2017-2018 Program Music and Choreographers

Latest on Vincent Zhou's switch to music from Moulin Rouge for his FS, choreographed by Jeff Buttle right before Champs Camp: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/08/30/251420134
Excerpt:
As with the earlier program, Zhou will be playing a romantic lead. In this case, he's interpreting the poet Christian, played by Ewan McGregor in the movie.
"We tried to not be too complex with the character; we only have 4 1/2 minutes to get all the elements in," Buttle said. "It's not a ton of acting -- it's more the emotions and the feeling that come through."
...
"The choreography is very meaningful," Zhou said. "It's almost like a mental staircase through the program. I start with 'Nature Boy' -- the lyrics introduce you to the character of Christian, so it's a great way to start the program -- I transition through a slow part with no lyrics, and it builds to an amazing ending that gives me chills every time I listen to it."
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Zhou mentioned in the IN article from Champs Camp that his new FS ends with "Come What May."
 
casken said:
Is the Santana being thrown in becuase they suddenly remembered it's supposed to be a Latin dance?
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Although I do think these choices are inspired and could work if the editing is there, is there anything Latin about Hotel California? I admit it's been a while since I heard that song, but I don't remember it being Latin in flavor at all? I can see the argument with Sympathy for the Devil.
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
Although I do think these choices are inspired and could work if the editing is there, is there anything Latin about Hotel California? I admit it's been a while since I heard that song, but I don't remember it being Latin in flavor at all? I can see the argument with Sympathy for the Devil.
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Hotel California has a really long acoustic guitar intro and so I wonder if it is that part. He said it does sound like an odd combination of music (paraphrasing). He also says "It's a bit of party, but we love the material and it gives a chance to dance, which is what we love to do".
 
VIETgrlTerifa said:
Although I do think these choices are inspired and could work if the editing is there, is there anything Latin about Hotel California? I admit it's been a while since I heard that song, but I don't remember it being Latin in flavor at all? I can see the argument with Sympathy for the Devil.
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There's an acoustic version of Hotel California the song could work.
But I also think it's too much of a mish mash for a 2min 30s program.
Why can't choreographers/skaters stick to a single music program??
 
beepbeep said:
Why can't choreographers/skaters stick to a single music program??
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It's really hard for dancers in the SD to find a single piece that works because they are required to skate to two different rhythms (one of which has to work with the pattern). We see it done very rarely, and when it has been done, it has been quite successful.

Hubbell & Donohue's Hallelujah had a march beat added to the second half and therefore met the waltz/march requirement.
The Shibs' That's Life had the hip-hop music inserted, and they hired music editors to work on the piece.
There was a junior dance team last season that used a song from Swing Kids that changed pace mid-program and fulfilled both the Blues/Swing requirements.

It usually takes either multiple versions of the same song or some very well-done music editing. And the rhythm requirements for swing/hip hop were super open last season, while the Latin music rhythms are a bit less so.

It could still be done, and we may see it. But you aren't going to see it from the majority of the field.

Having said that, two music selections would absolutely meet the short dance requirements. I often find two selections to be a stronger choice than three within an SD.
 
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And then there was Torvill and Dean's 1994 free dance, which was one song orchestrated in 4 different dance rhythms. Pretty sure they commissioned that recording.
 
beepbeep said:
There's an acoustic version of Hotel California the song could work.
But I also think it's too much of a mish mash for a 2min 30s program.
Why can't choreographers/skaters stick to a single music program??
Click to expand...

Their SD last year had that shorter middle blues piece to segue into Purple Rain, maybe that'll be the case with "Hotel California"? (and it's not a focal point in the program but a 30-40 second transition into Santana). Or maybe it'll be a Latin inspired instrumental version of "Hotel California" without lyrics? ;)

It's really hard to envision how it'll work without people seeing it first, let alone criticizing it too early for not being Latin enough. :P maybe it just reeks of Latin and you'll just have to wait and see..
 
Dobre said:
It's really hard for dancers in the SD to find a single piece that works because they are required to skate to two different rhythms (one of which has to work with the pattern). We see it done very rarely, and when it has been done, it has been quite successful.
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Last season, Smart/Diaz did Tina Turner's Rolling on the River / Proud Mary (not sure which one is the "real" title of that song) which fit the requirements quite nicely without having to add any extra percussion or anything. That was a nice find.
 
Karpenko said:
It's really hard to envision how it'll work without people seeing it first, let alone criticizing it too early for not being Latin enough. :p maybe it just reeks of Latin and you'll just have to wait and see..
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Hun, I'm Brazilian, I'm 99% sure I will absolutely loathe all of those "latin" SDs :p (like I have since started to watch figure skating, except, may be, Torvill/Dean's 1994 Rhumba OD).

V/M's music selections are actually quite refreshing, I wished there were fewer of them for such a short length program, that's all.
 
beepbeep said:
Hun, I'm Brazilian, I'm 99% sure I will absolutely loathe all of those "latin" SDs :p (like I have since started to watch figure skating, except, may be, Torvill/Dean's 1994 Rhumba OD).
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Awww, you poor thing! :rofl:

I guess I can consider myself lucky to come from a northern country full of rhythmically challenged white people with stiff hips, but I can (vaguely) imagine your pain!

My biggest concern is Hotel California. For me, that song is one big BLAAAAAH. Hopefully they only use a little instrumental bit from it.
 
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