I think when you consider how many very competitive groups going to Onalaska have not even been MENTIONED in the finals predictions to this point (Sioux City East, Hastings, Sauk, etc.), you'd realize that any group being brought up at all is receiving plenty of love.
I have to say that I'm kinda surprised at how little love Omaha Westside is getting. It was only last March when at Showstoppers Orlando that Omaha Westside was 1st RU while Buffalo Grove was 3rd RU and Eisenhower was 4th RU. While I realize that this was a separate year, and also not as early in the competition season either, I would have thought there would some more people predicting them above either Buffalo Grove or Eisenhower. With that being said:
GC: Mt. Zion
1RU: Omaha Westside
2RU: Buffalo Grove
3RU: Totino Grace
4RU: Eisenhower
5RU: Wheaton-Warrenville
Vocals-Omaha Westside
Choreo-Mt. Zion
Band-Totino Grace
QUOTE(juliofrommississippi @ Dec 3 2007, 02:07 AM) [snapback]408761[/snapback]
I don't think Johnston will make finals at Onalaska this year. Last year was a surprising year for them. In the years before they were not nearly as good as last year. Also, last year was their old director's last year and there were some reused songs from when they had different choreographers. I really think last year was just a really strong year for Johnston but I'm going to be snarky and say that they will not replicate last year's success this year.
Actually, they only reused one (1) song - dating from 2001 (so it was entirely new to the kids - none of them had ever done it before). The other 4 numbers from their show were entirely new arrangements and choreography. The opener All of the Above was new to show choir entirely to my knowledge (I believe some other groups are doing it this year) and was freshly choreographed by Randy Sage, the 2nd number Lift Me Up by the Real Group was a new arr. and an original Mike Weaver number. The Boy Band medley was entirely their creation, also chor. by Randy, then the ballad was a new Pete Eklund arr (you can always recognize an Eklund arr. if all the voices go into an pure unison at some point - as opposed to octave unison). The closer was the only song done by the group before - 6 years earlier. The entire show purposely used multiple choreographers, so perhaps that's what led to some confusion - something they've done again this year. Last year really was strong - but I've seen steady improvement from them since 2004 when I moved back to the midwest, and I don't really have any reason to believe that progress would end, as they've hired a very capable new director and the Jr. class is just crazy talented.
On a total tangent, it was interesting that all 3 finalists at the Branson cup had at least 1 reused number. Johnston's closer, Spanish Fork's Rockin the USA medley (which I have a tape of Center Grove doing that from something like 2001 - pretty wild that it made its way out to Utah), then Homestead - who did a number of old GCS numbers.
But back on topic - I have no idea of how Johnston, or anyone else really will actually do at this contest. There are just too many unknown factors that come into play, so it's going to be really fun and interesting!
I don't think Johnston will make finals at Onalaska this year. Last year was a surprising year for them. In the years before they were not nearly as good as last year. Also, last year was their old director's last year and there were some reused songs from when they had different choreographers. I really think last year was just a really strong year for Johnston but I'm going to be snarky and say that they will not replicate last year's success this year.
Also, when was the last time Eisenhower beat Mt. Zion??? I personally can't remember. Mt. Zion hasn't ever needed good vocals to win competitions before and so I think this year will be no exception. And since Mt. Zion's strength has ALWAYS been their choreography, and Dwight is still with them I'm going to say Mt. Zion will be fine this year and so I have a feeling they will win. If Mt. Zion does have new and improved vocals this year they will be a force to be reckoned with this year. But if their vocals are as poor as they have been in past years (excepting 2005) then I believe they will still be fine. Either way, I do not believe Eisenhower will beat Mt. Zion this year.
Omaha Westside is a predictable group. They will sing very well, their band will be excellent, and their choreography will be clean, although not extremely difficult or impressive. However, I think they will make finals, as long as there is no disaster or surprisingly good shows from random groups.
QUOTE(ana @ Dec 2 2007, 10:24 PM) [snapback]408755[/snapback]
A few things...
First, Wheaton Warrenville has competed early for more than a couple of years- they were at Onalaska in 2004 (they got 17th- well, the scoresheets we got had them in 17th... who really knows what place they got?). Not sure about the years before then. At any rate, I'm excited to see them at Ona after the great things I've heard in the past year- hopefully the performance schedule will allow it.
Speaking of, we should be getting a schedule soon- we were told we'd get everything in November, so I'm guessing it's all on the way.
We have a list of judges somewhere- I'll have to dig it up.
Personally, I am terrified and ecstatic to be going back to The Classic- especially in this field of competitors. From looking at the list, there's at least 15 groups I'd predict for finals in any decent competition. In this competition, that's scary- and it means that the top 6 could potentially be made up entirely of groups that have not yet been predicted in finals.
Wow, 2004 WAS more than a couple years ago...haha. I knew they were there in 04', but I just can't believe it was 4 years ago already!!
