Nebraska Jumps on the 2025 Bandwagon This Weekend

By Arte Reed, Nebraska Contributor

Even though Lincoln Southwest, Papillion-La Vista and Skutt Catholic jumped ahead last weekend, it is time for the rest of Nebraska to start their season. There will be four competitions, three in the Omaha suburbs and one in Lincoln, each with their own set of excellent contenders. Last year, a large snow storm cancelled or delayed all of these competitions, so all Nebraskans are crossing their fingers that this will not happen this time around.

Burke Bonanza

The Lineup (groups from Nebraska unless noted)

Mixed: Elkhorn North "adrENaline", Glenwood "Fast Lane" (IA), Lincoln Southwest "Resonance", Maryville "Spectrum" (MO), Sioux City East "The Headliners" (IA), Sioux Falls Washington "Classic Connection" (SD), Waconia "Power Company" (MN)

Single Gender: Elkhorn North "ENcore", MKS Studio "BRIO", Sioux City East "Entourage" (IA), Sioux City East "Prestige" (IA), Sioux Falls Washington "Stage Lights" (SD), Waconia "The Current" (MN)

Prep: Lincoln Southwest "Ambience", Omaha Northwest "Crown Point Majestics", Sioux City East "New Sound" (IA)

Despite being a Nebraska competition, there are only four contenders that are from Nebraska, those being Lincoln Southwest, Elkhorn North, MKS Studio, and Omaha Northwest. Burke showcases a wide variety of show choirs from all across different states, giving a unique yet interesting competition.

Three groups (Lincoln Southwest, Waconia and Sioux Falls Washington) are going head-to-head once again this week after competing at Sioux Falls Jefferson. There is potential for a complete change of results, as Waconia and Lincoln Southwest go against each other for the likely top spot. Sioux City East and Elkhorn North will be challenging right behind them, with Sioux Falls Washington potentially gearing up for an upset for that spot as well.

Wild things have happened at Burke before - last year, Best Vocals went to the fourth-place group and Best Choreography went to the fifth-place group. Additionally, the top scorer of the prep and single-gender divisions gets an automatic berth into finals as a seventh group, so Lincoln Southwest Ambience (or whoever beats them) has a chance to play spoiler in a big way.

Gretna Primetime

The Lineup

Mixed: Elkhorn South "Blackout", Gretna East "Equinox", Hastings "Riverside Company" (MN), Millard North "Infinity", Norris "Gold", Omaha South "The Ambassadors", Papillion-La Vista South "Titanium", Sioux Falls Roosevelt "Executive Suite" (SD)

Womens: Elkhorn South "Shockwave", Hastings "Dynamic Edition" (MN), Marian "Momentum", Millard North "Illumination", Papillion-La Vista South "Titan Radiance", Sioux Falls Roosevelt "Capitol Harmony" (SD)

Prep: Elkhorn South "Power Surge", Millard North "Intensity", Norris "68th Street Singers", Papillion-La Vista South "Titan Express"

Titanium versus Riverside Company. Nebraska's first big showdown awaits as Papio South looks to prove themselves once again as being one of the powerhouses in Omaha. Hastings had a similar fate in 2024, where Gretna was always one step in front of them. Both groups are here to prove their worth as they fight for that top spot.

Millard North is in the driver's seat to finish right behind them, and behind Infinity is a mix of Norris, Omaha South and Elkhorn South. All three groups have similar standings, and each one could beat the others in a tight finals. Or, there is a possibility of Titan Radiance securing a spot in finals as well, taking place of one of those three groups. Gretna East is debuting in varsity this year under the new direction of Nathan Wallace, and Sioux Falls Roosevelt is looking to rebound after a finals miss last week. Neither program can be counted out wither.

Of course, watching Gretna Revolution will be a treat at the end of the night as well.

Lincoln Links Show Choir Invitational

The Lineup

Mixed: Bellevue West "West Connection", Grand Island Northwest "14 Karat Gold", Hastings "Uncaged", Lincoln Northeast "Voices N' Harmony", Norfolk "Velocity", Omaha North "Explosion!", Plattsmouth "Out of the Blue", Seaman "Viking Voices" (KS), Standing Bear "The Renegades"

Prep: Benson "Resilience", Bryan "Surround Sound", Grand Island Northwest "Bella Voce", Lincoln Northeast "Dynamix", Waverly "Encore"

This is Lincoln High's second year hosting their competition, and their first on a Saturday after snow last year decimated the lineup and pushed the competition to Monday. This lineup showcases a wide variety of smaller schools and programs from Nebraska, who will all be eyeing up an elusive finals spot.

Grand Island Northwest and Hastings will travel from the central part of the state, and will factor into the conversation for that top spot. The next likely candidate for a good finish is Lincoln Northeast, who received their second grand champion award in program history last year and is under the new direction of Amy Johnson.

One group to look out for is Standing Bear, as this is their very first competition. They are directed by Hunter Boe, who previously directed at Wahoo and Norris. Bellevue West, Seaman and Norfolk will most likely fight for a spot in finals, and it is possible that Plattsmouth or Omaha North could gain one as well. Whatever the outcome, Links will set the expectation for several small school seasons this year.

Ralston Ramageddon

The Lineup

Mixed: Blair "Ovation", Elkhorn "Excel", Lewis Central "Corporation" (IA), Lincoln East "Express", Millard South "South on Stage", O'Gorman "Ovation!" (SD), Papillion-La Vista "Free Spirit", Skutt Catholic "Vivace", Wahoo "Royalty"

Womens: Lewis Central "Company" (IA), Lincoln East "Elegance", Mercy "Treblemakers", Millard South "Stage One", Papillion-La Vista "Heart and Soul"

Prep: Papillion-La Vista "Monarchy", Platteview "Platinum"

The strongest contenders are Papillion-La Vista and Lincoln East, which are both solid programs. Papio is coming off a win last weekend and that immediate experience is a leg up on the field. Lewis Central had their first competition last week as well and took home third, a feat that few expected. With that in mind, they would be a strong choice for a podium spot at this competition as well.

Fighting for the next slots are Millard South, O'Gorman and Elkhorn, each who have similar strengths. There is always a possibility of Monarchy or Elegance slipping into finals as well, as they have been strong single gender groups in the past.

Wahoo, Blair, and Skutt Catholic are smaller programs, but are still great choirs and are features to this lineup.

Competing Out of Town: Westside "Amazing Technicolor Show Choir"

Westside sure does love to travel! After sweeping at Onalaska, Westside will be taking all of their groups down to Kansas to Blue Valley. There they will face Neosho, who had an outstanding season in 2024. Additionally, there is a chance that Simply Irresistible could attend finals, as they made finals at every competition last season. Westside is the lone Nebraska group at the competition and will look to place themselves ahead of several Missouri contenders at the competition.

Lincoln Southwest versus Waconia. Hastings (the Minnesota one) versus Papillion-La Vista South. Grand Island Northwest versus Hastings (the Nebraska one). Lincoln East versus Papillion-La Vista. Each competition has a showdown between two outstanding groups. Trickled in are some smaller showdowns between smaller schools and groups who want to prove themselves. Nebraska will have one busy start to their season, and this is just the beginning to a packed 2025 season.