2025 West Coast Postseason Rankings

By Chris Mendoza, Western contributor

As the sun sets on the Western show choir season this year, it's time to take a look at where everybody finished the season. These rankings were voted on by a panel of regional experts. Changes are in comparison to the HomeRoom midseason rankings.

Advanced Mixed

1. John Burroughs "Powerhouse" (3 first-place votes, no change)

No Advanced group came out of this season unscathed, but the consistency and artistry of Powerhouse puts them on top. This year’s show features one of the more straightforward narratives in the Powerhouse canon, but it doesn’t sacrifice any creativity. Rather, it makes all the intricacies in show pop right off the stage. Powerhouse’s attention to detail is really matched only by division rivals Los Alamitos Sound FX. From their purposefully incomplete costumes in the closer to their masterful use of props to their impactful choreography, the intentional show design choices are (as always) one of the show's best aspects. Aside from the excellent design aspects of their heartbreaking show, Powerhouse also boasts the most dynamic vocals, bar none, in the region and perhaps the country. They switch between vibrato and straight tone tastefully throughout the show, and have extremely tender quiet moments and absolutely roaring chords to match. Powerhouse proved their merit this season with signature wins, captions captured, and the inaugural show choir performance at the ACDA National Conference.

2. Burbank "In Sync" (+1)

In the past few years, Burbank’s show designs have fallen a bit flat as their dramatic storylines were often undercut by oddly placed song choices that had moments feeling like a confusing mix of earnestness and parody. In this year's “The Truman Show”-themed set, this style fits absolutely perfectly and captured lightning in a bottle for In Sync. The absurdity of the source material really lent itself to the style of these post-pandemic Burbank shows, and it led to an extremely entertaining show with funny, scary, and dramatic moments that work together rather than stepping on each other’s toes. It seems almost trite to mention In Sync’s phenomenal musicianship, but it just must be brought up. In Sync members are just unbelievably consistent musicians year after year and this is no exception. There are very few groups that can compete with In Sync vocally. They’re in perfect contrast with their divisional competitors, with bright, pop-centric vocals that shimmer and soar in a way that no other show choir, save for a certain Iowa group, can replicate. InSync really hit their stride with this show, and will hopefully continue to compete out of state and snatch wins from competitors abroad.

3. Los Alamitos "Sound FX" (-1)

Sound FX has a knack for putting on completely unforgettable shows year after year. Their set is loosely based on the critically-acclaimed streaming series “Severance”, and carries over the theme of corporate greed from the series. Many shows with any sort of political message are very hit-or-miss (and Los Alamitos is no stranger to either), and it’s easy to fall into the trap of saying too much, saying nothing at all, or being distasteful. The messaging of this show, though, knocked it out of the park. The main gripe Sound FX has is the predatory nature of internet social media algorithms, and they demonstrate just how ridiculous everything is that pops up on your feed during their rendition of Bo Burnham’s comedic song “Welcome To The Internet”. Their show is an all-out assault on the senses, and artistically so.

4. Glendora "Royal Stewarts" (No change)

Royal Stewarts are once again the undisputed vocal champions outside of the Big Three. Their ballad was absolutely one of the best of the year with a soprano soloist that blew the minds of audiences at every stop. They have a vocal style that isn’t replicated in the circuit, and it's always well-tuned with sparkling textures and touches of vibrato. They’re not quite as flashy vocally (save for their ballad of course) as many of their competitors, but they do what they do with overwhelming consistency, and take care of fine details. Glendora also boasts some of the best tech and costuming in the circuit with their stunning pirate ship backdrop and seafaring outfits. The question of 'can Glendora continue their winning ways of 2024?' has been answered within a resounding 'yes' this year. Another year of dominating Advanced Mixed 2 and some showmanship improvements could lead to a rise to competing consistently in Tier 1, where they could possibly grow into something even more impressive than they are right now.

5. Horizon "Step On Stage" (+3)

Horizon returned to competition in 2024 with not that much success, only to have a top-five season in the circuit just a year later. This year, Horizon put the world on notice after sweeping Valley Vista Vocal Thunder at Boulder Creek. They then went on to dramatically upset Noblesville NHS Singers at their national comp, Brownsburg Bulldog Spectacular in Indiana. This is one of the more unprecedented year-to-year improvements in the west coast circuit’s history, spearheaded by veteran choreographer Tori Brindis. Horizon has yet to face off against many of the upper echelon west coast groups since reforming, but nonetheless their success in the Indianapolis circuit is reason to believe that they’d do well against any California competitors. Step On Stage also has a lot more room to grow. Their show design was simple enough, but effectively showed off their strong suit, fast-paced and difficult dancing. Through excellent uptempo song choices like Come Alive by Janelle Monáe, they put their technical abilities on full display. Even so, they aren’t the cleanest group yet, and it will be scary for competitors once they do clean it up.

