I'm kinda sad I didn't get to see more groups. I watched a couple in the day rounds, and then fell asleep in the homeroom. Didn't even watch any finalists...too busy trying to sleep off my own sickness, which didn't really work, but whatever.
However, to the one group that I remember watching...
Westside Delegation -- I saw you guys back at Davenport North...and even then I was impressed, though there was a lot of work to be done. After seeing you all on Saturday, I must say congratulations. It's obvious that you guys have worked really hard. Everything was really clean and when I hear "Requiem" I get chills. The only criticism I have is that there was a bit of a breathy tone towards the end of your show, but other than that, it was fantabulous! I love you guys!
And on a side note...the one group that has the stairs in the middle of their show for their ballad...is that Westside too? Well, whoever it was, the one boy that fell when he was trying to get the stairs off the risers, is he okay? He took quite a tumble...
Let me just say, as an alum, it was very relaxing not having to work or get ready to perform at Spectacular. I could actually eat something and watch groups, a luxury for our hard-working show choir members and parents.
Bemidji: I love you guys. I've always loved you. It made my day to see your boys come out in those shiny tanktops--its been a hallmark of my time in show choir because you always have them, and it makes me happy. The choreography was very sharp and clean, but I'm not sure if I would've given you best vocals. They were good, but not phenomenal. I loved the theme this year and the chairs were great props. Congrats on the win!
GCS: I only got to see you guys once, but I liked what I saw. Maybe a little too much gold in the costuming, but otherwise your props were very cool and added to your show. You guys do Mike Weaver very well, and everything looked really clean except for the hat number. I thought the beginning of your show through the ballad was very high energy and entertaining, but the show stayed at one level throughout the rest of the show. Keep that energy pumped and you'll be unstoppable. Congrats on 2nd and Best Band!
Davenport: I would've given you guys Best Vocals--they were very good with nice diction and tone. Your novelty made me laugh hysterically The choreography needs some cleaning--you need to make sure everything is together. I really liked the costuming for you guys as well. I hear many people were impressed with your show and your placing, so good work!
Cedar Rapids--I'm a fan of your show. and I especially enjoyed the tap number; people say that show choirs always do tap numbers, but honestly I think I've only seen 2 or 3 groups do it ever. Good vocals (way to represent Iowa in that respect) but you guys also need to focus on cleaning your choreography. I was terrified when you had trouble with the stars!
Waconia--When I first saw you guys at Viterbo, I honestly didn't like your show. I found it a little boring. But you guys really pumped it up on Saturday! The energy level was through the roof! I also though your opener costumes were a little too sparkly and kind of strange. I enjoyed the song from Enchanted The vocals were weaker than I would've liked, so work on projecting your sound.
Bloomington Jefferson: I've seen your show 4 times this year, and I've always liked it but never loved it. Your band, however, is fantastic and I'm sure it got lots of points on the score sheet. I think the biggest problem is the volume of your vocals. If you can increase that volume and still keep a rich tone, it'll greatly improve your score. Also pump up the energy in your choreography; it will make your show pop and the judges will take notice.
T-tones: I saw major improvements of your show since you competed at Hastings; I think you will do a great job at Branson. The choreography was much cleaner, but I still could use some more sound in the vocals. Also, be confident when you have a solo; getting nervous will close up your throat and pinch the sound a little, so try and relax. Thriller is my favorite number, with Beggin' as a close second.
Company: I don't think I've ever seen you perform your show with so much energy; I don't know if it was because you were more relaxed since you weren't competing or what, but it was so high energy! The choreography keeps getting cleaner and cleaner! I keep meaning to tell you: when you are tired after a long dance break, don't let it show in your vocals. They still need to be strong, like all that dancing was like a walk in the park. Whenever the girls sing alone, make that a little louder. The band is still as strong as ever, so keep up the good work!
Encore: I also saw a lot of improvement from you guys since Hastings! Good job! I know you have a lot of new members, so its been quite a ride, but stay confident. I'd like to hear some stronger vocals, but the choreography looked quite clean. I'm a little disheartened that you don't have a strong horn section, but the band is still doing well. I'm proud of you for doing so well, and I wish you luck the rest of the season!
All groups did a wonderful job. Bemidji--great work. Quick thing--Totino's cookies...OMGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG. Delicious.
Quick thing: Waconia: EC loves your show. If any of you saw us we did part of your opener dance with you in the back. (The part with the four girls swinging around in the corner) Your finals show rocked!
I THOUGHT I SAW YOU !!!! I WAS GONNA SAY HI!!! DARN IT.
Class A
Best Female Soloist- Bemdji "La Voce Ballo"
Best Male Soloist- Taylor Stoddard-Benton "Celebration Co."
Class AA
Best Female Soloist- Kelsey Vandenberg- Davenport Central "Central Singers Inc."
