The time has come to look the 2025 show choir season in the face.
Over the next two weeks, HomeRoom Show Choir will preview 225 different groups across three divisions, giving show choir fans from Connecticut to California all they need to know about the upcoming season.
Rankings are based on HomeRoom Show Choir’s 2024 Final National Rankings. Interested in digging deeper? View the 2024 Final National Rankings or see how the rankings were compiled.
Previews of 50 more choirs will release on December 21.
2024 #76 Ranked Choir: Keller “Blue Lights” (2nd in Texas)
2025 Director: Zach Steele (2nd season)
Choreographer: Dalton Myatt (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb 8 - Fort Worth Southwest; Feb 22 - Omaha South;
March 1 - Keller Central; March 8 - Southlake Carroll
Blue Lights, formerly known as Keller Tribe, had a record-breaking season last year. Coming off a director change, Zach Steele took over as head director of Blue Lights after the retirement of Chi-Chi King. Steele led Blue Lights to first-place finishes at both Cowtown Classic and Capital City, outscoring perennial favorite Voices of Central at Cowtown. Blue Lights also had notable finishes at Lone Star and North Texas, placing second at both. The group will be also expanding its horizons in 2025 by competing in the Midwest, traveling to Omaha, Nebraska in late February. Blue Lights will face a new depth of competition this season, looking to take over the top spot for Texas show choir. - Kortney Minnick, Texas Contributor
2024 #77 Ranked Choir: Mundelein “Sound” (5th in Illinois)
2025 Director: Cory Thompson (9th season)
Choreographer: Ben Schrank (8th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Milton; Feb 8 - Fort Atkinson; Feb 15 - Davenport Central; Feb 22 - Western Dubuque
While Mundelein in 2024 didn’t quite reach the highs of the two wins they got in 2023, Sound still put up a solid showing, earning podium placements at every competition aside from a fourth place against some powerhouse groups at Davenport Central. However, some may forget Mundelein is from Illinois, because they almost never compete there! This year will be no different, as their escapades will take them to competitions all in Wisconsin and Iowa. They will try to improve their standing this year and maybe take home another gold, but they will have to go through tough competition to do so. - Dylan Moss, Illinois Contributor
2024 #78 Ranked Choir: Clover Hill “New Dimensions” (2nd in Virginia)
2025 Director: Nicole Whitby (3rd season)
Choreographer: Ben Eklund (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - hosting; Feb. 22 - Robert C. Byrd; Mar. 1 - Hanover/Mechanicsville; Mar. 15 - Manchester; Mar. 22 - Powhatan
One of Virginia’s most recognizable programs was on the comeup in 2024, returning to the multiple-wins-in-a-season form that many longtime observers are used to from New Dimensions. While they’re perhaps not the regional juggernaut that they were pre-pandemic, the team of Nicole Whitby and Ben Eklund has done a good job of holding a steady ship and keeping Clover Hill among Virginia’s top dogs. A schedule that runs through the thick of a busy March in Virginia will be good proving grounds for New Dimensions once again. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #79 Ranked Choir: Norris “Gold” (10th in Nebraska)
2025 Directors: Wes Hansmeyer (16th season) and Justin Eisenbeis (2nd season)
Choreographer: Ben Eklund (11th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Gretna; Jan. 25 - Hastings (NE); Feb. 1 - Lincoln East; Feb. 8 - Elkhorn; Mar. 1 - hosting; Apr. 12 - FAME Finals
Even with a rough start to the season, Norris showed perseverance and continued to improve themselves throughout the 2024 season. They started their season out of state at Johnston, which was a challenging competition for Gold. They preserved and took home fifth place, which was a good result against a tough field of Iowa opponents. The rest of their competitions took place in the Lincoln metro, much closer to home. They climbed the ranks at those competitions, culminating with a win at Lincoln Northwest. Their schedule looks tough for 2025, but Norris can show perseverance and prove themselves once again. - Arte Reed, Nebraska/Iowa Contributor
