Hello everyone! Follow along to see updates from Ethan and Will during what should be a great day of show choir in Northwest Indiana and the rest of the country!
Morning
4:00 AM (Ethan) - Early morning start for what will be a long day of choir. Started the journey north for what will be close to a three hour drive to Chesterton. It snowed and sleeted during the midnight hours here and there, however road conditions seem solid all around. Safe travels everyone.
5:00 AM (William) - The alarm came early this morning, and the Baja Blast came out of the fridge soon after that. On the road by 5:40 and at Chesterton by 7:55, only to find out that Danville Executives (8:00 in the fieldhouse) dropped at Mt. Zion You've Got Male (8:00 in the auditorium) got pushed back to 8:30. Oh well, sleep is for the weak anyways.
8:30 AM (Ethan) - Mt. Zion "You've Got Male" woke up everyone in the auditorium. With their MTZ Smackdown wrestling show they brought the energy out of the gate. While making finals is an uphill battle, the judges saw a crowd favorite to open up the day.
9:30 AM (William) - Brandon “Bellas” brought a ton of sound with their 60-member ensemble. Their facial projection was great as well. It was a longer set, and the performers may have been a bit tired by the end. However, they should be right in the mix for finals.
9:38 AM (Ethan) - Met some wonderful performers from Linn-Mar in between groups. Carroll Select Sound’s set makes me want to redownload Temple Rush on my phone.
10:03 AM (Ethan) - Thanks Carroll “Select Sound” I’m now redownloading Temple Run. Amazing show design loved every second. The main character needs to track her steps with how much ground she covers. Great performance.
10:10 AM (William) - Carroll wowed with rich vocals and sharp choreography. We also had the pleasure of meeting some fine folks from Millard North in between shows!
10:31 AM (Ethan) - Westfield “Illumination” was rocking. Vocally they can compete with the best of them, even with the multiple style changes they have. A group to keep your eye on for years to come.
10:35 AM (William) - The vocals in the ballad were so velvety. That’s the best word I can find to describe it. The stage is slippery, and that will be something to watch throughout the day.
10:03 AM (Ethan) - Linn-Mar “Hi-Style” credit to you because I never thought I would see President William Henry Harrison on a show choir stage, but here I am. My first taste of Linn-Mar did not disappoint. Also “I Wish” by Skee-lo just came on, “W” DJ.
11:37 AM (William) - Mt. Zion Les Femmes brought a sorority-themed show to the stage. Their pictures on stage were some of the most innovative of the division. Vocals spanned a large range of styles as well!
11:50 AM (Ethan) - Left for early lunch. Time to get some Val’s famous pizza.
Afternoon
12:14 pm (William) - Millard North Illumination had a dark twist on a typical academy show, blending elements often seen in monster shows. Their flowy dresses and large numbers made for quite the effect on stage!
12:51 pm (William) - Carmel Accents performed a beautiful show about cages and wings, complete with birdcage costumes. Their vocals were richest, their choreography was cleanest. I expect them to make finals.
1:43 pm (William) - single-gender awards were quite the event! As expected, Carmel won large single gender. Mt. Zion and Millard North were the other two, rising above Carroll and Brandon. In small, Pike Mystiques, Danville Contemporaires, and Mother MacAuley are the finalists. It was a big win for Mac Melody, who hasn’t made finals since before the pandemic.
1:45 pm (William) - After a quick lunch of a PB & J sandwich, a banana, and some Baja Blast, the afternoon session kicks off in the fieldhouse with Bishop Luers Minstrels.
1:55 pm (Ethan) - Val’s Famous pizza was a delight, no free ads. Just got back to the school for what should be a slammed afternoon slate.
2:08 pm (Ethan) - Walked in and found William. While we walked to the auditorium we ran into a hyped Millard North “Infinity” on their way to warmups. A selfie was warranted of course.
2:40 pm (Ethan) - Carroll “Magic” lived up to their name. That show was magically wicked. Their creative team deserves a huge round of applause for every little nuance that took place that made the show so in-depth on stage. Wow, wow, wow. First group of prelims set the bar.
3:15 pm (William) - Infinity leaned on their hallmarks - diverse local talent, an incredible band, and phenomenal characters. While the show will likely lack the blown-away moments of Linn-Mar and Carmel, it was consistent throughout.
3:20 pm (Ethan) - Millard North “Infinity” could very much have one the best bands in the nation. Their Copacabana show was alive with fun and color. Truly a treat to see a choir from such a competitive region.
3:30 pm (Ethan) - The auditorium is at capacity as this crowd is ready to see arguably the best choir in the nation for the past 3 years.
3:50 pm (Ethan) - Linn-Mar “10th Street Edition” … Thank you. So simple yet so elegant. Truly 1 of 1.
