One thing I would like to point out that probably goes without saying, but I'll say it anyway, is that the reason people get so excited about finishing ahead of groups like the ones that performed on Saturday at Linn-Mar, is because those groups are so good...year in and year out. I can tell you that the members of Happiness are not nearly as excited about their placement this weekend as they are about even being considered in the same league as Urbandale, Ankeny, Totino, etc... As a director, to have your group talked about in the same breath as these groups is quite humbling. It must be similar to what the Arizona Cardinals are feeling about now...
Saturday was a magical day. What an amazing collection of talented kids led by creative and talented directors and choreographers. And, I think the contest could hardly have been run any better than it was. Just a triumph all around. I feel blessed to have been a part of it.
QUOTE(WesTraen @ Jan 19 2009, 10:03 PM) [snapback]447370[/snapback]
Grand River 2008 Comp last year... Hastings received Best Band, Milton received Best Vocals and Best Choreography, and Totino-Grace received Grand Champion with no captions
So just proving it does happen a lot and that was just one example of a group not receiving a caption, but still placing in the top 2
And it royally sucks when that happens, but hey, life goes on.
sidenote: i still remember how shocked everyone was " border="0" alt="blink.gif" />
QUOTE(shochoyo! @ Jan 19 2009, 06:15 PM) [snapback]447313[/snapback]
I disagree that TG proved the Viterbo judges wrong...they proved that they can improve a lot in a little time.
Were you able to be at both Viterbo and Linn-Mar? If yes, I'd love to hear your thoughts on our show- we're always looking for ways to improve upon what we do.
QUOTE(shochoyo! @ Jan 19 2009, 08:15 PM) [snapback]447313[/snapback]
I disagree that TG proved the Viterbo judges wrong...they proved that they can improve a lot in a little time.
that is true, but i know what i saw
QUOTE
4) this is quite possibly the most aggravating detail. How did Cedar Rapids Kennedy get 2nd if they didn't win a SINGLE caption award. Honestly. Ankeny got Best Vocals which they fully deserved and Urbandale got Best Choreogaphy (which I wasn't a huge fan of but besides that.) How is it possible Ankeny got 3rd. I mean at least 2nd. I don't agree with the judges decision on Choreography, put Ankeny's choreography had to lower them into 3rd. Unless the just stood there and sang... which they didn't... I don't see how anyone could not see that Ankeny has at least clean choreography. Also isn't this show CHOIR!!! How can a group get Best Vocals and still get 3rd! Vocals is the MAIN part of Show CHOIR. So Ankeny deserved 2nd at least. Its plain stupidity and politics it seems. The judges seem to have some unknown vendetta against Ankeny. If the judges didn't want them to win, then thats just ridiculous.
Grand River 2008 Comp last year... Hastings received Best Band, Milton received Best Vocals and Best Choreography, and Totino-Grace received Grand Champion with no captions
So just proving it does happen a lot and that was just one example of a group not receiving a caption, but still placing in the top 2
QUOTE(Jorge @ Jan 19 2009, 10:07 AM) [snapback]447121[/snapback]
You didn't say "Hi" to me either, Jason. When you came over to talk to everyone I had no clue that was you until you left and they told me. Thanks for being a good show choir friend.
I guess I didn't realize that was you either, ha! I guess I should have looked at your picture from your profile.
QUOTE(WesTraen @ Jan 19 2009, 06:39 PM) [snapback]447285[/snapback]
Totino-Grace... You guys make me so proud to be an Alumni!! You proved the Viterbo judges wrong and keep up the great work!!
EDIT: DOES anyone got pt totals for FINALS?
I disagree that TG proved the Viterbo judges wrong...they proved that they can improve a lot in a little time.
QUOTE(DanceCaptainChica @ Jan 19 2009, 03:32 PM) [snapback]447256[/snapback]
First of all, I really hope that you aren't a student at Ankeny, but based on these comments, I'm pretty sure you are. Please think about how you're reflecting everyone from your school by posting things like this. I'm sure I don't have to say this but I hope everyone knows that the majority of students from Ankeny are a lot more respectful, tactful, and professional than whoever this person is.
