Stock image: Derrick Knight | Winfield and Teays Valley headline at MusicFest, while RCB, Hoover and Sissonville headline at the Choral Classic

Illinois retains more than its fair share of national powerhouses heading into 2026 and will also see a handful of elite-caliber events within state lines.

PHOTO: Nathan Ensley | From the Tulsa stalwarts to the small towns to new programs and beyond, Oklahoma show choirs will take a big step forward in 2026.

PHOTO: Nathan Ensley | Findlay and Olentangy had plenty of valuable takeaways, and Marion Harding, Twinsburg and Walsh Jesuit each have their own upcoming storylines.

PHOTO: Derrick Knight | PoCo broke through for their maiden win of the season, plus Hastings improved on their previous results and Bloomington Jefferson emerged as a legitimate contender.

While favorite-heavy, the second weekend of Southern show choir still brings interesting results for us to discuss!

Across the Midwest, from Ohio to Nebraska, established regional powers showed why they are exactly that, but in South Dakota, an outsider came in and took all the glory.

A consistently deep field gathers in the Cornhusker capitol, two national powers reprise last year’s meeting a bit earlier in the season, several quality choirs make their way to Sioux Falls, the Minnesota season starts at Bloomington Kennedy, and a late addition makes Ankeny Centennial a sleeper field to watch.

PHOTO: Nathan Ensley | Carroll and ETC headline the large division, while Jay County, Churubusco and DeKalb are expected to be the main players in small mixed.

Stock photo: Derrick Knight | From Daniel Hand, Waltham and South Windsor to Scranton, Hillsborough and Bishop Hendricken, plenty of groups will use 2026 as another building block in the right direction.