3:53 pm (William) - 10SE’s vocals changed my life. That’s not mentioning the choreography or show design. Downtown was such a vivacious number. See you in finals!
4:31 pm (Ethan) - Mt. Zion “Swingsations” improved tremendously from Troy Buchanan last week. They made a lot of necessary changes that really translated when on stage. Visually they were really impressive. That finals spot grows tighter. I’m one proud alumni.
4:40 pm (William) - MTZ came out with its trademark huge set and deft moves. Their ballad vocals shined, as there have not been many extended a capella sections so far today. Regardless of their results last week, Swings are solidly in the mix for finals.
5:15 pm (William) - Brandon traversed through selections from several popular songwriters. Their show was a classic Stephen Todd visual effort, and their vocals varied from twangy Dolly Parton to rich Elvis Presley. While Brio is not a lock for finals, they certainly put a lot in front of the judges.
5:20 pm (Ethan) - Brandon “Brio” brought everything to the table, and I mean everything. They had a genre for every person in attendance. They represented the South with pride today.
5:51 pm (Ethan) - Carmel “Ambassadors” vocally and visually are one of the best choirs in the nation, the total package. It proved to be their first comp out with little miscues here and there, however I very much expect them to be within the top two heading into finals.
5:55 pm (William) - Carmel’s presentation was impeccable, with their standard crisp vocals and Dwight Jordan choreography. They found El Dorado and certainly found a place in finals as well.
6:00 pm (Ethan) - Uhhhhhh the party is just getting started as Scooter the Sandpipper (Chesterton’s Mascot) is now on stage with a T-Shirt cannon before the exhibition.… why not. Update: he has now befriended the members of Carroll, Scooter is for the people.
6:15 pm (Ethan) - Our fabulous hosts Chesterton “Sandpipers” put on a wonderful show with their spirit week set. With Jersey Day, Pajama Day, Beach Day and more! A long day for these performers but one they surely will never forget. On to Awards!
Evening
7:51 PM (William) - Millard North Illumination certainly came to play in finals with tighter vocals than the daytime. Their alto soloist is so good!
8:30 PM (Ethan) - Mt. Zion “Les Femmes” laid it all on the floor for their finals performance. Dwight Jordan with two girls groups in finals however, don’t mess with this sister family.
8:50 PM (Ethan) - Popped in the small gym for some small mixed treble performance and man Pike Mystiques know how to close out a show!
9:16 PM (William) - Single gender finals are complete. Carmel Accents look to have a lead in both vocals and visuals, while second place should be a toss up. Linn-Mar kicks off mixed finals.
9:20 PM (Ethan) - Walking around the school I have been having amazing conversations with adults from Millard North and Linn-Mar. Truly thank you for all the kind words, hope to catch a trip west of Illinois soon!
9:41 PM (William) - Seeing Linn-Mar’s show a second time unlocked so much more than the first run. Their visuals are so innovative. It changed my life, again. It was truly my honor to see them twice today.
10:06 PM (William) - Millard North took a step forward in prelims. Lots more locking into place in finals. Their show is fun and has great pace. I look forward to seeing where they place!
10:50 PM (William) - Brandon Brio, tied for second in prelims, put together another good outing. Where do they stand? I don’t know. I am now too tired to judge shows.
11:40 PM (William) - Carroll definitely tugged at my heartstrings, exacerbated by the fact that it is so late. They will probably be fifth, but it is a very deserving fifth.
11:45 PM (Ethan) - Carmel with the last chance to impress as they battle for that top podium placement. Let’s go.
Morning
12:03 AM (Ethan) - The intensity from Carmel was impeccable from start to finish. They left it all out on the floor, even having a few casualties to the slippery floor. Dwight Jordan how do you do!
12:03 AM (William) - Carmel just finished up. As the clock struck midnight, Ambassadors busted out a killer closer dance break. Their energy was a welcome sight as I ward off sleepiness.
12:12 AM (Ethan) - One more “I Wish” by Skee-lo before awards. Let the madness begin!
12:25 AM (Ethan) - Treble Tier 2 GC: Pike Mystiques. Treble Tier 1 GC: Carmel Accents. Mixed Tier 2 GC: Linn-Mar In-Step. Mixed Tier 1 GC: Linn-Mar 10th Street Edition. What an amazing day with amazing people. Thank you Chesterton for a 1 of 1 competition experience.
12:27 AM (William) - Awards are over. Linn-Mar’s streak continues, and deservedly so. Carroll put on an upstart performance to jump Brandon in the finals standings. Linn-Mar also took small mixed, while Carmel took large single gender and Pike took small single-gender.
12:49 AM (William) - Dinner today is a 20 piece McNuggets. It is much appreciated, as I chose to skip dinner to yap with friends.
1:00 AM (Ethan) - I’m still at the school… help me. Yesterday was great, now my bed for today.
Comments