By Will Kaiser and Justin Ternet, Indiana contributors
Large Mixed
Center Grove “Sound System” (6 first-place votes)
Sound System at Noblesville (Nathan Ensley) CG Sound System begins right where they were at the end of last season, at the top spot on the list. Among their accolades in 2024 were an undefeated season, two wins at national-level competitions, and being named HomeRoom Show Choir's Choir of the Year. This year will be a more typical CG year with their main competition being local rivals. They kick off that campaign against Franklin Central at Fishers, which would give them a statement win out of the gate. If CG can replicate the magic they had last season, then they will likely stay at the top of the rankings for weeks to come.
Carmel “Ambassadors”
Carmel competing in 2024 (Nathan Ensley) Carmel will take on its most ambitious schedule of this decade, finally allowing for one of the main questions to be answered about the perennial Indy powerhouse: what happens when they take on major national competition? If show choir considered strength of schedule, Carmel would be the top of that list by a wide margin. They open up the season against arguably the best group over the past decade in Linn-Mar, followed by three straight comps with Power 5 competition, and finally ending with Indy’s second showdown with Los Al in as many years, with Carmel hoping to be able to replicate what CG was able to bring last season. A dominant season by Carmel could go down as one of the greatest not only in program, but in show choir history.
Franklin Central “F.C. Singers”
FC Singers competing in 2024 (Nathan Ensley) Franklin Central became the first Power 5 Indy group to do a true story show and will likely continue on that trend into 2025. The shift in show design came with losses to only CG and Carmel. They won every other competition, including Heart Of America Nashville. They were able to hold their spot in the top three of the rankings despite such a massive shift, meaning they are likely to make a step forward this year. However, they will have a tough road to get there, facing Power 5 opponents at every single event until Warren Central. Patience on the results front is in order, and more focus should on the quality of their show by the eye test, which will tell how they fare against other major competition.
North Central "Counterpoints"
North Central enters this season with the most question marks of any group on this list. They will sport a new director for the first time since 2015 while also retaining only two of the three choreographers from last season, Dominic Matas and Tori Brindis. North Central took a step forward last year with a well-executed show that differed from their traditional style. While they placed behind Carmel and Franklin Central last year, they gave a Carmel a run for their money at Lafayette Jefferson where their crisp, clean choreo gave them Best Choreography in a Carmel victory decided by a few points. After longtime director Michael Raunick left the program at the end of the previous school year, this group is looking uphill as they transition to a new leadership team.
Zionsville "Royalaires"
Zionsville will attempt to redefine where they belong in the pecking order of the Power 5, as after several years of mostly avoiding other top Indy groups, they will join right into the middle of major competitions. They will have their normal four-comp schedule with notable stops at CG Best of the Midwest and Show Choir Nationals, where they will face Carmel and Los Alamitos. With a strong season they could not only jump to the top of the Indy rankings, but also remind everyone why Zionsville belongs in the conversation with the best choirs in the country.
Plainfield "Belles et Beaux"
Plainfield took home their first ISSMA state championship in 2024, only the fourth group ever to win the comp and the first winner besides FC or NC since 2008. B&B is left in a tricky spot, they continue to win most of the comps they attend but have yet to show that they can defeat any of the groups above them on this list. Taking that step forward, both in meeting those groups and defeating those groups, will be what they need to grow themselves as a national brand and to be defined as one of the top players in Indy.
Brownsburg "Spotlight Singers & Company"
Brownsburg ended last season on a sour note, being eliminated from finals at Show Choir Nationals due to a scoring error. Their season overall was a positive step forward for the group, securing their second win in as many years at Avon. Brownsburg will look to improve on that record and win more consistently on the circuit, overall solidifying their placement on this list and above other strong groups around them.
Fishers "Electrum"
Fishers looks to take a step forward this season with another demanding competition schedule. After two years without a grand championship, they hope to take the top step this year, but that will again be challenging as they face the top three groups multiple times.
