By Kortney Minnick, Texas contributor
After a 2024 season that saw a real shakeup among the top groups, Texas show choir is back on the calendar and ready for more in 2025. Between the Keller Blue Lights vs Voices of Central (VOC) debate being tested and several director changes, it was a whirlwind of a season!
Bell System from LD Bell High School is on the rise after their win against the top two teams in the state this past season. Bell was first at North Texas and third at Lone Star, a true breakout season. These placings have put them on the horizon for another successful year this upcoming season.
Last season, Texas had three groups venture out of state to different competitions. VOC took home first runner-up at the Biloxi Gulf Coast Classic in Mississippi along with Best Choreography and Best Performer, Southwest Effect took fourth runner up at Omaha South Classic in Nebraska, and The SLC from Southlake Carroll High School did not place but took home the Spirit Award at Lewis Central in Iowa.
This upcoming season will bring the Texas circuit new groups, new competitions and new experiences. Ensembles have to work harder than ever before to solidify their ranking this season and no one wants to see their spot get taken.
What's Changed?
Heading into the upcoming season, the biggest changes to the Texas circuit are new competitions. LD Bell is hosting a brand-new competition this season. It is the week before Lone Star and has already announced its lineup, which features solid groups such as VOC, Choraliers, Southwest Effect, and Jenks.
Southlake Carroll is also hosting a new competition. This one is the week after Lone Star and is expected to draw groups like Blue Lights, Bell System, Southwest Effect, Pantheon, and Broken Arrow.
Speaking of VOC, Keller Central is under a complete remodel phase as all three of their directors from last year took teaching jobs elsewhere. Now, both VOC and Voltage are under the direction of Chrystle Hicks, a former voice lessons teacher at the school.
Texas has a new projected number one after last season, as Blue Lights outscored VOC at both Fort Worth Cowtown Invitational and NTSCI. If Blue Lights can maintain the same momentum this season, the number one spot will be theirs.
Who's on the rise?
Bell System: Led by Jo Ann Antinone and choreographed by Steph Hyatt, Bell System is stronger than ever before. Last season they debuted their first-ever story show and it was a hit, giving Bell their first ever grand championship. Bell System has pressure on them this upcoming season to keep their momentum going, coming off of a historic winning season and ascending (at least for a moment) to the top spot. All eyes are on Bell System, and they are ready to prove they are where they belong.
Aerodynamix (ADX): ADX is coming off of a strong season, shocking everyone with their fire costume transition (literally)! Timber Creek took home two third-place finishes and placed sixth at Lone Star. This was their most consistent season yet. ADX is a group to keep your eyeson due to their rapid growth and the way they adapt to change within the competition season.
Nitro: Nitro is going into their third competitive season as one of the top groups in the prep division. Both previous seasons were under Scott Tilley, who has since left and is now the head choir director at Eagle Mountain High School. The new directors of heights choir are Cristal Conner and Vivian Rodriguez. Arlington Heights has been moving in a positive direction with its choral departments and will continue to do so this season.
Pantheon: Pantheon, from Fossil Ridge High School, was a huge hit this season as they debuted their Mario set. As a third-year program they took home fourth at Cowtown Classic and fifth at NTSCI. Going into this next season, as a fourth-year program, they have multiple seniors who have been with the group since its beginning, that are hungry for a winning season. Signs have hinted towards an under the sea/Orpheus set for the 2025 season.
Who has something to prove?
VOC: Voices of Central was the top show choir in Texas, but that may be a fleeting thought from the past. VOC had their first winless season since 2020 in 2024, placing second at Cowtown and Biloxi and third at NTSCI. They went from Grand Champions of every in-state competition to not having a single win this past season. On top of the decline, all three of their directors took teaching jobs elsewhere. VOC is a well-respected and nationally known group that now has all eyes on them and their success this upcoming season. If they can not get back on top, Blue Lights has the opportunity to swoop in and take their number one spot away.
Blue Lights: Blue Lights exceeded all expectations in 2024, taking first at Cowtown and Rouse Capital City Showcase. Under the direction of Zach Steele and choreographed by Dalton Myatt, they placed second at Lone Star, only falling to Tiger Rhythm, and placed second at NTSCI, falling to Bell System. Nevertheless, this was an incredible season for this ensemble. Looking forward, Blue Lights has to keep their momentum from last season to secure the number one spot. Blue Lights' full competition schedule has not been released, but they are competing at Omaha South on Feburary 22nd. It will be exciting to see how Blue Lights places out-of-state and to watch their run this year during the race to take the number one spot.
The SLC: The SLC from Carrol Senior High School are going into their third season this year and are already making waves in the show choir world. The SLC is directed by Jen Randall and arranged by Jamison Gross. Randall is a well-known director throughout the country who started VOC, began the Lone Star Competition, and won across the country while directing in South Dakota. The SLC has not had a placement at a competition yet, but did travel out of state to Lewis Central in Iowa last season and was awarded the spirit award. SLC has something to prove being a newer group and hosting a competition this season. Traveling out-of-state also gave them a look into Midwest show choir and the differences between Texas and the Midwest.
Soundstations: Texas City Soundstations has the opportunity to really bounce back this year. The group has competed less and less over the past three years, and they have not placed as well as in the past. They are the ultimate wild card - one of only a few programs from the Houston area with little to no information on where they're competing or what their set is in 2025.
What competitions are looking good?
The LD Bell Invitational on Febuary 22nd is looking like it will be a close race to get to the podium this year. This competition is bringing in new groups such as Melissa High School, and Airemen, Jenks High School's new bass ensemble. This schedule also includes a Missouri group, Patriot Singers, who has previously competed against Neosho, Broken Arrow and other well-known groups.
While it may not be the biggest lineup in its history, Lone Star will still have plenty of good groups. Blue Lights, Bell System, Pantheon, and The SLC are expected to attend. Sound Dimension, a group from Missouri, will make the trip down. Uncaged, a group from Nebraska, will also travel to Lone Star and compete.
Even though the competition is only in its first year, the Southlake Showdown will have tons of groups going and has a diverse judging panel to match. Judges at Showdown will come from Iowa, Minnesota, and other Midwest states, so groups will get lots of good feedback on their shows.
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