Very bold! I do think WWS has a strong chance of winning. I'm sure they'll be back with a vengeance for the rest of the season after losing their streak to Troy.
No disrespect at all to the groups who competed here last year, but I'm glad Clinton will be here this year because last year would have been a pretty easy sweep for them had they attended. I think this year it will be a lot closer than usual between them and Wheaton South (and possibly Wheaton North, depending on how strong they are). The last time Clinton and Wheaton South competed, Wheaton won the show design caption, and I think Wheaton is much stronger now. Clinton will still be amazing even under new direction, but this definitely won't be an easy GC for them. We shall see!
To clarify for those who don't know: Clinton was scheduled to compete here last year but withdrew the week of because their basketball team made it to the state championship finals.
It’s actually conceivable that Clinton *could* lose two contests this year, which hasn’t happened since 2008. A lot of the kids competing this year weren’t even alive when that happened, which is a testament to how dominant Clinton was in Dave Fehr’s last years as the director. I think Wheaton South probably beats them here, and Homewood or Brandon may at least win prelims at NE Jones. Finals? Maybe, but that’ll be harder to pull off than prelims.
I do think Clinton will still win here, but it's very possible that Wheaton South could come within 5-10 points, and maybe even steal a caption. I think Clinton will also beat Brandon and Homewood, but again I could see both of them coming extremely close and wouldn't be too surprised to see either of them steal a caption as well.
Adding some cool facts here. The last time Clinton lost the Overall Effect caption was to Wheaton South in 2020, and the last time Clinton lost a choreography caption was in 2011 at Homewood to *guess who* Wheaton South. (WWS also tied them for Overall Effect that year). Generally when trying to best a group like Clinton, one would think you need to beat them in Choreography, but here It looks like WWS or any of the other groups need not only close the gap in Visuals, but they also need to out-sing Clinton, which hasn't happened since 2013.
I do not think this will be a walk in the park for Clinton, however I do think they will pull off a definitive sweep here. With that being said, If there is a group that can beat them, It is WWS. We will get a great measure of WWS at the MTZ midwest Invitational happening today and tomorrow.
I would honestly be shook if Clinton lost at all this year. Someone mentioned the whole idea of inertia, and I think that probably applies for this season, especially with the Fehrs involvement. For example, Waubonsie Valley changed directors in 2016, but still had assistance from their former director, Mark Meyers. They did phenominal that season, (probably my favorite show from that group). With that said, virtually anything is possible!
I could see a change in Director affect Clinton they are a strong group but changing
Of Director is always tough. But who knows those kids are strong and I think they got this
GC- Clinton "Attaché" (sweep)
1st ru- Wheaton North "Flight"
2nd ru- Wheaton Warrenville South "The Classics"
3rd ru- Peoria "Soundwave"
4th ru- Wheaton Warrenville South "Esprit"
5th ru- Decatur "Elite Energy"
This will probably change, but this is what I could see happening as of right now. WWS and Wheaton North were neck and neck last year with WWS coming out on top. I think Wheaton North will beat them this year.
It's interesting that David Fehr is listed as a judge with Clinton competing.. not sure how I feel about that. Anyone know who else will be competing here?
Fehr as a judge is certainly intriguing, although I trust his judgement in this scenario. Isn’t he still the executive director for Clinton? If he’s not working with them still, I may need to rethink my predictions for Northeast Jones’s contest.
Does anyone have any additional information about the Clinton director situation? I would assume based on the title executive directors that the Fehrs may still be doing the arranging/costuming/behind the scenes stuff and Mr. Lyall is the one actually in the classroom teaching the singing and music.. not 100% sure though. I do agree that Fehr is a very reputable and fair (pun intended!) judge, but it's still very strange that he'll be judging the group he directed for so long.
They (Lyall, and the Fehrs) are directly involved with Clinton Attaché. Costuming, Arrangements, everything. Perhaps him being listed as a judge is a mistake?
I dont see Fehr judging being an issue at all. David built up probably the most iconic program to exist, having many past students go on to things much bigger than high school show choir. I really think he’ll be a great addition to the judging panel, and can give great notes to great groups up north.
I think we all agree there! But considering a group that he's directly involved with is competing, It would be a point of concern. Show Choir Is already subjective enough! Looking at the updated panel, seems like he won't be judging there anyways--
Second this stance a thousand percent! While still projecting a non-bias outlook, I think that a judge that is affiliated with a competing group gives more of an advantage rather than a traditional critique. However, there should certainly be specific guidelines and have it all play fairly. We all have difference stances, but I think this competition will have an interesting line up this year I will say.
My only issue with this, is yes; the Fehr's are involved with Clinton, however, what's different from a choreographer scoring their groups? Just a thought.
I do see this point, like although the choreographer is involved with the group, their job is to ensure that this group did exactly what he taught; and if they didn’t do that, that’s where those scores and comments come in. We won’t know the true outcome of this conflict until we see it for ourselves (??)