Lessons(417)

          The end of the season is a very emotional time for all the students involvement in the show choir program, but most of all, it is emotional for the seniors. As of this very day the is nothing like show choir in college besides choir. So this is a chapter in their book coming to an end, and depending on the type of season they have had that may be hard to cope with. And with my show choir career coming to an end, I thought this would be a good time to write about what show choir can teach you, but what it has definitely has taught me. 

           It has taught me to persevere through tough times. There are practices that would have people wanting to pull their hair out. People having disagreements about the most trivial dance moves could cause a riot in the whole group. So it taught me how to get through situations that are very annoying. There were also times when the results wouldn't be what we wanted but we couldn't just quite after that. We had to keep going, we had no choice. I'm glad we did though, it has made so many great experiences. One more way it has taught me to persevere is; my sophomore year I didn't make it into show choir, but not making it caused me to just work my butt off to make it the next year. 

          It's taught me that it's not all about winning. I know, it's cliche, but there is no other sport or activity that taught me this lesson more, especially this year. There were a few performances that we got off stage and fly like such a close group that had performed their hearts out that it wasn't necessary to win. We did not care. We liked that we got to perform as a group. 

           It taught me how to b a part of a team. In most sports if a person is missing, it's not very noticeable. A coach would just put a different kid in, but in show choir you can't do that so much. We all have certain spots and certain partners. If someone is missing it is noticeable. So you have to be a huge team player. You also have to boost your teammates up. 

           Show choir is not just an activity. It teaches kids how to get through tough times, how to persevere, and many more lessons, a teacher could never teach in a classroom. 

The parent show (395)

                The parent show. It's a loved tradition at my high school. The parents o all happiness,our varsity show choir, members get together and under the direction of junior leaders do a parody of our show. Although that was a bit hard this year because our theme was war. They wanted to make sure not to make fun of war or patriotism but to make fun of our show.  

                Let us start with parents that are supporters, biological parents that is. Many people who accept a Grammy or Oscar thank their parents, this is the least they can do to express how thankful they should be. Parents are always there to be an emotional rock for their child. Their child could bring them any problem they are having, any problem at all and they make it better, or not so bad. They also know their childs health better then the child himself. Not to mention the financial stress performing arts puts on kids. Yet through all this they still support their child no matter what.

                Show Choir moms in my choir are simply called “Mama.” I don’t think there is a more fitting name for them, since our show choir is a family. They take care of getting information out, organizing committees, costumes, make up, hair choice, and little things here and there. This is a lot to put on just a few people. They come to our competitions, no matter how far away it is. They find lost items. They remind us to stay hydrated. They have two downfalls; their own children, and emotions. Although there are new kids every year the moms still get attached to the kids in the show choirs now so when they leave the moms of course feel sad.

                Dads! Dads are the muscle and technical brain to almost everything, not just show choir. They help set up the stage so we don’t go over our time. They also help tear down after the performance. And unlike moms they are back stage so they can help with costume changes zipping up girl’s dresses and pointing out boys untucked shirts.

                Without parents most show choirs would have no set, no costumes, no one to go to when someone gets hurt, and no emotional support.  Parents are the core of show choir and without them there would not be a good show. 

Auditions(478)

One thing that makes people turn away from trying out for performing arts, such as show choir and musicals, is the actual try out. Which I admit can be very nerve wracking.  When I tried out for my sophomore year I did not make show choir. I always blamed the fact that I wasn’t good at auditioning. My voice would shake, I would be scatter brained, and I would think way too much. These are all things you should definitely avoid if possible. You should try to come across as calm, cool, and collected. Although this is tough for some people most of the time it can be managed.

            For the purpose of this blog I will be speaking about show choir auditions because they have to listen to you and watch you dance. My personal feeling is that the singing is more stressful then the dancing.  There are ways to prepare for the singing audition. First, pick a song and practice it, over and over again. Try to find someone who will listen to you, this takes away the stage fright, they also could provide helpful feedback. Another piece of advice would be; don’t practice too much, of course this isn’t a problem with the dancing. If you practice the vocals too much you get set on that one way to say it. So much so that if you do happen to make a mistake during the actual audition that is all you are thinking about, not what you are singing at that moment. One more thing to help your voice out a bit is to drink tea with lemon and honey, it coats the throat with lubrication. This is also helpful when you have a sore throat.

            The dance audition is less crazy because you learn it, you dance it, and you are done. First you have to learn the dance, when learning the dance make sure to pay close attention to details, like if the choreographers hand is in a blade or a fist. If you know this and someone else doesn’t, it could be the difference between making the group you want and not. Picking out key moves can also help your score. Although it may not be like this for all choreographers I know mine has moves that are his favorites, and when he teaches them it shows. If you give 100% to the whole dance, you should give 110% to those specific moves. Facials is one thing they also look at. Smile. Smile. Smile. Having good facials is very important. They know that they can tech a kid to dance, they don’t know if they can make him perform.

            The best advice I can give is to do whatever you have to do to be confident. Be confident in your song choice, in your voice strength, and also be confident with yourself. 

Leaving(466)

Being a teenager is a hard job in itself, throw in graduation and you have your self one stressed out person. Not only Are people thinking about going away from their friends but they are also thinking about stoping their activities for the year. 

          With the growing up, losing friends and loved ones, new emotions, and trying to be decently behaved in public. Not even mentioning school, or jobs, or family life, or extracurricular activities, or even friendships. Adults tend to ask a lot of teenagers now-a-days, but when does it become too much? I believe that it is good to push kids to be the best they can be, but if people push too hard it will cause stress and emotional damage to someone who is still learning to be a functional human being.

            At school I’m busy from 7 am until 3 pm. 8 hours of just absorbing new information, each night I would say I have a few hours of homework, probably about three hours. And after school I have practice for show choir, which isn’t that bad now, because it is preseason practice, but once we hit the competition season it will be chaotic. I feel bad for people in cross country or swimming because a lot of the time two practices will overlap and they would have to go one to the next. And of course jobs. After school jobs are great but they just add another activity that you need to fit into a schedule. With all this time taken up where do you put hanging out with friends or spending time with family?

            I believe that one of the reasons people who work a lot, or people who are super busy get more stressed out, and tent to have anxiety, is because they don’t have time to just talk with their friends or tell their parents or siblings about their day. Because of this lack of communication there can be conflicts in homes, causing more stress then before.

            A good friend of mine told me she had a conversation with her vocal teacher about just this subject. Her vocal teacher, Mrs. Elliot, had told her that in today’s society there is too much pressure put on kids to pick the right college, hang out with the right friends, join all sorts of clubs, and get a job. Mrs. Elliot said that when she was a teenager they let you be kids. I’ve read before that teenage students today have the same stress levels as psych ward patients did in 1950. And I totally believe it. It seems to me that in the 50s kids worried more about what poodle skirt they were going to wear then what college they were going to attend. Read more about stress here: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2011/01/its_not_the_job_market.html

Bring itto show choir.495

                “Do you have some bobby pins I could borrow?” someone says while holding her hair in position “Yeah sure check my bag.”

                “Does anyone have any hairspray?” Someone asks frantically, “Yeah get it from my bag over there!”