Second, to comment on your points. 1- Urbandale was second after daytime, and Ankeny was in fourth. And that is because Kennedy out-performed every other choir during the daytime. Ankeny sang well and they were clean, but had one of the weakest performances out of anyone during the day. That is why they held those placements. And I'm not even going to say anything about Happiness not being a "real" show choir... just try and know something about what you're talking about before you make a post about it. 2- I would hardly call Ankeny's finals performance "heart- stopping." I love them just as much as anyone else from Ankeny, but they have A LOT of work to do when it comes to putting on an exciting show, ESPECIALLY if they want to compete with Urbandale, Kennedy, or half the groups they are going to be up against next weekend at Johnston. Yeah, they performed a heck of a lot better in finals than they did during the day, but if you watched finals and saw Urbandale, Ankeny, and Kennedy all back to back, it was clear which groups of kids get how to sell an entire show, and which one doesn't quite yet. It has nothing to do with having a new director. Like others have said, VA's closer does not end their show the way it needs to to have as much of an impact as other shows they are competing against do. 3- Urbandale executes what Damon Brown gives them better than anyone. Yeah it may not be as difficult dance wise as what April James gives Ankeny, but they SELL it. They make it exciting.
And your last point. The top 3 groups were seperated by 3 points. That makes it VERY possible for Ankeny to have won best vocals and received third place. They moved up from their daytime placement, and they are happy about that. They were simply out performed by BOTH Urbandale and Kennedy on Saturday. That's why they got 3rd. Maybe next weekend will be a completely different story. But no, there are 2 equal parts to show choir. The show, and the choir. There is no vendetta.
In the future please represent your school a little more professionally if you are going to be posting on this website. Thanks.
I agree with Stephanie. I'm very sorry if this offended anyone, especially the members of the other show choirs that took part in this amazing competition.
Everyone will have their own opinions of how things should have been handled, who should have won, but in reality those judges decided on one day and night performance on who should win and who did the best. That's all that it is, it's not life or death.
Urbandale has an outstanding program, with more GC than are countable in the last five years, they do a solid product every single year. To harp on them, is like to harp on Tiger Woods (not comparing the two, but an analogy) They work hard, just like everyone else, it's just that Steve Woodin has figured out what works for him and his show choir to motivate them and to get an amazing product.
I really hope that you, "who doesn't love it?" learn to constructively voice your opinions especially if you were to have given more thought to them.
"Happiness" rocks. Hands down. Not only did they deliver an amazing show, but did so with a novelty that rocked my socks off, and that's hard to do. Kennedy's musicals must be the cat's pajamas.
QUOTE(who doesn @ Jan 19 2009, 02:30 PM) [snapback]447237[/snapback]
I have several points i would like to make.
...
Here ends my rant. I liked all 3 shows and I'm not meaning to wail on Happiness, but the judging just doesn't make any since to me at all.
First of all, I really hope that you aren't a student at Ankeny, but based on these comments, I'm pretty sure you are. Please think about how you're reflecting everyone from your school by posting things like this. I'm sure I don't have to say this but I hope everyone knows that the majority of students from Ankeny are a lot more respectful, tactful, and professional than whoever this person is.
Second, to comment on your points. 1- Urbandale was second after daytime, and Ankeny was in fourth. And that is because Kennedy out-performed every other choir during the daytime. Ankeny sang well and they were clean, but had one of the weakest performances out of anyone during the day. That is why they held those placements. And I'm not even going to say anything about Happiness not being a "real" show choir... just try and know something about what you're talking about before you make a post about it. 2- I would hardly call Ankeny's finals performance "heart- stopping." I love them just as much as anyone else from Ankeny, but they have A LOT of work to do when it comes to putting on an exciting show, ESPECIALLY if they want to compete with Urbandale, Kennedy, or half the groups they are going to be up against next weekend at Johnston. Yeah, they performed a heck of a lot better in finals than they did during the day, but if you watched finals and saw Urbandale, Ankeny, and Kennedy all back to back, it was clear which groups of kids get how to sell an entire show, and which one doesn't quite yet. It has nothing to do with having a new director. Like others have said, VA's closer does not end their show the way it needs to to have as much of an impact as other shows they are competing against do. 3- Urbandale executes what Damon Brown gives them better than anyone. Yeah it may not be as difficult dance wise as what April James gives Ankeny, but they SELL it. They make it exciting.
