No John Burroughs High School is not a Performing arts school
There is around 2700 students from grade 9 to 12
No we are not (rich) and the School district does not Provide alot of finacial support. 98% of the costs come from the individual families or comes from fundraising.
There are around 180 students that are in our Vocal Music program who all learn classical as well a show choir.
There is 4 main choirs that learn during the school hours and there is 3 other choirs and one dance group that are after school.
Decibells (Intermediate Womens)
SoundWaves (Intermediate Mixed)
Soundsensations (Advanced Womens)
Powerhouse (Advanced Mixed)
Men at Work (Mens) Open to most Men incuding Tech
Muses (Select group of Soundsensations)
Vocal Ensemble (Select group of Powerhouse)
Dance ensemble (Select group of dancers)
Hope this helps
Wow that REALLY surprises me that the school district does not give you guys a whole lot of help. With how incredible your program is I would assume it to be the pride of the school and the administration over there.
I don't believe Burroughs is a performing arts school, but because they are from Burbank Cali, you can bet there is a lot of wealth where they live, and a LOT of people, so their high school probably graduates atleast 700 seniors a year. Just a guess. Also based on my observations their program is one of the more popular things to be involved in, so they get large numbers trying out, resulting in very good choirs. Anyone from Burroughs to confirm any of this? Its just speculation of course.
No John Burroughs High School is not a Performing arts school
There is around 2700 students from grade 9 to 12
No we are not (rich) and the School district does not Provide alot of finacial support. 98% of the costs come from the individual families or comes from fundraising.
There are around 180 students that are in our Vocal Music program who all learn classical as well a show choir.
There is 4 main choirs that learn during the school hours and there is 3 other choirs and one dance group that are after school.
Decibells (Intermediate Womens)
SoundWaves (Intermediate Mixed)
Soundsensations (Advanced Womens)
Powerhouse (Advanced Mixed)
Men at Work (Mens) Open to most Men incuding Tech
Muses (Select group of Soundsensations)
Vocal Ensemble (Select group of Powerhouse)
Dance ensemble (Select group of dancers)
How big is Burroughs program? How many kids are in their choir program TOTAL and not just show choir? Also, is it a performing arts high school? I had heard that but have never really seen it posted. Just curious.
I don't believe Burroughs is a performing arts school, but because they are from Burbank Cali, you can bet there is a lot of wealth where they live, and a LOT of people, so their high school probably graduates atleast 700 seniors a year. Just a guess. Also based on my observations their program is one of the more popular things to be involved in, so they get large numbers trying out, resulting in very good choirs. Anyone from Burroughs to confirm any of this? Its just speculation of course.
You weren't joking...so no you can't. If you or anyone elese says that crap again I'll call you out every single time. If I wanted to read Bush Bashing I wouldn't be on a freakin Show Choir board.
Whoa. Bush bashing is EVERYWHERE. Get used to it. Pretty soon there will be a new president and they will be bashed daily also. And by the way Jorge, it made me laugh. As it's often pointed out on this forum....everyone is entitled to their opinion.
Andy, go check out their website- it will make more sense. They have a huge program. www.jbhsvma.com
How big is Burroughs program? How many kids are in their choir program TOTAL and not just show choir? Also, is it a performing arts high school? I had heard that but have never really seen it posted. Just curious.
QUOTE(Cody Mac @ Apr 10 2008, 07:27 PM) [snapback]432671[/snapback]
First of all, thank you for critiquing South Jones! Most people have forgotten "Company" was even at the competition, with the Big 4 being there and all (which is pretty understandable, I suppose). South was honored to make finals and score where they did in relation to some of the biggest names in the country.
I loved south jones, i hadn't heard anything about them before the competition, perhaps that was some of the overshadowing, but i think they proved to everyone at the competition that they were a talented group and someone to pay attention to in the future .
John Burroughs did more than sing and dance well. they told a story on stage while showing that the artistic limits of the show choir medium have only just begun to be pushed.
amen.
the show choir as we know it is in the midst of change.
in a good way.
South Jones "Company"
i am also not a fan of Southern show choir as a whole. the singing's bright, the hair can be ridiculous and the region as a whole is given to widespread Clinton forgery.
First of all, thank you for critiquing South Jones! Most people have forgotten "Company" was even at the competition, with the Big 4 being there and all (which is pretty understandable, I suppose). South was honored to make finals and score where they did in relation to some of the biggest names in the country.
I'll agree with you, the vocal tones do tend to be brighter in the South than in other regions. Even with that knowledge, however, it's hard to break that trend when Southern judges harp on bright tone now-a-days (not that they're wrong, or that I'm trying to bash anyone, just making a point). If judges are looking for bright vocals and you aren't giving it to them, you aren't going to place well.
And let's face it- no one likes to lose. No, show choir isn't all about winning.
But no one likes to lose.