                So you forgot something while going to a show choir competition. Something vital, like hair spray or bobby pins, or make up. (Oh my) well have no fear your companions and classmates are here. Anything that you have misplaced I’m sure someone is bound to have one. But for now I thought I would share what I believe everyone should carry in their bags and things to have “just in case.”

                First, a water bottle. Staying hydrated while you’re eating unhealthy food and performing your heart out is a must.  Sweating could lead to de hydration, and performing two shows while not feeling well could result in some serious medical issues.

                Second, a change of clothes. Some show choirs dress up and in that case it would always be a good idea to have another pair of pants ready. Other show choirs wear jackets or tee shirts. Most of the time kids come in sweatpants and sweatshirts, anything to stay warm in these cold months, but after you get done performing under 1000 watt light bulbs and you are sweating all your make up off you might want something a little more summer like to wear. I suggest a pair of athletic shorts and a tee shirt. Then if you get cold after all the adrenaline is gone you can just layer up with those sweats.

                Third, make up. My show choir supplies make up for us but that might not be the case with all choirs. At the very least they don’t supply you with skin make up like cover up and concealer so you have to bring that yourself.  Some girls like to put it on even before going to the competition so as to not be seen without make up but I would still take it in case you start to break out or burn your forehead. (a personal experience of mine.) I would also bring my own eye liner and mascara and fake eyelashes because even if your choir provides that for you, you probably have better ones at home.

                Fourth, money. There is a lot to by at show choir competitions. From food to buttons to shirts, and everything costs money.

                Fifth, hair supplies. By know you know that show choirs need to look uniform and also have the same hairstyle, to do that hair style it might take half a can of hair spray and 50 bobby pins but you still have to do it. So I always bring a teasing brush, hair spray, bobby pins, and a straighter or curling iron. These few things are basics of show choir hair.

                With these things in your show choir bag you should be set for a full day of dancing and singing.0) 

auditioning(402)

No matter what you are into, sports, singing, dancing, or anything really there will always be a time when you just get so nervous you feel like you are going to throw up and you are going over things in your head over and over and over again. Your palms start to sweat, and the rest of your body fallows soon after. I am speaking, of course, of when you have to audition or try out for a spot on the team or to be part of the group. Auditioning and trying out can be the most nerve wracking parts of the year for anything. In my school you have to try out for show choir every year, and any plays or musicals you want to be a part of, if you want to be an actual performer.

            Auditions for show choir at my school are called “Blind Auditions.” This is because the directors sit behind our costume “cows;” large boxes on wheels we use for our costumes during the show, so they can not see you. Until you sing. You walk in, sign a sheet next to a number so the directors can match up your scores later, and sing “my country tis of thee.” If they want they have you sing a second song of your own choice. People tend to get really worked up about how much they had to sing thinking too far into it. It could me quite a few things; that they don’t like your voice, which they are thinking about you for a higher choir, they might even be thinking about you for a special or jazz choir. No one really knows except the directors. Then after that you have the dance audition. After that you wait for a month and see if you made the choirs you wanted.

To try out for musicals and plays you sing for the directors and musical directors.  There can be dancing and there could not be. There is always an acting part of an audition. This I personally to be the hardest part of the whole audition. It can be awkward with people you don’t know so well. Some thing I do to help get ready for this audition is read over the lines the directors give you with my parents or my sister. You could also do it with any one at your house that is willing. 

Rude433

People can be so rude sometimes. Dealing with competition in any form can be difficult. Other people can be ruthless and mean and spread rumors every which way.  Now In head to head sports you can be so mad you literally tackle the guy that you believe has started the rumor, or are your competition. Which is a perfectly fine way to deal with it; let it fuel you.  In show choir and other competitive performing arts we need to be a little more creative.

As you probably would have guessed, tackling someone on stage is a very frowned upon by coaches and many members of the audience. But so is talking about other show choirs badly.  My director makes it a point each year to tell us that we represent not only ourselves but also our show choir and our high school. That doesn’t stop people and performers from other schools from talking bad about us though. They may say things like they don’t like our costumes or that they thought we didn’t sing a certain part right. And when you hear that it is kind of like a blow to the chest, because you have been working your butt off to make a great performance, and all they noticed were the bad things. This is where the competitive nature comes in. You want to turn around and look that guy in the eyes and say “Listen here bud, that was a great performance.” And maybe add a few choice words. But, you can’t. It would reflect badly, and that’s how to get more fuel to the fire.

A way to deal with competition for show choir is to put one hundred percent of your energy into your performance. More than likely there would be a moody or dark song that one could act totally mad at the world, and use the competition to drive that anger. But how do you use anger, during a happy song? Well, I’ll tell you! You obviously can’t let that emotion show on your face, or it would ruin that whole song, which would just make you even angrier, which might ruin another song; it is a cruel cycle really. Well using anger in a happy song just takes a little bit of thought. First, you think how angry they made you, then you think about how good it would feel to get a score better than their group, then you think about how to do that, and then you realize that you have to at least act totally happy to win. And there you go.

Getting ready. (414)

            In all activities, every one of them, whether it be vocal, performing, running, football, or even juggling, every one needs to prepare for whatever you're doing. Of course I am going to tell you about the performing and vocal parts of the list stated above. Getting ready for a play or musical can be very different from getting ready for a show choir show or a color guard performance. Let's just be honest a lot of the prep work for these performances start months before when people try out for them. 

          For color guard, the majority of people can't practice before try outs because they don't have the tools to get a flag or rifle. So their first time ever spinning a flag would be at try outs. But to get ready for an actual performance includes warming up and running through the show, going through rough parts of the show, and stretching. Getting ready also includes doing hair. For my color guard that meant one person doing everyone's hair. Make up is next and you have a certain way to put that on just like in show choir. 

 Speaking of show choir. How do you get ready for a show choir competition. We'll the night before you have to get a good night of sleep  because you will probably be staying awake for a really long time.             In all activities, every one of them, whether it be vocal, performing, running, football, or even juggling, every one needs to prepare for whatever you're doing. Of course I am going to tell you about the performing and vocal parts of the list stated above. Getting ready for a play or musical can be very different from getting ready for a show choir show or a color guard performance. Let's just be honest a lot of the prep work for these performances start months before when people try out for them. 

          For color guard, the majority of people can't practice before try outs because they don't have the tools to get a flag or rifle. So their first time ever spinning a flag would be at try outs. But to get ready for an actual performance includes warming up and running through the show, going through rough parts of the show, and stretching. Getting ready also includes doing hair. For my color guard that meant one person doing everyone's hair. Make up is next and you have a certain way to put that on just like in show choir. 

 Speaking of show choir. How do you get ready for a show choir competition. We'll the night before you have to get a good night of sleep  because you will probably be staying awake for a really long time. 

Techs(492)

 Now, most people would think that the most important people in any theater show or show choir show would be the actual performers; the singers and dancers, the actors, the people you see, the people that get the spot light. Well those people would be wrong. Well they would be right because without any performers there would be no show at all, but without techies there would be no lights, or scene changes, or sound. With out techies there would be a show, but there would not be a very good show. Actually that show would be a rather large stinker.

People who work with the technological aspect of any show, affectionately nicknamed “techies,” take care of everything from sound, to lights, to scene changes in theatrical shows. In show choir shows they take care of costume changes, boxes being put on the stage, and props that need to be used.

