2011 Diamond Bar ***Spectacular*** Show Choir Competition part 2

               Dear all:

                        Before I begin, coming up is the 2nd part of the post regarding the recent 2011 Diamond Bar ***Spectacular*** Show Choir Competition.


                          As always:
                               -Justin Rodger



                                             The next Show Choir to come up on stage is  Mark Keppel High School's "Aztec Singers" blasting us of to space (especilly appropriate as NASA's Jet Propultion Labs is less than 10 miles away from Mark Keppel High School), leading us into the stragne "world" of the Universe, in this "Cosmic Fantasy". We see a strange array of Aliens, as the astronauts travel through the strange planet of Mars, getting themselvs into all sorts of trouble. Ending with the excellant light show conslusion, the Astronauts find themselvs safetly back on Earth.

                                               "Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,"* (http://www.e-text.org/text/Shakespeare%20William%20Romeo%20and%20Juliet.pdf) so appropriatly beings Caralsbad High School's "Sound Express", in this wonderful art piece telling the story of Romeo and Juiet. First we find ourselvs at a Masquerade (ironically enough), with all the fighting and worry between the two families to which they belong. Then with the very emtional ending, with the very interesting set up of the risers.

                                                "Chim chimminey Chim chimminey Chim Chim Cherrry, a sweep is as lucky as lucky can be, can't put me finger on what lies in store, but I feel what's to happen all happend before....on the roof tops of London........" then suddenly, a flash, a roar, we are transformed into early 1900s London (as opposed to 1960's London last year), then amoung all of the commotion and hallabalu, Brea Olinda High School's "Masquerade" starts off with their fantastic Mary Poppins mini set of the "The New Broadwy" set for this year, somehow managing a medly on various songs from the Shreman Bros. Musical. Then out comes probably one of the most unusual things in Show Choir history, your classic happy Mary Poppins Penguin starting off the rather sensational Green Day Medly, then boom suddenly he and the entire stage is transformed into the dream of your average Green Day fan, with the concept of love, betrayel, and love again with the beautiful 121 Guns, ending with "Holiday" with the rather suprising toliet paper ending, as the curtain closes.


                                                      The last Choir of the evening was the famos Serrano High School "Vocalpoint" which left us with a differnt, but interesting set consisting of Telephones called "off the hook", starting from the 1950's on. Such a marvelous set consisting of various sound and lighting effects new to the Show Choir World. This set included various classics such as "one way or another" amoung various titles, and left the crowd hungry for more, but leaving us next to the awards which will be posted next.


                                     This competition certainly sealed Southern California Show Choir's fate as being the pinacle and standard of Show Choir, especilly with the major political shifts taking place this year. Amoung which, include the cancellation of the Aztec Sing, and various changes in choreography and direction.

Videos on our youtube page (which twice made "Show Choir"'s facebook's "Show Choir Song of the day").
http://www.youtube.com/user/ChoirBlog?feature=mhum

                                 As always:
                                        -Justin Rodger.                                      

2011 Diamond Bar ***Spectacular*** Show Choir Competition

                 Dear all:

                          Well as I write this, I am currently in the process of uploading videos of the 2011 Diamond Bar ***Spectacular*** Show Choir Competition, and I Paraphrase from last night "The 2011 So.Cal Show Choir Competition season has commenced". So here we are at the start of the 2011 So.Cal Competition Season (ohhhh what fun!!!!). Now, I won't be telling you where on this post i've posted the very important post, that is the post of the placings (I think im going to need a Post Office in that regard). Most of what has written has been fashionably edited, but written at the time of the preformance, so lets take a look.


                           Since the retirement of long time director Rollie Maxson, it is apparent that Arcadia has made quite a few changes. Some of which include the use of Risers, Parasals and Tap Dancing (remember I said "Arcadia" not "Brea"), speaking of Brea, what more of a suprise to Brea when they ("Chaunteurs") ask in their ballad "Where is love" reminiscent of last year's Ballad for Brea's "Spellbound", from the Lionel Bart musical "Oliver". Concluding with a wonderful medly on "He Ain't Heavy, He's my Brother/You Raise me up" arranged by Bobby Scott and Brendan Graham.

