John Burroughs Powerhouse: Freak on a Leash

A teaser...

Piqua HS The Company: Beautiful Things/Beautiful Day

Another home run from Piqua!
In this video, we get heaps of intense facial close-ups, and an intense and reprised solo.
The costume choices are brave, as is the choreography, especially at 2:36.

Also, please ignore whatever happens at 3:02.

Hart Sound Vibrations: Snakes on a Plane

I don't know where to begin.

The emcee's intro is fantastic, but is quickly bested by the two students who provide a spoken skit to start the number.

The number- what happened? The cyc is green, the only color of light proven to make any skin tone look bad.They're not singing (I pray.) And youtube commenter Ethein sums it up with, "this isnt sharp at all." I expect better.

Practice

Today's selections offers a great window into the Showchoir process. I love the voice calling out the 'names' of the dance steps, though if someone yelled Austin Powers! at me, I'd be at a loss...

Also, I don't often use this word, but the Showchoiress on the right is FIERCE.

Hart Sound Vibrations: Go Go Power Rangers

This is what passes for arts education in America today. That is all.

Warwick High School Show Choir: Rockin' America (in four parts)

This performance originally aired on Blue Ridge Cable 11.



The 60s: American Bandstand
Bandstand Boogie, Baby Love, Do Wah Diddy Diddy, You Keep Me Hangin' On, Let's Twist Again, I Heard it Through the Grapevine



The 70's: A Chorale Review
I Love the Night Life, Do the Hustle, La Freak, That's the Way I Like it, Shake Your Booty

A Tribute to Queen:
We Will Rock You, Another One Bites the Dust, We Are the Champions, Bohemian Rhapsody



80's: 20th Century Celebration
Fame, Celebration, Holiday, How Will I Know?, Conga, Thriller



The 90's: American Pop Forever
Hold My Hand, Opposites Attract, Everybody Dance Now, Gonna Make You Sweat, Rythem Nation, End of the Road, The River of Dreams

And a bonus!- You Raise Me Up, performed by the entire Warwick HS Vocal Music Department. But only Showchoir can be trusted to dance.

Piqua HS The Company: Ride With Me

Apologies for a less-than-recognizable selection today. The soloist is so worth it.

Also worth mentioning- the costumes. The dresses speak/scream for themselves, but I would kill to be able to read those beltbuckles.

South Jones Company: Jungle Medley

Never have I felt more welcome in a jungle.


And the solo at 1:58... Damn.

Burbank In Sync: Top 40 Medley

In just 5 minutes and 56 seconds, Burbank's In Sync will cram your ears with:

Justin Timberlake- Summer Love

Christina Aguilera- Ain't No Other Man

Gwen Stefani- The Sweet Escape

Will I Am- I Got it From My Mama

Fountains of Wayne- Stacey's Mom

Natasha Bedingfield - Unwritten

Rihanna- Shut-up and Drive

Black Eyed Peas-My Humps

Amy Winehouse- Rehab

Kelis- Milkshake (with props!)

Shakira- Hips Don't Lie

Christina Aguilera- Dirty

Because this is country-flavored, at the end of Dirty, there will be a "Yee-haw!!"

I totally agree.

Albertville CenterStage!: Welcome to the Black Parade

You might check out the source material before this morning's encounter.



I can only pass on this comment from centerstageguy06:

Again, so different, So dynamic. This is more than just a staged show choir number. There is a cohesive mastery of content regarding the lyrics and staging that is just excellent.

Euclid Varsity Chorale: My Prerogative/Rumors

Of course the Euclid Varsity Chorale goes there, Truthfully.
They bring it. They can talk the game... AND play it. They turn it out.
They're great kids, and their superior annunciation proves that they understand the spelling of prerogative.


But if you were a parent, how would you feel watching your darling child perform a Bobby Brown/Lindsay Lohan medley?

They should go after that director with torches and pitchforks.

Love, Auschglitz!

