Auschglitz!

Lafayette Jefferson First Edition: Spies in the Night

2009-05-14T07:33:00.000-07:00

Wow. I'm not sure why the sound is so out of sync with the picture, but it cannot detract from the power of a trapped floor, moving lights, and gunshots.

There is also some fine acting going on. Love it- I do.

Thanks to Tom for the tip on this one.

Piqua HS The Company: Glamorous

2009-04-22T22:04:00.000-07:00

Yea- outfits. In 2008.

Thanks, Piqua!!

NBHS Pure Energy: Twilight Zone

2009-03-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

This selection features some of the best lyrics in th english language:

Unpretentious girl from Memphis
Saw the future through her third eye

AND

a sequence of flashlight choreography. It is both magical and mysterious. Enjoy.

Sullivan HS Singers: Elton John Medley

2009-02-01T15:47:00.000-08:00

First, I apologize for my long absence. The whirlwind world of showchoir waits for no man, and I've fallen behind.
Please enjoy this selection:

This piece is full of gems, from that first soloist to the white fur coats. The crocodile dance move really drives home the choreographic pedigree of the American Showchoir. That is, I'm sure you know, the unholy union of Jazzercize and charades.

Sullivan Singers, we are in your debt.

John Burroughs Powerhouse: Freak on a Leash

2008-11-10T00:13:00.000-08:00

A teaser...

Piqua HS The Company: Beautiful Things/Beautiful Day

2008-11-04T07:41:00.000-08:00

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

2008-09-18T07:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-09-10T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-20T07:02:00.000-07:00

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

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

2008-07-13T08:30:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-28T06:15:00.000-07:00

Never have I felt more welcome in a jungle.

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

Burbank In Sync: Top 40 Medley

2008-05-25T08:43:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-22T08:05:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-20T06:47:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-13T06:26:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-09T06:15:00.000-07:00

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

Zionsville Royalaires: Supermodel

2008-05-05T07:03:00.000-07:00

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

2008-05-01T07:19:00.000-07:00

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?)

2008-04-25T06:54:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-21T06:51:00.000-07:00

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

New Bedford Charisma: Love Shack

2008-04-16T16:29:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-15T07:53:00.000-07:00

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

2008-04-11T06:45:00.000-07:00

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.