Wow. What an incredible competition. While I honestly must say that I would have had the results a little different than they ended up, all groups in finals impressed me so much and deserve to be given credit for the place they received.
Teays Valley- Wow. This was the third competition that I had seen your show at, and while you fell a little short for me in prelims, your finals performance showed me the Teays Valley that I'm used to seeing. It was an entirely different show. Vocals were fantastic and the choreo was much tighter. Also, your ballad soloist has been incredible every time I've seen your show- I don't know what his name is(if anyone knows, feel free to tell me because he deserves credit), but he's really really talented. Great job guys, you should be proud!
Waconia- You were the group that surprised me the most. Going into the weekend, I didn't expect nearly the show you gave on Saturday. Your finals performance was in my opinion one of the highest energy shows of the night, and your choreography really popped. The vocals were excellent as well, but I lost a little bit of diction in the second half your show both times that I watched it. Overall, though, you were fantastic and I'm sad that I won't be seeing you at Indy, because you're absolutely a talented enough group to deserve to go. You have all worked so hard, and it really showed. Great job Power Company!
Totino Grace- I'm going to be honest. I was a little under-impressed. You have a tremendous amount of talent, and your director gives you so much to work with, and while in finals you stepped it up a lot, the choreography was not the cleanest of the day and I would have probably have had you in third after finals. Don't get me wrong, you guys performed your faces off and deserved the praise you were given- however, the vocals and choreography didn't lock in the way I expected them to after hearing so many good things about you since seeing you last in 2009. I really hope to see you again at Indy, I'm sure you'll be flawless. Great job and congrats on your second place finish.
Wheaton Warrenville- This was also the first time I had seen your group live since 2009. You did not disappoint. You guys leave it all on the stage every time you perform, and for that even if you hadn't won, you have nothing to regret because you gave your all. Your group has come so far from 2009, and I was honestly very surprised that you were not in the lead after prelims. Both the prelims and finals shows were fantastic, and I was very happy that you all pulled out on top in the end. You sing beautifully, and the choreography is executed so incredibly well. I really look forward to seeing you again at Indy.
Twinsburg- I must say, after seeing your show online and loving it, I was a little disappointed after prelims. I definitely think that you deserved to be in finals, and I'm glad FAME made it right after the scoring error. Your finals performance was of another level entirely. The show concept is beautiful, and you performed it very well. I honestly think that with Born this Way put into the show it doesn't flow quite as well for me, but regardless you sing and dance very well and should be proud. Props to your director for giving you such a meaningful show.
Fairfield- Where do I even start? This was my third time seeing you this year, and your show has grown SO much. I was a little disappointed in prelims due to the problems with the Combo, but you really stepped it up in finals. This was the first time that I found myself consumed by the message of your show, and you executed it beautifully. I honestly think you should have placed higher, but at the end of the day, you left everything you had on the stage and have nothing to be ashamed of. Keep working and come back strong at Indy. I know how hard you've been working and it really shows. This is your chance to bounce back, and I know you're capable of doing so. Thanks Mr. Clark for giving those kids such an inspirational show- and props to all singer/dancers and combo members for bringing the story to life. I'm so proud to be a Fairfield alum.
Overall it was probably the most intense finals I've seen. It could have gone any way, and every group should be proud to have been a part of this competition with such talented competitors.
I've just woken up and my brain still hurts from the events that occurred yesterday at the Genesee Theatre in Waukegan. The final competition was a show choir fan's dream. SHOW CHOIR MADNESS!
For the second year in a row, prelims was pretty underwhelming. It seemed like the mics weren't on, performers looked a bit scared (for good reason), little mistakes were made, and band levels were wonky. I felt that the only group that gave me a solid performance was Twinsburg. I also definitely had Totino Grace in first place after prelims. They had a firm showing and really had the vocal power to back it up.
Finals however, was a completely different story. It really could have gone to any of the top three- they were all extremely fantastic in finals!
(Stopped writing to go shopping)
Teays Valley- I felt like I was watching a completely new show choir during finals! I think FAME’s little “scoring error” was God’s way of saying “Hey Chad Alexander, there should be six finalists at FAME Chicago, not five.” I was really glad to see your show again because I feel I appreciated it a lot more than I did in prelims. Your band was great in finals after a shaky performance in the day. Teays is the first Ohio show choir I ever saw in my life way back at Onalaska 2004. It was good to see you again.
