Hey all my show choir lovers out there <3 I know we're all still recovering from the dreaded show choir hangover and I have the perfect remedy.... Southern Shows! Come check out the podcast exclusively on Soundcloud where we covered the events that happened all across the south. We discussed how we felt about placements and I FINALLY clear the air on how I truly feel about Petal Innovations. Timestamps are included so you can jump right to the section of your choice. see you soon :3
This is for prelims; I will write about finals after prelims.
No Small Notes other than placement
• Purvis in third
• West Marion in 2nd
• Wayne County in first
Women’s Division
Wheaton girls put on a spectacular show. The theme of what I assume was slumber party or “girls just wanna have fun” (a nod to the acclaimed cult classic) was cheesy but the good kind of cheesy that you enjoy in old Disney channel original movies. Overall these girls were absolutely stunning, and I can’t wait to see how they stack up to these other groups. The soloist holding the tiger head, I applaud you! Honestly had me smiling during your entire solo. Every girl on that stage gave their all and it shows. Good Luck to you in your future endeavors and please visit us down south any time.
Northwest Rankin girls never cease to amaze me. Being an alumnus of this school, these kids hold a special place in my heart. One of the best runs I’ve seen of them yet and I can’t wait to see where they go from here, because it can only be up! Other than the issue of mics being in the wrong place (and that leading to blocking issues) Reflection never disappoints. I just want to brag on my girls and how absolutely hard they work. Thank you, Toney Keeler, for transforming this group to what we see now! Olivia Sangster destroyed her rap and all I can say girl just keep the mic at your mouth even when you turn your head so we can every word. Hailey Terrell once again continues to sing her heart out. Sierra Humphries has a beautiful rendition of true colors. Apple, yes, her name is apple, and Amy Tenney brought true power to the closer and even though they are only a freshman and a sophomore you could never tell! All and all the show closed out and I can say that again I’m beyond and amazed at the effort these girls give 24/7.
Middle Division
Westgate congrats on your first year out I hope to see a bright future for the group.
NEJ continues to compete at a high level. The show as a performance is consistent from competition to competition. Daygen, good job you continue to perform Jack Sparrow very well! To the female lead I don’t know your name, but you kill everything you do.
Northwest Rankin, I am beyond proud. The amount of effort you put in today was absolutely breathtaking. To Sophia Coleman your solo always brings a tear to my eye. To Slay Lucius and Paris Baker, your ballad solos never cease to amaze me. Robert Bouie killed Down with Love Kailey Spann slayed the girl’s number and Micah McGriggs always rocks the boy’s number. To the girl’s number soloist your name escapes me, but you blew it out the water. Overall the opener and the ballad were beautiful, powerful and full of emotion. Songs like Attitude Dance, She’s a Bad Mama Jama, Down with Love and Uptown Funk/We Want the Funk, were fun, energetic and lifted the show to new heights. Beyond proud of my high school for doing their best and giving their all. CONGRATS to Zach Templeton for making solo comp finals!
Sumrall congrats on the dub and I applaud you. Y’all really killed it and I hope to see more of that intensity soon.
Wheaton Warrenville, I mean Cosmo and Wanda, you aint that slick lol. All jokes all jokes. Your show was ASTOUNDING. I can’t begin to say how excited I was to see this show and you did not disappoint. The girl soloist from the ballad I APPLAUD YOU SIS. One of the best solos I heard. Credit to the male soloist in the ballad as well, boy you can sing! I mean this in the nicest way possible, I felt like I was tripping in the last part of the show. Welcome to the Renaissance was perfection and I felt like the comedy of the show that is Something Rotten was portrayed to a tee. I applaud your vocals and your visuals. For my first time seeing your group I am again ASTOUNDED. I hope to see you again in the future whether it be down here in the south or I somehow make it to a Midwest competition. I conclude with a Thank You.
Clinton, where do I begin? David Fehr, you are a genius. Asia Smith, and every other soloist, you blow my mind more and more every time. Like the beginning of your Tony portion says, One more time. Oh, how I love watching this show. I first saw the show in December at the Fall Revue and even then, I was amazed by the level at which the show already was. Now 2 months (almost 3) later and these past two competitions have only proven to me just how amazing this group and the show really is. When the curtain opens these kids have already stolen the show. From the first point they open their mouths to the final steps off stage these kids own it. The level of talent coming out of Clinton Mississippi is beyond belief and I wish I could have even auditioned for a group like that. The solos throughout the show are amazing, beautiful, fun, and just wow. I don’t know what is going on in Clinton, but Mr. Fehr should bottle it and sell it because I’d buy the whole stock (Mr. Fehr I’ll even pre-order). I could go on and on about prelims, but I’ll save the rest for my final’s comments.
