Showchoir, a common highschool sensation in the Midwest and elsewhere, strives to create spectacle through song, dance, and costume. Numerous choirs spend months preparing a set of cover songs, preparing dances, and glueing on sequins in order to compete in competitions across the country in the winter months. What began as a simple song and dance has transformed into a frenzy of countless outrageous costume changes, complex dance moves, and a set complete with lights, tv screens, and even ice skaters. While vocal and instrumental excellence is still expected and rewarded, the visual aspects carry just as much weight in competitions.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVb0nFDHBpg
These performances can be impactful and entertaining, but I wonder what effect the addition of spectacle has on the power of the music itself? Does it give it new life or, in a sense, "cheapen" or "degrade" it?
It is amazing to me what standards and expectations I have based on Glee's explosive and highly produced sequences. They come out in high contrast when I watch this, as Glee's versions are so engaging compared to this video. I have seen something like Umbrella/Singin in the Rain from Glee http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbZcYy6AAGg which makes the "Real Glee" look kind of...bad.
ReplyDeleteWhich brings up a question: how do we who are not producing for television ever compete with spectacles that are designed for TV with so many camera angles, quick camera cuts, special effects, and expensive post-production work? Does that degrade our work?