OK, everyone did an awesome job, I can truly say that I enjoyed every group but my love goes to Los Al (all my friends are from there). Congrats to everyone who placed and those that did not there’s always next time.
There's nothing wrong with being disappointed when your favorites don't place where you think they should place, as everyone has a right to their opinion. Evaluating and then trying to put a score on a sheet of paper that accurately reflects that evaluation is not an easy task; something that I doubt I will want to take on once I retire.
But it is still only your opinion and whether you care to admit it, the opinion of one with not a lot of experience and expertise in making an accurate and valid evaluation based on criteria that is presented on a score sheet. The three men adjudicating at Diamond Bar have about 120 years experience and expertise in working with all choirs, including show choirs in college, high school, community, and professional. They are three of the top half dozen respected choral directors in Southern California in the past 40 years or so. They have adjudicated many, many festivals and have directed National Champion Show Choirs, Madrigal Choirs, and Concert Choirs. They are all very well versed in musical theater. In short, they know what they are doing. The fact that they are all former choir directors, and not just entertainment-type people, makes their evaluations legitimate.
To always make comments that insinuate that judges don't know what they are doing is an insult to them and is indirectly a slap in the face to your own directors. I would hope, and assume, that they don't teach you to show that much disrespect. I hope, and assume that they all teach you how to appreciate what groups do that is different form what your perspective of "a good show choir" is all about. We don't put out cookie-cutter choirs. I'm not even sure if there are two choirs that are similar in all facets of the medium.
There are adjudicators who are not that knowledgeable and who have trouble writing scores that reflect their opinions, but these three do not fall in that category. In fact, I think they all had a different group winning the competition overall and different winners for music and show. If there is a conspiracy, it wasn't very well thought out.
Like I said, everyone can have an opinion; but be disappointed, not vindictive and insulting to those groups that score higher than your favorites. Some kids, and adults, let things roll of their back; but some are very sensitive and don't take it well when others label what they do as vastly inferior to what someone else does.
I teach my kids to appreciate what everyone does and to show the respect for the effort that the kids, directors, and choreographers put into making their show the best that it can be. It's a preety amazing medium, show choir. I still say it's the most difficult of all the arts to master and everyone does a remarkable job.
all i can say is wow! the competition this year is amazing and i look forward to seeing everyone's shows progress throughout the year.
chula: you guys were amazing, i love your set this year! resolution was def one of the top songs of the night in my eyes.
burbank: as always freakin insane! your closer was one of the most entertaining of the night and your top 40 song was absolutely hillarious, you guys deserved ur placement!
los al: i personally think that you guys are a very under appreciated show choir. i always love your sets and think that you have one of the strongest sets this year. the who medley was amazing
brea: very entertaining as always. your shows are always so fast paced and i never get bored no matter how many times i see you. after seeing mary poppins on broadway your closer seemed a bit repetitive but then again mary poppins is not one of my fav musicals. very good show overall
arcadia: just like jacob said earlier it seemed like you guys were a lil off of ur game but still a very good show
mark keppel: this is only the second time ive evr seen u guys at a comp but both times i hav been entertained by your shows. matchbook 20 is awesome!
burroughs and hart: i am very disappointed to have to say that i was unable to see you guys, but i assume you guys were awesome as always.
overall this was a very fun comp! look forward to seeing those of you coming to Legacy
Hi. I have an opinion here, no more than that. It is very interesting to see everyone's take on each competition and the discussion of the results. It is nice that some people mention all of you are friends in the show choir circuit, and this makes things nice. Unfortunately, like everywhere, there are cliques amongst the show choirs, and at times this causes some of the members to support only their own as in politics, religion and 1st grade. Remember that any of you could be a member of any one of these wonderful show choirs if your address was but different. Everyone works hard, and everyone gives their all. Everyone deserves your respect. Please be sure to think about your comments before you post them, just in case you might hurt a fellow show choir member's feelings without cause. Your opinions and interpretations are great. Just be careful not to slant them too far in any one direction. Hopefully, we are all friends here. This is purely my opinion, and nothing more. I personally respect all that every show choir member contributes to their group. You make magic. Thanks, Dave Willert
QUOTE(GoGoKevoRanger @ Feb 9 2008, 12:52 PM) [snapback]417812[/snapback]
As of this week, I've become quite the sentimental show choir freak(on a leash?).