                             The Glendora High School "Royal Stewart Singers", one of the older Show Choirs, is currently under the direction of Dr.Brian Trevor, Choreographed with their new Choreographer Angela Vamos (who will be featured in the "Glee" Superbowl commercial for GM) and Assit. Choreography by Stephanie Lizzaraga. They opend up with the rather powerful mid-20th century classic "Let yourself go" which lead into their first ballad "Come live with me and be my love". Naturally going into the rather suprising Glee hit "Somebody to love". Going into thier hauntingly beautiful second Ballad "Angel Breating Out". Finishing up with the Bon Jovi Classic "Livin' On a Prayer".

                            At this point in the Competition, we now enter into the world of the more "showy" Show Choirs (typical of the quality of So.Cal). As the Curtain opens in harmony with the "ohhs" and "ahhs" of the crowd, we seem to find ourselvs in a setting Conducive of nature. We find this sort of "nature goddess" who seems to be thet most popular girl in the forest, then she is at the all time low of mistrust and pity (the apittim-y of of pitty as some might say). Then, some how by her good graces, she is pittied so much, that this small group of women come to console, and then more and then more. Then finally, she realizes humility and then all is at peace and Harmony (literally).  In this set called "Clear Blue Morning", preformed by the Hart High School "Sound Vides" directed by Gail Hart and Choreographed by Gerald Espinosa.

                            Our 4th choir for the night, "Sound Machine" from Bonita Vista high School, under the direction Roxanne Ronacher and Choreographed by Bobbi Adams. This set called, "Caught" is a true tribute to the world of Spiders. "The Itsy Bitsy Spider walked up the water spout" beings the set, as the stage lights up to find us with a Choir of laments regarding insects, with a rather huge spider web gracing the stage. So now we open with "Kiss of the Spiderwomen" and the very Hot "When the Jitterbug Bites". Next we come to "Spider's web" and the 2nd hit "Boris the Spider", like its counter part "Jitterbug" from earlier, we see and hear things reminiscent of the 1940's (including tap dancing), and ending with "Fancy Free/I got no strings" arrangments by Hearane.

                 More later:

                         As always:
                                 -Justin Rodger.                               

The 12 days of Compitition

        Dear all:

                  In order to celebrate our 20th post, to take a break from the soon ending series on advice concerning great preformances, here is "the 12 days of Compitition" by the Bonita Vista "Music Machine" 2009
At the First Compitition my True love Gave to me:

1. A Brand New Acapella Piece

2. Hours of Sleep

3. Tired Judges

4. Broken Props

5. Billion Sequins

6. Nervous Breakdowns

7. Minute Warmups

8. Costume Changes

9. Dizzy Dancers

10. Pounds of Hairspray

11. Pounds of Makeup

12. Hour Festivals

We wish you the best of Luck now, and the grand Championship!!!!

              Brought to you by the 2009 Bonita Vista Music Machine

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8PeaGRmZ5Y&feature=related
                       As always:
                           -Justin Rodger

Great Preforming tips part #2-Getting "In the Zone"

                   Dear all:

                          Ok, so it goes without saying, the more energy you have, the better chances of a great preformance and possibly the best chance at winning. It is important to have this energy at every rehersal, but within reason (lets not wear our energy out), but it is especilly important at the shows (and especilly compitition). Naturally, we just don't get this energy on command, it develops, and their are various ways to help develop and nurture this energy the right way.

#1-Singing from your Favorite Broadway Musicals
 (like, for example, one of the things that gets me is "Defying Gravity" from Wicked, or "Not for the life of me/Throughly Modern Mille" from Throughly Modern Mille).

#2-Watching other High Energy Show Choirs (I highly recommend watching anything Brea-especilly "Spellbound" and a few "Masquerade" sets on youtube-thus explanning the "Brea Juice" joke).
Brea:
Spellbound 2010-Part 1
Spellbound 2010-Part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqOAUuzQBDo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jSPXUkjnXs&feature=related
Masquerade 2009 "Everything old is New again" and "Rio De Janiro"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EITX69el-WM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwzdpVPDzHs&feature=related
John Burroghs:
Powerhouse: "Run"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq7AVYLySyE
Ceder Rapids: "Washington"-"Jai Ho":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGGGbG-5DTQ&feature=related

But if you have you're own particular preferance-No one's twisting your arm (except maybe your dance partner---LOL!----here's to dry humor).