Lights are important to any theater show, they are also important to show choir shows, but the techies don’t control them for that. A certain kind of lighting could give an actor when to say his or her line. Like at the very beginning of the show if the lights were supposed to come on but didn’t, there would be no way for the actor to know that he should start speaking. Lights in a show also help create the illusion that you are somewhere else, like the jungle, or eighteenth century London. By using a red light you create a look of pain or even hell, and with a bright white light you could create heaven.

Most actors and singers do not have a loud enough voice to be heard all the way in the back of where ever they are performing so it is helpful to have microphones. There are solo microphones for people who have solos, those are tapes to their heads or cheeks, and there are choir mics which are on the floor of the stage. Either way, techies run them. Scene changes would be nearly impossible with out techs. They are the ones that raise or lower a backdrop, or flip the wall, or move the stair case. They bring on tables, hand people their props, and help with costume changes.

Chow choir techs have a less stressful but just as active job. They don’t help with sound or lights but they do make sure that boxes, which people stand on for formations, are put on and taken off at proper times. They also control microphones for on stage, if someone doesn’t get a mic it’s not their own fault, but it is a techies. They aslo help with a chaotic costume change. Back stage costume changes are a mix of hurry and anxiety. Techs are always there to help zip up your dress or fix your collar.

Techs help with everything in a show, from a to z. Without them there would be no show. 

Be yourself (506)

The best advice any one can give you in the performing arts world is to be yourself. In the performing arts world people tend to compare themselves to one another. How that girl has an amazing alto voice and mine is weaker, or, he is such an amazing hip hop dancer, or even, her hair is so much prettier then mine. The littlest details can cause jealousy and bad feelings to generally nice people. Now I would be lying if I said I was never jealous of people, because I do not believe I am the absolute, unmatched, most talented person out there, and if you do, hey props, man. Other people definitely do not feel the same way about themselves, including me.

            I think people feel this way because they only see one side of that “better” person.  They know their own flaws and weaknesses and what they  need to work on, maybe singing louder or getting their acting skills up to par. While they compare themselves to somebody who needs dancing lessons but is an amazing singer or someone who is a great actress but isn’t the prettiest. People compare their good traits and bad traits to someone’s good traits and are left feeling down about themselves.

            Ways to overcome this, speaking from personal experience are not always easy. The best way, in my opinion, is to just set goals and work hard to achieve them. One of my favorite quotes is “Hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.”  Tim Notke. I like this quote because it’s so true. If someone is talented and knows it, they tend to not do anything to further them and eventually their talent is over looked and gets boring. When someone works hard and has, maybe, half of the talent the previously mentioned someone has then they will make that talent grow and grow. They will keep getting better, maybe a slow rate but they will get there. It’s kind of like starting a race at different places, the more talented person closer to the finish line then the less talented person. Then after the gun shot or checkered flag the more talented person just stands there, twiddling his or her thumbs. While the “less talented” person runs like a maniac at the goal.

            Another way to get over being jealous of someone else’s talent is to become friends with them! Once you realize that they are not perfect you will be able to accept that about yourself too. Also enjoy that persons talent! Maybe they got a lead in a play that you really wanted. Are you going to let that ruin the entire play for you? No! If you got a smaller role you are going to rock that part and enjoy the rest from the wings!

            Really everybody has different talents. You cannot compare two totally different people. If you both love to sing then sing, in key or not. If you love to dance then you both dance until your muscles are sore and you have blisters on your feet. People need to realize their own talents. 

Support 424

                In all performing arts as with every activity the amount of support given from parents is amazing. Almost nothing would get done without them. In the world of show choir, moms and dads are the equivalent of superheroes, with super powers, and at times their own personal kryptonite. Now I’m not just talking about the moms and dads that drop kids off, although they are also very hero like. I’m talking about parents that sit through each practice, that fix the broken costumes, help set up the stage, heal a hurt student, all of this and more.

                Let us start with parents that are supporters, biological parents that is. Many people who accept a Grammy or Oscar thank their parents, this is the least they can do to express how thankful they should be. Parents are always there to be an emotional rock for their child. Their child could bring them any problem they are having, any problem at all and they make it better, or not so bad. They also know their childs health better then the child himself. Not to mention the financial stress performing arts puts on kids. Yet through all this they still support their child no matter what.

                Show Choir moms in my choir are simply called “Mama.” I don’t think there is a more fitting name for them, since our show choir is a family. They take care of getting information out, organizing committees, costumes, make up, hair choice, and little things here and there. This is a lot to put on just a few people. They come to our competitions, no matter how far away it is. They find lost items. They remind us to stay hydrated. They have two downfalls; their own children, and emotions. Although there are new kids every year the moms still get attached to the kids in the show choirs now so when they leave the moms of course feel sad.

                Dads! Dads are the muscle and technical brain to almost everything, not just show choir. They help set up the stage so we don’t go over our time. They also help tear down after the performance. And unlike moms they are back stage so they can help with costume changes zipping up girl’s dresses and pointing out boys untucked shirts.

                Without parents most show choirs would have no set, no costumes, no one to go to when someone gets hurt, and no emotional support.  Parents are the core of show choir and without them there would not be a good show. 

the show must go on 436

I think my very very first blog post was about those “oh no” moments in the general performing arts world. Well in this blog, I will be posting about small, or rather large, mishaps that happen in the theatrical musical world. Rips, tears, torn costumes, microphone defects, someone forgetting a line, all of these happen sooner or later. We actors and singers, and our directors, surely hope that they happen later, rather than sooner. Although they could hope it happens sooner, preferably not on the week of the show, but at the beginning of practices, when there is plenty of time to mend, or darn that piece of clothing, or time to learn lines as well.

Now since your reading this blog I assume that you have an interest in musicals and performing arts. Well there are some things that just add to a theatrical performance. Like sound effects or a fog machine, something of that nature. My school bought something called a scrim. It’s basically a large curtain that goes in the middle of the stage when you light it from the front you can not see to the back. It just looks pitch black, but whenever a person or object is lit, when behind the scrim they are able to be seen, it adds a very interesting depth to the show. Well those are very expensive. Upwards of a thousand dollars. At the beginning of practices our technical director even told us, do not tough the scrim. That is a no no. so everyone has been very careful to be gentile with it. But the other day we were putting on our first full show for an audience when my friend came up to me and said “There is a hole in the scrim.” With a very serious look on her face. So I go and check it out expecting something about the size of my palm. No. no that is not what I found at all. A huge, gaping hole about a meter wide and a meter tall was staring me back in the face. It seems that we had used a prop the techies never had gotten to practice with. And it just happened. Well how do you deal with something like that? The show must go on.

Ripped skirts was a personal problem of mine. The button on my skirt fell off so it would not stay up. Well it was right before a show so there was nothing we could do so I safety pinned the crap out of it and well like I said, the show must go on. 

Time360

Time management is a very good skill to have when you’re a teenager in high school because you need to be able to be in school, do homework, have good grades, be in extracurricular activities, hold down a job, have time for the social aspect of it, and let’s not forget sleeping! Wow. Wow is right.  For me those extra activities are performing arts, so it takes up quite a bit of time, actually a majority of it. Most of my friends in show choir and I would say that during competition season we spend most of our time at school or at a competition.  So I just have a few hints and tips about good time managing.

