A) Totino is the 2nd best choir in the whole midwest (2nd only to Waubonsie Valley in my opinion)
B) Huntington North is my new favorite show choir and I lovvve their 2nd song and how they sing
After a long drive from Show Choir Nationals prelims in Nashville... I had the honor to attend the wonderful FAME Chicago Show Choir Cup.
I was thoroughly underwhelmed with all performances in the preliminary round. I'm not sure why, myself and my buddies just didn't feel that the show choirs were performing with everything they could give. Choreography was sloppy and uninspired... vocals were just muffled and weak. I was not in a good mood after prelims. The day before, I was in Nashville and saw the best and most touching show choir performance of my life, and here I was in Chicago, at a "national" competition... getting treated like I was at some pre-competition season parents dessert concert.
But then the show choir God's parted the clouds and shined down rays of show choir brilliance upon the Genesee Theatre. Finals was AMAZING! It was like a little light bulb went off in every show choir performer's brain that said "Hey... maybe we should actually perform to the BEST of our abilities?!"
Here are my show choir thoughts... I'll be honest- they aren't in depth and some are pretty vague. This is my 11th show choir competition of the season, one of the last, and one that I went to to just really enjoy time with friends.
Horizon stepped up their finals performance in huge ways. Their choreography was super clean in the day... and one reason I felt they snuck into finals. But their vocals were not up to par. In finals, they sounded fantastic.
Huntington North was a group I really respected, because their vocals were fantastic during the prelims as well as the finals. Their attention to diction, phrasing, and dynamics really set them apart in the prelims. The choreo looked great and very clean both day and night... and the ballad was beautiful. It was a pleasure to see you guys again since my first time in 2005.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy I felt had a lousy prelims performance. I had seen them at Great River in February... and I just thought this was the worst of the three. In finals they stepped it up big time. It seems like there is always a cool super silence from the audience when they sing their ballad... its so creepy. Everyone in the audience just becomes so invested into seeing and hearing these kids pour their hearts out... its wonderful. The music is one of the best show choir arrangements I have heard all season of any song. You kiddies should be very proud! I love being a die hard Happiness fan from year to year. Its always fun to slip on my Happiness coat and act like I'm one of the best.
Hastings in the past few years has just become such a force to reckon with wherever they go. I have no clue how they perform their show because I know I'd be exhausted with all the intense choreography... it looks great though! I felt that their prelims and finals performance was almost the same, with the exception of the ballad. The ballad at night was just really touching and beautiful. I love how everyone freaks out when the lights come on in the closer.
Lawrence Central's prelims performance was pretty weak. I was really disappointed after hearing some good comments from some of the competitions they have attended. But in finals... I was BLOWN AWAY. They had some of the best power vocals moments of the entire competition. They're sound is sooo full and rich. It left me shaking my hands in the air. Their show was so much more enjoyable to watch as well. This choir has an abundance of marvelous performers, as evidenced by receiving both Best Performer awards. After seeing them in finals, I knew they were going to shoot up in the ranks. They had the most improvement... and just sooo much energy. It was a treat to watch this unique show.
Totino Grace- this was my first time seeing your show. Period. I've stayed away from the YouTube clips because I wanted it to be a completely new experience. You are the show choir of the season I have heard the most talk about. It seemed like every week one of my friends would get to see your show... and all I would hear afterwards is just how jaw dropping amazing it was... how I MUST see it come hell or high water... and how I was just going to die when I saw it. I've spoke to directors during the season that heralded your vocal sound as "The best vocals since the glory days of CR Jefferson with Dr. Peter Eklund at the helm."
So... your prelims performance- did my jaw drop? No. Did I die in amazement? No. Did I think you would win? Yes... by far.
And for finals... did my jaw drop? It dissolved. Did I die in amazement? I'm typing from heaven right now. Did I think you would win? If you somehow hadn't... the Genesee Theatre would be a pile of ashes currently.
I feel that the huge hype mixed with the general awfulness of all preliminaries groups really killed the show from me. That... and after seeing your finals grand slam, it just was obviously a hugely better performance.
You people are amazing. So supportive of other choirs... so professional and kind.
Your repertoire is just so stellar.
April gave you some of her BEST work AND you delivered it with energy and grace.
Your vocals have not sounded like that... well, ever. They were just soooo full and completely natural and mature.
After some rocky seasons... you deserve everything you received this season and more.
It was an honor to watch you and you lived up to your HUGE reputation. I only hope that this is the beginning to even bigger and better things.
FAME Chicago ended up being amazing. Hooray!
This makes me really wish I saw finals, or any part of the show. good thing I got the DVD!
After a long drive from Show Choir Nationals prelims in Nashville... I had the honor to attend the wonderful FAME Chicago Show Choir Cup.
I was thoroughly underwhelmed with all performances in the preliminary round. I'm not sure why, myself and my buddies just didn't feel that the show choirs were performing with everything they could give. Choreography was sloppy and uninspired... vocals were just muffled and weak. I was not in a good mood after prelims. The day before, I was in Nashville and saw the best and most touching show choir performance of my life, and here I was in Chicago, at a "national" competition... getting treated like I was at some pre-competition season parents dessert concert.