2024 #80 Ranked Choir: Homestead “Class Royale” (10th in Indiana)
2025 Directors: Curtis Shaw (17th season) and Andrew Sherman (7th season)
Choreographer: TBA
Competition Schedule: Feb. 1 - Northrop, Feb. 8 - Carroll, Feb. 15 - Olentangy, Feb. 22 - hosting, Mar. 1 - Huntington North, Mar. 8 - Churubusco, Mar. 15 - Herbert Hoover (WV)
While Homestead didn’t have as great of a season in 2024 as in recent years, that by no means throws them out of sight in 2025. They are still one of the largest groups in the Fort Wayne circuit with powerhouse vocals and a show choir band that consistently wins awards at competitions. It is hard right now to determine what kind of competition they will go up against in this season, but nevertheless, it is very exciting to see Indiana groups branch out into other big show choir circuits. - Justin Ternet, Fort Wayne Contributor
2024 #81 Ranked Choir: Webb City “Singers” (5th in Missouri)
2025 Director: Melinda Benham (11th season)
Choreographer: Zachary Pettit (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Blue Valley; Jan. 25 - Mt. Vernon; Feb. 8 - Joplin; Feb. 15 - Neosho; Feb. 22 - Nevada; Mar. 1 - Platte County; Mar. 8 - hosting
“Thrilling” would be the best word to describe Webb City Singers’ most recent season. They earned a whopping three Grand Championships (which covers almost half of the competitions they attended last season) and two first runner-up spots, along with a wide variety of caption awards; the lowest placement they received all season was third overall. This was a hugely successful year for Singers, by far their most successful one in recent history, which means there are some very high hopes for their 2025 season. If WCS continues to follow their recent trend of significant upward momentum, it’s expected that they will absolutely be bringing their A-game this season. - Anne Marie Wright, Heartland Contributor
2024 #82 Ranked Choir: Olentangy “Keynotes” (8th in Ohio)
2025 Directors: Tim Smith (11th season) and Mikey Morris (4th season)
Choreographer: Shane Coe (10th season)
Competition Schedule: To Be Announced
While the 2024 season was not the most notable year for the Keynotes, they still had a great showing last season and snagged captions off of some top-tier groups like Marysville and Connecticut’s Daniel Hand. They made finals at all six of their competitions and held their own against the likes of Edgewood from Indiana, Clover Hill from Virginia, and Twinsburg. Add a one-for-one placement swap with Beavercreek from the beginning to the end of the season, and it becomes clear that the Keynotes are standing firm in the middle of the pack in Ohio show choir. - Michael McHargh, Ohio Contributor.
2024 #83 Ranked Choir: Joplin “Sound Dimension” (6th in Missouri)
2025 Directors: Monica Brown (11th season) and McCade Gordon (2nd season)
Choreographer: Zachary Pettit (11th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 25 - Mt. Vernon; Feb. 8 - hosting; Feb. 15 - Neosho; Mar. 1 - Keller Central; Mar. 8 - Webb City
Joplin Sound Dimension continues to climb their way up in the rankings in the greater Missouri region. Having recently been a consistently solid group, it’s no secret Sound Dimension puts on a good show. However, their placements don’t always reflect the crowd’s enthusiasm for their themes. Last season, the highest they placed was second overall (at three of their five comps) and they placed as low as sixth overall. It may not have been as successful of a season overall as they’d hoped for, but Joplin competed in finals at every competition they attended–for the first time ever in the history of the choir. So, Sound Dimension has begun to (and by the looks of it, will continue to) climb above the middle of the pack in the Heartland. - Anne Marie Wright, Heartland Contributor
