Mid-Season Western Show Choir Rankings

By Chris Mendoza, Western contributor

Please note that rankings were voted on before competitions on March 15.

Advanced Mixed

1. John Burroughs "Powerhouse"

Competitions Remaining: Oceanside Sound-Off

2. Los Alamitos "Sound FX"

Competitions Remaining: Show Choir Nationals, Oceanside Sound-Off, 

John Burroughs Music Showcase

3. Burbank "In Sync" 

Competitions Remaining: Valley Vista Monsoon Madness, Oceanside Sound-Off, John Burroughs Music Showcase

4. Glendora "Royal Stewarts"

Competitions Remaining: Cypress Star Reflections

5. John F. Kennedy "Executive Order"

Competitions Remaining: Los Alamitos Xtravaganza, Cypress Star Reflections, Oceanside Sound-Off

6. La Cueva "Underground"

Competitions Remaining: Valley Vista Monsoon Madness, Oceanside Sound-Off

7. Diamond Bar "Marquis"

Competitions Remaining: Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic, Oceanside Sound-Off

8. Horizon "Step On Stage"

Competitions Remaining: Brownsburg Bulldog Spectacular

9. Valley Vista "Vocal Thunder"

Competitions Remaining: Oceanside Sound-Off, John Burroughs Music Showcase

10. Hart "Sound Vibrations"

Competitions Remaining: Valley Vista Monsoon Madness, Oceanside Sound-Off

Takeaways

• All three of the Big Three positions are hypothetical, as they haven’t competed against each other yet, but the objective is pretty simple for each of them. Whoever wins Oceanside Sound-Off will take the top rank, with an exception of a collapse at the John Burroughs Music Showcase.

• Glendora is pretty locked into their fourth spot, barring an upstart finals appearance from Diamond Bar at Wheaton, Kennedy beating anybody at Oceanside, Horizon beating anybody at Brownsburg, or La Cueva taking a caption or win over Burbank at Valley Vista.

• Tier 2 choirs control their own destinies. Their national comps and meetings at Oceanside will surely determine their fates on the rankings.

• With 1-9 more than likely set, the 10 spot on the rankings will be hotly contested by multiple groups. A Hart slip will leave the door wide open for Brea Olinda, Bonita Vista, Boulder Creek, Carlsbad Sound Express, ALA Evolution, Cypress High Voltage, or any other advanced group with the potential to go on a late run.

  
  

Treble

1. John Burroughs "Sound Sensations"

2. Los Alamitos "Soundtrax"

3. John F. Kennedy "First Ladies"

4. Valley Vista "Tempest"

5. Hart "Hartbreakers"

6. Burbank "Blue Impressions"

7. Los Alamitos "Xquisite"

8. John Burroughs "Decibelles"

9. Saugus "Blue Heat"

10. Brea Olinda "Spellbound"

    
    

Takeaways

• Just like the mixed groups, so many of the treble rankings will come down to performances at national competitions and Oceanside.

• Every single spot is in contention going into the last leg of the season.

  
  

Intermediate Mixed

1. John Burroughs "Sound Waves"

2. Los Alamitos "Connexion"

3. Carlsbad "Sound Express"

4. Pacifica "Encore"

5. Valley Vista "Voltage"

   
   

Takeaways

• Connexion will have an opportunity to take the one spot at Oceanside, where they will go up against Sound Waves.

• Carlsbad may move up to advanced at Oceanside, and thus leave an extra spot open in intermediate rankings.

  
  

Novice Mixed

1. Eisenhower "Ike Singers"

2. Los Altos "LA Dynamix "

3. Granada Hills "G-Notes"

4. John F. Kennedy "Ambassadors"

5. Norco "New Generation"

   
   

Takeaways

• Much of this ranking will depend on placements at Los Alamitos Xtravaganza.

• These are the most wide open rankings to crack, with only Eisenhower having a dominating record this year.

  
  

Bass

1. John Burroughs "Men@Work"

2. Los Alamitos "Xtreme"

3. John F. Kennedy "Secret Service"

4. Hart "Unleashed"

5. Diamond Bar "Radiant"

   
   

Takeaways

• These rankings are perhaps the most locked-in of any division, as they will stay the same barring an unexpected placement swap at Oceanside or Burroughs.