cheerleading at the olympics Archives

By Steve Pawlyk

Published May 28, 2024

The fusion of innovative choreography and dynamic music selection plays a pivotal role in captivating audiences and impressing judges. As we move into the 2024-2025 season, the trends in both elements are shaping up to be more exciting and impactful than ever, with teams striving to differentiate themselves when competing.

Choreography: Embracing Complexity and Storytelling

The choreographic landscape in cheer has seen a remarkable evolution, with teams now weaving complex narratives into their routines to captivate and convey deeper stories to the audience. This trend, prominently showcased at major competitions like The Cheerleading Worlds 2024, involves integrating a variety of dance styles and intricate formations to tell stories that resonate on and off the mat.

For instance, top teams at The Cheerleading Worlds 2024 demonstrated how advanced choreography and thematic execution could elevate a team’s performance, making each routine not just a display of skill but a compelling narrative experience. Teams like Cheer Extreme – Raleigh SSX and ICE Lady Lightning were notable for their expressive routines that combined athletic prowess with dramatic flair to engage the audience fully.

Moreover, choreographers like Jonathan Lewis from J.Lew Choreography and the team at Spirit FX have been instrumental in this shift. They focus on crafting routines that not only highlight technical skills but also embed a storyline that reflects the team’s identity and journey. These choreographers utilize a variety of choreographic devices such as canons, accumulation, and thoughtful use of music to enhance the emotional impact of the performances.

This narrative approach is not just about the sequence of moves but also about how the elements of music and choreography interplay to create a memorable story. This integration ensures that each performance is not only technically proficient but also emotionally engaging, leaving a lasting impression on the audience and judges alike.

BROWSE OUR MIXES

The USA Cheer National Team has been showcasing their narrative style choreography in recent performances, particularly at significant events like the ICU Worlds 2024. These performances are characterized by complex routines that integrate cheer skills with thematic storytelling, aiming to connect emotionally with the audience and judges. This approach iis designed to narrate a story or convey a message, making each performance unique and memorable.

By embracing these trends, teams can deliver highly technical performances that are also rich in narrative depth, setting them apart at events.

Music Selection: The Power of Customization

When it comes to music, the trend is clear: customization is key. A well-chosen mix can elevate a routine, making it memorable and distinct.

This is where we, IPP Music, the (flex! 😊) top production house in customized cheer music, stand out….like way out.

We offer a range of services that allow teams to have bespoke music mixes that perfectly align with their choreography, performance, & theme. I’m not gonna hard sell you on it, you can hear it yourself, but…elevator pitch?: we provide the auditory backdrop that not only matches, but enhances the visual elements of any cheer routine.

Integration of Music and Movement

The integration of music and choreo in cheer is more nuanced than ever. Choreographers work closely with music producers to time movements with specific beats and crescendos in the music, creating moments of impact that resonate with the audience. This synchronization not only demonstrates the technical skill of the athletes but also creates a more cohesive and immersive viewing experience.

IPP YouHitZero cheerleading narrative style

It’s clear that the creativity in choreo and strategic music selection are both key to comp success. Teams aiming to distinguish themselves this season will need to fully embrace these evolving trends. With the right mix of innovative movement and impactful music, cheerleading squads can elevate their routines, turning them into expressive narratives that captivate judges and audiences alike, and truly tell powerful stories.