And your last point. The top 3 groups were seperated by 3 points. That makes it VERY possible for Ankeny to have won best vocals and received third place. They moved up from their daytime placement, and they are happy about that. They were simply out performed by BOTH Urbandale and Kennedy on Saturday. That's why they got 3rd. Maybe next weekend will be a completely different story. But no, there are 2 equal parts to show choir. The show, and the choir. There is no vendetta.
In the future please represent your school a little more professionally if you are going to be posting on this website. Thanks.
QUOTE(who doesn @ Jan 19 2009, 02:30 PM) [snapback]447237[/snapback]
Does anyone else think that Linn Mar was a joke. I'm sorry, but honestly. I'm a fairly unbiased person but that competition was rigged. I have several points i would like to make.
1)How the crap did Urbandale and Ankeny get 3rd and 4th during daytimes? They're both strong groups with decent shows. Happiness is an awesome group of people, but they're basically a production... its not real show choir.
2)So what is up finals. Urbandale did an amazing job during finals, but they were not the best group there. Ankeny gave a heart-stopping performance that everyone seems to be passing over. I'm not sure if its because everyone thinks because they have a "new" director that they suddenly are bad. Or that because they got 3rd everyone thinks they're only worthy of that. Their energy and face was great and it looked to me like every person gave it there all.
3) Urbandale's choreography is decent. I'm not a huge fan of Damon Brown, but they get it done. The only thing is that... its not that hard. I mean i don't wouldn't want to try that up there but still. They were clean but other than that I wasn't shocked. Ankeny had rocking choreography... and it was clean, crisp, and powerful. Unless, i missed something they were just as clean as Urbandale but with harder choreography. So I'm confused on how that worked.
4) this is quite possibly the most aggravating detail. How did Cedar Rapids Kennedy get 2nd if they didn't win a SINGLE caption award. Honestly. Ankeny got Best Vocals which they fully deserved and Urbandale got Best Choreogaphy (which I wasn't a huge fan of but besides that.) How is it possible Ankeny got 3rd. I mean at least 2nd. I don't agree with the judges decision on Choreography, put Ankeny's choreography had to lower them into 3rd. Unless the just stood there and sang... which they didn't... I don't see how anyone could not see that Ankeny has at least clean choreography. Also isn't this show CHOIR!!! How can a group get Best Vocals and still get 3rd! Vocals is the MAIN part of Show CHOIR. So Ankeny deserved 2nd at least. Its plain stupidity and politics it seems. The judges seem to have some unknown vendetta against Ankeny. If the judges didn't want them to win, then thats just ridiculous.
Here ends my rant. I liked all 3 shows and I'm not meaning to wail on Happiness, but the judging just doesn't make any since to me at all.
Uh-oh Happiness. It appears we've been discovered. DARN IT!
QUOTE(who doesn @ Jan 19 2009, 04:30 PM) [snapback]447237[/snapback]
Happiness is an awesome group of people, but they're basically a production... its not real show choir.
If this were true, then they wouldn't be making finals or winning competitions for the last decade, wouldn't you think? Or are the judges of "Real Show Choir" under some magical spell?
Chelsea and Nick... your posts remind me why I love you guys and why you are my friends. These two are smart individuals who rock. I wish more posters were like this.
-edit-
I'd love to see an IP check on this certain poster.
I can assure you that Linn-Mar is not rigged or biased in any way. Urbandale always comes to Linn-Mar more prepared than most groups and they always come out with a bang.
1. Kennedy is a real show choir and their showmanship is unmatched. They're incredible people and amazing performers.
2. Ankeny won a caption, and arguably the most important caption at that. There were three points separating first from third, so it's not like they were scored way below everyone else. Someone had to come in third and that night it was Ankeny's turn.
3. Urbandale executes their choreography as cleanly as anyone out there.
4. The splitting of captions and groups not in the top two receiving captions frequently happens. It's not like this was a freak incident that has never occurred before.
You are obviously a huge fan of Ankeny... congratulations. Obviously the judges have no vendetta against Ankeny... you seem to forget Ankeny won Supernova two years ago.
In the future, please be careful what you post and who you offend on these boards.