2024 #84 Ranked Choir: Northridge “Northern Lights” (11th in Indiana)
2025 Directors: Sandra Manglos (7th season) and Carla Doles (3rd season)
Choreographer: Jeff Cox (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 8 - Anderson, Feb. 15 - Medina (OH), Feb. 22 - Homestead, Mar. 8 - TBD, Mar. 15 - Norwell, Mar. 22 - Noblesville
Northern Lights have had some fantastic seasons in recent years, taking the ISSMA State Championship in 2023 and the Noblesville Small Mixed championship in 2024. While there’s no guarantee that this success will continue in the upcoming 2025 season, there are no signs pointing against them. No lineups have been posted of who they might face off; however, Northridge seems to mostly stay within the state of Indiana minus their one trip to Ohio. Medina, Homestead, and Norwell all look to be events with plenty of spice, leading to a very interesting potential season. - Justin Ternet, Fort Wayne Contributor
2024 #85 Ranked Choir: Beavercreek “Friends” (9th in Ohio)
2025 Directors: Jason Enneking (11th season) and Vanessa Genatempo (7th season)
Choreographers: Shane Coe (11th season) and Marah Cover (2nd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan 18. - hosting; Jan. 25 - TBD; Feb. 8 - Loveland; Feb 15 - TBD; March 1 - Solon; March 8 - Marysville; March 15 - Norwell
Beavercreek has fallen from their once-dominant position in Ohio show choir, but they do still manage to be a solid middle of the pack group. In 2024, they were on the podium at three of their six competitions, and they took home a win at Norwell, beating groups like Grosse Pointe South, South Dearborn, Pike, and going 1-1 against Olentangy, another middle of the pack group. However, they still fell behind other former middle groups like Solon, Grove City, and Piqua, as well as Ohio powers Loveland, Marysville, and ETC. In 2025, they will face many of these same groups, including ETC at Loveland and Findlay at Solon, as well as Indiana groups like Chesterton and Carroll at Norwell. Only time will tell if these matchups result in more of the same for Beavercreek, or if they will recapture some of their momentum from before the pandemic and potentially have a breakout season. - Simon Zimmerman, Ohio contributor
2024 #86 Ranked Choir: Elkhorn South “Blackout” (11th in Nebraska)
2025 Directors: Molly Gonring (5th season) and Cal Cross (5th season)
Choreographer: Matt Watson (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Gretna; Feb. 1 - Lincoln East; Feb. 8 - Papio South; Feb. 15 - hosting; Mar. 1 - Grand Island; Mar. 8 - Sioux City East
Elkhorn South has been a program on the rise - since 2022 they’ve taken at least one grand championship trophy each season. This may or may not be tied to a change in choreography, as Matt Watson came aboard for the 2023 season. Interestingly, the group is going to every competition they went to in the 2024 season, save for Millard North. Of course, the groups they’re competing against will be changing, but if it’s not broken, don’t fix it. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #87 Ranked Choir: Jackson Academy “Encore” (6th in Mississippi)
2025 Director: Jacob Butzin (1st season)
Choreographers: Samual Mulligan (3rd season) and Nikki Mele (1st season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Northwest Rankin (festival); Jan. 25 - Jackson Prep; Feb. 1 - hosting; Feb. 8 - Northeast Jones; Feb. 15 - Tupelo; March 1 - Glenwood; March 29 - Brandon
