You guys (mayville alumni) are awsome! thanks for being there for us. wether its sitting in on practices just to take notes and help us out in various ways or by coming to comps to cheer us on. it means a lot. yes considering we werent even going to have a show choir this year, cant complain on the outcomes. i am so proud of all of the newbies in our group and how well they are pulling there waight.
QUOTE(ekurutz @ Jan 27 2008, 06:05 PM) [snapback]414372[/snapback]
Mayville I'm really proud of you guys!! Once you walk on stage everyone sees that there are only 30 or so kids on stage, but they don't understand all the challenges you guys have faced to even get on stage this year! Despite so many kids graduating, the 7 period schedule that practically killed our music department, and a continued decline in students, you guys still find a way to succeed. After winning two Grand Championships, isn't it hard to believe that 9 months ago we weren't sure if there would even be a group? Thanks for having so much faith and dedication in the program to keep it going, and you all should be proud!
I agree 100% with Eric. I am so proud of you!! I think this really is the type of season you guys needed this year!
Mayville I'm really proud of you guys!! Once you walk on stage everyone sees that there are only 30 or so kids on stage, but they don't understand all the challenges you guys have faced to even get on stage this year! Despite so many kids graduating, the 7 period schedule that practically killed our music department, and a continued decline in students, you guys still find a way to succeed. After winning two Grand Championships, isn't it hard to believe that 9 months ago we weren't sure if there would even be a group? Thanks for having so much faith and dedication in the program to keep it going, and you all should be proud!
QUOTE(ChoraliersChic @ Jan 27 2008, 04:57 PM) [snapback]414333[/snapback]
yea... Mr M is really the most amazing man.... i had him for band in middle school lol and never appreciated his unique and most unconventional style if teaching until recently
btw.... did you catch the mom's name? fantastic dosent narrow it down because all of our moms are fantastic....the choraliers are a family.... moms and all lol
QUOTE(Jorge @ Jan 27 2008, 02:54 PM) [snapback]414330[/snapback]
Speaking of your director... I was talking to a fantastic Reedsburg mom (Mr. Cameron Arndt's aunt)... and she informed me that your director actually is the middle school's band director? That's amazing that he would come and take over the show choir to keep it going. I have the most respect for a person like that. Kudos to him, he's doing a FANTASTIC job.
yea... Mr M is really the most amazing man.... i had him for band in middle school lol and never appreciated his unique and most unconventional style if teaching until recently
btw.... did you catch the mom's name? fantastic dosent narrow it down because all of our moms are fantastic....the choraliers are a family.... moms and all lol
QUOTE(ChoraliersChic @ Jan 27 2008, 04:49 PM) [snapback]414323[/snapback]
but thanks so much for the comments im going to print it off four our director...maybe he'll let us work on the things you mentioned
Speaking of your director... I was talking to a fantastic Reedsburg mom (Mr. Cameron Arndt's aunt)... and she informed me that your director actually is the middle school's band director? That's amazing that he would come and take over the show choir to keep it going. I have the most respect for a person like that. Kudos to him, he's doing a FANTASTIC job.
thanks so much! we'll have to work on our diction hard core so that next time you see us you'll understand 100 percent lol
the dance break is sooo my favorite part....me being a dancer of 11 years its nice to have a nice challenge after a cute, young show like last year lol
i would give you the long story short of it.... but there really isnt one...here's my best try
There is a terrible storm and Agwe god of water, saves one girl by placing her in a tree. she is adopted and grows up to be a stubborn young lady( thats my line by the way lol)
the peasants rely on the gods to make every decision ( first song... we dance.... is supposed to convey that)
then... the gods create a challenge for Ti Moune o see if love can over come death ( our second song "Rain" is the discussion of Agwe and the god of death Papa Ge setting up the senerio) A member of the rich class from the other side of the island is in a car crash and Ti moune runs to his aide, which is very taboo because the rich and the peasants cannot mix.
in "Pray" the peasants do not want ti moune to tend to the rich man for fear of the gods wrath, and they do a ritual ( dance break!) to try and save their town. meanwhile, the rich boys father takes him back to their village
Ti moune sets out after daniel, because she has offered to trade her life for his if she cannot save him... on the way she meets Asaka( mother earth) and we sing Mama will provide
once she gets there she is thrown out becuase he has a fiancee and she is trampled and killed and turned into a tree. the tree breaks down the wall between the two worlds and everyone lives happily ever after.
so that was really long but hopefully you get the point lol
Hmmm... ummmmm... yeah. I think I understand half of it now?
