Burroughs Provides One Final Chance to Shine for West Coast Choirs

By Andrew Estrella, Western contributor

Since Oceanside moved to late March this year, the John Burroughs Music Showcase is now the final competition in the main California circuit. Choirs who started early, choirs who started late, Arizona choirs, Utah choirs, and more will all be in attendance.

Advanced Tier I

• ALA “Evolution”

• Los Alamitos “Sound FX”

• Burbank “In Sync”

While this may not be the most stacked season-ending division, it's still a very exciting opportunity to see the final competitive runs of these outstanding shows. In Sync and Sound FX are expected to go head-to-head in a thrilling matchup, each bringing their last and best performances to the stage. In Sync's “Truman Show"-themed show, despite not being the only Truman Show in show choir this year, remains fresh and exciting. Sound FX is also no joke this year, as their show blends elements of the streaming series "Severance" with themes of broader social media corruptions. These two titans were a part of a wild caption split last weekend at Oceanside—perhaps the absence of Powerhouse will give In Sync the edge this time.

Meanwhile, ALA will be performing their show on the competition stage for the first and only time this season. Evolution was sixth in its only appearance last year, at Hart, but they are still jumping in the deep end and choosing to compete in Tier I alongside Burbank and Los Alamitos.

Predictions

1st: Burbank “In Sync” (Music)

2nd: Los Alamitos “Sound FX” (Show)

3rd: ALA “Evolution”

Advanced Tier II

• Cypress “High Voltage”

• Valley Vista “Vocal Thunder”

• Chaparral “Platinum FX”

• Boulder Creek “Broadway Bound”

Similar to last week, several potent choirs collide in this division. Cypress scored a shock second at Oceanside last week, placing two spots higher than Valley Vista. Despite this, Vocal Thunder remains a solid threat to take home the division win. Their fellow Arizona group, Broadway Bound, was impressive in exhibition at their home competition and was third in dsivision at Valley Vista's competition. Chaparral, a group whose season began on February 15, could be a choir that makes some noise as well.

Predictions (from William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief)

1st: Valley Vista "Vocal Thunder" (Music)

2nd: Cypress "High Voltage"

3rd: Boulder Creek "Broadway Bound" (Show)

4th: Chaparral "Platinum FX"

Intermediate Mixed

• Pacifica “Encore”

• Valencia “Just 4 Show”

• Helix “HLX”

• Los Alamitos “Connexion”

• Oceanside “Soundwaves”

• Valley Vista “Voltage”

Uh oh—six groups in intermediate? There's a lot to look forward to! Three seasoned contenders are joined by exciting newcomers, making for a intense and unpredictable division.

Pacifica Encore enters as the group to beat, with Connexion and Soundwaves expected to push the pace. Valencia makes a bold move up from the Novice division and will be battling it out with HLX and Voltage for a potential breakout moment. In a contrast to Valenica, Helix is making the move down from advanced to intermediate. However, HLX still has plenty of vocal chops, which are displayed well in their a capella number.

Predictions

1st: Pacifica “Encore” (Music)

2nd: Los Alamitos “Connexion” (Show)

3rd: Oceanside “Soundwaves”

4th: Helix “HLX”

5th: Valley Vista “Voltage”

6th: Valencia “Just 4 Show”

Intermediate Treble

• Los Alamitos “Xquisite”

• Boulder Creek “Heart and Soul”

• Valley Vista “Tempest”

• Saugus “Blue Heat”

  
  

This girls division is packed with fresh matchups and fierce talent. Xquisite is poised to complete a perfect season, with a spectacular show that's a favorite to earn the top spot. Arizona’s top single-gender groups, Heart and Soul and Tempest, will face off for the first time in what’s sure to be a thrilling contest. Blue Heat from Saugus is looking to solidify their place in this competitive division—if they manage to snag a placement, it could be a game-changer for them moving forward as they continue their journey up from novice.

Predictions

1st: Los Alamitos “Xquisite” (Music/Show)

2nd: Valley Vista “Tempest”

3rd: Boulder Creek “Heart and Soul”

4th: Saugus “Blue Heat”

Novice Mixed

• Los Altos “LA Dynamix”

• North Torrance “Northern Lights”

• Western Sierra “The Alphas”

• Eisenhower “Ike Singers”

• John A. Rowland “Infusion”

• Monterey “Big Song”

  
  

This division is bursting with up-and-coming groups—an exciting sign of growth in the circuit. At the front of the pack, look out for Eisenhower, Los Altos, and Western Sierra. But don’t sleep on North Torrance, Rowland, or Monterey—these groups could surprise and break into the top placements. If any of those programs break into the established top three, it will raise more questions than answers going into the offseason.