Despite having what many considered to be a down year last season, Jackson Academy still managed to pull off a Grand Championship upset against Brandon to kick off the season. That’s about where the fireworks ended though, as JA would go on to place third and fourth overall at their following competition. The season ended by missing out on finals in a stacked field at Show Choir Nationals. It doesn’t help that after just two years, JA and now-former director Garrett Lindsey decided to split ways. While that leaves the future of JA murky, it also creates room for excitement and anticipation under the reigns of new director Jacob Butzin (former assistant director at Ross High School and director at Brandon Middle School). JA looks to be a wildcard for this upcoming show choir season - Tony Holeman, Southern Contributor
2024 #88 Ranked Choir: Naperville North “Entourage” (6th in Illinois)
2025 Directors: Nicholas Jannsen (12th season) and Tess Tazioli (2nd season)
Choreographers: To Be Announced
Confirmed Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - hosting; Feb. 22 - El Paso-Gridley; Mar. 1 - Glenwood
Naperville North put on a great showing in 2024, notching a win at Quincy, taking the Vocal caption from Ohio powerhouse Marysville at Marion Harding, and holding their own against top tier choirs at Davenport West and Lafayette Jefferson. This year looks to be even more competitive, as they will face groups like Wheaton Warrenville South and Mt. Zion at El Paso-Gridley, and an array of powers both in and out of state at Glenwood. Naperville North has been knocking on the door of being at the top of Illinois for a while, and this year looks to have plenty of opportunity to make some noise. - Dylan Moss, Illinois Contributor
2024 #89 Ranked Choir: Sioux Falls Washington “Classic Connection” (4th in South Dakota)
2025 Directors: Jeff Spencer (9th season) and Chris Jacobson (5th season)
Choreographer: Ben Eklund (9th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Sioux Falls Jefferson; Jan. 18 - Burke; Feb. 1 - Sioux Falls Roosevelt; Feb. 8 - Lincoln Southwest; Feb. 15 - hosting; Mar. 1 - O’Gorman; Mar. 15 - Aberdeen Central
Sioux Falls Washington has been pretty consistent over the last few years, with their 2024 show being a standout. Now the group is facing off against tough competition with their Back To The Future themed show. Some of the group's tough opponents in 2025 will include Waukee Northwest, Pius X, Lincoln Southwest, Aberdeen Central, Waconia, and the other Sioux Falls schools. Washington’s only grand champion victory for the past two years has been at Aberdeen Central, and it will be an uphill battle to break through this season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #90 Ranked Choir: Brownsburg “Spotlight Singers & Company” (12th in Indiana)
2025 Director: Chad Strasser (11th season)
Choreographers: Joe Sato (9th season) and Cecily Pedregon (6th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 22 - Homestead; Mar. 1 - Glenwood, Mar. 7- Avon; Mar. 15 - hosting; Mar 22- Noblesville
Brownsburg will be looking to rebound after a very tough end to last season. A scoring error saw the group lose out on a spot at the Show Choir Nationals finals. They will continue with the same leadership they have had for the past several seasons, during which the group has seen steady improvement. Spotlight will face several out-of-state groups early with competitions at Homestead and Glenwood, then return to primarily Indianapolis competition at both Avon and Noblesville. This will be a demanding schedule as they will face tough competition, but if Brownsburg can come out strong early, this group can make waves both in and out of Indy. - Will Kaiser, Indiana Contributor
2024 #91 Ranked Choir: Manchester “Capital Swing” (3rd in Virginia)
2025 Director: Robyn Kim (15th season)
Choreographer: Ryan Shapiro (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - Medina; Feb. 22 - Robert C. Byrd; Mar. 1 - Hanover-Mechanicsville; Mar. 15 - hosting; Mar. 22 - Powhatan