                Tip #1.) Be organized. If you have to run around trying to find something that you swear you left right on the counter you’re going to be late and therefore not very successful in what you were trying to do!

                Tip # 2.) Don’t stress too much. Most of the time people have so much stress over things they cannot control and once you learn you can’t control it you learn not to stress out about it.

                Tip # 3.) It’s okay to have a little bit of stress. it makes it so you get things done quickly.

                Tip #4.)  Don’t lie to yourself about how much time you have. You could always say “oh I can just double up on that later.” But why not do it now!

Now I have to confess something….I have been somewhat of a hypocrite while writing this because  when I do have a lot of things going on I do get stressed, So badly that I cry.  Most of the time I’m not very organized, my room is a great example of that right now.

                So who am I to be telling other people how to manage their time? Well I also wanted to make it known that I’m actually pretty good and everything I do. So being organized and all that jazz is good and it helps a lot when you can be but you can also do well just going with the flow.

Spring Musical(405)

            Well it is spring time now my little chicks and roosters. And you know what that means, yes brighter colors, Easter, flowers, yada yada. It is also time for the spring musical for most high schools! This is a very exciting time for many amateur actors, such as myself.

            Let us start with try outs. One of the most nerve wracking times in high school is when you have to try out for something. The best thing any person can do is be prepare. There are a lot of different ways to prepare for a musical audition. Since you have to sing and act you have to look at music and at lines to read dramatically. I suggest asking a friend, or a parent, or a sibling to run lines with you during their free time. Going over lines a few time will help you be more characterized when you actually present it to the director. Also going over music over and over again, and listening to the Broadway, or the official version always helps me. It could help you too.

            You look at the list and there your name is! Perfect you are now in a play…cool? Well now it is time for practice, and more practice, and even more practice! At my school we start with learning the music in a large group. It is the leads responsibility to get their own lines memorized. To help me with this I also listen to the Broadway version, of all the songs I am in. after we learn the words and music to all the song a choreographer comes in and teaches the dances to the musical numbers. A problem we are having this year, and that I am sure many directors have had in the past, is that no one is staying in character or acting, or trying to be dramatic. It is not a bad thing. They are trying to learn the moves and get them right, I am sure acting was somewhere in the back of their minds. But when you get nervous in a performance you will fall back on what you know, and what you know will be how you have been practicing. It would be beneficial to practice in character. After all the technical aspects, lights, sound, staging, are put in and all the band gets thrown in you have a whole cast ready to put on an amazing show. 

Directors connections473

                Some teachers are just better then others. The best teachers are ones who don't just teach facts and figures to their students, but they also teach life lessons and make connections. Show choir directors and theater directors tend to have a special connection with the people they work with. I believe this is because they get to see kids at strange times through the day, maybe when they re not quite all there, mentally speaking. Kids also have to feel comfortable to be themselves around their directors, but they also have to be their character too. Directors also need to be comfortable being around their students and actors.                  There is a large variety of directors in performing arts, and with that comes a large variety of relationships students and actors have with their directors. Many of these relationships are good but some can be not so good. I think that these relationships depend on two characteristics. How nice or mean the director is to the students and if their group wins or puts of a good performance or if they don’t.

                First there is the student director who is very helpful but sadly gets over looked when it comes to directors. I think that relationships with student directors are tricky because in school and in everyday life they are your equal and you have to treat them as such, but when you’re the actor and he/she is the student director he/she suddenly has more authority then you and that is hard for a teenager to understand and respect.

                Then there are directors that are rude to the kids and don’t put on good shows. By “rude to the kids” I mean during practice. Don’t get me wrong. They could be the nicest person when you talk to them one on one, but during practice all they do is call out mistakes and say that nothing is ever good enough. Students dislike these types of directors because a lot of the time directors that are rude don’t produce good shows because the kids just feel belittled.

                The second kind of rude directors are the ones that are rude in rehearsal, call out people singularly, nothing is ever good enough, but they win and put on good shows. Performers feel like they can put up with this type of director because winning is the payoff.

                Its always nice to get a nice director. It is also nice to win.  There is one kind of director that is so nice, he makes rehearsals fun, he never gets mad at the kids, and he never wins. That is a big letdown for the performers because he never would have told them what they were doing wrong because he is too nice.

                Personally I think a rude director that wins is preferable over a nice director who doesn’t.

               

Close(428)

One thing I really enjoy about coming to the end of a season is how close my show choir family and I have gotten. But specifically my partners. One aspect of show choir that you have to get used to early in your show choir life is, having a partner or multiple partners. There are some songs or dances  were the choreographer chooses to not have partners either because it’s a song where just the boys are singing or just the girls are singing or it just makes sense with the choreography they have made for the song. But the majority of the time you get to have someone there to hold your hand or hold your waist or at the very least stand shoulder to shoulder with you.

                There are some times when having a partner is very necessary, like during a love song. It would be quite odd having boys and girls on stage dancing with themselves singing about how they are so in love with another person. I actually find it easier to dance with a partner then without one. But it’s also very awkward when you don’t really know the person and you have to act like you are desperately in love with them. My advice would be to get to know them. No, they don’t have to become your new boyfriend or even a good friend but if you feel comfortable saying hello in the hallways then you can be perfectly compatible dance partners.

                Of course there are times when you get pared with the one person in the whole group that you don’t really get along with. There are a few ways to react to this, by telling them that you didn’t want to be partners and have a bad relationship the rest of the year, just don’t say anything and have an awkward relationship for the rest of the year, or you can suck it up and be nice to each other. I would suggest the ladder, but it isn’t always possible to do. In that case my advice is just don’t be mean to one another. You don’t have to be the nicest person ever but you also don’t have to be straight mean to them.

                The perfect partner would be one that hits all the right counts, is nice to you, is friends with you, is strong for lifts, and one that respects you, but these aspects are not always attainable in one,  single person because they are just that, a person, who makes mistakes just like everyone else.

Post Season. Pre Done. (445)

          Well it's that time of the year again people;post season. What is post season, you ask? We'll I'm glad you did! Post season is just after the last competitive performance. Practice gets cut back to nothing, and your tight knit, family like group goes their separate ways, only to meet again back in choir. Which, at my school, not many people have a true passion for choir music or performing that music. so you can assume it's not going to be as fun as performing a show choir show for hundreds and hundreds of people

           Some of the things my show choir friends and family do during this "off season" are tennis, track, and they take place in the spring musical. You can bet that there is a big over lap of people who participate in the musical and people in show choir, so a majority of the time the director or directors have to accommodate to the random practices we still have. I believe that in show choir you are putting on a different persona. The most shy girl of the whole show choir could have the biggest, most bellowing voice of any one, and she may have to act as if she's the most outgoing person ever but in real life she is nothing like that. So show choir is kind of a form of acting. Not so much as actual stage acting, like getting a character and saying lines and all that jazz. So I think that show choir helps push people to do things after it's very own season done. 

          Another thing show choir helps is your muscles. There are some shows that are not very strenuous, those are mostly prep and freshman show choirs. But for my varsity show choir, even when we were just learning the dances, I could feel the muscles forming, and of course being super soar. Because of this muscle building, you could see a difference in the way people play sports that were in show choir. It also really helps with stamina because you have to keep the highest amount of energy possible for twenty minutes straight, And breathing technique. We'll singing in general helps breathing technique but when you add cardio to that it just steps it up a bit. 

