2026 Nebraska Small School Show Choir Rankings

By Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor, Arte Reed, Nebraska 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 small school groups were ranked, up from five during the season. Groups were considered small school if they mainly competed outside of the top mixed division at competitions. Additional rankings for large school, single-gender and prep will be released in the coming weeks.

1. Wahoo “Royalty” (3 first-place votes)

One group that had a sneakily good year in Nebraska was Royalty. While only missing finals once, the group took multiple podium finishes throughout the season and a Best Band award at Bellevue East in director Annie von Kampen's first year at the helm. While Royalty still has a single Grand Champion trophy in program history, the last few years seem to be pushing them in the right direction, making a first-place finish this decade seemingly inevitable. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor

2. Blair “Ovation” (1 first-place vote)

The biggest highlight for Ovation this season was their Grand Championship at Bellevue East, the first in their program's history. Past that, Ovation still had an impressive season, taking second place twice (at Skutt Catholic and Wahoo) and making finals at every single competition. Now it’s up to the group to continue this success for next season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland contributor

3. Aurora “Rhapsody”

Rhapsody had some major spotlights throughout the season. First, they made finals at all of their competitions, placing sixth at all of them. Notably, they were able to place higher than Elkhorn at Grand Island on Feb 28. This small-town group also made some appearances at a couple of festivals in the middle of their season to get some additional practice in before their last two competitions. Aurora’s theme was all about flying through space, and they have definitely flown through this season. - Arte Reed, Nebraska contributor

4. Skutt Catholic “Vivace” (1 first-place vote)

After ending their 2025 season with their first Grand Champion trophy in a few years, Vivace entered their 2026 season a different group. While they missed finals at Blue Valley, the rest of their results look very good. Vivace placed second twice and fourth twice, which isn’t nothing. The group also benefitted from the veteran leadership of director Chris Storm and hosted a competition for the first time this season, which saw Indiana's Chesterton Sandpipers take the gold in a weather-impacted weekend. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor

5. Plattsmouth “Out of the Blue”

It’s safe to say that Plattsmouth really loves Nebraska. Out of the Blue (or should I say Red) presented their Nebraska-themed spirit set at each of their competitions. The group started their season at Skutt Catholic, finished in first place in the middle mixed division and was rewarded with best closer. Perhaps their most impressive storyline was at Wahoo, where they beat Seward and Ralston on Feb. 21. Plattsmouth finished their season at Norris, where once again they beat Seward and Beatrice in the small school division. - Arte Reed, Nebraska Contributor 

6. Seward “Gold Dynamics”

In its second season known as Gold Dynamics, Seward’s mixed show choir presented a compact and successful season in 2026. The group debuted at Central City’s festival on Feb. 6, then beat Beatrice, Central City and Woodbine for the division win at Lincoln Northwest on Feb. 14. Gold Dynamics’ lone finals appearance of the season came at Wahoo on Feb. 21, placing fifth in finals right behind Plattsmouth and above large school choir Ralston. Seward finished its season sandwiched between Plattsmouth and Beatrice at Norris on Feb. 28. Seward County’s lone competitive show choir represented the area well this year.  - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

7. Beatrice “Limited Edition”

Limited Edition hosted its noncompetitive Homestead Heroes Invitational for the second year in 2026, pairing four Beatrice choirs with four other area choirs. Additionally, they notched division placements at Lincoln Northwest and Norris, mixing it up with other competitors like Plattsmouth and Seward. Director Hannah Loos hit five years with the school in 2026, which is not always a given for small-school programs. Limited Edition’s 2026 show included music ranging from pop band OneRepublic to alternative band Weezer to the musical The Wiz. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

8. Central City “Vocal Eclipse”

Vocal Eclipse sported a country show in 2026, with multiple selections avid show choir fans will recognize - Water Tower Town (originally made famous by Carmel), Country Girl (Shake It For Me), and others. The program also brought on current Lincoln Northeast director Austin Reinke to arrange some music. Highlights of Central City’s season included Kaden Van Pelt taking a Best Soloist award at Grand Island Northwest and placing third in division at Lincoln Northwest. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

9. Fairbury “Crimson Elite”

Fairbury’s four-competition slate this year is the largest they’ve had since re-entering the show choir scene in 2022 after a handful of years away. Competing mainly in the prep division at larger competitions, Crimson Elite competed in a group size-based division at Papillion-La Vista and found success, beating Bryan and Westview and claiming Best Band in division. Fairbury also performed multiple songs composed by current Norfolk director Dustin Wood, a cool twist that allowed the group to tell its own story in 2026. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

10. Fullerton “8th and Broadway”

Even on the small school list, Fullerton is arguably the smallest representative in the top ten, with a 9-12 school enrollment flirting around 100 students and a town population of about 1,200. 8th and Broadway, a third-year program, had quite the exciting season. Fullerton kicked off the year at the Sioux Falls Roosevelt Executive Showcase in South Dakota, then stayed “local” by going to Grand Island, and closed by seeing several of Nebraska’s best programs at Lewis Central. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

Receiving Votes: Waverly “Encore”, Dundy County Stratton “Homegrown Harmonies”, Aquinas “Forte”, Chase County “9th Street Singers”