The dance break was really cool.
QUOTE(nemathe @ Jan 27 2008, 04:48 PM) [snapback]414322[/snapback]
definitely one of my biggest beefs! madison east has not made finals in a while and we were absolutely thrilled with 5 RU. seeing people mad about their placement, especially when they made finals, is pretty disrespectful.
Yeah... it was really great to see such an honest and heartfelt reaction. Congrats again!
QUOTE(nemathe @ Jan 27 2008, 02:48 PM) [snapback]414322[/snapback]
definitely one of my biggest beefs! madison east has not made finals in a while and we were absolutely thrilled with 5 RU. seeing people mad about their placement, especially when they made finals, is pretty disrespectful.
same here... we soooooooooo weren't expecting to make finals at all... eveything after that was icing on the cake
QUOTE(Jorge @ Jan 27 2008, 02:28 PM) [snapback]414315[/snapback]
Side Note- Remember people… when you are upset with your placement, and YOU are the one accepting the award (or anywhere in the gym for that matter), don't be rude and start cursing things. We can see read your lips… and I know you weren't saying "Buck Miss!".
definitely one of my biggest beefs! madison east has not made finals in a while and we were absolutely thrilled with 5 RU. seeing people mad about their placement, especially when they made finals, is pretty disrespectful.
i would give you the long story short of it.... but there really isnt one...here's my best try
There is a terrible storm and Agwe god of water, saves one girl by placing her in a tree. she is adopted and grows up to be a stubborn young lady( thats my line by the way lol)
the peasants rely on the gods to make every decision ( first song... we dance.... is supposed to convey that)
then... the gods create a challenge for Ti Moune o see if love can over come death ( our second song "Rain" is the discussion of Agwe and the god of death Papa Ge setting up the senerio) A member of the rich class from the other side of the island is in a car crash and Ti moune runs to his aide, which is very taboo because the rich and the peasants cannot mix.
in "Pray" the peasants do not want ti moune to tend to the rich man for fear of the gods wrath, and they do a ritual ( dance break!) to try and save their town. meanwhile, the rich boys father takes him back to their village
Ti moune sets out after daniel, because she has offered to trade her life for his if she cannot save him... on the way she meets Asaka( mother earth) and we sing Mama will provide
once she gets there she is thrown out becuase he has a fiancee and she is trampled and killed and turned into a tree. the tree breaks down the wall between the two worlds and everyone lives happily ever after.
so that was really long but hopefully you get the point lol
After viewing finals... this is how I thought it would end up.
Grand Champion- La Crosse Logan
1st Runner Up- Mayville
2nd Runner Up- Reedsburg
3rd Runner Up- Onalaska
4th Runner Up- New London
5th Runner Up- Madison East
Best Vocals- La Crosse Logan
Best Choreography- Reedsburg (?? Dustin, help me out, is this what I had?)
Best Band- Madison East
Overall, I'm probably going to look like a 'Negative Nancy' with my comments, but hey... I was only there for finals, so I had nothing to build off of.
Madison East- You can tell the improvement from last year to this year is sizeable. The choreography was very good. Kevin gave you some really good stuff, and you guys had it pretty clean. I found "Green Eyed Lady" to be a bit confusing, it doesn't really fit the show at all, and it's clearly just a filler song so the girls can change. The ballad was very pretty, but the ending was ruined when the intonation flew out the window. Congrats on a finals finish.
New London- Overall… I thought you had the best vocals. But, the only thing that detracts from that statement is the juvenile and young sound that you produce. You were the ONLY group that I understood EVERY word of. You almost had the entire package with your diction, dynamics, intonation, etc. Had the sound been full and mature, I would have had you much higher. The choreography was pretty simple, yet it still needed some cleaning. Also… just a suggestion, but PLEASE paint eyes on the horses of the carousel. They're pretty creepy looking without it. Congrats on the tie.