Also, I can definitely see why you'd accuse many Southern show choirs of "Clinton forgery", because most choirs down here are very much like them. However, Clinton didn't invent "the poof", sharp choreography, or stellar backdrops. Others in this past decade have done the same things right alongside them; Clinton has just been the best and most well-traveled group in the Southern region, until the past few years. As audiences from other regions are starting to see more of groups like South Jones, Long Beach (when they existed, anyway) and Homewood, they're associating things to be "Clinton-esque", when it's really "Southern-esque".
Albeit, I idolized Clinton when I was in show choir, and rightfully so; who better to mimmick as a growing program than a group who hadn't recieved anything short of a Grand Championship in several years?
the popularity of this topic is slowly fading, but i'd like to comment on the performances that i feel extremely lucky to have seen live. FAME Chicago brought together four show choirs that can truly claim to be among the best in the nation. being an audience member during finals competition was a wonderful and educational experience, and i was overjoyed to be able to meet and commentate with some extremely savvy people. i only hope my future experiences at national competitions can come close to matching mine at FAME Chicago.
John Burroughs "Sound Sensations"
i am not a fan of single gender choirs. their shows are nearly always feminine fluff, in the case of women's choirs at least, and their sound seems to be missing the bottom that male voices can provide. but, "Sound Sensations" managed to charm me in spite of my prior objections. besides the Crete-Monee Faces in 2005, this was the best performance i have seen from a women's show choir. the tropical theme was fun, though the song selections managed to be much more than just cute. the singing was good, and the choreography was very clean and not always unison - much appreciated.
South Jones "Company"
i am also not a fan of Southern show choir as a whole. the singing's bright, the hair can be ridiculous and the region as a whole is given to widespread Clinton forgery. thankfully, "Company" proved in finals that they had the energy and commitment to their show that was required to be named a finalist at a competition like FAME Chicago. while the tone was still a bit bright for my taste, and the song selections of the latter half left me cold, i was pleased with the group's improvement from daytime to finals competition.
Waubonsie Valley "WV Sound Check"
wow. that single word comes to mind in describing "WV Sound Check"'s daytime performance. that was one of the most intensive show choir sets i have seen, and perhaps the single best daytime performance i have seen from any choir. i was shocked to hear that Waubonsie Valley was placed third going into finals, and i know others who had the same reaction. unfortunately, in finals "WV Sound Check" was the only choir to not improve from their previous showing, hence the placement of fourth. however the choir has much to be proud of, as their "Tye Tribbett Medley" is my favorite show choir opener. vocally, they also shined in "Listen" and their stage presence throughout the show was energetic and strong. i look forward to hearing much more from this group in the years to come.
North Central "Counterpoints"
at times, i have never been more entertained. at times, i have never been more confused. these two reactions informed my experience during North Central's wonderful but polarizing set. the group obviously takes pride in their unique presence and daring show design choices. it is that confidence that allowed this seemingly random show to work at the level it did. "Flying Home" was probably the best ballad performed at FAME Chicago, which is saying much considering the quality of Waubonsie Valley's and John Burroughs's selections. i also liked the distinctive arrangements of contemporary songs like "Don't Stop the Music" and "Deja Vu." i hope to see "Counterpoints" live again in the near future, though perhaps with a show that is more easily followed.
Clinton "Attache"
my expectations for "Attache" were low coming into FAME Chicago. after seeing the group live for the first time last year, and not being impressed with the vocals then, it was distressing to hear that their singing might be in worse shape this season. Clinton's daytime performance delivered on all the negative comments i had been hearing, and even presented new issues in there being tempo issues with the band in the opener. however, "Attache" was redeemed in their tremendous improvement from daytime to finals. if it wasn't for the equally impressive transformation of John Burroughs, Clinton would have been the biggest surprise of finals. i still found the vocal tone to be warbly, and even syrupy in attacking the notes, but the accompaniment was much tighter and the dancing was more energetic.
John Burroughs "Powerhouse"
"Powerhouse" is an appropriate name for this show choir. after their performance in finals, it became increasingly clear that everyone else was competing for second place. vocally, i can think of few other groups with such a wonderful, choral and yet youthful tone. the singing was impressive throughout the show, though i had expected a bit more projection from watching video of the group previously. the choreography was clean, appropriate and gave the feeling of actually interpreting the music into movement. that is the point of choreography, and yet there have been few times when i feel i have seen it done as successfully as "Powerhouse" did at FAME Chicago. what set the group apart more so than technical aptitude though was the obvious importance placed on creating and performing a show. the connective thread from the first number to the last was apparent and much appreciated as an audience member. John Burroughs did more than sing and dance well. they told a story on stage while showing that the artistic limits of the show choir medium have only just begun to be pushed.
FAME Chicago 2008
Most people have forgotten "Company" was even at the competition, with the Big 4 being there and all (which is pretty understandable, I suppose). South was honored to make finals and score where they did in relation to some of the biggest names in the country.