6. Diamond Bar "Marquis" (+1)

This is about as aggressive as show choir gets. Their comedic-yet-intense punk-themed set reached audiences on all sorts of emotional levels. This show is jam-packed with all sorts of stunts, including flips, stage dives, and destroying props. Aside from their onstage antics, Marquis has made notable technical improvements as well. Their dancing might be best in the circuit outside of the Big Three at this point, and they’ve improved their vocal consistency significantly. DB has given themselves a shot against anybody in the West with their dancing ability. The story of Marquis 2025 is consistently great showmanship with incredible vocal moments with a few low moments in the show to match. As they continue to compete out of state, as they did in Illinois this year, they can begin to make some noise against national competition if they can keep raising the bar vocally.

7. John F. Kennedy "Executive Order" (-2)

JFK, like a few other groups in the West, has a completely unique brand of show choir. Few can match their dancing intensity. They’re fairly consistent vocally and are incredibly precise in both show and music. In contrast to a Diamond Bar or Horizon, they have generally less difficult undertakings but executed to absolute perfection. Their “Macbeth”-themed show surely left many in the audience with chills from the intense storyline and top-notch soloists. Passion just radiates from each member of the Kennedy Singers’ premier ensemble, and they are reaching new peaks as performers. Hail Macbeth!

8. Cypress "High Voltage" (Not Ranked)

One of the most surprising placements of the year, Cypress has taken a major step up in 2025. Cypress was a mid-level intermediate group in 2024 before deciding to take the plunge into advanced this year. Their iron-sharpens-iron approach to the season absolutely paid dividends. They started out the season dropping placements to an upstart Brea Olinda group and a weaker Hart group before coming around to not only take home second place at Oceanside Sound-Off, beating the likes of Carlsbad, Valley Vista, and La Cueva, but also winning a competitive tier 2 division at the John Burroughs Music Showcase. Their show plays off of an evil AI assistant named Sasha (a la the ubiquitous Alexa) played by a fantastic dance soloist. Cypress is overall extremely impressive, and if they can work out some design kinks and keep their improvement trajectory, they can absolutely join the likes of Diamond Bar and Glendora at the top of the tier 2 division in 2026.

9. Brea Olinda "Masquerade" (Not Ranked)

Welcome back Brea! Masquerade has had a rough recovery post-pandemic, but they are really starting to return to form. Brea went from not taking a single placement in 2024 to bringing home two division wins this year. They also had their giant slayer moment of taking down Glendora at Esperanza after the Royal Stewarts received a critical time penalty. It’s a bit unclear if Brea’s “The Giver” show will be their peak, or if they’ve got more to offer in 2026. Regardless, this show was so powerful and rightfully successful, and Brea couldn’t have asked for a more perfect season with where they are at.

10.  Carlsbad "Sound Express" (Not Ranked)

Rounding out the most wild advanced division since 2019, Carlsbad Sound Express makes their return to tier 2. Carlsbad had the unfortunate task of having to compete against John Burroughs High School’s unbelievably good prep group, Sound Waves, at two-thirds of their competitions this year, but beyond that they quietly put together a great season, taking down solid groups such as Boulder Creek, Valley Vista, and La Cueva, as well as winning musicianship at Oceanside Sound-Off. If Carlsbad wants to seriously enter the fray of advanced groups next year, they’ve got to make improvements to their showmanship. However, their Vincent Van Gogh-themed show boasted some of the best vocals in the circuit.

Receiving Votes: Valley Vista "Vocal Thunder", Hart "Sound Vibrations"

Treble (All Divisions)

1. John Burroughs "Sound Sensations" (2 first-place votes, no change)

Sound Sensations continues to dominate the treble field in Cali. They earned their second undefeated season in a row and took down one or more serious competitors each week. They had a siren-themed storyline, complete with dazzling mermaid costumes and a lighthouse backdrop. Their choreography is second to none as far as treble groups go, and they boasted the best vocals in the circuit. The only thing left for Sound Sensations to do is to try and continue an undefeated streak in one of the more competitive treble circuits in the country.