In a Virginia large mixed division that’s been a little thin after the pandemic, Capital Swing is still near the top. The only Virginia group that the outfit lost to in 2024 was Cosby - not shabby at all. Despite not matching up with Clover Hill throughout the course of the season, Manchester still dispatched everyone else in Virginia and West Virginia they faced. A trip to Show Choir Nationals resulted in an 11th-place finish in a stacked field. A three-state season awaits in 2025, with stops at Medina in Ohio and Robert C. Byrd in West Virginia. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #92 Ranked Choir: Rock Bridge “City Lights” (7th in Missouri)
2025 Director: Taylor Carroll (1st season)
Choreographers: Brian Rodabaugh (6th season) and Kate Garnes (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 25 - Mt. Vernon; Feb. 15 - Neosho; Feb. 22 - hosting; Mar. 1 - Battle; Mar. 8 - Ray-Pec
Rock Bridge City Lights began their last season placing fourth and fifth overall in finals rounds, and worked their way up to close out their season with two first runner-up titles in a row. If this next season is anything like their last one, City Lights will most likely compete with room to grow throughout their lineup. With a new director, Taylor Carroll, coming in to take over the program, City Lights could absolutely serve as a Midwest wild card this season. - Anne Marie Wright, Heartland Contributor
2024 #93 Ranked Choir: Marion Harding “Harding Singers” (10th in Ohio)
2025 Directors: Jami Rawlins (15th season) and Dustin Rawlins (11th season)
Choreographer: To Be Announced
Confirmed Competition Schedule: Feb. 1 - hosting; Feb. 22- Poca; Mar. 1 - Teays Valley
Marion Harding had a decent season in 2024, making finals at four of five competitions and taking home a win with Best Vocals at Teays Valley. Though they held their own against many middle of the pack groups, beating womens’ groups from Loveland and Hurricane at Beavercreek as well as beating Olentangy for fourth in a stacked Grove City field, they still remained behind top groups like Loveland, Hurricane, and ETC, and they lost to groups like Beavercreek and Pike. While they have not released a schedule for 2025, it is a safe bet that Marion Harding will try to build on what some see as their post-pandemic momentum at familiar Ohio competitions. - Simon Zimmerman, Ohio contributor.
2024 #94 Ranked Choir: Omaha South “The Ambassadors” (12th in Nebraska)
2025 Director: Tyler Gruttemeyer (10th season)
Choreographer: Stephani Hyatt (9th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Gretna; Jan. 25 - Millard West; Feb. 8 - Papillion-La Vista South; Feb. 22 - hosting; Mar. 1 - Totino-Grace; Mar. 8 - Omaha North; Mar. 15 - Westwood
It feels like Omaha South has been getting better with every passing year, and the 2024 season was the culmination of Tyler Gruttemeyer’s hard work. The ensemble finished the season with its first-ever win, beating Grand Island for the top spot at Omaha North. Now, The Ambassadors have the opportunity to have their best season yet. The group arguably has their hardest competition at the beginning of the season at Gretna, but if they expand on the quality they put forward last season, they should have a great season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #95 Ranked Choir: Manteno “Magic” (7th in Illinois)
2025 Director: Sean Hoffman (13th season)
Choreographer: Michael Talamonti (19th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 8 - Crete-Monee; Feb. 15 - hosting; Feb 22 - El Paso-Gridley; Mar. 15 - Herscher; Apr. 5 - Waltham
Last season was a standout one for Magic, as they earned their first Grand Championship since 2018. This season, they look to take their trademark energy and style to another win. This will prove a challenge, as Manteno will face top-tier groups everywhere they go. These groups include many of Illinois’ top groups as well as an array of New England’s finest when they make the trek all the way to Waltham, Massachusetts to end the season. The outfit has its work cut out for it, but if they can stay competitive throughout the season, it may be time to move up a level in the Show Choir world. - Dylan Moss, Illinois Contributor.