QUOTE(who doesn @ Jan 19 2009, 04:30 PM) [snapback]447237[/snapback]
Does anyone else think that Linn Mar was a joke. I'm sorry, but honestly. I'm a fairly unbiased person but that competition was rigged. I have several points i would like to make.
1)How the crap did Urbandale and Ankeny get 3rd and 4th during daytimes? They're both strong groups with decent shows. Happiness is an awesome group of people, but they're basically a production... its not real show choir.
2)So what is up finals. Urbandale did an amazing job during finals, but they were not the best group there. Ankeny gave a heart-stopping performance that everyone seems to be passing over. I'm not sure if its because everyone thinks because they have a "new" director that they suddenly are bad. Or that because they got 3rd everyone thinks they're only worthy of that. Their energy and face was great and it looked to me like every person gave it there all.
3) Urbandale's choreography is decent. I'm not a huge fan of Damon Brown, but they get it done. The only thing is that... its not that hard. I mean i don't wouldn't want to try that up there but still. They were clean but other than that I wasn't shocked. Ankeny had rocking choreography... and it was clean, crisp, and powerful. Unless, i missed something they were just as clean as Urbandale but with harder choreography. So I'm confused on how that worked.
4) this is quite possibly the most aggravating detail. How did Cedar Rapids Kennedy get 2nd if they didn't win a SINGLE caption award. Honestly. Ankeny got Best Vocals which they fully deserved and Urbandale got Best Choreogaphy (which I wasn't a huge fan of but besides that.) How is it possible Ankeny got 3rd. I mean at least 2nd. I don't agree with the judges decision on Choreography, put Ankeny's choreography had to lower them into 3rd. Unless the just stood there and sang... which they didn't... I don't see how anyone could not see that Ankeny has at least clean choreography. Also isn't this show CHOIR!!! How can a group get Best Vocals and still get 3rd! Vocals is the MAIN part of Show CHOIR. So Ankeny deserved 2nd at least. Its plain stupidity and politics it seems. The judges seem to have some unknown vendetta against Ankeny. If the judges didn't want them to win, then thats just ridiculous.
Here ends my rant. I liked all 3 shows and I'm not meaning to wail on Happiness, but the judging just doesn't make any since to me at all.
I don't necessarily think the difficulty of the choreography has a whole lot of weight when it comes to deciding who should win a competition. I do think Ankeny was very clean...they always are, but in a situation like this one must look at the overall picture.
Urbandale and Kennedy were the only two groups who sang and danced consistently throughout their show. Ankeny fell flat towards the end. Something about their closer just doesn't live up to the rest of their show.
It's not about scoring them lower because they have a new director, it's about looking at which groups performed a well-rounded show.
I also happen to think the Cedar Rapids Kennedy is one of the most dedicated group of singers I have ever watched perform. Every single person on stage was completely invested into what they were doing that it was so much more entertaining to watch. Show choir isn't just about singing and dancing...it's about finding something within you worth conveying to the audience. That's what makes performing so much fun...being completely invested and having an intention. Cedar Rapids Kennedy did that for me.
I pegged either Kennedy or Urbandale to win...such different shows, each with its strengths. I think the judges decisions were quite accurate and fell in line with all of my fellow show choir geek's predictions as well. To say Linn-Mar was a joke is a tad melodramatic. In fact, I thought it was a well-run, and extremely entertaining venue.
Congratulations to all performers for a wonderful day!!!
I'm not trying to put you down or anything...this is just my two cents.
P.S. - thank you Bemidji for serenading us in Perkins at 2 am....loved it.
Every group deserves respect and that is something I did not give in my previous post. I am EXTREMELY sorry for my lack of judgment. I am writing this to help prevent the spread of my negative and hurtful comments and it would be very much appreciated if that everyone who quoted my previous post would delete those comments. Again, I am sorry to everyone that read my post and to all members of the groups I mentioned in my post.
I really enjoyed this competition. I just wish the results had been different. Everyone did an awesome job! It was a bloodbath and I can't wait to compete against Urbandale again at Johnston. People really get there's money's worth when groups like Ankeny, Urbandale, Kennedy, etc. compete!
Linn-Mar Supernova 2009
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