#3 Watch "Gleeful: The Real Show Choirs of America"
Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtiUHYxsn5A
Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fHi1tqLjo6U&feature=related
Part: 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoOVbkaSs20&feature=related
Part 4:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoOVbkaSs20&feature=related
Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoOVbkaSs20&feature=related

And listen to incredibly exciting music, my suggestions:

Caramelldansen: (including the famous dance) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dic_TIFv6mg&feature=fvst (the dance which involves dancing around, with your hands on your head shaped like little Kitty Cat Ears)

Its Ranning Men (which like 6 Girl Show Choirs did last year) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bBlbPw7WAqM

and I need a Hero (which Glendora's Tartan Silhouettes mixed into a nice melody with Ranning Men)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBwS66EBUcY


#4-Get the competitive Spirit (IE, where Here to win, etc)

#5-PIZAZZ!!! (Basically, you count 1 2 3 and yell "Pizazz" with a random {repeat 3 times, recommended in a group}).

#6-Watch DVD's of Past Preformances

What NOT to do:

#1 Eat Caffine (the Theater Custodians are tired of cleaning up-after the remains of Show Choir people who suddently explode from over excited-itus) JUST KIDDING!!!!!!!! No really, don't eat large amounts of caffine, beacuse it has been known to dry out your trachea quite quickly. But a small piece of Chocolate chased down with Water could probably improve a preformane in getting your energy (like I mentioned above).

#2 Dairy Products (if you could possibly help it)-also known to down your voice quality.

                           And we will start posting on YouTube starting Saturday.

                                         As always:
                                                -Justin Rodger

Great Preformint Tips #1-Warming Up and Streching

                     Dear all:

                           Warming up, and streching can be very well one of the most nessacary and effective ways to prepare for a preformance (including Show Choir activities). Remembering that streching, in a big part, is meant to improve our flexability. Flexibility is imperitive beacuse "It improves muscle balance around a joint, thus improving posture. It reduces the chance of injury when playing a sport or in every day activities (and) "It increases the blood and nutrient supply to muscles and cartilage, thereby also reducing muscle soreness after training"*. In my own experiance, I have preformed in dance shows where they don't even let you on stage (to preform/reherse) until you've streched. Should we not have the same attitude with Show Choir, where 70% is focused in the quality of a preformance? It is also a known fact that streching makes quite a dramatic differance (for the good) in your preformance (higher kicks, straighter and just all around cleaner dancing/physical activity).

                        A lesson known thing about streching is the importance of warming up before auctually streching. Although nothing particularly strenuous, even taking a 5 minute warm shower helps to lossen your joints (this still doesnt make up for streching though). Although with all things, their is a right way and a wrong way to strech.

                             "

"Stretching should not be done as a warm-up to an activity as you could injure your muscles if stretching them when they are cold. At least 3 to 5 minutes of cardiovascular training is recommended to warm up the muscles sufficiently. Each major muscle group should be stretched slowly and with control, holding each stretch for 1 to 3 sets of 10 to 60 seconds. Hold each stretch at the point of mild tension or tightness, not to the point of pain.  It is important to stretch after doing any physical activity. When muscles perform any exercise, they tighten and shorten as a result. Stretching them out helps to restore and improve their length. When doing strength training, you could stretch each muscle group directly after performing each set"*.

            But as always we must be careful about when and when not to strech. Various examples include after a recent injury (such as a fracture) or when it causes a particular amount of pain (although, we musn't be so quick to give up, after all, no pain no gain!).

               Streching after any preformance is also important, and all the more effective to reduce the chance of injury which could possibly keep you out of compitition/future preformances. Even if the IHOP, or Denny's is all that way.

                          As always:

                             -Justin Rodger

                      *http://www.bodyandmind.co.za/healthweb/The_Importance_of_Streching.html

Great Preforming Tips Series

               Dear all:

                           I hope in this series of preforming tips to impart some of my knowledge-especilly for those who are first timers in Show Choir/Preforming arts!! If you have any of your own advice, don't be bashful! (but don't be rude either!!!).

                       Don't forget----we will be following up on our local Show Choir events on our facebook events page!!! http://www.facebook.com/pages/SoCal-Show-Choir-Blog/173274506048034?v=app_2344061033#!/event.php?eid=189872341042012&index=1

                             As always:
                                   -Justin Rodger

Facebook events!!!

          Dear all:

                As with the creativeity of the facebook world, a whole list of events are to be posted time by time, but certainly not dull, as two have just been posted today!!!

                           http://www.facebook.com/pages/SoCal-Show-Choir-Blog/173274506048034?v=app_2344061033
                As always:
                     -Justin Rodger!