2. Los Alamitos "Soundtrax" (1 first-place vote, no change)

Your 2025 Show Choir Nationals division winners are some of the most professional performers you’ll find. “Betty Boop” is the theme of their show, and it is a masterclass in costuming and style. The use of colors in their show is nothing short of hypnotic. They have classic Los Al-style vocals that are of course solid all around. The show is tied together by their main soloists, who through their stage presence and vocal performances contribute to the dense aesthetic of the set.

3. John F. Kennedy "First Ladies" (No change)

These talented trebles have been very consistently a top-three group in the region for the past two years. Their Sgt. Peppers/Beatles show secured a few key wins over Brea Olinda Spellbound, Burbank Blue Impressions, and visitors Chesterton Drifters. This year, First Ladies have such a charming show with great classic tunes throughout. The costuming and set design is appropriately over the top and glittery, and is complete with clean vocals and choreo all around.

4. Burbank "Blue Impressions" (+2)

Burbank’s trebles had a tough schedule this year, but held their own against the top three groups. They also secured a nice victory over a solid Hart Hartbreakers, and made finals at Valley Vista over Burroughs Decibelles. Blue Impressions has had some trouble in recent years as their numbers have dwindled since their height, but this season has them trending in the right direction.

5. Los Alamitos "Xquisite" (+2)

That’s right! Just three spots lower than their varsity group is Los Al’s second treble group. Xquisite dominated intermediate treble with an undefeated season and earned five of six possible major captions. Their “Charlie’s Angels“ set followed a super fun storyline with plenty of humorous moments. In typical Los Al fashion, they also have very consistent vocals and all the stage presence that is expected from them.

6. John Burroughs "Decibelles" (+2)

Decis had an awesome “Haunted Mansion” show that brought a nice amount of edge, which is often missing from the intermediate treble division. They took on a slew of intermediate groups and took them all down, save for Xquisite. The rivalry between those two dominant groups has been amazing for Cali show choir fans.

7. Valley Vista "Tempest" (-3)

Tempest has taken the circuit by storm in recent years, with lots of positive results. They didn’t have quite the same success as last year, but finished with solid wins over the likes of Saugus Blue Heat and Diamond Bar Solitaire. They pair solid and consistent vocal performance with smart and creative choreography. Nobody uses props quite like Valley Vista, as they employ usage of handheld lights and brooms expertly. A down year for the Valley Vista program awards-wise is no reason to sound the alarm, there’s so much to like as they develop their signature tone and choreography style from the top down.

8. Hart "Hartbreakers" (-3)

Hartbreakers had a pretty successful season overall. They won both of their two duels with a rock solid Brea Olinda Spellbound, one being a sweep, and swiped showmanship from a rolling Los Alamitos Xquisite. They had one of the more unique concepts in the circuit, the phases of the moon. The intriguing theme is enhanced by gorgeous choreography and costuming, as well as the best backdrop of the year. 

9. Brea Olinda "Spellbound" (+1)

Rounding out a pair of sets based on literature in the United Choirs of Brea program, Spellbound had a fresh new set based on the Stephen King novel, “The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon”. The story is about a young girl who gets lost in the woods with nothing but her personal radio, which she uses to listen to Red Sox games to give her comfort. The show, although a bit difficult to follow in real time, curates a really neat, peculiar vibe that makes the audience want to learn more about the source material. The Brea program is making massive strides in their storytelling, and this show is another step in the right direction.

10.  Boulder Creek "Heart and Soul" (Not Ranked)

This group of trebles had a relatively scant competition schedule, with only two contests total. But in both races they had respectable results. In the first, they took down the treble groups of Carlsbad, Oceanside, and La Cueva in one fell swoop. At the second, they fell to Valley Vista Tempest, but managed to get by a scrappy Saugus group at the last competition of the year to secure their spot on the rankings. This was a great foray back into the circuit for Boulder Creek choirs generally, and it looks like it will be only up from here.

Receiving Votes: Saugus "Blue Heat", Cypress "Pink Thunder", Horizon "Show Divas"

Intermediate Mixed

1. John Burroughs "Sound Waves" (2 first-place votes, no change)

Dominant is the only word to describe Sound Waves. They swept a Carlsbad Sound Express who placed on the advanced rankings, they took down their biggest rivals Los Al Connexion, won in finals over La Cueva Underground, and their only loss of the season came to Burbank In Sync. That’s right, not some Burbank prep group, but the legendary In Sync itself. It’s tough to say exactly how many advanced groups Sound Waves would hypothetically beat, but it’s many more than you might expect. Their simple school-themed show is as unintimidating as they come, but those vocals are quite the opposite.