Twinsburg- I knew I was in for a treat even before coming to this competition. I saw the “Creep” video on YouTube a few weeks before attending and was mesmerized! I told myself that I would not watch the rest of your show on YouTube just to keep it fresh for when I saw it live. I am so glad I did this. The theme, design, delivery, and message of your show is just outstanding. It was the highlight of my day and one of the best shows I’ve seen this season. Your attention to vocal clarity and dynamic contrast is fantastic. There was never a time I didn’t understand a word. You should have received 11 out of 10 in projection and diction. I wasn’t really digging the choreography in the prelims, but it seemed to be much more connected and clean in the finals. Seeing “Creep” in the day live, made me cry. Some people throughout the auditorium chuckled, I’m not really sure why- maybe not understanding that this was a serious song… not your fault. No one did that in finals. That soloist has a beautiful voice- one of my favorite soloists of the season. Its not a grandiose solo, but it just is so hushed and tender- performed perfectly. I’d like to thank your director for pushing you as musicians and people in general as well for picking this show. I feel that a lot of directors are starting to pick shows with messages that pertain to “dark to light”… but picking one pertaining to “being different” and in turn pairing it with “the green theme” is genius. It was refreshing, to see something so different. There was not one performer who let the message fade. Everyone was strong and convicted in every word. I could go on and on. This show touches people… your performance touched me. I can’t imagine how many more people out there feel the same way. Congrats on that- this is the kind of group and show that makes me love show choir.
Waconia- ITS ABOUT TIME I’VE SEEN YOU! First off- you are so lucky to have someone like Kevin devoted to the constant betterment of your group. He truly is a gem in our show choir world. The prelims performance was NOT “on” for me. I had heard from spectators all season long that Waconia was the most energized and clean group that some people had ever seen, that your show was like “one big party”. I didn’t get that or maybe I wasn’t invited to the party. I saw performers making small mistakes, a lack of energy from the whole of the group, and vocals that were cloudy. I understand that you also have been criticized by some judges for having too much energy and being too clean/ bordering robots. Well, that’s the Waconia I wanted to see. I wanted to see the Waconia that was bursting with energy and clean choreo- and you delivered in finals. What a fun performance! You had some really great vocal moments and everyone was on fire. Myself coming from a show choir that did your ballad the year after Fantasia won A.I., and failing at it… it was fantastic to see a group really take the song and make it something greater than it already is. Congrats on a wonderful season. I’m looking forward to seeing you next year because I’m already hearing you all are in store for some great things!
Fairfield- I feel like from day to night, you were the most improved group. “Man Of La Mancha” is just stunning! I could watch that one over and over. I also loved the blue and white costumes in the end. Gorgeous. You all are just a solid unit. You can really tell how hard you all are working together. Can’t wait to see what next year brings.
Totino- WHAT A SHOW! April James shows the world once again why she is a part of show choir royalty- that choreo is fantastic. Vocally, you were superb day and night. The second song is soooo intensive, I’d die if I had to perform all of that choreo. I love the Vegas style performance of your closer. Visually it overloads the viewers eyes- and I say that in a positive way. I really have a feeling you could take the loss here and use that as fuel to get you to Indy and whomp everyone.
Wheaton- CONGRATS ON THE WIN! I felt like you could probably pull it out… but I wasn’t sure! Everyone was so amazing… but you did! You have such a vibrant spirit when performing that is infectious. You have one of my favorite ballads of the season and that opener and second song pairing is EPIC. The closer choreo is insanity! Congrats on your major win! And props to Jeffy on your Best Male Performer award… your SCA posse is SOOOOOOOO proud of you!
Such a fun day and sooo many show choir friends!
Thanks to the sweet things one Buffalo Grove mom in particular had to say to me. You're a peach!
Chris Miller - Instrumentals
Ted Brimeyer - Vocals
Sue Moninger - Vocals
Damon Brown - Visuals
Connie Mulligan - Visuals
However, all judges were on the same comprehensive scoresheet in Finals.
On another note, congratulations to all groups who competed! It was an honor to see and interact with each and every one of you! Best of luck in future contests!
Congrats to all the groups on a wonderful day of show choir! Got to see some groups I haven't ever seen before...and I was freaking out about seeing Wheaton live. It was amazing! Especially the opener. Twins burg had a reaaaally cool show too...it was very different and ironic and had many moments that made the audience laugh. Very entertaining! Everyone was very good. If anybody has any information on if the 3ru group goes to Indianapolis as well, please do share congrats to everyone again!
3rd runner up (Waconia) was not announced as being invited to Indianapolis, though I'm not quite certain it means they cannot come. I hope they can, I think their show is amazing.
As for the specific results, Totino received first place from two judges, second place from two judges, and third place from the final judge. Wheaton Warrenville received two first place results and three seconds.
FAME Chicago 2011