Onalaska- This is the third weekend in a row I have watched you. You guys HAVE improved, but you still have a LONG way to go. I say it EVERY year. When you see 55 people on stage, you would expect a very large sound. We never get that with you guys. The sound is unstable and breathy. I don't know if it's because of the dancing… but it doesn't look so intense that it would take away from your vocals. The choreography has some major issues with cleanliness. Mr. Munderloh has picked some hot songs, and I feel like the life is sucked out of them by the bland facials and energy that is produced. Sometimes, your faces just read "Ok, what's my next move?" I will say though, that I felt the opener has improved leaps and bounds. The guys blue shoes rock. Keep on working hard!
La Crosse Logan- I had you guys taking this, but looks like the judges thought differently. The vocals weren't as full as I would have liked them at the beginning… but once we got to the ballad, you guys soared over other groups. You could tell that there was some serious singing being done. The ballad soloist was also very good. The closer was REALLY cool (minus the guy's jackets). There are some really wonderful young performers right up front (short boy with blonde hair) that you can just tell are giving all their energy, props to you! I was sad to see the ever so talented Vanessa Blackwell not having a solo… you shouldn't waste a talent like that! Congrats! I can't wait to see the show again.
Reedsburg- First off… you have improved LEAPS and BOUNDS from last year. Congrats on your first finals placement at Sauk since 2003. Now… I had no clue what was going on for about 85% of your show. I only really understood the tail end. T-Moon died and became a tree… that's all I got. The music was just blurry with so many speaking solos with a variety of different accents. For a while I thought it was some sort of cockney… but then it sounded tropical or Jamaican. I'm still a bit puzzled. The one thing that really stood out for me about your show was the choreography. Because I didn't understand what was being sung or what was going on… I don't know if it really fit the show… but that aside, I thought it was very well performed and clean. It had so much energy in it and it was exciting to watch! Once again, congrats on the high placement! Savor it!
Mayville- You guys are the little engine that could! Congrats on the win. Although I didn't have you taking it, I enjoyed the show very much. You had the smallest group in finals and you rocked out! Each and every member is invested in this show. You can see the passion for performing in everyone. I was a little disappointed in the vocals. I remember last year's being so rich, full, and mature and I didn't feel like you had that. I understand the style of singing is WAY different, but there just wasn't anything exciting about the sound like last year. You guys give hope to all of the underdogs out there! I can't wait to see the show again at Logan… I'm going to be telling my West kids to watch out for y'all!!!
OVERALL-
I was severely disappointed in the vocals of every group in finals. I know the gym being a barn and having no over head mics really takes away from the sound, but I can remember last years groups sounding so much better than this years groups.
I found Sue Halloway's way of deciding who got the 3rd RU & 4th RU trophies for the tied schools to be very entertaining. Someone will have to explain it and say what it's called. I don't currently remember.
Side Note- Remember people… when you are upset with your placement, and YOU are the one accepting the award (or anywhere in the gym for that matter), don't be rude and start cursing things. We can see read your lips… and I know you weren't saying "Buck Miss!".
Sauk Prairie is such a down to earth competition… every one should have the experience of attending at least once in their show choir career.
It was great fun and a pleasure seeing, sitting by, and chatting with all my Ona girls, the SCC buddies, "Perkins Peeps", and Grand River friends.
So any thoughts on NORTHERN LIGHTS??????.......... just looking for some spectator feed back...........
Congrats Mayville unfortunatley i didn't get to see your show it stinks going right in the middle of all the groups i wanna see cuz we can't.......... congrats though............
It was a really fun competition i really like the people at sauk Prairie and im glad we could go there my senoir year even though we didnt make finals.
wow yesterday was amazing! great great job mayville, you are definitely a force to be reckoned with!
we were estatic to make finals and best band....weve never gotten that before! and would you believe it---our guitarist didnt come! we had a stand in for his TWO guitar solos! amazing, i love love love them
also, only TWO people in our show choir have made finals before! two years ago with our copa cabana/come sail away show. everyone else is a one or two year member! wow, just super exciting! although, i did think finals were interesting, i noticed a couple changes to a show or two in finals...
Other thoughts:
I agree about New London that your show was a little prop heavy. you guys are such amazing, amazing dancers and singer and the props do distract a bit.
Reedsburg- I just loved your show! high energy, visually stunning. we expecially loved it because "Human Heart" from ONTI is our choir's song/basically the greatest SC song EVER love love love!
Sauk Prairie Executive Session Invitational 2008
and best band....weve never gotten that before! and would you believe it---our guitarist didnt come! we had a stand in for his TWO guitar solos! amazing, i love love love them