But then the show choir God's parted the clouds and shined down rays of show choir brilliance upon the Genesee Theatre. Finals was AMAZING! It was like a little light bulb went off in every show choir performer's brain that said "Hey... maybe we should actually perform to the BEST of our abilities?!"
Here are my show choir thoughts... I'll be honest- they aren't in depth and some are pretty vague. This is my 11th show choir competition of the season, one of the last, and one that I went to to just really enjoy time with friends.
Horizon stepped up their finals performance in huge ways. Their choreography was super clean in the day... and one reason I felt they snuck into finals. But their vocals were not up to par. In finals, they sounded fantastic.
Huntington North was a group I really respected, because their vocals were fantastic during the prelims as well as the finals. Their attention to diction, phrasing, and dynamics really set them apart in the prelims. The choreo looked great and very clean both day and night... and the ballad was beautiful. It was a pleasure to see you guys again since my first time in 2005.
Cedar Rapids Kennedy I felt had a lousy prelims performance. I had seen them at Great River in February... and I just thought this was the worst of the three. In finals they stepped it up big time. It seems like there is always a cool super silence from the audience when they sing their ballad... its so creepy. Everyone in the audience just becomes so invested into seeing and hearing these kids pour their hearts out... its wonderful. The music is one of the best show choir arrangements I have heard all season of any song. You kiddies should be very proud! I love being a die hard Happiness fan from year to year. Its always fun to slip on my Happiness coat and act like I'm one of the best.
Hastings in the past few years has just become such a force to reckon with wherever they go. I have no clue how they perform their show because I know I'd be exhausted with all the intense choreography... it looks great though! I felt that their prelims and finals performance was almost the same, with the exception of the ballad. The ballad at night was just really touching and beautiful. I love how everyone freaks out when the lights come on in the closer.
Lawrence Central's prelims performance was pretty weak. I was really disappointed after hearing some good comments from some of the competitions they have attended. But in finals... I was BLOWN AWAY. They had some of the best power vocals moments of the entire competition. They're sound is sooo full and rich. It left me shaking my hands in the air. Their show was so much more enjoyable to watch as well. This choir has an abundance of marvelous performers, as evidenced by receiving both Best Performer awards. After seeing them in finals, I knew they were going to shoot up in the ranks. They had the most improvement... and just sooo much energy. It was a treat to watch this unique show.
Totino Grace- this was my first time seeing your show. Period. I've stayed away from the YouTube clips because I wanted it to be a completely new experience. You are the show choir of the season I have heard the most talk about. It seemed like every week one of my friends would get to see your show... and all I would hear afterwards is just how jaw dropping amazing it was... how I MUST see it come hell or high water... and how I was just going to die when I saw it. I've spoke to directors during the season that heralded your vocal sound as "The best vocals since the glory days of CR Jefferson with Dr. Peter Eklund at the helm."
So... your prelims performance- did my jaw drop? No. Did I die in amazement? No. Did I think you would win? Yes... by far.
And for finals... did my jaw drop? It dissolved. Did I die in amazement? I'm typing from heaven right now. Did I think you would win? If you somehow hadn't... the Genesee Theatre would be a pile of ashes currently.
I feel that the huge hype mixed with the general awfulness of all preliminaries groups really killed the show from me. That... and after seeing your finals grand slam, it just was obviously a hugely better performance.
You people are amazing. So supportive of other choirs... so professional and kind.
Your repertoire is just so stellar.
April gave you some of her BEST work AND you delivered it with energy and grace.
Your vocals have not sounded like that... well, ever. They were just soooo full and completely natural and mature.
After some rocky seasons... you deserve everything you received this season and more.
It was an honor to watch you and you lived up to your HUGE reputation. I only hope that this is the beginning to even bigger and better things.
I know our band (Totino) scored 147/150...i believe they scored 10 out of 10 for tempo and pitch. It may not have been those two sections specifically, but i know they for sure were given a 10 out of 10 on at least two subdivisions.
ps - yeah he did win! I was so happy! his solo was soooo awesome lol
I'm pretty sure Roger Jones from Lawrence Central actually got best soloist... Jordan Woodall got best male performer and Chelsa Lee best female performer. way to go central sound!! =)
Just wanted to say that yesterday's competition was amazing and congrats to all participating groups!
I also have to mention that I now have a new favorite group (besides LC of course), Happiness, Inc. was absoulutely awesome! Their choreography was intense and wonderfully executed and was my favorite of the day! The Mars/Venus number was hilarious and I actually laughed out loud which i never do! Hope we get to see them again next year!
Curious if anyone knows band scores for other groups? Those scores were never given to directors from the prelim performances. I know that Totino won (and should have, they were very good!) and believe Huntington North was 3rd or 4th with a score of 145/150. This caption must have been very close!
lc got both of the best performers. the female performer winner was chelsea I don't know her last name but she was a beast!!!!
I think you're wrong about Paige Hauer from Kennedy winning, seeing as how she graduated last year and is currently finishing her freshman year at Viterbo University.
FAME Chicago 2010
good thing I got the DVD!
this girl...She's one of the best performers I have ever seen!
