By William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
The second weekend of 2024 brings the opening competition weekend for three more circuits – Iowa, Missouri, and South Dakota. Pair that with a Wisconsin scene that’s already up and running, and all of a sudden there’s plenty of show choir to talk about.
Des Moines Christian Illumination
The Lineup (choirs from Iowa unless noted)
4A: Cedar Rapids Washington “Momentum”, Dallas Center-Grimes “Momentum”, Indianola “Side One”, Norwalk “Sound Revolution”, Waukee “Millennium”, Xavier “Xhilaration”
1A: Keota “EagleRock!”
Womens: Mercy “Treblemakers” (NE), Xavier “Xuberance”
Prep: Cedar Rapids Washington “Celebration”, Dallas Center-Grimes “Acceleration”, Indianola “Flip Side”, Norwalk “Sound Adrenaline”, Waukee “Spirit”
DMC is now the sole kickoff show choir event for central Iowa after Ankeny Centennial decided to move its contest back a month. The local heavy hitters are Waukee and Indianola, while Washington and Xavier are making the trip over from Cedar Rapids. Millennium is now under the direction of Tony Dam, and Flip Side is coming off an incredibly successful 2024 season that saw the program capture its first two wins ever. Even with the director change, Waukee is considered to be the favorite, with Washington, Indianola and Xavier all fighting to see if any of them can play spoiler. While there are six 4A choirs and six finals spots, Waukee Spirit or Washington Celebration may challenge DCG or Norwalk for a spot in finals.
Muscatine River City Showcase
The Lineup (choirs from Iowa unless noted)
4A: Cedar Rapids Jefferson “West Side Delegation”, El Paso-Gridley “Modulations” (IL), Iowa City “4th Avenue Jazz Company”, Prairie “The Ambassadors”, Western Dubuque “5th Avenue”
3A: Pella “AcaPella”, North Polk “Nexus”
Womens: Albia “Electric A’s”, Clinton “River Royalty”, El Paso-Gridley “Hi Fidelity” (IL), Pella “Bravo”
Prep: Prairie “Focal Point”
El Paso-Gridley is the choir here with experience in 2025, sweeping the Tomah competition last weekend. However, they will run up against several shows that could prove tough to beat. Iowa City won two competitions last year and Prairie, a late add, placed well several times last year. Cedar Rapids Jefferson and Western Dubuque both had quiet seasons last year – they’ll meet here before seeing each other again at West Branch in two weeks. However, 3A group Pella could easily play spoiler and contend for a podium spot. AcaPella beat groups like Cedar Rapids Kennedy in 2024 and took Best Vocals from Waconia and Wheaton Warrenville South last season. A pair of Iowa’s newest show choir programs, North Polk and Clinton, will also be among the participants as they look to grow their respective programs.
Onalaska Show Choir Classic
The Lineup (choirs from Wisconsin unless noted)
Mixed: DeForest “DeFortes”, Eau Claire North “Northernaires”, Holmen “Midwest Express”, Janesville Craig “Spotlighters”, La Crosse “River City Revolution”, Milton “Choralation”, Monona Grove “Silver Connection”, North St. Paul “Northern Lights” (MN), Sauk Prairie “Executive Session”, South St. Paul “SouthSide Sensation” (MN), Tomah “Limited Edition”, Westside “Amazing Technicolor Show Choir” (NE)
Prep: Medford “Momentum”, Milton “Octave Above”, Monona Grove “Silver Dimension”, Sauk Prairie “YTBN”, Washburn “Fire and Ice”
After snow wiped out half of last year’s Classic field, a classic lineup is on deck. Westside, among the groups forced home last year, will look to start Doran Johnson’s farewell tour with a bang. La Crosse and Sauk Prairie both made finals last week at Holmen. Holmen and Tomah both hosted competitions last weekend and gained valuable experience as well. North St. Paul and South St. Paul both feature new directors, while Milton and Janesville Craig are both looking to take steps forward in their directors respective sophomore seasons. Any combination of those groups, plus a Monona Grove ensemble that got pointed in the right direction last season, could make the evening round. Lock in Westside, but after that it is truly anyone’s game.
Sioux Falls Jefferson Cavalier Classic
The Lineup (groups from South Dakota unless noted)
Large Mixed: Aberdeen Central “Eagle Express”, Lewis Central “Corporation” (IA), Lincoln Southwest “Resonance” (NE), Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Executive Suite”, Sioux Falls Washington “Classic Connection”, St. Francis “Bridge Street Singers” (MN), Waconia “Power Company” (MN), Waukee Northwest “Eos” (IA)
Small Mixed: Dell Rapids “Espresso”, Vermillion “Rhythm in Red”
Womens: Aberdeen Central “Special Request”, Lewis Central “Company” (IA), Sioux Falls Roosevelt “Capitol Harmony”, Sioux Falls Washington “Stage Lights”
With a bit of a belated start to the Nebraska competition season this year, Sioux Falls is now home to the first round of major heavyweight battles in the Upper Midwest. Three out-of-state choirs have drawn the most attention so far: Lincoln Southwest, Waconia and Waukee Northwest. Three distinct styles of show (traditional, media, and story) will collide and the top spot could go to any of the three. Aberdeen and Sioux Falls Roosevelt lead the charge for the locals, with 2025 setting up to be another chapter of an unheralded, yet just as intense, rivalry. The rest of the field will challenge for the sixth finals spot and seek to play spoiler to the top five. Sioux Falls Washington and Lewis Central both showed strength early in the season last year – perhaps it will be one of those two choirs.
At the end of the weekend, four choirs will be crowned champions, but each choir will have contributed to the story in its own way. How so? HomeRoom Show Choir will have you covered in the early portions of next week.
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