Illinois is now in true late-season form, with John Hersey and Glenwood providing quality placements for many groups. Wheaton Warrenville South, Quincy and Herscher will provide even more clarity as we rush towards the end of the season.
Championship Mixed
1. Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics” (3 first-place votes, no change)
2. Wheaton North “Flight” (+1)
3. Mt. Zion “Swingsations” (+1)
4. El Paso-Gridley “Modulations” (-2)
5. Naperville North “Entourage” (NC)
6. Waubonsie Valley “Sound Check” (NC)
7. Manteno “Magic” (NC)
8. Mundelein “Sound” (NC)
9. Glenwood “Titan Fever” (NC)
10. John Hersey “OnStage” (NC)
11. Peoria “Soundwave” (NC)
12. Batavia “Swingsingers” (NC)
Receiving Votes: Oswego “Commotion”
Single-Gender
1. Wheaton Warrenville South “Esprit” (3 first-place votes, no change)
2. Mt. Zion “Les Femmes” (NC)
3. El Paso-Gridley “Hi Fidelity” (+1)
4. Naperville North “High Heeled Harmony” (-1)
5. Mt. Zion “You’ve Got Male” (NC)
Festival Mixed
1. Danville “Delegation” (3 first-place votes, no change)
2. Sullivan “Singers” (NC)
3. Dwight D. Eisenhower “Express” (+1)
4. Herscher “Class Act” (-1)
5. Unity “Vocal Rush” (New)
6. Springfield “IN Session” (NC)
Receiving Votes: Mundelein “Reverb”, Peotone “Powerhouse”
Championship Headline: Front Four Flips
The only change in the varsity mixed rankings was in the second, third and fourth positions. A commanding win at John Hersey shot Wheaton North from third to second, and a similar triumph at Glenwood brought Mt. Zion from fourth to third. It was the first win of the season for Swings, who are still less than halfway through their competition season.
Overall Headline: Ways Besides Wheaton
While several top groups are competing at the Choral Classic this weekend, several groups from Illinois are competing at other venues this weekend. Batavia and John Hersey are both traveling to Wisconsin, with Swingsingers going to the Craig Spotlight Spectacular and OnStage going to the Green Bay Southwest Packerland Powerhouse Showcase. Naperville North, Glenwood and Springfield will all be at the Quincy Showcase of Excellence on the Mississippi River in far western Illinois. Wheaton North will face off against Franklin Central, Carroll, Tupelo and a few others at Heart of America Nashville.
Single-Gender Headline: Startling Shakeup
For the first time in a few weeks, the single-gender rankings have changed. A second-place showing at Glenwood brought El Paso-Gridley Hi Fidelity up to third place. They surpassed Naperville North High Heeled Harmony, who was fourth in the womens division at Lafayette Jefferson. The move is an interesting one, as Wheaton Warrenville South Esprit finished only one spot ahead of HHH at that same competition, yet all three panelists still voted for that group to be first.
Festival Mixed Headline: Unity Breaks Through
At long last, Unity Vocal Rush has entered the festival mixed rankings. The group had received votes in three separate weeks, but it was never enough to crack the elusive top six. Even an overall second place at Southmont the last weekend of February wasn’t enough to get them past the barrier. What did do it? The Tolono-based choir took home first place in festival mixed as well as captions in vocals and choreography at Glenwood this past weekend. Not only was it enough to enter the rankings, but they jumped Springfield as well for a fifth-place debut.