Comps of the Week: 3/22/25

By William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

It is officially season wrap-up time, as all four competitions featured this week mark the close to many seasons. California and New England have a lighter week this week before two big weeks to wrap up their seasons.

ISSMA Large School Finals

The Lineup (all groups from Indiana)

Mixed: Avon “Accents”, Castle “Knight Sensations”, Kokomo “Karisma Singers”, Lawrence Central “Central Sound”, Lawrence North “Legacy”, North Central “Counterpoints”, Pike “Encores”, Plainfield “Belles et Beaux”, Whiteland “Rhythm Masters”

Womens: Avon “Attraction”, Castle “Knightingales”, Lawrence Central “Sweets”, Lawrence North “Bella Bravada”, North Central “Descants”, Pike “Mystiques”, Plainfield “Femmes Fatales”, Westfield “Illumination”, Whiteland “Expressions”

Like many years, the ISSMA finals lack the top-end punch of a Center Grove, Carmel, or Franklin Central. However, several quality groups will take the top spots. North Central took a decisive win over Plainfield last weekend and is one of the favorites. Avon has won five straight competitions this season, although they have not faced the level of competition that either North Central or Plainfield have. Lawrence North has also made an appearance in the Indiana large mixed rankings this year and could factor for a podium spot. In the womens division, Avon Attraction has a similar record to Accents this year, but they will face an upstart Femmes Fatales ensemble that just beat Fishers Sound this past weekend. Descants, Bella Bravada, Illumination, Knightingales, and Expressions were third through seventh at Lawrence Central this past weekend, providing a likely preview of what may come to pass.

Powhatan Diamond Classic

The Lineup (groups from Virginia unless noted)

Large Mixed: Atlee “Illusion”, Cosby “Spotlight”, Jefferson “Pop Singers” (WV), Manchester “Capital Swing”, Midlothian “Just For Show”

Medium Mixed: Clover Hill “New Dimensions”, Hanover “Sound FX”, Kecoughtan “Harbor Lights”, Martinsburg “Good Times” (WV), Martinsburg South Middle “South Spirit” (WV), Mills E. Godwin “Debut”, Voyager “Bull City Lights” (NC)

Small Mixed: Amherst County “Amherechos”, Henrico “Company 302”, James River “Current Edition”, Poquoson “Evolution”

Large Womens: Cosby “Rhapsody”, Manchester “Touch of Swing”, Midlothian “City Lights”

Medium Womens: Atlee “Elegance”, Clover Hill “Iridescence”, James River “Anything Goes”, Kecoughtan “Touch of Jade”

Small Womens: Amherst County “Belles of Amherst”, Manchester “Vocal Swing”, Martinsburg “GLITZ” (WV)

The end of Virginia’s competition season is here. The good news is that Powhatan has quite the lineup for those wanting to see where choirs in the Commonwealth shake out heading into the offseason. The last time Cosby and Manchester met, at Hanover on March 1, they split captions, with Cosby taking choreo and the win while Manchester placed second with vocals and band. Clearly, the margin is tight between Virginia’s undisputed top two this year. Jefferson and Midlothian should have a good battle for third in large mixed. Middle mixed should be a dogfight as well. Martinsburg already has an overall win this year, Clover Hill and Hanover have division wins to their credit, and Kecoughtan notched a finals appearance at Cosby. Ten womens groups on Friday should also provide plenty of battles.

Show Choir Nationals

For a Full Preview: 2025 Show Choir Nationals Preview

Mixed Lineup: Auburn “Varsity Singers” (AL), Carmel “Ambassadors” (IN), Daniel Hand “VIBE” (CT), Los Alamitos “Sound FX” (CA), Madison Central “Reveille” (MS), Musselman “Kaleidoscope” (WV), Olentangy “Keynotes” (OH), Petal “Soundsations” (MS), Rosa Scott “Radiance” (MS), Zionsville “Royalaires” (IN)

Womens Results: 1st) Los Alamitos “Soundtrax” (BV/BC) 2nd) Carmel “Accents” 3rd) Zionsville “Choralaires” (BB) 4th) Petal “Innovations” 5th) Auburn “Elan” 6th) Olentangy “She-Notes”

First, the results from Thursday night – By multiple accounts, this is Soundtrax’s best show since 2022. It showed, beating multiple top-five womens groups from the Indianapolis circuit. While the south was unable to break into the top three, Petal and Auburn stuck by each other, placing fourth and fifth. For the mixed lineup – the showdown again looks to be among the top three groups. With a Sound FX show loosely incorporating elements of the show Severance, the group is looking for redemption after placing second at its national competition last year. Carmel lost to two of the best groups in the country, Linn-Mar and Center Grove, earlier this year and is looking for a signature win to put on its resume. Zionsville just took vocals off Center Grove last weekend and should at least factor into the conversation for that caption, if not the overall win. Petal just took choreography in prelims from Clinton two weeks ago and should factor in for that caption. Daniel Hand has emerged as New England’s number one choir in recent weeks and should be a finalist. Auburn and Olentangy are in the competition for the sixth spot.

Wildcard: Heart of America Los Angeles

The Lineup

Mixed: Brea Olinda “Masquerade” (CA), Broken Arrow “Tiger Rhythm” (OK), Center Grove “Sound System” (IN), Fishers “Electrum” (IN)

Womens: Bonita Vista “Sound Unlimited” (CA), Brea Olinda “Spellbound” (CA), Broken Arrow “Tiger Mystique” (OK), Center Grove “Debtones” (IN), Fishers “Sound” (IN)

Festival: Bonita Vista “The Music Machine” (CA), Brea Olinda “Tiffanys” (CA), Palm Desert “Summer Breeze” (CA)

Heart of America makes a rare west-coast trip, as Los Angeles is not on next year’s schedule of events. The three finalists in each division should be Center Grove, Broken Arrow, and Fishers, although the order is a bit up for grabs. In mixed, Sound System is considered the favorite, but Tiger Rhythm is always dangerous and has three wins to its name so far this year. Electrum took a hit last week when they missed finals at Lawrence Central, but they have still taken a step forward overall compared to last year. In womens, Debtones has emerged as the Indiana number one this year with Sound on their heels as the number two or three. Should Sound pull off the win, it may reverse the tide in Indiana. Tiger Mystique has three division wins to its name so far this season as well. Brea Olinda lurks in the background of both divisions – if one of the top three falters and Masquerade or Spellbound takes a step forward, either group may make an appearance in finals.

The results at these competitions are sure to raise some eyebrows, so make sure to come back for more analysis early next week!