That said, I am so pumped for the rest of the season. I couldn't see Los Al or Brea last night, but according to feedback I've heard, they are forces to be reckoned with this season. Congrats to all the other choirs who successfully continued the tradition of incredible talent here in SoCal.
I'm so motivated by the fact that our circuit has tremendous cohesion among groups. Our competitors are our friends, and that is something in which we can all take pride.
Once again, thank you to Diamond Bar. Hopefully we got you out of the theatre on time...
"freak (on a leash?)"
nice!!
smart thing to say when other people from other choirs can read that!!!!
OK,...can we please have a show that is a little more unique, genuine, and REAL??? Does each year have to be a cookie-cutter, clone of the last? I'm personally getting tired of more singing and dancing year after year. What in the world do you think you are doing?...trying to teach students vocal technique and performing skills?! Obviously many members of the audience are bored with Burbank and the judges are probably ready for a change too. So....enough of these fake, imaginary and routine sets. Really, you are in a rut; (haven't you used risers on stage for the past six years in a row!)
Call me if you need some suggestions for next year; I'm thinking Lord of the Rings meets SpongeBob....or maybe Slipknot sung by Disney forest animals (or did somebody already do that....DARN!!..) But, alas, you will probably just do another solid opener, beautiful ballad, clever novelty number or a medley with strong vocals AND challenging choreography...with a closer by, oh, I don't know....Bon Jovi. (No; who in their right mind would come up with that??? ;)) .....oh nevermind. I actually think you just might know what you are doing....I mean come on, LET'S GET REAL....
Anyway, I digress. I enjoyed all the shows I saw the other night; including Hart, Chula, Burroughs, Los Alamitos... and even Burbank
alright. so all i have to say is placings are just numbers... lol
burbank: great job as always but its too similar to last year for me personally
hart: all i saw was power rangers and it was cute :]
los al: youve improved a lot! it was great and you should have placed i think.
chula: i know this has been said 80 times already but you guys are so fun to watch and so good and ugh its just upsetting how you didnt place :[ and i freaking love you all.
and in regards to our show: we're only adding more and we're gonna keep growing, so keep on watching us and thanks to everyone who complimented on our show
hope i didnt offend anyone with anything i said, and thanks db for holding the competition. i had fun!
the best thing about diamondbar, as just about any competition is seeing everyone again. it was even better, odd, yet exciting reuniting with the 07 posse. to the friends from bv, burbank, burroughs, chula, and los al: congratulations, and glad to see you all still representing the exclusive sport of show choir still hahaa.
in regards to placements (as it is such a hot topic to indulge into), "luck" isn't the best word to describe some who made it in the placements, and "jipped" isn't the best word to describe groups who didn't make in, but by popular support - should have :]
as the first competition, i assume it's nice to finally see the competitors, the mistakes made, and a new plan to fix them for better placement and show for the next comp.
burbank: you know, as well as i do i'm still a big fan of you all. your show was entertaining. the energy was consistent and so were the vocals overall. my heart is still closely attached to last year's set, so it's going to take some time for adjustment, but i really enjoyed it. with the comments regarding i guess "recycled formulas", i really don't see it as a problem unless it's year after year, after year; to be honest though, the set this year seemed less genuine from last year in terms of how it was performed and then accepted (for me). i don't know if that helps or not, or if it makes any sense to anyone. with no intention to exclude the other soloists, matt did a very nice job with the solo, but i think the mic was pretty hot (therefore loud); my favorite a capella and solo of the night...(maybe a tie solo with nick's "fix you")
burroughs: a set that probably didn't make sense to some people, but i enjoyed it nonetheless. i guess it's probably the most abstract i've seen, but i like the idea of stretching concepts in show choir. who says there should be a limit on the concepts we are to use for themes or sets?!?! you definitely are the leaders in our circuit of the most innovative and original, and it's highly respectable in my opinion. the a capella caught audience by surprise, but it was my favorite of the night, and the best vocals i think of the night as well.
