2025 Homie Award Winners

Thank you to everyone who voted on these awards! The third annual Homie Awards gave out over 50 accolades to the show choir world.

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Choir of the Year: Linn-Mar "10th Street Edition"

10th Street Edition had another spotless season in 2025, going undefeated across four competitions and defeating everyone from Carmel to Urbandale to Waukee Northwest. Their portrayal of the story The Very Old Man with Enormous Wings was undoubtedly a show that moved this art form forward.

Best Vocals: Center Grove "Sound System"

CG took vocals at five of their six competitions this year, pairing that with three individual soloist awards. On the back of a generational season last year in which it went undefeated, Sound System replicated the feat this year, one of only a handful of choirs in America to do so.

Best Choreography: Carmel "Ambassadors"

Best Band: Millard West "West in the Groove"

Best Show Design: Carroll "Magic"

Set of the Year: Linn-Mar "10th Street Edition"

Song/Medley of the Year: Clinton "Attaché" (Closer Megamix)

Ballad of the Year: Franklin Central "F.C. Singers"

Dance Break of the Year: Carmel "Ambassadors" (Closer)

In-Show Moment of the Year: Center Grove "Sound System" (Bohemian Rhapsody Quintet)

Best Costumes: Carmel "Accents"

Best Male Soloist: Paxton Merz, Loveland By Request (The Lighthouse Keeper)

Best Female Soloist: Emily Potter, Carroll Magic

Prop of the Year: Taylor Swift Eras Tour Wings (Brandon Brio)

People's Choice: Fort Worth Southwest "Southwest Effect"

Best Stage Crew: Lafayette Jefferson "First Edition"

Single-Gender Choir of the Year: Center Grove "Debtones"

Single-Gender Best Vocals: John Burroughs "Sound Sensations"

Single-Gender Best Choreography: Carmel "Accents"

Single-Gender Best Show Design: Tupelo "Synergy"

Tier II Choir of the Year: Roncalli "Royal Rhapsody"

Royal Rhapsody's Ireland-themed show clearly brought the ensemble plenty of luck. Competing in small mixed due to ISSMA regulations, the group pounced on opportunities to shine, taking the overall win at Decatur Central and toppling Pendleton Heights and Huntington North to take the ISSMA small school championship. The Catholic school from Indianapolis looks set to continue dominating small mixed (despite having a larger group) for years to come.

Prep Choir of the Year: Gretna "Evolution"

Behind many standout groups are incredible prep ensembles where students gear up for the brighter lights. Under the steady direction of Dakota Mathew, Evolution took its prom-themed show to the bright lights of finals multiple times, notching a shock fifth at Standing Bear and climbing even higher at Gretna East, placing third. They never lost to another prep group and headlined our Nebraska prep rankings for much of the season.

Mens Choir of the Year: Mt. Zion "You've Got Male"

Often performing as the leadoff choir in a morning single-gender division, YGM brought the thunder in its wrestling-themed production. From self-deprecating humor (Men in Tights) to tender moments in the ballad to a wrestling ring on the top riser, this show had it all.

Rookie Choir of the Year: Standing Bear "The Renegades"

This second-year school in Lincoln's far southern reaches benefitted from the veteran leadership of former Norris and Wahoo director Hunter Boe. Sporting a lemonade show, The Renegades chose their competition opportunities wisely and excelled, making finals at all five competitions they attended. From making finals at Glenwood, Iowa, to landing on the podium to close out the season at Lincoln Northeast, Standing Bear honored the legacy of last year's Rookie of the Year, Gretna East, very well.

Most Improved Choir: Gretna East "Equinox"

Traveler Award: Brandon "Brio"

Giant Slayer: West Jones "Imagination"

Director of the Year: Ryan Cooper, Troy Buchanan Express

Choreographer of the Year: Stephen Todd

Arranger of the Year: Greg Sanders

Competition of the Year: Mt. Zion Midwest Invitational

Best-Run Competition: Burbank Blast!

Best New Competition: Valley Vista Monsoon Madness

Competition Name of the Year: Millard North Galaxy of the Stars

Competition Food of the Year: Whitey's Ice Cream Shake

Best Dressed Homeroom: Millard West West in the Groove at Millard North Galaxy of the Stars

Show Choir Nation Award: Dwight D. Eisenhower "Express"

Show Choir Nation Award: Wheaton Warrenville South "The Classics"

Show Choir Nation Award: Grenada "Visions"

Spirit of Service: Myles Finn, Indianola Side One

Spirit of Service: Kacy Christensen, choreographer

Spirit of Service: Jeff Gemar, judge

Lifetime Achievement Award: Doran Johnson, Westside

Lifetime Achievement Award: Andy Haines, choreographer

Caption Carnivore: Solon "Music in Motion"

Rookie Director of the Year: Avery Mather, Smith-Cotton

Best New Choreographer: Grace Pacheco

Show Choir Nation Moment of the Season: Chesterton Recap

Best Character Portrayed in a Show: Devin Smith, Carroll Magic (Tin Man)

Choral Program of the Year: Carmel Choirs