Best Male Soloist- Janesville Craig
wait wait wait sooo... the opener soloist for Bemidji DIDNT win? I believe this was her first loss of the year... that Kelsey girl must have been VERY good!!
We had the BEST HOST EVER! I would like to say I'm sorry if I scared them a little, because I was really hyper yesterday, and i kind of cursed a lot. Also, big shout out to JENNA who gave us amazing advice in our warm-up, and it really did help the group out a lot! Our group was definitely impressed with the decorations in the homerooms, and especially in the cafeteria!
Speaking of the cafeteria, TOTINO-GRACE HAS THE BEST FOOD I'VE EVER HAD AT A SHOW CHOIR COMPETITION, EVEN THAT MY OWN SCHOOL HOSTS! The chicken strips and fries seriously made my day (along with the SNAPPLE!)
I just want to say congratulations to BEMIDJI, your show was AMAZING! Congratulations goes out to all the other groups as well. This was definitely our hardest competition considering all the outstanding groups that were there.
GCS, Your vocals blew me away, and I LOVE YOUR COSTUMES.
LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. I obsessed over them all day (:
=D thanks. That means a lot considering a good deal of us were sick. My throat was killing me after yesterday. >.<
And I just wanna extend a thank you to our room hosts. You guys were AMAZING. Definitely the best hosts we've had so far this year, and the room was fantastic.
Spots definitely enjoyed their first time at Totino! Obviously, we're a little disappointed, but we knew going into yesterday that this would be by far our toughest competition. On a more positive note, does anyone know which won for best decorations? I sure hope our hosts did, the club they set up for us was amazing!
-Totino has the nicest atmosphere I've ever been to. The parents were so welcoming and helpful. I'm also a HUGE fan of the room designing contest, because that made everything look really awesome throughout the halls, not to mention the fact that our room looked amazing when we first saw it.
-Our hosts were awesome. It sure looked like they were extremely helpful, and very nice. Also, as previously stated above, they designed an awesome room.
-Whoever thought of having cheesecake at Totino's comp long ago, was a genius.
-The end of the day round was the most clustered thing I've ever been through. It was ridiculous.
-Mega psyched about making finals in our first time at Totino, and at our toughest competition of the year.
Ovation- I didn't get to see La Voce, but from your performance I thought that you guys would win Class A. You're so talented, and have such a great show. In my minds eye, the best prep group in Iowa
WSD- Best performance that I've ever seen out of you guys. I only watched you guys during the prelims, but it was such an improvement over past competitions. I still think there could have been more accomplished vocally, but the choreography was very good. Yesterday was the first time that I've ever heard "Beggin" projected well by the guys. I still don't like the stars or the canes, but it's too late to take that stuff out (considering that this is your last competition). Good job!
Bloomington Jeff- You guys had some great costumes, but I did not have you guys in finals. The choreography didn't look incredibly difficult or energized and the vocals were okay, but overall I didn't think you would get in after what I'd heard about Janesville.
Waconia- During the day round I left your show rather confused. I don't know why, but I just was. The girls costumes at the opening literally hurt my eyes. The way the light hit them made me not be able to look at them. I felt so bad for the girl who's dress fell off during the Enchanted song. The night round was much better. The choreography seemed much more pumped up than before, and I started liking the show a little bit more. The opener was pretty decent, but I would've preferred more singing by the choir instead of having most of it done by the two soloists. The ballad sounded pretty good, couldn't sense a lot of problems there. I like the 4th song, but I wasn't really sure what you guys were doing with it; I don't know whether it was supposed to be a goofy song or a serious song. I kind of liked the "Time Medley", but I think it would've been better if there had been songs that flowed together stylistically. A much bigger improvement over the day round show.
LaCrosse Central- You kids are so talented. I think the show itself was kind of boring, but Mr. Esser sure has your guys show looking great. The vocals were the best that I had heard all day, but I think that there could have been more projection. The song before the closer with all the hats looked kind of sloppy at some parts. I also have to say two more things:
1. I would be petrified to have to dance on the very top riser, especially at Totino.
2. Cameron Arndt is one of the best performers I've ever seen.
Bemidji- Incredibly clean, and I loved the song selection, but I thought that LaX Central's vocals were better. Every single song had fantastic choreography, and you guys were definitely not lacking in energy. The chairs were so cool, and added a nice effect to the show. The opening soloist was fantastic! The whole show was just overall great, and I thought that you guys would win.
It was great hanging out with Trey at not only the competition, but also at Taco KFC and at the Mall of America. It was also great meeting Adam Miller and Cam. I was however disappointed that I didn't get to meet the famous Ana Kraemer.
I would have said something about Totino, but I could only see the back riser because I was sitting by the bleachers and on the floor. I've heard from many people that they were phenomenal. I guess I'll have to wait until I get the DVD.
Totino Grace Show Choir Spectacular 2009
