Plenty of mixing it up this past weekend, with top choirs and unfortunately some weather to boot.
Fairfield Crystal Classic
Final Results
GC: Ross “Legacy” (BC)
1RU: Loveland “By Request” (BV)
2RU: Hurricane “Red Hot” (BB)
3RU: ETC “The All Americans”
4RU: Olentangy “Keynotes”
In Sterling Finkbine’s first year directing Ross Rhythm and Motion in 2014, the group made finals two times. In his tenth year with the renamed Ross Legacy, the group scores a signature win at Fairfield that puts a huge exclamation point on what has been one of the best seasons in memory for the program. In competitions not sanctioned by Heart of America, Legacy has won four of six and won a best choreography award at a fifth. This is a program that will play for keeps into the foreseeable future. In typical fashion, Loveland comes on strong at the end of the season and takes vocals from Ross. By Request finishes their season with four consecutive runner-up finishes, with Sam Crane and Chloe Castonguay each winning two Best Soloist awards in that span. In small mixed, Norwell came, saw and conquered, with the northwest Indiana choir taking home vocals and choreography in a small mixed finals that featured groups from four different states. In large womens, ETC Rouge took home the win in front of Loveland Allure and Olentangy She-Notes.
Herscher Swing & Sing
Final Results
GC: Chesterton “Sandpipers” (BV/BC/BB tie)
1RU: Glenwood “Titan Fever”
2RU: Beavercreek “Friends” (BB tie)
3RU: Decatur “Elite Energy”
4RU: Peoria “Soundwave”
5RU: Danville “Delegation”
Chesterton ends their 2022 season with three wins in three different states. Illinois was the last piece of the puzzle, following wins at Milton (Wisconsin) and Carroll (Indiana). While isolated geographically from the rest of the Indiana scene, one can only wonder what the Sandpipers would do in the metro Indianapolis scene. Titan Fever ends the season on a run of three consecutive runner-up finishes, and have been held out of the win column since the pandemic. Beavercreek nabs their second third-place finish in a row to close out 2022. It’s Friends first visit to Illinois since the Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic was moved to a virtual format in 2020. Decatur rounds out its 2023 season making four of six finals in its first year of direction under Davion Williams, and all of those placements have been fourth or higher. After not making any finals in January or February, Danville goes three-for-three in March to end the season on the right note.
ISSMA Large School State Finals
Mixed Division
1st: Franklin Central “F.C. Singers” (BV/BC)
2nd: Avon “Accents”
3rd: Plainfield “Belles et Beaux”
4th: Fishers “Electrum”
5th: Brownsburg “Spotlight Singers and Company”
The last time Franklin Central entered the ISSMA finals and lost? 2016. This triumph is the third one of the year for F.C., with only Carmel standing in the way of an undefeated season. Avon, however, is perhaps the most outstanding surprise of the competition. While Accents had a couple of wins, they were in smaller competitions, and some wondered if it would translate to a big stage. Turns out it did, and while it’s not a world-on-fire result, it definitely gives Avon some well-deserved respect. Plainfield has been one of Indiana’s rising programs this year, and former Franklin Community director Michael Hummel has done wonders in only his second season with the program. State finals is Belles et Beaux’s only finish outside the top two all year. Fishers and Brownsburg round out a brutal placing in mixed that saw North Central, Lawrence Central, Lafayette Jefferson and Castle miss out on placing. In womens, Fishers took vocals and choreography en route to the win, followed by Franklin Central, Avon, Brownsburg and Plainfield.
Mitchell Show Choir Classic
Results
1st: Troy Buchanan “Express” (BV/BC)
2nd: Skutt Catholic “Vivace” (BB)
3rd: Troy Buchanan “Soundwave”
4th: Vermillion “Rhythm in Red”
5th: Skutt Catholic “Allegro”
Comps of the Week had gone all season without having one affected by weather, and it was too good to last. Light snow mixed with strong winds created brutal driving conditions and interstate closures that prevented a majority of the field from making it, including local choirs like Sioux Falls Washington and Chamberlain. Sioux City East and Bishop Heelan were at least able to be late adds into the traditionally small-school competition at Hinton, where they took first and third. Express took their third win of the season, and all three have been with both vocals and choreography. Skutt’s second place finish is the highest since Vermillion in 2020, where they split captions with Aberdeen Central en route to a second place. Vermillion takes home its second overall placing of the year after finishing fifth in finals at Spirit Lake in February.
Check back midweek for a lowdown on the best that show choir has to offer next weekend!
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