Thursday 6th Nov - Chorus Semifinals

We're back in our room after a full day at the chorus semi-finals. There was a bomb threat below us while we were having breakfast on the balcony, with sirens and flashing lights, but they didn't evacuate the hotel so we didn't worry too much about it. It turned out to be a hoax.

The chorus semifinals started at 10:45 am with Harborlites (2008 champions) as mic testers. They performed Georgia Brown and Danny Boy and had great energy and dynamics and expressive faces (especially in Danny Boy). We've dutifully been recording all the costumes in our Keepin' Score books but we won't comment on those here unless they're exceptional. These are the choruses that stood out, for one reason or another

St Louis Harmony, from Region 5 (Missouri), were the second chorus to compete. They did two songs CKC know (If I Give My Heart, and This Joint Is Jumpin) and had someone doing cartwheels during THIJ, and a young girl performing with them.

San Diego from Region 21(California) had about 99 singers on stage, and did amazing softs and louds. They are in the finals.

Harmony on the Sound from Region 1 (Connecticut) had fighting as part of the choreo for Give My Regards to Broadway, including someone's pants being pulled down (intentionally, we think).

Our own Perth Harmony did a fine job, looked and sounded good with only 6 tenors in their 78 singers on stage. We saw Cathy Rainey in the lift tonight and she said Perth had come 16th and were very pleased.

Sound of the Heartland wore a gorgeous red velvet dress with fascinating frills made from velvet strips (like our purpe and green, but wider).








Scottsdale (Region 21) had a big sound and moved like a single organism in their ballad (What'll I Do). They move on every breath, and looked fabulous in a simple black velvet pants and top with cutouts on the sleeves and silver edging (see picture). They're in the final.

Ronninge Show Chorus did a cute parody called Inge's Back in Town, dressed in black leather with long blonde plaits. From the time they came on stage they were moving and waving. Fabulous faces, and at one point I think they all threw G-strings in the air; certainly later on they threw their wigs on the floor before performing If I Give My Heart to You. They're in the finals.

We had a 40 minute intermission for lunch and then started again. Deborah went to Harmony Bazaar and picked up some good stuff from the SAI stall. Then she tried on a hair piece and bought it (a bargain - only $59 US - no more bad hair on competition day, if only she can remember how to attach it).

Back to the comp:

Spirit of the Gulf had a great sound and dynamics. Their front row used up the whole floor space. They're in the finals.

Song of Atlanta did a great crescendo (according to our notes, which are illegible in places) and were very energetic. They're in the finals.

Then we got to see the Melodeers, directed by Jim Arns. Dynamics! Slides! Clever vocal effects! At one point the front row were rowing an (imaginary) boat. Of course they're in the finals.

We saw North Metro use suitcases as props during I'm Going Down to Dixieland, and the front row was rolling on the ground. During their ballad (If I Ruled the World) the front row knelt for quite a lot of it.

We had another break, for 45 minutes, and dashed down to the Food Court for Thai (Di's recommendation). Some of managed to fit in a little more shopping before the last round of the finals, but Deborah got back in time to see OK City do a comedy routine in which the Director tries to hypnotise the judges, and hypnotises the chorus instead. He wakes them with a clap, and puts them back to sleep with another clap. During their performance whenever he claps they change from being energised to being in a trance. At the end, when the audience applauds, the chorus is no longer hypnotised, and when the chorus clap, their director (Jim Massey) falls asleep instead. It was very cleverly done, and very entertaining, but they didn't make it into the finals.

Pride of Portland had some beautiful sustained softs, and are in the finals.

We cheered loudly for River Blenders, Di Huber's chorus (they're the girls we're performing with in St Louis next year). They did There Goes My Heart, but with a different interpretation than CKC's. Unfortunately they weren't in the top 10.

Buffalo Gateway were the last chorus to compete. They modified the words of Red Red Robin to "judges listen for hours and hours", and they're also in the finals.

Di and Ros went to meet some of the River Blenders during the next short break. They're very enthusiastic about having us come and sing with them.

While we were waiting for the chorus finalists to be announced, Harborlites entertained us brilliantly. They sang a tribute to the Directors of all the competing choruses; and then Bring Him Home (Les Mis) with slow, ballet-like choreo in the front row; and then I Have Been Changed (Wicked) recognising how being involved in Sweet Adelines changes our lives (made Deborah cry, but that's not hard), and then that song they do from Phantom of the Opera. They got a standing ovation.

So, the final draw, in order of appearance:
Mic Testers (No 11) - Pacific Empire
1 - Skyline
2 - North Metro
3 - Song of Atlanta
4 - Melodeers
5 - Ronninge Show Chorus
6 - Scottsdale
7 - San Diego
8 - Pride of Portland
9 - Spirit of the Gulf
10 - Buffalo Gateway.

Watching International competition is a whole different standard from our Regional competition, and now we appreciate how much more work we need to do to earn our place on the international stage.

We all retired to our rooms (it's now only 10.30 pm) exhausted. Kerry leaves at 7 am tomorrow morning to fly home because she has a gig on Saturday night with the band. The rest of us will be going to the mass sing at 11:15 am on the roof of the convention centre, and then watching the quartet finals. Tomorrow night we have the Coronet Club show. And then it's only one more sleep until the chorus finals on Saturday, and Deborah and Jo's cruise; and on Sunday most of the rest of us will fly home.