilling and well done! I love a dark ballad!
Wheaton: I'm so glad we've gotten the opportunity to see you live twice this year! Your vocals leave me shocked and speechless every time! Your opener is probably my favorite of the year. It reminds me of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Very Durmstrang-esque. Haha.
Yet another thank you to our amazing hosts
You guys made us feel very welcome!
From a former editor of technical manuals I have to intervene in this off topic diversion. It is most definitely and positively theirs without an apostrophe.
Wowowowow! What a great weekend, although I am SUPER bummed I didn't get to meet anyone. Not fair. Booo :/
Ps. When we went to the truck stop.. I spent 14$ on random stuff I didn't eat. When Mr. O woke us up this morning on the bus I was like uhhh why did I buy grapefruit juice and 3 things of bottlecaps?
I finally figured out which girl you were when y'all were waiting for the solos to get over before finals. I must say, you're really cute...Just sayin'.
I also spent an absurd amount of money at the Truck Stop, but I had to be back in Ames for work at the crack of dawn and needed sustenance.
Linds, according to my TEFL class, I'm correct. BUT, every American will write it as "theirs". I'll give you 3 HaakonPoints.
Wowowowow! What a great weekend, although I am SUPER bummed I didn't get to meet anyone. Not fair. Booo :/
Our hosts ROCKED.
Jonathan and Will, thank you for having our backs and just revving us up continually! And putting up with my annoying questions! Sarah and Dominic, thanks for keeping it going!
Protege- The first group I saw and I could not believe with every fiber of my being that you are a prep group. NO WAY. You are varsity and I refuse to believe otherwise! You are incredible!
Iowa City- I love love love love loved your boys number.
Iowa City West- I WANT ONE OF THOSE OPENING GIRLS DRESSES!!!! Hhaha. But incredible precision on your choreography.
Sauk Prarie- I love the building song. I almost cried. And Kalie Larson is amazing if I may say (:
Linn Mar- Lovelovelove you guys! Awesome show! I love the girls dresses and the shoes! AHH! You guys are so sweet and supportive. Thanks for cheering us on in pre lims (: I hope you guys could hear us screaming for you!
Kennedy- Wow! Awesome show, I loved it! The novelty was HILARIOUS. I always have a tendency to love Damon Novelties. Mad world was awesome too! Love you guys!
Wheaton- I talked to a couple of you guys but your finals performance was absolutely incredible. I was crying my eyes out during the ballad and could not help but stand. I wish we were seeing you guys again. I love everything about your show. Congratulations on GC! (:
Ps. When we went to the truck stop.. I spent 14$ on random stuff I didn't eat. When Mr. O woke us up this morning on the bus I was like uhhh why did I buy grapefruit juice and 3 things of bottlecaps?
I had a blast for the day! Met some really cool girls was Waconia, and then they stalked us at the truck stop (despite what they think )
Wheaton Warrenville you didn't disapoint at all. Loved the opener. Didn't care for the ballad, but you guys sang it very well! Loved the opener and closer.
Washington I am so proud of your finals performance it was wonderful. I had you guys a bit higher then you were placed, but it was a tough competition and some wonderful performances last night!
Waconia- Glad to have seen you back kickin some butt. I remember first time i had seen a show from you was Milton in 05' the Blue Man group year and fell in love and this whole show has got me singing to it still. Usually not a fan of the pop music but i loved the Rihanna and your opening dresses are STUNNING. I am in love. Wasn't a huge fan of the closer, but Hannah Montana doesn't really do it for me (yes... i knew it was Hannah Montana right away *sigh*) You had the spot i thought you deserved.
Sauk- Good job to you guys, you do what you do very well. The female soloist was great and congrats to her! I'm sure i'll see you next year.
Kennedy- It was a good show, I love your ballad. Just the show in general doesn't get me like other shows in the past. 3rd time i've seen you, and I just have problems hearing what you are saying in your novelty especially.
Linn Mar- Good job making finals, i'm sure that was nice to get back to. Your finals perfomance showed why you deserved to be there last week especially. Its not my favorite show i've seen of you guys. But finals worthy.
There is one thing I do have to gripe about. That finals emcee. He was obnoxious and to keep two groups on stage for as long as he did, Waconia and Linn Mar, was not acceptable. Linn Mar was there much longer as he decided to throw 3 t-shirts in the audience and THEN thanked the 100 million sponsers. Do that in between groups, not right before a group goes on.
I'm normally not a fan, but Sauk's show was my favorite. "See That Building," was beyond beautiful and incredibly heartfelt. I am glad that they shard their show with us.
Thank you on behalf of Exec!! We really felt good about our show yesterday! And I can say that all of us enjoyed sharing it with you just as you enjoyed it!
Davenport Great River Show Choir Invitational (Day Two) 2010
).
), Adam Peters, Kevin Chase, Nick Oswald, Ben Schrank, Fro Jimmy, Margaux, Dwight Jordan (I was like a giddy school girl), Mr. Burlace, and probably most of all Joe Foltz, who really helped me get to know the WWS people. Can't wait for college next year!
I will take that HaakonPoint thank you