By Andrew Estrella, Western contributor
The sun is rising on the West Coast, and the show choir circuit is officially starting this saturday. Bonita Vista’s San Diego Sings and Brea Olinda’s California Classic are kicking off what promises to be a highly anticipated season. Every year, this circuit gets more competitive with big upsets, rising groups, and more intense competitions. While neither competition features more than a couple handfuls of groups, they still offer the first chance for groups to go against each other this season.
San Diego Sings
Bonita Vista’s competition is on the smaller side, with only one out of the three divisions being contested.
Advanced Mixed
- Chaparral “Platinum FX”
Intermediate Mixed
- Will C. Wood “Sylvan Singers”
- Chula Vista “Main Attraction”
- Helix “HLX”
- Pacifica “Encore”
Womens
- Helix “HD”
With four groups in the competitive division, the outcomes seem fairly predictable. Pacifica Encore is the frontrunner for the top spot, which perhaps raises the question of why they wouldn’t just move up and compete with Chaparral, a group of their caliber. Helix is another group that sometimes competes in advanced divisions as well, meaning Pacifica can't get too comfortable. One notable group is Will C. Wood, making their debut; it will be exciting to see how they compete with more established groups.
Predictions:
1st) Pacifica “Encore” (Music/Show)
2nd) Helix “HLX”
3rd) Chula Vista “Main Attraction”
4th) Will C. Wood “Sylvan Singers”
California Classic
A bit of a more of an eventful start to the season, Brea Olinda’s competition has a few groups that many performers not attending will be watching. With a fair mix of newer and older groups, it’s a solid start to this season.
Advanced Mixed
- Diamond Bar “Marquis”
- John Burroughs “Powerhouse”
- John F. Kennedy “Executive Order”
With the first competitive advanced division of the season, it will be the premiere of three major groups' competition sets. Powerhouse, coming off a disappointing loss at the end of last season to Burbank and Los Al, will be determined to claim the top spot this time around in a relatively low-stakes division. The real showdown, however, will be between Marquis and EO. Last season, Marquis faltered against EO at Esperanza but then went on to defeat other groups that had bested EO. Ultimately, it will come down to who has the better day between them, since it is so early in the season.
Predictions
1st) John Burroughs “Powerhouse” (Music/Show)
2nd) Diamond Bar “Marquis”
3rd) John F. Kennedy “Executive Order”
Group Highlights
John F. Kennedy “Secret Service”
JFK is adding to the ever-growing mens division. While Secret Service has gone to competitions since 2020, Cal Classic will be the first time they compete against another mens group.
John F. Kennedy “First Ladies”
First Ladies is coming off a pretty great season from last year, where they not only moved up to the advanced women’s division but beat Burbank Blue Impressions and gave groups from Los Al and Burroughs a run for their money. With the right pieces in show design, arrangements, and choreography, they could really cause a stir and take a placement or two off of more experienced players.
Between a new group making its debut and seasoned ensembles raising the bar, the competition is fiercer than ever, especially at the start of the season. This week will serve as a valuable tune-up to these choirs before the competitions get bigger in March.