Let me preface my "predictions" with the cautionary "I have seen none of
these groups yet this year, and I am only making predictions for the pure
fun of it."
Best Vocals- Totino Grace
Best Choreography- Eisenhower
Best Band- Totino Grace
Do I actually think Buffalo Grove won't make finals? No. They most
likely will but, it's fun to predict things that are DIFFERENT and that
raises questions
With a new director, will Buffalo Grove pack a punch?
Will Mt. Zion flourish with a new sound?
Will a previously strong Johnston be able to nip into finals? Or will
Sioux City East be tight and clean early in the season?
Will Xavier continue their rags to riches story with a new choreographer?
Will Sauk Prairie have one of their domination years like in years past?
Those are the questions that surface in my mind. We'll see what happens.
I'm sure not even in our wildest show choir imaginations, we will be able
to peg what will go down.
QUOTE(ana @ Dec 2 2007, 08:24 PM) [snapback]408755[/snapback]
A few things...
First, Wheaton Warrenville has competed early for more than a couple of years- they were at Onalaska in 2004 (they got 17th- well, the scoresheets we got had them in 17th... who really knows what place they got?). Not sure about the years before then. At any rate, I'm excited to see them at Ona after the great things I've heard in the past year- hopefully the performance schedule will allow it.
Speaking of, we should be getting a schedule soon- we were told we'd get everything in November, so I'm guessing it's all on the way.
We have a list of judges somewhere- I'll have to dig it up.
Personally, I am terrified and ecstatic to be going back to The Classic- especially in this field of competitors. From looking at the list, there's at least 15 groups I'd predict for finals in any decent competition. In this competition, that's scary- and it means that the top 6 could potentially be made up entirely of groups that have not yet been predicted in finals.
So modest
Ana, you and me sit next to each other the whole day! (minus when you are yelling at the sound people )
First, Wheaton Warrenville has competed early for more than a couple of years- they were at Onalaska in 2004 (they got 17th- well, the scoresheets we got had them in 17th... who really knows what place they got?). Not sure about the years before then. At any rate, I'm excited to see them at Ona after the great things I've heard in the past year- hopefully the performance schedule will allow it.
Speaking of, we should be getting a schedule soon- we were told we'd get everything in November, so I'm guessing it's all on the way.
We have a list of judges somewhere- I'll have to dig it up.
Personally, I am terrified and ecstatic to be going back to The Classic- especially in this field of competitors. From looking at the list, there's at least 15 groups I'd predict for finals in any decent competition. In this competition, that's scary- and it means that the top 6 could potentially be made up entirely of groups that have not yet been predicted in finals.
There are too many good, noted groups, it's far too early, and with this being the first major contest of the season - it's impossible for me to make any decent predictions. But - I think I can say this much, I will predict there will be some big surprises. As someone pointed out - with 3 top notch groups coming with new directors, it's almost impossible to predict what we'll see (though I've already heard good things about one of them!). I'll be really disappointed it if just ends up being the same ol' same ol' names and faces again. Because I have a feeling those in attendance will see some new powers emerge, and the results will hopefully recognize some new forces to reckon with for the rest of the season...
GC: Mt. Zion Swingsations
1RU: Totino Grace
2RU: Eisenhower
3RU: Omaha Westside
4RU Buffalo Grove
5RU: Wheaton Warrenville.
The top three groups are ALWAYS consistently ready for the second week in January- not a lot of groups can say that. Buffalo Grove may place higher, but I'm keeping them where they are.
With Mt. Zion's new director I'm hoping maybe they will be able to sing well (not that Gemar didn't teach well). Eisenhower usually has the package, and Omaha always sings well. Wheaton Warrenville has really only been competing this early for a couple of years, but will still place in finals I think.
I think it is sort of pointless to predict THIS competition. 3 of the groups that had successful years last year now have new directors, and in some cases, choreographers. No one knows how those groups will be this year. This certainly will be a surprising competition. And will this year be the year hell freezes over and Buffalo Grove doesn't make finals???
QUOTE(myhandsclap @ Nov 29 2007, 10:22 PM) [snapback]408657[/snapback]
Hey!
Here's the list of the attending schools as far as I know:
Buffalo Grove
Eisenhower
Hastings
Mt. Zion
Neenah
Omaha/West Side
Totino-Grace
Waconia
Xavier
De Pere
Tomah
Weaton Warrenville
Sioux City East
Sauk prairie
Johnston
Altoona
New London
Parkway Central
I'm so excited!
i think i'll try my hand at a prediction. with all of these wonderful groups going, it's oh so much fun.
GC- Eisenhower/Wheaton-Warrenville
1RU- Wheaton-Warrenville/Eisenhower
2RU- Mt. Zion
3RU- Buffalo Grove
4RU- Omaha Westside
5RU- Totino-Grace
Vocals- Wheaton-Warrenville
Choreo- Eisenhower
Band- Buffalo Grove
Onalaska Show Choir Classic 2008