         I've been calling it post season for a reason now people. We are not totally done performing yet! We still have the very emotional, cry fest also known as going out concert. After going out concert there will be no other show choir performances and that will no longer be "post season" but it will be the start of a new show choir season. 

Show choir vs. choir(472)

What Passion Cannot Music Raise and Quell? This quote is the opening line from a song we are learning in my varsity concert choir. Although we are just learning that song now my director has been telling us this particular quote before we have gone on for show choir competitions for weeks now. That started me thinking about all the things we do in show choir to make the audience feel a certain type of emotion. We don’t just use music even though that is a large part of it. We also use facials and movements and we create stories with partners and friends.

But in normal choir, you don’t have the ability to do that. You must do it all with music. Sure sometimes directors give you arm choreography, lovingly called “choralography,” or say “look happy during this piece,” or “its talking about love why do you guys look like your pooping!” but they can not give you a whole dance and say “learn it, and it has to be perfect.” Because that is not was choir is. That is not to say, though, that you are not performing for an audience. Because you are.

So I will be addressing just some differences and similarities from choir and show choir in this blog. Let’s start with something that doesn’t have to do with music; how the performers look. In show choir you are told how to do your make up, how to do your hair, what to wear, and what to wear underneath that. If everything isn’t uniform in show choir you get points taken off, and as any show choir person will tell you, every point matters. In choir it’s a bit different though, you are not told what to do with your make up or hair, but at my school you are told what to wear. (Long green dresses. Perfect for singing in, not so great for dancing.)

Another difference is that in show choir you are judged, and placed, and critiqued. And after all that you go get your big trophy to present proudly saying “look world were number one!” In choir there are no trophies, no judge, no being critiqued, and you don’t get placed against other groups. You simply go and give the best show you can give, so you can say that you did the best you did. Last year my director was explaining that there are two type of competition; internal and external. I believe that show choir is mostly about external competition. How you rank against other groups? Who got the bigger score and all that. And choir is internal, did I hit that note correctly? Did I breathe where I was supposed to?

There are tons and tons of differences between choir and show choir, I just hit on two main ones.   

nationals(360)

In the show choir world there are four or five show choir competitions that are much larger then normal copetitions held at high schools. They are called "Nationals." They are held in Florida, Tennessee, and New York. This year my show choir , Happiness Inc. Went up against some of the hardest competition weve faced all year in Nashville Tennessee.  All of the show choirs came from all across the nation. Hence the name "Nationals." We come from Iowa, there were some from Missouri, and even two all the way from California.  We all got to perform on the famous Grand Ole Opry stage which has also held perforers such as Elvis and Carrie Underwood.  Performing on That stage was a once in a life time experience.  We also got to stay at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel which was really like 4 hotels all jammed into one. there were jungles in the middle of the hotel and a ricer flowing through it. The view out of our window seemed like it would be one from the jungle but no. It was just outside, well inside our hotel. Having that experience with my amazing shhow choir family is one I will never forget.

What makes people try out? (433)

What Makes people try out for show choir?

I would like to research this question more because it seems like a simple answer. “you try out for show choir to be in show choir because you like to sing and dance.” But over my four years in show choir I have seen many other reasons, not just the joy of performing. I would like to know why the majority of people try out.

It could be because an older sibling was in it. I’ve known people like this; normally they are very passionate about this activity. They tend to have connections from watching sparkly dresses, and handsome boys dancing when they were younger.

They also could have tried out because they want to prove to themselves that they can make it. (This is a bit of personal experience here folks) my freshman year I was in show choir and didn’t think much about it, it was an extra activity to keep me busy. But when I did not make it sophomore year, I was very discouraged. I wallowed in self pity for about a week and then I decided I was done with that, and I was bound and determined to make it my junior year. A year of work later I was happily back in the group.

Some people try out so they can have an activity to be in with friends. Being in such a time consuming activity means having a lot, and I mean a lot of time to spend with friends. From practices to long bus rides, to performance days, hours and hour are spent with the same people.

They also could have tried out because they want to prove to themselves that they can make it. (This is a bit of personal experience here folks) my freshman year I was in show choir and didn’t think much about it, it was an extra activity to keep me busy. But when I did not make it sophomore year, I was very discouraged. I wallowed in self pity for about a week and then I decided I was done with that, and I was bound and determined to make it my junior year. A year of work later I was happily back in the group.

Some people try out so they can have an activity to be in with friends. Being in such a time consuming activity means having a lot, and I mean a lot of time to spend with friends. From practices to long bus rides, to performance days, hours and hour are spent with the same people.

Competition (414)

Dealing with competition in any form can be difficult. Other people can be ruthless and mean and spread rumors every which way.  Now In head to head sports you can be so mad you literally tackle the guy that you believe has started the rumor, or are your competition. Which is a perfectly fine way to deal with it; let it fuel you.  In show choir and other competitive performing arts we need to be a little more creative.

As you probably would have guessed, tackling someone on stage is a very frowned upon by coaches and many members of the audience. But so is talking about other show choirs badly.  My director makes it a point each year to tell us that we represent not only ourselves but also our show choir and our high school. That doesn’t stop people and performers from other schools from talking bad about us though. They may say things like they don’t like our costumes or that they thought we didn’t sing a certain part right. And when you hear that it is kind of like a blow to the chest, because you have been working your butt off to make a great performance, and all they noticed were the bad things. This is where the competitive nature comes in. You want to turn around and look that guy in the eyes and say “Listen here bud, that was a great performance.” And maybe add a few choice words. But, you can’t. It would reflect badly, and that’s how to get more fuel to the fire.

A way to deal with competition for show choir is to put one hundred percent of your energy into your performance. More than likely there would be a moody or dark song that one could act totally mad at the world, and use the competition to drive that anger. But how do you use anger, during a happy song? Well, I’ll tell you! You obviously can’t let that emotion show on your face, or it would ruin that whole song, which would just make you even angrier, which might ruin another song; it is a cruel cycle really. Well using anger in a happy song just takes a little bit of thought. First, you think how angry they made you, then you think about how good it would feel to get a score better than their group, then you think about how to do that, and then you realize that you have to at least act totally happy to win. And there you go.

results432

                    Show choir, to me is not all about winning. It's about getting up in front of tons of people, performing my little butt off , making great memories with my fellow members, and growing as a person. But I have to admit, winning doesn't hurt.

                    This weekend our freshman and prep show choir competed at Prairie High School. They both seemed to be in a good position for the very first competition of the show choir season. They had sharp choreography and good vocals. Of course there are things that need some practice time in each show. But competition is not just based on how well they do by them selves, but also by how well their competitors are prepared. And after seeing some of their competitors I still thought our prep had a good chance at first or second. Last year they went undefeated and I know many of them wanted to do the same this year.

                    After all the wonderful performances we waited in the gym to find out who won. We waited...and waited....and waited. It turns out we waited for an hour and a half because the judges had technical difficulties. After all that wait we learned that our freshman got first place and our prep got third, which was kind of a shock but it sparks the idea for this blog; how to deal with results, whether bad or good.

                    I would first like to start off by saying that winning is not everything, just as I mentioned before.

