$10.00 for Single Session (Middle School Competition, High School Preliminary Competition, OR High School Finals Competition)
$8.00 – Senior citizens and students with ID
$15.00 for an All-Access Pass (good for the entire competition)
$12.00 – Senior citizens and students with ID
The funniest thing is the competitions that have strict time limits and penalties for going over during the day time, then for finals they're like "no time limit. have fun."
That was the exact situation at the competition I was referring to. There were a total of 9 groups competing, and it was still over two hours behind schedule.
It'd be interesting to hear the reasoning behind this rule!
I don't like time limits either. The most behind schedule competition I've ever been too had a strict 25 minute time limit with point deductions by the minute for going over. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose, other than stress before and after the show. I know we were running around to set things up beforehand, and as soon as the show was over, running back to grab tubs full of costumes, etc.
The funniest thing is the competitions that have strict time limits and penalties for going over during the day time, then for finals they're like "no time limit. have fun."
I don't like time limits either. The most behind schedule competition I've ever been too had a strict 25 minute time limit with point deductions by the minute for going over. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose, other than stress before and after the show. I know we were running around to set things up beforehand, and as soon as the show was over, running back to grab tubs full of costumes, etc.
agreed. but we do love our set, no matter how big it is, or how much a living h*** it is to put up lol. It seems so much more complicated then it is, but it is like more than 25-30 pieces of heavy wood and metal. the backdrop itself is incredible lol. But all that aside we love the set and we work really hard on getting on and off stage on time, unfortunately it didnt happen this weekend, but It's ok we had an amazing time no matter what!!
I don't like time limits either. The most behind schedule competition I've ever been too had a strict 25 minute time limit with point deductions by the minute for going over. It doesn't seem to serve any purpose, other than stress before and after the show. I know we were running around to set things up beforehand, and as soon as the show was over, running back to grab tubs full of costumes, etc.
Ok now that I messed that up. Yes, I know each group has to go up and over, but look at the diffrence in what, say, WV and your group had to carry up and over, it's like the diffrence in half a semi truck worth of stuff. I know each director decides what they will include in their show, but I just hate to see a group not make finals because the didn't get on and off in the time limit. That really has no bearing on what happens on stage, and that is what should decide who makes finals. I know many will disagree, but that's how I feel, and yes I know it's about staying on schedule.
Albertville still wouldn't have made finals even if they didn't get a time penalty. The penalty was only 10 points and they were out by more than that. Directors know beforehand what the rules are, or should know, and do something about it
Ok now that I messed that up. Yes, I know each group has to go up and over, but look at the diffrence in what, say, WV and your group had to carry up and over, it's like the diffrence in half a semi truck worth of stuff. I know each director decides what they will include in their show, but I just hate to see a group not make finals because the didn't get on and off in the time limit. That really has no bearing on what happens on stage, and that is what should decide who makes finals. I know many will disagree, but that's how I feel, and yes I know it's about staying on schedule.
It's just one of those things that we choose to do. We love using our set and doing our show. We wouldn't trade them for anything!
Actually we didnt lol. We did go over 31 seconds though but every group had to account for going up stairs and what not, but our group, worked incredibly hard this week and did great.
Ok now that I messed that up. Yes, I know each group has to go up and over, but look at the diffrence in what, say, WV and your group had to carry up and over, it's like the diffrence in half a semi truck worth of stuff. I know each director decides what they will include in their show, but I just hate to see a group not make finals because the didn't get on and off in the time limit. That really has no bearing on what happens on stage, and that is what should decide who makes finals. I know many will disagree, but that's how I feel, and yes I know it's about staying on schedule.
centerstagedad: Very well said, I completely agree with what you're saying. I'm not sure why people are being touchy about it, I think they missed your point.
disneyprincess2b: I completely agree with this, too. Years ago, it seemed to be pretty common to either have a few Single-Gender groups have a "mini-finals" before the mixed groups, or to have one Single-Gender group compete in finals with mixed. At the very least, they'd have the Single-Gender grand champion perform in exhibition. Either way, you guys are great and you represent Hamilton County very well.
I wouldn't be supprised at all if Albetville had problems getting all their stuff across the raised stage in the time limit. Based on how things were last year at this comp. that was pretty common place.
It actually wasn't too much of a problem. We had dads that were more than happy to help get the heavier stuff up the stairs. (Thanks, dads!!!!) It was a really good experience doing our show with the platform higher than the changing area. It was pretty cool. It was so much fun performing for the choirs that I have wanted to see for years... Thanks again for a great competition!!!!
I wouldn't be supprised at all if Albetville had problems getting all their stuff across the raised stage in the time limit. Based on how things were last year at this comp. that was pretty common place.
Actually we didnt lol. We did go over 31 seconds though but every group had to account for going up stairs and what not, but our group, worked incredibly hard this week and did great.
Thank you for such a wonderful competition! I love Chicago, and I was extremely pleased when Mr. Rains planned this trip for my senior year. I know there were actually a couple of injuries after our performance, and I was one of them. I had AT LEAST seven people come and check on me. They gave me five packs of ice along with any attention I needed. I love that people around the world can be organized without panic or rushing; they can just chill out and successfully do their job. That's what some of this is all about right? Just enjoying the experience (performing or hosting). It was once said: "Sometimes you have to stop in the pursuit of happiness, and just be happy." That is what I experienced this weekend. Thank you all for such a wonderful day of polite competition :D
Personally, I think the "hierarchy" of the choirs in finals at Fairfield was fairly obvious to everyone watching. "Anonymizing" the choirs wouldn't have changed anything. I believe the judges to be fair - and although politics and bias have overshadowed competitions a number of times in the past, it's up to the director of the event to prevent such a thing from occurring by picking qualified, unassociated judges for his/her event. I also think that if anything, those "big groups" are under more scrutiny and are expected, every time, to "live up to" this larger-than-life reputation that precedes them. My guess is that Waubonsie Valley deserved their win, too, despite being another one of those groups labeled as one of the top choirs in the country. Let's also not forget that there's a reason most of these groups have the reputation in the first place...