Lafayette Jefferson First Edition: Turkey Lurkey Time

Turkey Lurkey Time is from Promises, Promises, 1968 musical by Neil Simon and Burt Bacharach. I try to avoid Showchoir versions of showtunes, but this one it just too strange.

Euclid Varsity Chorale: Spice Up Your Life/ Jumpin Jumpin

There is no room for this brand of racial divisiveness in American Showchoir. Or politics.

Zionsville Royalaires: Supermodel

Dear Readers,

This morning, I was presented with a situation that is both very alarming and very real. Clicking through the extensive SHOWCHOIR database at Auschglitz! World Headquarters, I found that some of the best SHOWCHOIR videos have been pulled from Youtube.

Is it possible that our adoration is misinterpreted? Why would crombiedude deny the world a chance to see the Dover Crimson Chorale perform Rupaul's Supermodel?

It's a small comfort, but please try to enjoy this performance from the Zionsville Royalaires:



Typing through Tears,
Auschglitz!

Celebration Iowa!: Take My Breath Away/ Every Move You Make

I know- ballads have no choreography, and are therefore boring. But I've been feeling sentimental.


Please know that if I were in charge, the erotic asphyxiation song would come after the stalking song. It's more romantic.

Paula Abdul Omnibus (Who Knew?)

First, consider the Churchill Showstoppers' 2006 performance of Cold Hearted Snake. Paula's 1989 hit is perfect for a girls' choir (often a feeder for the advanced co-ed group.)




In 2003, Mundelein Sound brought us this medley. It's higher concept, especially in the costume arena, and tackles some big issues: movies vs. TV, early bedtime vs. all night partying. This number is HARD HITTING and features a couple of dynamite soloists.

Though none even touch Paula's oeuvre, you can download Mundelein mp3s HERE!




Rounding out the Paula, is the mysterious Celebration Iowa! They're a high school performance group at Hunter College and they're AWESOME! The soloist is wonderfully wrong for the song and the production design screams KIDS UnIncorporated!
More bits of this stunning 80s medley are on the way...

Burbank InSync: In the Air Tonight

Here's something fun:
First, listen to today's clip without watching (I recommend looking at something that compliments the dignity of the song, like this.) The intensity of the vocals is astonishing and shows a maturity that can only come from experience.
They must be seniors.

After you've fully appreciated the musical gravitas, watch the choreography.
These kids GO THERE... TRUTHFULLY!

Don't you hate it when the start of a number is cut off? I do- in fact, the previous song is often a large part of the payoff in a good SHOWCHOIR video. So if you need to, watch this:

Zionsvillle Royalaires: A Short Documentary

This explains a lot. And the lady outfits are superior- be sure and watch through about 2:20...

New Bedford Charisma: Love Shack

This is brilliant, though the male soloist performing Fred Schneider's part could take a lesson from the ladies' enthusiasm.

Do your self a favor and watch at least until they bang bang bang on the door, baby.

Poca Visual Volume: Pepsi Medley

Poca is a town in Putnam County, West Virginia. In the 2003 census, the population was 1,013. I suppose they all love Pepsi.

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: Faith

Guys-only numbers can be problematic. Here, Crete-Monee chose simple, dark colored costumes to play-up masculinity, but the song choice, not to mention the vigorous choreography, totally queers the deal.

It's sweet and funny and amazing and terrible. I love it.

Bloomington Kennedy Rhythm in Gold: Get Out of My Dreams, Get Into My Car

ETC All Americans: Situation

Chesterton Sandpipers: Electric Youth

This selection has everything: an earnest soloist, bold costumes, vigorous choreography, and a perfect show choir song.

Chesterton Sandpipers, you're ELECTRIC!

Wheeling New Dawns: Conga

I love the Latin soul. So does Wheeling High School.

Bemidji Vocalmotive: Barracuda/Eye Of The Tiger

Onalaska Hilltoppers: The Final Countdown

Please note that this performance took palce in 2006, twenty years after the song was released and the same year Arrested Development was cancelled.

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: No More Drama

Aushglitz! has been pretty Cavalier heavy lately. We'll try to diversify, but clearly there is an ingenious choir director in Crete-Monee.