Decatur, oh what a joy to see this show. Thank you for meeting with my high school and showing them their first taste of mid-west show choir. Thomas, you really be killing everything you do. And the queen in that one number, GIRL BETTER SANG. The show was powerful, and the ballad had me nearly in tears. How you produce so much sound with only 31 on stage is beyond me but I need to know for when I direct one day. Erik Taylor, please hit me up I just want to pick your brain. More commentary in finals.
Finals
Let me just start off by saying that I am very proud of every group who performed today. Amazing the level of talent, we have in the show choir world!
Sumrall Legacy, congrats on making finals you gave it your all and I’m proud of you.
Wheaton Warrenville Esprit, I love you! Such a powerful group of women and again just amazing soloists.
Decatur, WOW. Even better the second time. You are stunning on that stage and I’m so very proud. Personally, this was my second favorite show of the day! Congrats to Decatur’s two solo comp finalist. Your solos blew me away. Thomas Words Fail is one of my Top 10 Favorite songs. I especially applaud you! Visually stunning, Vocally pristine, and some of the sweetest kids on this earth!
Wheaton Warrenville South The Classics. You stole best show design. WOW. I still stand by my statement of female ballad soloist being one of the best solos today. The show was just as good the second time as the first. Nothing really to improve these kids just poured their hearts out for everyone in that auditorium. I would to just sit in on a rehearsal to see the kind of dynamic a group must have to be so good.
Finally, and most important to me, ATTACHE. David Fehr is still a genius. This man has been killing the game for I want to say 28 years with Attaché (and a successful career with Sullivan pre 1992). You sir are instilling values in these kids that will lead them to great success beyond Attaché and I only hope I can eventually be half the director you are. I saw your movie and if I didn’t already respect you (don’t worry I did) the movie really opened my eyes to how much you care about your program and your kids. The sound Attaché produces is unlike any other and this is why they do so well. The sound is mature beyond their years. The visuals are stunning, the cleanest I’ve seen of any group this year. The design of your show is so genius. People might say it’s easy to do something like EGOT but choosing songs to fit the flow of the show like you have is what makes it great! I applaud everything you do and would love to just sit in on a class to see the inside dynamic you have with these kids and what you do to ensure the level of success they have throughout the year!
WWS “Esprit”
Your show is so fun! Never have I seen an entire song choreographed inside of sleeping bags! Overall, nice blend. Great use of dynamic contrasts, particularly during the ballad. Be careful of the heaviness in the lower range. Also, great band!
Sumrall “Legacy”
Opener was very clean. It was hard to hear the guys because of the small number (and are you missing a guy too)? Nice a cappella closing statement of the ballad. Great selections. At the end, I think the mic balance was off because I heard a lot of alto.
Decatur “Elite Energy”
Very bright and present sound with great vitality. Excellent emotional connection with the text, and excellent communication with the audience. Very nice male sound. Everything was so tastefully done, and moments of very strong feels/message.
WWS “The Classics”
Choreography is very pleasing to the eye (which is effectively magnified by the large size of the choir). The guys’ green pants were awesome. I thoroughly enjoyed the “welcome” medley. Nice blend between vocal parts as well.
Clinton “Attaché”
Great little snapshots of the award winners. Signature Clinton sound—dark, mature sound—not forced (letting the mics do the work). Great dynamic range and PHRASING. Excellent male sound. One of my favorite things about Clinton every year is the nod to legacy (Freebird, Seasons of Love). I don’t really need to comment on the choreography—you already know the answer.
I’m really glad I decided to drive over for finals. It was great to see some really high-quality and diverse groups. I’m especially glad to have gotten to see both of WWS’s groups and Decatur as well. World-class choirs.
There's a link in the event menu above that says "LIVE NOW!" Click on that, and then in this particular case it will take you to the YouTube channel for this broadcaster. Find the video thumbnail with the "LIVE NOW" indicator in red below it and click it. You should be able to see the show.
Best costumes - Clinton
Best solo in show - Jaylen Hudley (sp?) from Wayne County
Solo finalists - Jayla Lee from Decatur, Zack Templeton from Northwest Rankin, and Thomas Karunas from Decatur
Yes, I think it was a bit of a shock, but huge congrats to Sumrall.
WWS had a very solid show with super fun choreography. I didn't see their women's group, but they obviously did great since they made finals.
Decatur's show was so fun!! Their soloists and energy are amazing, and they have such a strong, almost gospel-like sound. Can't wait to see them again tonight.
Clinton.. I'm still not over this show. Every single aspect, from choreography to vocals to show design to soloists to costumes is 10/10. They have changed some things since last weekend that I think help with the transitions/flow. I would put this show up against any show choir show I've ever seen live or on video, honestly. Much respect for Clinton Attaché.
I felt bad for Decatur when the kid hit the split and accidentally knocked a mic off stage, but I just say, they handled it with such complete professionalism. You’d think it never even happened. In normal conditions I’d say that this was completely wide open, but Clinton has a near perfect show....