I have to wonder, what would be the outcome if the choirs, instead of being introduced by name, were given a number or some other arbitrary designation, and the judges had no idea who they were to be judging.
Personally, I think the "hierarchy" of the choirs in finals at Fairfield was fairly obvious to everyone watching. "Anonymizing" the choirs wouldn't have changed anything. I believe the judges to be fair - and although politics and bias have overshadowed competitions a number of times in the past, it's up to the director of the event to prevent such a thing from occurring by picking qualified, unassociated judges for his/her event. I also think that if anything, those "big groups" are under more scrutiny and are expected, every time, to "live up to" this larger-than-life reputation that precedes them. My guess is that Waubonsie Valley deserved their win, too, despite being another one of those groups labeled as one of the top choirs in the country. Let's also not forget that there's a reason most of these groups have the reputation in the first place...
QUOTE (disneyprincess2b @ Mar 15 2010, 01:44 PM)
The winner of Single-Gender should have been able to perform in exhibition! That way more people could see just how hard ALL Single-Gender choirs work, and if they were early in the day more people would be able to see them at night.
This being my first out-of-state competition, I must say how much I enjoyed the diversity of all of the groups!
As it pertains to finals, all groups that made it definitely deserved their spot there. Each set was so diverse however that it was like comparing apples to oranges. Each group had unique yet impressive styles to display to the audience.
Being a Hoosier myself, I do still prefer the Carmel Ambassador's more classic style of a set, but the others, particularly Waubonsie-the intensity of the sets were electrifying!
Also, I must thank Wheaton for being such excellent hosts and all choirs there for being so kind and generous. My choir was very early in the morning, so we had nothing to do for the rest of the day, and it was a treat getting to meet such kind choirs from all over the nation!
Well done to all, and keep on singing!
PS: The winner of Single-Gender should have been able to perform in exhibition! That way more people could see just how hard ALL Single-Gender choirs work, and if they were early in the day more people would be able to see them at night.
I agree that WV has put on a great show this year and is deserving of all of their honors. But looking at the field of WW competitors and the overall compilation of awards that were garnered over the course of this show choir season, I felt that the playing field was probably a little more level for each group to have a shot at GC. I would never take anything away from the performances of any of the groups, but I dislike the fact that name and reputation can tend to predetermine the winners.
If I have offended anyone by my comments, I apologize.
centerstagedad while I understand what you are saying about Burroughs' and Clinton's reputation influencing the judges, if you don't think that WV has that
same influnence you haven't been paying close attention or something. I saw
WV at Edgewood and knew they would be the group to beat at WW. They have
a reptuation for having great vocals, but that only goes so far you have to get
on stage and deliver the goods and from what I saw at Edgewood WV does that!
Thanks to EVERYONE for a fantastic competition!!!! It was really surreal being able to see all of these choirs that I've been watching with amazement for literally 10 years (Valley, Mt. Zion, etc) and realize that I'm competing against them all... It was so much fun, and I loved seeing everybody's shows!!!
I am a fan of Piqua also since Centerstage! has competed at the show in the past. But, did you see anyone in the predictions posts prior to the Fairfield competition pick Piqua as the GC. no. Does that mean that Piqua would not go out and give it their best. no. But I have to wonder, what would be the outcome if the choirs, instead of being introduced by name, were given a number or some other arbitrary designation, and the judges had no idea who they were to be judging.
My main point is that I think just the mention of the Name Clinton or Burroughs automatically stacks the deck in their favor. I doubt that there is a choir out there somewhere who hasn't put on a performance sometime in recent history that was not deserving of GC when competing against one of the Giants. I know I have seen Mt. Zion, EEE, Piqua, Tupelo and other groups that just blew me away, and to think they are not "at the level of the top choirs" is difficult for me to believe.
My thoughts and opinions are my own and do not, in any way, reflect on Centerstage! or their director, Scott Rains. I am just an old gray-haired parent who likes to have my say occasionally!
That is what every competition should be, instead of having two groups there competing for GC & 1RU and then relegating all others into the also-rans categories.
Just to play devil's advocate, what would you suggest groups like Clinton and Burroughs do, then? Although it's arguably more fun when the results aren't predictable, I think it's even better when as a whole groups elevate their performances to the levels of the top choirs. Then everyone wins because show choir gets better across the board. And I think competing against them is the best way to motivate that.
For what it's worth, I've heard amazing things about CenterStage! this year and would've loved to have seen the group live. Being from California, I can only go to one or two national events a year. Fair or not, the high-profile events draw the most attention and give more exposure to everyone who participates. So in a backward sort of way, the "Fairfields" of the year actually help to shine a light on a lot of other choirs beside the Clintons and Burroughs that participate. I'm now a fan of Piqua and would never have had the opportunity to see them had they not gone to Fairfield. So there are positives for every group that attends a competition like that!
Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic 2010
