2026 Nebraska Prep Show Choir Rankings

By Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor, Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor, and William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

In a continuation of HomeRoom's weekly Nebraska poll rankings this season, the team has delivered an expanded season-end edition of the rankings. While three regional experts were surveyed during the season, five were surveyed for this end-of-season poll, giving a little spice akin to adding judges for finals. Additionally, ten prep groups were ranked, up from five during the season. Prep groups are considered to be a second (or third) mixed group at a school. Small school rankings can be found here. Additional rankings for large school and single-gender will be released in the coming weeks.

1. Gretna “Evolution” (4 first-place votes)

Evolution sure did fly this year. This group only missed finals once and it was at the beginning of the season. Their most notable achievement was atinChesterton, Indiana. Not only did they take home first place in small mixed finals, but they also took home various caption awards, such as Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Best Band in their division. Evolution has risen up to the podium year after year. It is safe to say that this group will continue to grow as the years pass by. - Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor

2. Millard West “Swing Cats” (1 first-place vote)

Scats were under the leadership of Austin Lempke in 2026, who stepped in as director following a four-year tenure from Drew Firkins in that position. There was no dropoff in quality, as Lempke led the group to a division win at Lincoln East in their first outing of the season. Although Millard West was second in each of their next three competitions, they were solid competitors to Gretna Evolution, Westside Warrior Express and Urbandale Vitality. Additionally, the group got a taste of the big time, competing in large mixed at Fairfield, Ohio to round out the season. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

3. Westside “Warrior Express”

Despite only going to four competitions, Warrior Express did pretty well for themselves. Interestingly, their record looks a lot similar to ATSCs, being only thirds and firsts. This is the first time Ben Eklund has choreographed the group, which seemed to help the group have a successful season. Eklund and Stephen Todd could continue to stick with the group for years to come. Compared to last season, the 2026 season was about the same. But this gives Warrior Express a good opportunity to improve for the 2027 season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor

4. Papillon-La Vista South “Titan Express”

Lots of second-place trophies, one third-place trophy, and one first-place trophy comprised Express' season. This includes an impressive second-place finish at Ankeny Centennial, beating Waukee Northwest Aurora and Ankeny Intensity. Their division win at Elkhorn South saw them best Lincoln Southwest Emergence, another top prep group in the area. This is also the second year Sam Mulligan has joined Tori Brindis in choreographing Titan Express, and it seems to be paying off for them. With all this said, Titan Express should be in for another good 2027 season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor

5. Elkhorn South “Power Surge”

Power Surge experienced a change of scenery in more ways than one this season. In the first sense, the group was under the new direction of Maddie Riva after previous director Cal Cross took a job in Minnesota. In the second sense, Power Surge had a Waldo-themed show that took them many different places in search of the character. Surge scored three division wins on the year, toppling in-state and out-of-state contenders. There is certainly a lot of energy heading up the Elkhorn South circuit in advance of next season! - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

6. Millard North “Intensity”

Let’s go to Treasure Island! Intensity debuted their season with an impressive win against Warrior Express and Titan Express at Gretna. They slowed down at Gretna East, but got back up and won that first place trophy at Elkhorn. Millard North got the opportunity to travel out of state to Waconia, Minn., to experience some brand new competition. They placed third in the prep division, outscoring La Voce Ballo from Bemidji and JIVE from Bloomington Jefferson, two impressive groups from Minnesota. Intensity is on the right track to have another great season in 2027. - Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor

7. Lincoln Southwest “Emergence”

Emergence, Lincoln Southwest’s novice prep group, has made an abundant amount of noise this season compared to seasons past. Emergence only attended three competitions this year in comparison to Ambience, who competed at five. Their highlight of the season was at Standing Bear. Not only did they receive first place in their division, but they also claimed a spot on the finals roster, placing sixth overall. Under the new direction of Leighton Ware, Emergence seems to be heading towards being a notable group in Nebraska’s prep division. - Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor

8. Elkhorn North “ENcore”

Switching from a womens group to a mixed prep group this season, ENcore’s inclusion in this list is a sign that the growing program was able to recruit more guys than before.A clear high point of the season was making finals at Southeast Polk in Iowa, the first such appearance in the group’s competitive history. They also jumped right into the prep division, facing six other choirs in this ranked top ten over the course of the season. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

9. Grand Island Northwest “Bella Voce”

The season started off with a bang for Bella Voce, as they won the prep division at Lincoln Links over both Lincoln Southwest groups and made overall finals, the first time the group has done that since Ralston in 2023. Bella Voce took a monthlong break from competing between Hastings on Jan. 24 and Grand Island on Feb. 28, but picked up a division win at Millard North over Sioux City East and Aquinas to close out the season. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

10. Grand Island “Future Image”

Future Image rides through the storm to arrive into the prep rankings after their successful 2026 season. The program added Katherine Welk as an additional assistant director. Grand Island had some great accomplishments throughout the season, such as placing first and second in the prep division at two of their competitions. In the middle of their season at Grand Island Northwest, Future Image successfully reached the finals at fifth place. The program is on the rise as a great representation of the central area of the state. - Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor

Receiving Votes: Lincoln Southwest “Ambience”, Norris “68th Street Singers”, Omaha Northwest “Crown Point Majestics”, Lincoln High “Momentum”