Noblesville "NHS Singers"
Noblesville closed out last season with a strong fifth place at Show Choir Nationals. This season, they are the first Indy group to begin competing. They started off with a strong second place to Solon, one of Ohio’s best. In the weeks to come, they hope to keep that form going into an tougher Indy circut and establish themselves as a perennial contender within the metro elite.
Avon "Accents"
Avon has made steps to stay consistently in the top ten. Their main focus will likely be on getting their coveted first ISSMA state title and getting more than one grand championship. Last year, they were third at ISSMA behind Fishers and Plainfield. With many top contenders competing elsewhere that weekend, this is likely Avon’s best chance to get that title.
Receiving Votes: Lafayette Jefferson "First Edition", Carroll "Magic", Lawrence North "Legacy"
Large Womens
Fishers "Sound" (5 first-place votes)
Fishers dominated last season with a true perfect campaign, sweeping every major caption at every competition they attended. That leaves little room for improvement, so they will attempt to repeat that feat for a second year. With three consecutive state titles under their belt, Sound will be going national, competing at Heart Of America Los Angeles, where they will have to defeat Center Grove twice to remain undefeated and get their first national title.
Center Grove "Debtones"
CG Debtones had an extremely strong season last year, winning four out of their six competitions (including Show Choir Nationals). This season, the group is hungry to dethrone Sound and become the top dog of the most competitive girls circut in the country.
Carmel "Accents"
Carmel played third fiddle to the two amazing groups above them last season and will attempt this season to get back in the conversation for the best group in the circut. They continue to bring amazing, meaningful, and well-designed shows to the stage, but their tough schedule makes it difficult to remain undefeated. A national championship to end the season would be a great boost for their national resume; however, it will be challenging with a diverse lineup of the best girls groups around the nation attending.
Zionsville "Choralaires"
Zionsville saw a major win last season at Wheaton Warrenville South over Center Grove, propelling their program back into the top four. However, they suffered from some inconsistency in results. If they can begin to win at a more consistent rate, especially against the tougher competition that they have this season, they will prove their worth as a national contender. Zionsville closes out their season at Show Choir Nationals, where they have the chance to once again shine on the national stage.
Franklin Central "High Voltage"
Franklin Central did exactly what was expected of them last season - beating who they should beat and losing to those ahead of them. Unfortunately, in a highly competitive Indy circuit, that puts FC in fifth. High Voltage looks to gain some ground on the extremely talented groups ahead of them this season. Once again, their schedule is challenging: facing all of the groups ahead of them at least once throughout the season.
Avon "Attraction"
Avon was a surprise to begin last year but was one of most improved groups by the time the season closed. Attraction impressed in their results and had several comps where they were closer to Indy’s best. They closed out last season with a second-place state performance behind Fishers Sound. This year, without Sound’s attendance, they have a decent shot at getting their first state title and will certainly be a group to watch if they continue on the rapid trajectory from last season.
Brownsburg "Starlight Voices"
Brownsburg made strides this past season, really improving their vocals. A second place at Show Choir Nationals, outplacing Oak Mountian Muses, was nothing to scoff at. This season, they will not compete against most of Indy’s best girls groups, but at Glenwood, they will face some of the best-choreographed girls groups in the nation, including Mt. Zion, Homewood, and a rematch against Oak Mountain.
Plainfield "Femmes Fatales"
Plainfield won four comps last season, with a surprising fourth-place finish to close out the season at ISSMA States. If they are able to find some of that consistency they had to begin last season, Femmes Fatales will likely move back up in these rankings. They are a great group to watch, and, like many on this list, have the tough draw of competing an extremely talented circuit.
North Central "Descants"
The Descants got their first win since 2019 to end their season in Ohio, and they will look to carry that momentum into 2025. With some leadership changes, it will be tough. North Central will face extremely tough competition but another strong year and a win in the Indy circut will be a step forward.
Noblesville "New Dimension"
Noblesville’s women got the first win of the year for any group, securing a well-deserved victory at Beavercreek. That was quite the improvement from 2024, where they were third at that same competition. Last season, they won one grand championship. Winning again in 2025 and finding more success in the inner Indy circuit will see them move up these rankings.
