Four regional experts were polled on all ten of the state's single-gender groups and all nine of the state's festival mixed groups. These are the results, accompanied by succinct wrap-ups of each season.

PHOTO: Nathan Ensley | Three regional experts ranked 20 of Illinois' best groups across three divisions. These are the results.

Three regional experts considered 39 groups and ranked 20 across three divisions. These are the results.

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

Illinois’ competition circuit is finally getting its start at Crete-Monee, now the state’s perennial inaugural competition after Mt. Zion’s move to later in the season. Naturally, many choirs are entering their first competitive outing of the 2026 season, however some have competed already and are looking to either continue their success or in some cases, mark a turning point from a rougher first outing. Nonetheless, storylines will converge, and the Illinois circuit will hav

El Paso-Gridley has historically been a competition for smaller schools to show off, along with occasional larger programs such as...

Photo: Nathan Ensley | Illinois show choir faces an identity crisis heading into the 2025 beyond.

33 groups are ranked: all of the state's varsity mixed groups, all of the state's single-gender groups, and 10 of the state's small groups.