                    Okay let's start with worse case senerio, what do you do if you get 7th out of 7 groups? I'll tell you what you do. You accept the ward graciously. You do not act shocked, or insulted or anything. Other groups should applaud you just the same. That basically goes for all spots your particular group considers a "low" ranking. Then your group should go back to rehearsal and work hard to fix the things the critic judge told you after your show.  They shouldn't go around talking bad about other groups. It's bad etiquette.

                    After the announcer tells everyone who the second place winner is, everyone will know who the first place winner is because of process of deduction. But that doesn't mean the second place winner shouldn't get their own recognition. That means the winners should be gracious and give the second place winner their applause and not cheer that they one. They cam cheer after the announcer says they are the winner but not before that.

                 

       

                 

singing405

Today, children, I will be teaching you the art of singing. No. I’m just kidding. But I will be telling you some essentials of producing good singing habits. If you get good singing habits and build a strong base you can work up from there and experiment with your voice to make all different kinds of singing. You would not classify opera and pop in the same category, now would you?

The first tip to know is to sing from your diaphragm not your chest. Your diaphragm in a muscle underneath your lungs it expands downward when you take a good breath in. to explain it to little kids terms; your tummy should go out when you breathe in. your shoulders should not move because that means you are breathing with your chest, instead of taking a “good low breath” ad my teacher would say. Sometimes laying flat on the floor helps with breathing with your diaphragm. That brings me to my point, sitting up straight. If you slouch while singing that gives your diaphragm less area to expand resulting in a shorter breath, which could make holding out a long note, or adding crescendo to a note difficult.

Every time you sing a vowel it adds a slightly different shape to your mouth but in general it should all generally look like an O.  This shape lets the sound come out and makes it sound tall. A lot of the time directors will change the vowel sound of a word to awh. Like in the word amazing, it wouldn’t be uh-mazing, it would be awh-mazing.

During warm ups is a good time to practice vowel shape. Warming up before you sing is very helpful. If you warm up it will help you hit notes well just like a basketball player warms up before a game or practice. If you push yourself during warm ups it can help increase your vocal range, the range of notes you can hit well. But if you push yourself too much you might end up with a sore throat.

If you do get a sore throat or a cold some of the best remedies to get your throat back into tip top shape would be to drink tea with honey, have cough drops with you all the time, and drink soup. All of these things are warm and soothing to your throat.


That’s all for today children, class dismissed.

Don't worry. 523

“There are no small parts, only small actors” is a very famous quote said by Constantin Stanislavski. That quote is said, sometimes, to make people feel better if, say, they got a

“small part.” By that I mean a part that isn’t a lead, maybe someone who doesn’t have a speaking role at all, or even someone didn’t get the solo they desperately wanted. Basically everything that isn’t the super star of a play because that is generally what people aim to get.

            My opinion about this quote is that it’s so untrue! Speaking as someone who has had one minor lead role in middle school, but has tried out for every musical/ play that she could, I think that it is just a false quote. There are too small parts, Constaintin! If someone doesn’t have a direct effect on the plot, I would call that a small part.  Trust me; I’ve had many of them. Including but not limited to; chorus, chorus, and towns people.

            Actually I think the exact opposite! There are small parts, but no small actors. I think that if you gather maybe 15 plays, with 10 characters each, that is 150 parts to cast.  If there were really actors specifically meant to have small parts, then a director wouldn’t be able to picture them in any one of those 30 or 40 lead roles. Now if you look at it the other way, there are 120 small roles. I mean, yes some people might not want a big role but that’s not saying they couldn’t do it if they were cast as one. What I am saying, though, is they could also be so much bigger!

            So here is my own quote about acting; “there are small parts, and also versatile actors.” Maybe that s not the best way to word it, maybe I’ll think of a different way soon. What I’m trying to say from that quote is that; there are small parts and lead parts and of course the one that everyone wants is the large one but if you can be a versatile actor or actress you should be able to play both.

lets do it! (413)

Have you ever had those “oh no” moments? When you elbow that glass of water onto your dates dress, or when you drop your brand new galaxy s4 smart phone on the side walk and when you pick it up the screen is shattered? Oh and that last example actually happened, sadly, to yours truly. That is exactly like the feeling of being behind the stage of almost all performing arts. Maybe not so sad but just as hectic. Before or during every performance something is bound to go wrong. Whether it be something as simple as; forgetting black socks, or something as bad as; the lead lost her voice. The show must go on.

 Now I have done marching band for three years, but for some reason this year has been the most stressful. Perhaps it’s because I am a senior and therefore have more pressure put on me, or maybe it’s because I feel the need to have everything under my control. Whatever it is, it’s very prominent right now, with only our second performance soon and our first competition on Saturday. I cannot speak much for the band, although I think they are in the same boat, the color guard is not prepared. It makes me nervous that we have to go on field with some girls who don’t know the work and some who don’t know their right foot from there left. Don’t get me wrong I’m not saying I don’t like them as a person or anything bad, I’m simply saying I don’t like being unprepared. So when it comes to those “oh no” moments I’m not the best person to talk to.

 “Oh no, I dropped my flag.” “Oh no, I missed that set.” “Oh no, what do you want me to do about it?” Just keep going. I only say that because I don’t think I am the cause of “oh no’s” most of the time. I admit I have had my fair share of mishaps but they are not so often that people would think I cannot stand on my own two legs!

Weather I like it or not those moments are basically unavoidable. Someone will step off on the wrong foot and someone is going to hit their head with their flag. All I can is help and then wait for the next person to say “oh no!” 

injuries (426)

How many people get extensive show choir injuries?

I would like to research this question because in my show choir alone there have been broken bones, twisted ankles people passing out at almost every competition. And I’m sure there are other show choirs with more complex moves and dances that may get more injuries per show.

I think it would be interesting to research this subject because of how many different ways people could get hurt, from dehydration to twisting ankles to falling off the stage. Maybe getting answer to this question could cause someone to change their mind about show choir not being a sport or could make someone think more highly of show choir if they didn’t before.

This could be a very gratifying research question

success(414)

Is there a connection between being in extracurricular activities and good grades?

            This is a question I have wondered about very often. I believe that the people in my activities are all smart people. They are intelligent enough to make good decisions. For one, I don’t think it’s a really difficult thing, to get good grades. For me, teachers have never been extremely hard on me and I tend to do work that they have assigned. But me being a good student could also have to do with my back ground. I grew up in a white, middle class family, with two parents who are still married to this day. Could that have something to do with it? I do believe so my friends.

            So what does me, being a good student have to do with extracurricular activities? Well, it is not a rare occurrence for me to leave my school later then nine o’clock at night. This is a long day when you get here at six thirty in the morning. Having such a short amount of free time and a large amount of time makes it hard to be a procrastinating person. You have to get what you have done or face the consequences which would be bad grades.

            One thing that I believe makes the kids in activities such as show choir and color guard and cheer, but also activities such as basketball and swimming and soccer, get good grades, a “incentive” if you will, is that if you are failing a class your coach or director will be notified and you will not be allowed to play or perform or compete in any game or competition or activity. Sometimes they may not even let you practice. You are on the metaphorical and literal bench. Coaches and directors also tend to choose people to be starters or leads if they have good grades or are good students in general.