Receiving Votes: Lawrence North "Bella Bravada", Carroll "Select Sound"
Small Mixed
Roncalli "Royal Rhapsody" (5 first-place votes)
Known as one of the most successful small mixed groups in the state of Indiana, Roncalli deserves no rationale for why they are at the top of this list. Rhapsody completed an undefeated divisional season in 2024, competed in Pike’s finals, and received fourth among some of the top large mixed groups in the state of Indiana. Looking into the 2025 season, they plan to make a return to the ISSMA State Show Choir Finals, where they take another shot at receiving State Champion honors. They went for the first time in 2023, and received state-runners up behind Northridge. Their main contenders at state this year will include Huntington North and Pendleton Heights.
Huntington North "Varsity Singers" (1 first-place vote)
Fresh off a very successful season in 2024, both of Huntington North’s groups ended their season with ISSMA State Small School champion honors. These groups both became the “choir to beat” in the state of Indiana, beating every Indiana group they competed against, including large groups like Carroll, Avon, and Homestead. With their 2025 season announced, they look to go against some similar competition, with some new competition that they have to deal with. A second consecutive state championship will have to run past Roncalli, the lone group ahead of them on this list.
Pendleton Heights "Pendletones"
Pendleton Heights had yet another very successful season in 2024, receiving state-runners up at the ISSMA State Small School Finals. They also had a great regular season, frequently placing just behind Roncalli at Indy competitions. This year, Pendleton will start their season on February 1 at Fishers. With a stacked small mixed lineup, it will be a good opportunity to see what Pendleton Heights has to offer in the 2025 season.
Northridge "Northern Lights"
Northridge, with their tradition of attending only three or four competitions each season, proves their worth every time by doing very well in their division. Last year, they closed out a successful season with a grand championship at Noblesville. This year, Northridge will debut their competition season at Anderson on February 8, already facing some competition against Fishers, DeKalb, and Franklin Community. Where they place in a combined mixed finals will signal what the rest of the season holds for them.
New Castle "Red Hot Blues"
New Castle was yet another group on this list with a successful 2024, triumphing in a majority of the small mixed divisions they competed in. Their feet will be held to the fire consistently this year, starting early at Ball State, where they will have to withstand DeKalb, Edgewood and others to come out on top.
Receiving Votes: Whiteland "Rhythm Masters", Jay County "Patriot Edition"
Small Womens
Huntington North "Viking Volume" (3 first-place votes)
After a standout 2024 season, Viking Volume will be one of the biggest groups to keep an eye on for this new competition season. Last year, they took home three grand champion awards and never placed below third. Now ranked above the previous division champion, Pendleton, Huntington North is sure to make a statement in and outside of their division.
Pendleton Heights "Emerald Suites" (1 first-place vote)
Pendleton Heights had an impressive regular season, where they won five out of their six competitions, including sweeping all major captions where available. While a fourth place at ISSMA state leaves a blemish on their 2024 season, their strong regular season shows promise that they will once again dominate the central Indy small womens circuit.
Edgewood "Sophisticated Ladies"
Edgewood had an up-and-down season last year, but ultimately looked impressive with three small womens grand championships. They closed out the year outplacing Olentangy at Heart Of America New York City, but they will need to more consistently punch above their weight class to be in the same discussion as Pendleton and Huntington North.
Northridge "Starlights"
Northridge closed out last season with a grand championship and sweep of the major captions at Noblesville. Last year, they were put against many large womens groups, where they performed well but ultimately came up short. This year, the Starlights begin their season at Anderson, where they will once again be challenged by some of Indy’s best large womens groups, including Fishers.
Columbus North "North Stars"
Last season, while Columbus North did not win a grand championship, a string of first runner-ups against a variety of competition showed promise for this younger program. They opened 2025 with an overall fourth place at Jay County, where they outplaced several small mixed groups.
Receiving Votes: Jay County "Just Treble", New Castle "Dynamiques", Columbia City "City Lights"