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: Britney Medley

Fiarfield Choraliers: DJ Medley

Weekend Post: Fame Omnibus

Beginning with great and ending with greatest! Special recognition to second greatest Central Islip for keeping it real!




Tecumseh The Company, 2008



Sioux City East Headliners, 2007



Petal Soundsations, 2004




Central Islip HS Show Choir, 2004



Celebration Iowa, 2007

Papillion- La Vista Free Spirit: Unsettling Maternal-themed Medley

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: Disease Medley

John Burroughs Powerhouse: Rain Medley

This is west coast Showchoir.

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: U2 Medley

Mt Zion Swingsations: Bringin' Da Noise

Euclid Varsity Chorale: 9 to 5

St Albans Classix:Word Up/ Love is a Verb

Opelika Ovations: Jump Medley

Linn Mar Tenth Street Edition: Metal Medley

Wahlert Catholic Impulse: Go West

I had to post this immediately. You'll understand why.

Twinsburg Great Expectations: Na Na Na Medley

This is a dense medley. So far I've idetified:

Every Sha La La La, Hey Jude, Hey Ya, Crocodile Rock, Land of a Thousand Dances, Ma na Ma na, Space Cowboy, The Witch Doctor, and Goodbye.

Help me out with the rest...

Euclid Varsity Singers: Kyrie

JCHS Sophisticats: RENT (at the mall)

Enterprise Encores:Seasons of Love/ What is Love?

Mooresville Spotlighters: Gloria/Love Song

from the Youtube description:
First-time finalist Mooresville was one of the first top groups to eschew character shoes for their girls, and go with dyed to match pumps.

It makes all the difference.

Two More Prince Medleys

Brush Soundsations:



Eisenhower Elite Energy:

Burbank In Sync: Polka Medley

Includes: Living La Vida Loca/Oops...I Did It Again/Music/Get This Party Started/The Real Slim Shady/Larger Than Life

Papillion- La Vista Free Spirit: Would I Lie to You/ Missionary Man

I'm on Vacation

But let this hold you over until I'm back:



Promo reel for Up In Lights, a documentary of the 2006 Show Choir Nationals!

Somerset Electrify: Blue

Lafayette Jefferson First Edition: Stronger

Hunter College Celebration Iowa: We Built This City

Crete-Monee Cavaliers: Chains of Love

Poca Visual Volume: Crazy Train

It's all I can do not to comment on this:

Weekend Edition: We're not in Kansas Anymore.

Northrop Charisma



Arizona 2008 All-state Show Choir.



SCA Millikin



Clover Hill HS New Dimensions



Burbank HSIn Sync

Show Choir Promo Reel

This show doesn't even appear on the WOW website...

Mundelein Sound: Brady Bunch vs. Partridge Family

Eisenhower Elite Energy: Welcome to the Jungle

Petal Soundsations: Throw That Girl Around

Weekend Edition: Madonna Omnibus

Opelika Ovations: Dress You Up





North Central Counterpoints: Like a Prayer





Mundelein Sound: "Hung Up"





Clinton Attaché: Hollywood / Chaplin Walked Here"





Celebration! Entertainment Academy: Frozen





Mt. Zion Swingsations: Me Against the Music Medley





Norwell Knight Stars: "Madonna Medley"




Chula Vista Main Attraction: Madonna Medley




Cedar Rapids Kennedy Happiness, Inc.: Madonna Medley

St Albans Classix: Word Up!/Love is a Verb

Eau Claire Old Abe Show Choir: Prince Medley

Brush Soundsation: St Elmo's Fire (Man In Motion)

Lafayette Jefferson First Edition: Xanadu Medley

Lafayette Jefferson First Edition: Diamonds are a Girl's Best Imaginary Friend

Slow songs are not usually worth posting, but this pairing is MAGICAL.

Clinton HS Attaché: Seasons of Love/What Is Love

Petal Soundsations: Copacabana

Valley Choralation: Bon Jovi Medley