            I find that if there was a connection, which I am pretty sure there is, background stories of many performers are so sad or unsuccessful. You hear of many performers that get caught up in bad activities such as drugs and alcohol. And because of then getting into such things they become bad students and even drop out! It is a weird concept that many successful people were bad in high school, but successful now, famous even. When there are kids that are great in high school who will never be famous. 

judging(560)

                The one thing all show choir directors do is get frustrated when results don’t go their way. No I should rephrase that, when results get all screwed up. The kids in show choir tend to get frustrated when they don’t get first but there are times when people don’t deserve first, and that’s obvious. There are other times when they deserve, let’s just say third, but get sixth. Now that’s just messed up. How does that happen? Is it one judge or all of them? Chances are it’s the judging though. So this blog is dedicated to helping you understand that.

                There are three main ways judges’ score.

                One way is by adding up total points and seeing who has the most, the person with the most gets first place, the group with the second most gets second place and so on and so forth. Groups get scored by vocals, dancing, band, facials, and overall visual effect. One of the bad things about show choir is there is so much bias either for or against a group.  So if all but one judge gives this particular group a 7 and the other judge gives them a two they are knocked down so far because one judge didn’t like them.

                Another way of judging is by figuring out where the group would place judge by judge and then adding them all together and the lowest score gets first. This takes away the bias of it and is also the most fair. But there are times when say all the judges give a group second place so their score would be 12. Then say four of the judges gave a different group first and then one gave them third place and another judge gave them fifth. That’s means they would have a score of 13 which isn’t fair at all. 

Seniors v. Fresh(400)

Everyone who has been through high school knows that there is a huge difference between seniors and freshman. Between the maturity, the looks, the stress levels, and on a different level their singing, dancing, and performing is just not on the same page as seniors.

                When I was a freshman we had a choreographer who wanted us to do sexual or sensual moves that we just could not get when we got later in the season, because when you’re a freshman you don’t know how to be sexual. Looking back on it, as a senior, I could totally do those moves, easily. And I know my comrades could too.

                One thing freshman doesn’t know how to do is their hair. It tends to either be straight when it was meant to be curly, or vise versa. Also poofs. They tend to be too big or totally flat against their heads. Seniors are generally good at doing hair, after having 4 years of practice.

                Singing, like any other sport, gets easier the older you get, and the more you practice. There are just some things that seniors can do that freshman cant. It’s not a bad thing it’s just the truth.

                Everyone who has been through high school knows that there is a huge difference between seniors and freshman. Between the maturity, the looks, the stress levels, and on a different level their singing, dancing, and performing is just not on the same page as seniors.

                When I was a freshman we had a choreographer who wanted us to do sexual or sensual moves that we just could not get when we got later in the season, because when you’re a freshman you don’t know how to be sexual. Looking back on it, as a senior, I could totally do those moves, easily. And I know my comrades could too.

                One thing freshman doesn’t know how to do is their hair. It tends to either be straight when it was meant to be curly, or vise versa. Also poofs. They tend to be too big or totally flat against their heads. Seniors are generally good at doing hair, after having 4 years of practice.

                Singing, like any other sport, gets easier the older you get, and the more you practice. There are just some things that seniors can do that freshman cant. It’s not a bad thing it’s just the truth.

                

Parents(400)

                In the world of show choir, moms and dads are the equivalent of superheroes, with super powers, and at times their own personal kryptonite. Now I’m not just talking about the moms and dads that drop kids off, although they are also very hero like. I’m talking about parents that sit through each practice, that fix the broken costumes, help set up the stage, heal a hurt student, all of this and more.

                Let us start with parents that are supporters, biological parents that is. Many people who accept a Grammy or Oscar thank their parents, this is the least they can do to express how thankful they should be. Parents are always there to be an emotional rock for their child. Their child could bring them any problem they are having, any problem at all and they make it better, or not so bad. They also know their childs health better then the child himself. Not to mention the financial stress performing arts puts on kids. Yet through all this they still support their child no matter what.

                Show Choir moms in my choir are simply called “Mama.” I don’t think there is a more fitting name for them, since our show choir is a family. They take care of getting information out, organizing committees, costumes, make up, hair choice, and little things here and there. This is a lot to put on just a few people. They come to our competitions, no matter how far away it is. They find lost items. They remind us to stay hydrated. They have two downfalls; their own children, and emotions. Although there are new kids every year the moms still get attached to the kids in the show choirs now so when they leave the moms of course feel sad.

                Dads! Dads are the muscle and technical brain to almost everything, not just show choir. They help set up the stage so we don’t go over our time. They also help tear down after the performance. And unlike moms they are back stage so they can help with costume changes zipping up girl’s dresses and pointing out boys untucked shirts.

                Without parents most show choirs would have no set, no costumes, no one to go to when someone gets hurt, and no emotional support.  Parents are the core of show choir and without them there would not be a good show. 

state(368)

Districts speech marks the beginning of speech season. I have explained what exactly speech is in an earlier blog, read here: http://performthosearts.blogspot.com/2013/11/speech-575.html District speech in Monticello Iowa is a day long event. And in this blog I will be taking you through a day in the life of district speech.  

It starts with waking up bright and early for a bus ride up to the school. When there, the whole group unloads everyone’s props and tables from the trailer after that its free reign until your category is up. When it is your coaches like to practice a few times before the actual performance. The “home room” is actually the gym at the school. Separate schools claim certain sections of the gym and unload all their personal items there. The performances, there for, are actually held in class rooms, the auditorium, the choir room, and band room.  Larger performances like choral reading and Readers Theater are held in the larger rooms like band and choir rooms. Smaller performances like ensemble acting and mime are held in normal class rooms. The one act play is held in the auditorium.

Performances go on in all rooms until about three o’clock. All during that time, in the gym, people post results from performances.

Performances get rated on a scale of one to four. One meaning they pass on state two and three meaning they don’t. Most performances get a one. Its about seventy percent get an one and thirty percent get a two. Not many people get threes because it basically means the content of their performance was offensive and a four means they broke the rules and they got disqualified. All performances get one rating from the judge except one act. They also get to have comments about their performance.

You can go watch any performance your heart desires. Most of the time I tend to stay to watch my own groups or groups that I have a connection with in some way but some of the time I go to the improve room. The improves at districts are normally either really very good or just generally bad. That’s why its entertaining to stay in that room.

Next stop, state. 

Pep band(340)

To pep band or not to pep band? That is the question. Although pep band has been around for years, there are some die hard sports fans that believe that having them play at half time or during touch downs is annoying and unnecessary. I believe that having a pep band makes whatever sport more entertaining and also pumps up the crowd and players. 

Before games some people have different rituals like cleaning their shoes, doing a pre game work out, or listening to music. Music tends to pump people up, and it gets endorphins moving. If it can do this before a game, why not during? Of course the music pep bands play isn’t rock and roll or anything like that but any sort of music can have an effect on a person.

Some people believe that it is distracting to have a band. I think that that statement is worng because there has never been a time when the band has caused someone to miss a game wining free throw or a 90 yard touchdown. Crowds make more noise than the band does. It part of the sportsman’s practice to deal with stress and distractions, so when people think that the band is distracting its basically saying that they do not have good players on their team.

Is it really necessary for the pep band to play the fight song after every touch down? No probably not. But people want to hear it. It gives the crowd a reason to be part of the game that they paid to get into and it gives the players a sense of pride knowing that they did something good.  Players are used to the band being there to support them, so if you suddenly take away all of them  the players probably would actually think “hey where did they all go” but they would register that the crowd is smaller and less loud then normal.

