Twinsburg show is absolutely amazing with clean cut cookie cutter choreography(there guys spin is absolutely amazing/they all spin very well!) there show is different and cool to watch! I competed with them at Fame NY and they were all great people! Good luck to them at Chicago! and Good luck to everyone else competing!
GC: Hastings "Riverside Company" (Best Vocals, Best Band) 1RU: Twinsburg "Great Expectations" (Best Choreography) 2RU: Findlay "First Edition" 3RU: Mt. Zion "Swingsations" 4RU: Lincoln Southwest "Resonance" 5RU: Petal "Soundsations" 6RU: American Leadership Academy "Evolution" 7RU: Brea Olinda "Masquerade" 8RU: Uniondale "Rhythm of the Night" 9RU: Etobicoke "Splash" 10RU: Craig "Spotlighters" 11RU: Davenport Central "Central Singers Inc." 12RU: Homestead "Class Royale"
Hastings has been consistently impressive all year. Their ballad is chilling. Their closer is energetic and tons of fun. The flow of the show is spectacular. I see no reason why they can't come out on top this weekend. Twinsburg's show choir program has been progressively ripping out newer, more exciting and energetic, and overall more enjoyable shows to watch, and this year is better than ever. I've heard about some new additions being made to their ballad and to their closer, so hopefully that can edge them into that second spot. G.E. also never ceases to amaze me with their quick, sharp, and eye-popping dance breaks, hence my vote for the BC caption. Findlay's show starts out wonderfully for me and keeps the audience entertained throughout, so I expect no less than a stellar performance from them. (Fun Fact: First Edition's 2012 men's piece "Sadie Hawkins Dance" is my all-time favorite men's number.) I didn't get the opportunity to see Mount Zion live while in Chicago, but I heard delightful things about their show, and I hope to see their streak of successful showings at FAME National competitions continue.
For me, the next several spots can be interchangeable from Lincoln Southwest to Uniondale. Lincoln Southwest seems to be improving exponentially, and I hope to see them impress many audience members with a classy and fun show. It has to be one of my favorite shows that I've seen this year, especially the opener and ballad. Petal is a mystery to me, and I saw that someone mentioned them earlier and to watch out for them, so I sort of guessed where they could wind up. ALA's show was interesting and unique, but it seemed to drag for me. Although they have a truly interesting concept with a nice song selection and set, it was slow and didn't grasp my attention the whole time. (Then again, I was eating some Reese's Peanut Butter Cups at the same time, so that could be part of the problem.) "Evolution" seems to be ten times better than when I saw them last at FAME Branson in 2012, and I wish them the best of luck. Brea Olinda is another question mark for me, and I honestly have not watched any of their shows, well besides "Spellbound" 2012. Uniondale is yet another choir that could end up anywhere. They danced amazingly well last year, but their vocals were lacking. However, if they've improved on vocals and kept up the energetic choreography, they could do well in Chicago. After watching a YouTube video of Etobicoke's FAME Chicago performance, there seemed to be something missing from the show. I have no idea what it is, but the entire show seemed mediocre to me. Then again, as stated again and again, YouTube never gives any choir any justice whatsoever.
So...This was my thought process and how I think FAME Nationals could play out. If the stream is inexpensive or free, I'll try my best to watch the feed. The Arie Crown Theater is truly a wonderful venue to watch and perform in. FAME provides a wonderful experience every year for all groups and I hope that all performers and audience members can cherish the wonderful opportunity it is to watch and perform on that beautiful stage. Good Luck to everyone!
Congratulations to the 2014 ASPIRE AWARD nominees. Award will presented live on stage during the Show Choir National Championship Series FINALS on Saturday April 26th, 2014 at the Arie Crown Theatre. All nominees receive complimentary admission to the FINALS, reserved VIP seating in the theatre, and a VIP lounge with food and beverage throughout the day. Watch the Show Choir National Finals and the ASPIRE AWRDS LIVE! at www.showchoirs.org
BEST ARRANGER:
Anita Cracuer
Dan Scoville
Eric VanCleave
BEST COSTUMER:
Dance Sophisticates
Gail McInnis
Jen Oundjian
BEST NEW CHOREOGRAPHER:
Ben Eklund
Ellie Jordan
Heath Gemar
BEST NEW DIRECTOR:
Adam Miller
Kassy Krause
Luke Warren
BEST REGIONAL COMPETITION:
“Crystal Classic” – Fairfield OH
“Great River” – Davenport IA
“Choral Classic” – Wheaton Warrenville IL
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Mike Weaver
MOST PROMISING NEW PROGRAM:
Atchison “Adrenaline” – Atchison, KS Sam Dollins, director
Glenwood “Titan Fever” – Chatham, IL Jeff & Mary Gemar, directors
Wheaton North “Flight” – Wheaton, IL Kassy Krause, director
SPIRIT OF SERVICE:
Adam Peters
VISUAL VANGUARD:
April James
Dwight Jordan
Kevin Chase
Mike Weaver
Stephen Todd
VOCAL VANGUARD:
Brenden Jennings
Debora Utley
Lin Warren
Mark Myers
Matt Huth
Is there a live feed for this? This was the first year that I've seen a live feed (and a free one at that) for qualifiers.
There will be a live feed available at http://showchoirs.org. It was mentioned on tonight's episode of Show Choir Live by Chad Alexander although I didn't catch if it was for free or for a fee. So someone else will have to confirm that. Chad also shared that the wonderful hosts of SCL, Alex Hall and Adam Peters, will be helping out with the feed and interviewing folks in between performances. So that sounds awesome. If it's anything like the SoCal live feed, then it will really add an extra element for folks viewing the feed.
Also thanks to Alex, Adam, and Chad's conversation tonight. Really great insight as we lead up to the National Finals.
I don't have a full prediction... But I bet Petal will place! They have been SO good this year plus I know a lot of the group so I guess my bias is incredible... But I believe in you Petal!!!!
Is there a live feed for this? This was the first year that I've seen a live feed (and a free one at that) for qualifiers.
I agree with this mostly because I think Twinsburg will "out dance" Hastings more than Hastings will "out sing" Twinsburg. Plus, I think Twinsburg is tops for show points. My prediction has Mt. Zion right there too though. I think it'll be a close fight between those 3 and Findlay right behind them. Good luck to all groups!
FAME Show Choir National Finals 2014
@ Apr 18 2014, 02:02 AM) 