chula: chlajuana. ahahaa. i think chuck's simple post of two words can sum it for me as well, but i'll go a little beyond. nick, your solo was top dolla. resolution soloist (i'm sorry that i don't remember your name), it's a difficult solo, but considering the control and the pressure you have to work with, you did a really great job executing. (even without the consideration, you did a great job...i didn't want to sound like you didn't because of the pressure and difficulty...its not pity points...i'm slowly confusing myself so i'll stop...)i wish you haaaaaaaddddd your brass!!! our district sucks for not funding us well, or period! i think you have the most genuine and passionate performers to look at (for me...not exclusions intended), and i'll say it blatantly clear: CHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACEDCHULA SHOULD'VE BEEN PLACED: i put you third.
hart: i'd like to apologize that during your set i was wasting time rolling up paper hearts into cigarettes, jo*nts, and cigars and lighting them with sevy's amazing best buy card. admittingly, a highlight of the night and waste lol. i look forward to the power rangers closer at bv's competition!...this time i won't miss it. (power rangers is a past time, don't you forget it people)...did i mention that those cigars, cigarettes, and jo*nts were all fake!
brea: although i've literally seen half of the show before in my younger years, there are still new things to look forward to. the soloist, i believe, jonathan baker?, did a pretty good job with his rendition of "let it be". although not a fan of mary poppins, and sick of anything hairspray in show choir, you guys did a swell job entertaining the audience with the high-energy kuhl choreography (definitely no pun intended). congrats with the 2nd.
bonita vista: i don't really like the idea that the lion king outfits are pretty similar to diamondbar's "africa" ones from last year. the band was not consistent, and i think was a big hit to the score sheet. with tweeks here and there in vocals, more combo rehearsals between rhythm and brass sections, and more confidence in your show, you will hopefully get the deserving recognition, and then hopefully reflected in placements. keep on keeping on! (if this sounds harsh and offensive to anyone, i personally walk into their class and help them, therefore i will excuse myself in saying that i don't know how to generally address them for critique) <3
arcadia: whaaa happpeeeenn? didn't seem like you guys that night...was it just me?
los al: i didn't see you either, but i'll see you at bv's competition.
eastlake: this isn't a pity comment although it may sound like it, but as a person who considered pursuing a music education career and just as a person who considers the important values of music in education, aaaaaandd not to mention my passion for show choir i respect all and especially your director for beating on and entertaining us all no matter the size, shape, or form of the group. incredibly noble! ...your band are incredibly awesome people to talk to.
in conclusion, pardon my inconsideration of leaving groups out of my post. i learned something the next day at bv girl's FLO -what we all should remember, and i should've acknowledged years ago...we put together a show and that's all that we can do...whatever happen after that's out of our control (caitlin ary's dad ahaha). i'm not saying we shouldn't post in frustration and anger of the results, cause i'd be the biggest hypocrite, but sh*t happens sometimes, and we have to beat on, boats against the shore ahaha. to all the choirs, keep working harder, make it a passionate labor and not an obligatory one; and people respect your talents no matter what. good luck to all in future comps, and until then auf wiederzane!
i absoloutely adored chula's set. good job, chula!(: i also really liked burbank's top 40 one. really disappointed that i couldn't see hart perform! i was so excited to see hart and really looking for it. maybe next time. from what i heard, the closer was incredible(: good job everybody!
Everyone really stepped up the game. Thanks for all those who supported Chula that night! It happens but we will stay strong and work even harder. Congratulations to everyone=)
Diamond Bar Spectacular 2008
Hi. I have an opinion here, no more than that. It is very interesting to see everyone's take on each competition and the discussion of the results. It is nice that some people mention all of you are friends in the show choir circuit, and this makes things nice. Unfortunately, like everywhere, there are cliques amongst the show choirs, and at times this causes some of the members to support only their own as in politics, religion and 1st grade. Remember that any of you could be a member of any one of these wonderful show choirs if your address was but different. Everyone works hard, and everyone gives their all. Everyone deserves your respect. Please be sure to think about your comments before you post them, just in case you might hurt a fellow show choir member's feelings without cause. Your opinions and interpretations are great. Just be careful not to slant them too far in any one direction. Hopefully, we are all friends here. This is purely my opinion, and nothing more. I personally respect all that every show choir member contributes to their group. You make magic. Thanks, Dave Willert