I think having a band to support and make noise for sports events is very important.

whats in your show choir bag?(495)

                “Do you have some bobby pins I could borrow?” someone says while holding her hair in position “Yeah sure check my bag.”

                “Does anyone have any hairspray?” Someone asks frantically, “Yeah get it from my bag over there!”

                So you forgot something while going to a show choir competition. Something vital, like hair spray or bobby pins, or make up. (Oh my) well have no fear your companions and classmates are here. Anything that you have misplaced I’m sure someone is bound to have one. But for now I thought I would share what I believe everyone should carry in their bags and things to have “just in case.”

                First, a water bottle. Staying hydrated while you’re eating unhealthy food and performing your heart out is a must.  Sweating could lead to de hydration, and performing two shows while not feeling well could result in some serious medical issues.

                Second, a change of clothes. Some show choirs dress up and in that case it would always be a good idea to have another pair of pants ready. Other show choirs wear jackets or tee shirts. Most of the time kids come in sweatpants and sweatshirts, anything to stay warm in these cold months, but after you get done performing under 1000 watt light bulbs and you are sweating all your make up off you might want something a little more summer like to wear. I suggest a pair of athletic shorts and a tee shirt. Then if you get cold after all the adrenaline is gone you can just layer up with those sweats.

                Third, make up. My show choir supplies make up for us but that might not be the case with all choirs. At the very least they don’t supply you with skin make up like cover up and concealer so you have to bring that yourself.  Some girls like to put it on even before going to the competition so as to not be seen without make up but I would still take it in case you start to break out or burn your forehead. (a personal experience of mine.) I would also bring my own eye liner and mascara and fake eyelashes because even if your choir provides that for you, you probably have better ones at home.

                Fourth, money. There is a lot to by at show choir competitions. From food to buttons to shirts, and everything costs money.

                Fifth, hair supplies. By know you know that show choirs need to look uniform and also have the same hairstyle, to do that hair style it might take half a can of hair spray and 50 bobby pins but you still have to do it. So I always bring a teasing brush, hair spray, bobby pins, and a straighter or curling iron. These few things are basics of show choir hair.

                With these things in your show choir bag you should be set for a full day of dancing and singing.0) 

shoes(366)

Most girls, teenage girls at least, have worn high heels and know that they take some practice to just walk in; they take even more practice to dance a whole show choir show in, and look good doing it. The shoes that my school uses, for girls at least, for our prep show choirs are one inch, tan, character heels. Character just means they are plain heels no extra wow factor.

                Since they are not that tall they are pretty easy to dance in, they just take a while to get the foot noise to quiet down. Foot noise is obviously the sound shoes make when they are on the stage, when just dancing it is not a huge deal to pay attention to because the groups singing should cover it up but at times when the group is just walking, like to go to a costume change the foot noise can be something that gets on judges nerves and they can take off points for it.

                Like I said, though, the one inch heels are not that bad to control. At my school the varsity group uses two or two and a half inch heels and they are not forgiving, on the knees, feet, or the stage. They are quite painful to practice in but you need to or else you won’t be able to get through a whole show.

                Another problem with most shoes and stage for show choir is slipping, it is very simple for the shoes to not have traction and cause the wearer of the shoes to slip from one place to the other. There are a few different ways to fix that problem though.  One good idea is to put duct tape on the sole of the shoes; as long as it stays clean the tape will make the shoe less slippery, but it is very hard to keep it clean so I tend to make little grooves in it with my nails and that seems to help some.

                Another helpful thing to do is spray them with hair spray on the soles. The hair spray drays up and becomes sticky to help get a better grip of the stage.

Pre Awards(455)

There is a point in every show choir competition that all the groups kind of put from their minds the fact that they are surrounded by people who would like them to fail and have fun.

                Of course performing is fun  and most of the people watching you want to you to do a good job but there would still be those people from other schools criticizing every wrong note and noticing every time you do a move that’s not up to par. Even when hanging around in home rooms or watching shows you are surrounded by the air of competition. But the one point at every show choir competition when people can forget about that is the time before awards yet after all the performances.

                Performers and parents and show goers all make their way to either the gym or the auditorium, wherever that competition holds their awards, and wait while the judges and the announcers work on counting ballots and scores to see where all the groups stack up. From my experience this normally takes about 20-40 minutes.  People sit by their school there is sections of kids on the bleachers, usually you can tell by that they are wearing, where their color stop that where that certain school stops. During that time kids from all show choirs do a variety of things.

                One thing they do is have a dance party; such classics as The Cupid Shuffle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMwcoaZNauQ) always get people up on the gym floor. This is no homecoming dance, people are weird at show choir so it’s much more like a, go up and move however you feel at that moment.  Sometimes, there are certain schools that have people that can do cool tricks like back flips and interesting dance moves, and sometimes there are dance offs or flip offs. Those are always fun but also very scary. Sometimes the crowds start cheers such as the “we’ve got spirit yes we do, we got spirit, how ‘bout you?” cheer, and the “rock the boat” cheer. It’s all good fun. Most of the time is taken by talking to peers around you and just sitting down because after a long day of performing and makeup and hair doing, people tend to be tired.

                Sometimes the results take longer to get than forty minutes and that’s when people get rowdy. They could take longer to get because the scores were very close, or because there was a problem with the calculations, or their electronics were not working.  Then you start hearing the “why is it taking so long” and “come on” the sounds of tired teenagers.

                 When they do come people get quieted down to listen to the suspenseful rankings and awards. 

Theme shows(423)

Just as fashion and lifestyle change so do fads with show choirs, with such things as jazz hands and sparkles. The newest “hot thing” is a general concept for a show, these shows are called themed shows. For my purpose I will be calling a show without a theme a “normal” show. Today, we are right on the brink of the break out hit; Theme! Some directors love them and some hate them. But it seems that the show choir world is slowly turning to favor a theme over the norm.

What exactly is the difference between a theme show and a normal show? Well I’m here to tell you! There is a world of difference. In a normal show there is normally four or five songs, two or three different costumes and a band. In a theme show this is about four or five songs, two or three different costumes and a band. Oh did I just repeat myself? The only real difference between the two kinds of shows is the theme itself. In a normal show the songs don’t have to do with each other at all, you could try to make faulty connections between them to help the show flow but in general they are all separate parts of one show. You might need to tap into a different emotion between two songs which could be a task in the middle of performing.

In a themed show however, the songs all connect together to make a show or just to keep the same track of mind. A few examples of a theme are war, or metamorphosis, or being a better you. Some directors choose to take a more theatrical approach to a theme show choosing themes like, Alice and Wonderland, Snow White, Cinderfella, I even saw a show about anime toys recently. In the more theatrical ones they normally have one or two big soloists who are the leads, they get to wear different costumes and have special dance parts sometimes. I’ve noticed that a big thing this year is to have the leads sing the ballad solo instead of just a random solo here or there.

Personally I don’t particularly like the theatrical themed shows because it takes away interest from the good vocals and dancing of the group and puts it on one person. I do like having a theme though, it just seems to make the show go smoother, and I know personally performing one is a lot more fun and easier to connect my emotions to.