2024 #96 Ranked Choir: Prairie “The Ambassadors” (12th in Iowa)
2025 Directors: Justin Sands (14th season) and Grace Huber (3rd season)
Choreographer: Stephen Todd (8th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Onalaska; Jan. 18 - Linn-Mar; Feb. 1 - hosting; Feb. 15 - Davenport Central; Feb. 22 - Indianola; Mar. 1 - Liberty; Mar. 29 - Heart Of America Orlando
While Prairie never won a Grand Championship in 2024, they still proved to be a force to be reckoned with. At their first competition, The Ambassadors were able to take a Best Band caption away from both Urbandale and Waukee Northwest, which was a great beginning to the season. At points in the season, Prairie placed higher than Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Norris, Lafayette Jefferson, Bloomington Jefferson, and Northridge. A runner-up performance at Naperville North in Illinois proved the group travels well. In 2025, Prairie will be travelling to Heart Of America Orlando, where they will look to play a role in determining who wins. - Arte Reed, Nebraska/Iowa Contributor
2024 #97 Ranked Choir: North St. Paul “Northern Lights” (4th in Minnesota)
2025 Director: Amy Johnson (1st season)
Choreographer: Nick Quamme (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Onalaska; Jan. 25 - TBD; Feb. 1 - Eau Claire Memorial; Feb. 8 - hosting; Feb. 22 - Medford; Mar. 1 - Totino-Grace
It was certainly a high-tide season for Northern Lights in 2024. Across five competitions in three states, the group never missed finals. Save for a trip to Sioux Falls Washington, NSP finished at or above where many predicted them to be. Groups Northern Lights beat included Totino-Grace, Bemidji, and La Crosse Central, and North St. Paul took a caption away from eventual winner Tomah at Altoona. Kim Alswager, who spent the past six seasons with the group, left following 2024, and Amy Johnson was hired from Coon Rapids. Choreographer Nick Quamme was retained, and the group will tread mainly in western Wisconsin in 2025. How they’ll do is a bit of a dice roll with the new leadership team, but Northern Lights should be considered sneaky and dangerous. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #98 Ranked Choir: Papillion-La Vista South “Titanium” (13th in Nebraska)
2025 Directors: Scott Dugdale (9th season) and Brian Johnson (7th season)
Choreographers: Jared Voss (7th season), Tori Brindis (7th season), Sam Mulligan (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Gretna; Feb. 1 - Lincoln East; Feb. 8 - hosting; Feb. 15 - Elkhorn South; Feb. 22 - Hastings; Mar. 8 - Lewis Central
The 2024 season was the first time Titanium hasn’t taken a grand champion trophy since 2017. Now the pressure is on as the group has expectations and a reputation to uphold. With more groups emerging as Nebraska power players, Papio South needs to re-establish itself as one of the elites. Titanium is only going to five competitions this season instead of their usual six. Even though Titanium is going to fewer events, that doesn’t mean the level of competition has decreased, as the group will face off against some of the toughest opponents in Nebraska. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #99 Ranked Choir: Southeast Polk “RAMification” (13th in Iowa)
2025 Director: Jamie Logan (9th season)
Choreographer: Lexi Robson Buglewicz (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Waukee; Feb. 1 - Ankeny Centennial; Feb. 15 - Davenport Central; Mar. 1 - hosting; Mar. 8 - Fort Madison
Southeast Polk had a small competition season in 2024, only going to three competitions. Despite that, they placed in finals at each one, beating groups like La Crosse Central, Fort Madison, and Muscatine. RAMification nabbed a win at Fort Madison, taking home a Grand Championship, Best Choreography and Best Closer. Southeast Polk will have challenging matchups at Waukee and Davenport Central in 2025, with the former being SEP’s only appearance in its home Des Moines metro – the other three appearances will be around Cedar Rapids, Davenport, and far southeast Iowa. - Arte Reed, Nebraska/Iowa Contributor
2024 #100 Ranked Choir: Cedar Rapids Kennedy “Happiness, Inc.” (14th in Iowa)
2025 Director: Storm Ziegler (21st season)
Choreographers: Randy Sage (4th season) and Lexi Robson Buglewicz (1st season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18- Linn-Mar; Feb. 1- Prairie; Feb. 15- Cedar Rapids Washington; Feb. 22- Indianola; Mar. 1- Totino-Grace
This past season, Cedar Rapids Kennedy got into a groove early, finishing fourth at their first three competitions of the season. After a short mid-season break, Kennedy won a Grand Championship at Cedar Rapids Jefferson, sweeping all three major caption awards. The group ended its season at Show Choir Nationals, where Kennedy made finals and was also awarded the Deborah Morgan Best Crew Award. Looking ahead, Happiness will face a variety of high-level groups from Iowa and the Midwest this season. With the new addition of Lexi Robson to their creative team, look for a little something new from Kennedy this season. -Ava Sammons, Iowa Contributor
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