SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. – The first show choir competition of the 2022-23 school year occurred on Saturday, November 5, and Vista PEAK Preparatory broke through to take a resounding spot atop the finals list on Saturday night at the Old West Choir Fest.
The school’s mixed group, Ascension, won the grand championship, while its women’s group, Aspyre, took second place. Vista PEAK performer Jada Smith-Lopez took home the best performer award, and the school’s two groups were awarded the Class Act accolade at the end of finals.
Scottsbluff only announces three finals placements; Barstool was unable to obtain which group finished in third place.
Sidney High’s Sidney State of Mind qualified for finals by winning the 3A division and won Best Choreography after coming home victorious in the 2021 edition of this event. Harvard Cardinal and Black won the 2A division to qualify for finals, and Gering Harmony performed in finals after triumphing in the 4A division during prelims.
Rounding out the finalist groups were Vista Ridge Rhythm, which qualified by being one of the top-scoring groups that didn’t win a division in prelims, and St. Agnes Singspirations, which was the recipient of the judge’s wild card finals choice.
Ascension finished second at the Old West Choir Fest in 2019, finishing behind Vista Ridge. Ascension also finished second at the Colorado State Show Choir Festival this past spring, losing to Cheyenne Mountain. Aspyre had also previously qualified for finals at Old West, even finishing second, ahead of Ascension, in 2018.
Choirs hit the stage in Missouri and Wisconsin
Besides the competition at Scottsbluff, two noncompetitive festivals occurred on Saturday.
In Neosho, Missouri, high school and middle school choirs from Carthage, Neosho, Nevada, Joplin, East Newton, Mt. Vernon, McDonald County, and Webb City performed. A number of those same choirs will compete on Saturday, November 12, at Seneca.
In Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, high school choirs from Altoona, Chippewa Falls, Colby, Eau Claire Memorial, Eau Claire North, Fall Creek, and Holmen previewed their shows.
The week ahead
The second weekend of November will be almost identical to the first weekend, with two competitions and two noncompetitive events.
Ada High School in Ada, Ohio, will host the kickoff competition for the lower Midwest, and Seneca High School in Seneca, Missouri will host that state's first competition of the year. The festivals will occur at Oliver Ames High School in North Easton, Massachusetts and Washburn High School in Washburn, Wisconsin.
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