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)