Dylan Moss - Illinois Contributor This is the second edition of Homeroom’s poll rankings of Illinois for the 2026 season, covering and considering results from the week of 2/14 and earlier. Three regional experts considered 39 groups and ranked 20 across 3 divisions. Championship Mixed Wheaton North “Flight” (NC) Mt. Zion “Swingsations” (NC) El Paso-Gridley “Modulations” (NC) Mundelein “Sound” (NC) Dwight D. Eisenhower “Express” (+2) Glenwood “Titan Fever” (-1) Wheaton Warren

North Central surges forward in the rankings with statement Pike performances; other top Indy groups make strong competition debuts.

PHOTO: Shot by Talon | Cedar Rapids Kennedy, Des Moines Christian, Prairie and Millard South seek to reprise finals berths from the 2025 edition of Ascension.

Mt. Zion, Troy Buchanan, Sparta, Dwight D. Eisenhower and more will show their stuff on one of Illinois' most centrally-located stages.

PHOTO: Nicki Marcum | RCB will be the first gathering for eastern panhandle choirs this season, while several Charleston ensembles will collect at Capital.

Four regional experts were surveyed on 25 of Ohio's best show choirs. The results, plus some news and notes, comprise this article.

Two events in Mississippi leave no void of interest despite the small numbers, as heavy matchups are taking place across numerous divisions!

PHOTO: Shot by Talon | A trio of Iowa's top ensembles swapped around their placements from prelims to finals, making for a tight race to the finish.

Marysville and Findlay took home triumphs this past weekend, while Grove City, Piqua, Solon, Brownsburg and more headline this weekend's competitions.

PHOTO: Nicki Marcum | Two Grove City groups placed on the podium, plus Marion Harding, Robert C. Byrd, Cabell Midland and St. Clairsville made finals.