2. Los Alamitos "Connexion" (1 first-place vote, no change)

Connexion once again rounds out the dominant duo of prep groups in the intermediate division. The dancing prowess is second to none in intermediate, and would give many advanced groups a run for their money. Scooby-Doo and the gang deal with some evil magic in their fun-filled set. The combination of a charming set and excellent choreography gave Connexion a formula for a successful season.

3. Pacifica "Encore" (+1)

Encore continued their run of dominance with a four-win season, falling only to Connexion at their final comp of the year. Their show “The Gift” featured well-rounded technique in both vocals and choreography, with their signature vocal power. Encore isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and may be seen in the advanced rankings next year.

4. Valley Vista "Voltage" (+1)

On brand with the Valley Vista program, Voltage 2025 is another well-conceived, cute show. Themed off the popular tabletop game “Dungeons and Dragons”, it contains countless references for faithful Dungeon Masters and PCs in the audience. Voltage has solid technique and was rewarded as such in the division.

5. Golden Valley "Melodies of Gold" (Not Ranked)

Golden Valley had a pretty successful 2025, with a key victory over a strong Oceanside Soundwaves to push them just into the final ranking spot. Melodies has been a mixed bag of results over the last few years, with key wins and losses every season, but their onstage passion always burns incredibly bright year-to-year, and that attitude continuing will help them net more victories like their key placement this year in future seasons.

Receiving Votes: Helix "HLX", Oceanside "Soundwaves"

Novice Mixed

1. Eisenhower "Ike Singers" (2 first-place votes, no change)

The kings of novice lived up to their expectations in 2025 once again, tallying four first places and a sole second in a long, successful season. Weekend to weekend Ike Singers have had a few missteps, but overall were the most dominant group in novice once again.

2. John F. Kennedy "Ambassadors" (1 first-place vote, +2)

Ambassadors put together a rock-solid novice season, including splitting victories with the ever-dominant Ike Singers. They got their signature win, and are just some consistency away from contending for that top spot in 2026.

3. Western Sierra Collegiate Academy "The Alphas" (Not Ranked)

The Alphas had quite an interesting season, with a limited two-competition run that yielded drastically different results. An unimpressive fourth place at at Hart Encore was followed by a massive first place over Eisenhower at Burroughs. With just two competitions in their schedule, they’ve gotta be perfect to make that top spot, but look out if they can hit their stride earlier in 2026.

4. Los Altos "LA Dynamix" (-2)

Los Altos had a solid, consistent season in 2025, under a new choreography team. They have signature wins over The Alphas, Granada Hills, and Hart Hart N’ Soul, and a small slip to a solid Norco New Generation. They have the potential to get over the hump in 2026 and start taking home some first places.

5. Granada Hills "G-Notes" (-2)

The G-Notes put together a bit of a wild season, with fifth, second, and first-place finishes. They improved across the season as it went on, which bodes well for their potential. They had a signature win over Kennedy’s Ambassadors, highlighting the competitiveness of the novice division.

Receiving Votes: Norco "New Generation", John A. Rowland "Infusion"

Bass

1. Los Alamitos "Xtreme" (2 first-place votes, +1)

Xtreme takes the throne of the premier men’s group in the state in 2025. Their country-themed show boasted the best vocals in the division, and offered a fun heartfelt plot about a country boy and a city girl. The solos were excellent from start to finish, and gave a professional feeling to the typically chaotic bass group offerings.

2. John Burroughs "Men@Work" (1 first-place vote, -1)

This show pokes fun at nepotism and entitlement in a hilariously crafted show. In typical Men@Work fashion, they boast creative lyric changes, fantastic choreography, and excellent comedic timing.

3. John F. Kennedy "Secret Service" (No change)

Secret Service brought a hilarious barista show to the table in their first-ever competitive season. At their one contested competition this year they beat another newer group in Diamond Bar Radiant. It remains to be seen if they can compete with the consensus top two groups, but hopefully these silly singers will be in the mix again in 2026.

4. Diamond Bar "Radiant" (+1)

The Radiant boys brought the energy in 2025 with a Wii Sports set that cracked up audiences throughout their season. They had a tough run, competing against mostly Xtreme and M@W, but finished up with a key win over Hart Unleashed to end the season.

5. Hart "Unleashed" (-1)

Hart’s basses took spectators by storm with an insurance agency theme this year. They snagged an impressive second place finish at Burbank Blast over Cypress Voltage Unlimited, and took the showmanship caption from the eventual champions Xtreme. Unleashed’s satirical antics put them in the mix amongst the best bass groups in the state.

Receiving Votes: None.