2026 Southern Show Choir 1A Postseason Rankings

By Tony Holeman, Southern contributor

The (very hectic and tumultuous) 2026 show choir season has been over for a few weekends, and it is time for this year's final set of show choir rankings of the Southern circuit. In true show choir fashion, an couple of extra voters were added to the finals voting panel in order to include a more diverse set of voices. This set of placements reflects that of the 1A or small division. Rankings for 4A/3A, single-gender, and 2A have already been published.

1) West Marion “New Era” (3 first-place votes)

PHOTO: West Marion “New Era” Show Choir

What another stellar season for West Marion. Now on an eight-competition divisional win streak, West Marion adds an undefeated seven-competition season to its resume. They beat groups such as Tarpon Springs, Clinton Christian Academy, Pisgah, Pass Christian, and many more. Their own Haley Smith won overall best soloist-in-show at two of their competitions. With all this in mind, West Marion ends the season as the top ranked 1A/Small division group.

2) Oxford “Sound” (4 first-place votes)

PHOTO: Oxford High School Choirs

Coming in behind West Marion is Oxford, who also finished a divisionally-undefeated season. Winning five divisions this year and adding onto their current six-competition division win streak, Oxford accumulated wins over groups such as Clinton Christian Academy, Pisgah, Chelsea, and many more. They also earned a 4RU placement and managed to take two overall captions throughout the season. However, while not a divisional loss, Oxford fell to Rome (pointwise) at Tift County, arguably causing the difference between first and second place in these rankings.

3) Tarpon Springs “Syndicated Sound”

PHOTO: Pinellas County Schools

What a job Gabriella Santos and her students have done this season. Arguing their case for most improved group, Tarpon Springs won their division at two of their three competitions this season (only losing to West Marion). What’s even crazier? Both of these division wins came from opting-up a division. While their direct divisional win against Rosa Scott may not catch as many eyes, their result from Fairfield, Ohio, (where they won the division against four other middle mixed groups) cannot be overlooked. One of their soloists, Jelissa Matos, even won best overall soloist-in-show against competition from larger programs like Homewood and Avon. Once again, an amazing job from the team in Tarpon Springs this season.

4) Clinton Christian Academy “Extreme”

PHOTO: Clinton Christian Academy

Clinton Christian Academy adds on to a very impressive two-season span, where they have not placed below second place in the small division category once. This season they beat groups such as Pisgah, Pass Christian, and many others. Now entering their twelfth season under director Cindi Nix, Clinton Christian Academy will look to make their results from this two-year span a consistent habit.

5) Rome “Grand Finale”

PHOTO: Rome City Schools

The lone group on this list with a Grand Championship title, Rome made great strides this season. Divisionally undefeated at all three of their competitions this season (and the aforementioned Grand Championship title), Rome has won their division at six of their last seven events (if you just laughed or made a hand motion, please stop and think about what you just did), with the lone outlier being a divisional second-place finish last season at Brandon. Their season in 2026 included wins over groups such as Oxford, Appling County, both Opelika mixed groups, and many others.

6) Pisgah “Innergy”

PHOTO: Amanda Massey

Another solid season for Pisgah resulted in a divisional win at their program’s first ever out-of-state competition, along with two divisional second-place and two divisional third-place finishes. With wins over groups such as Pass Christian, Chelsea, Tallassee, and Wayne County, Pisgah looks to improve next season with multiple divisional wins. Next season will mark their 25th year with director Linsey Smith leading the program.

7) Pass Christian “Luminary”

PHOTO: Pass Christian Schools

Pass Christian was extremely close to breaking through a few different times this year, as apparent by their four divisional second-place finishes and two divisional third-place finishes. However, exciting years are ahead for Pass Christian, as they will look to move up into the 2A/Middle division for 2027. This move was tested out this season when they opted up at Madison Central. While they lost a direct matchup against Jackson Prep, they still managed to beat them in the vocal category. It will be interesting to watch how a relatively newer program fares in the higher division.

8) Chelsea “Out Of The Blue”

PHOTO: Elizabeth Bailey

Like Pass Christian, Chelsea seems to have been so close to breaking through this season. At all three of their competitions, Chelsea earned divisional second-place finishes behind the likes of West Marion, Pisgah, and Oxford, respectively. They earned wins over groups such as Tallassee, Opelika, Lakeside, and more.

9) Opelika “Elevations”

PHOTO: Opelika High School Choirs

In the group’s first year of competing (as Opelika’s single-gender group became this group), they showed genuine promise for the upcoming seasons. While not placing at their last competition, they earned a divisional second-place and third-place finish throughout the season. Many will be watching to see how this experiment of Opelika’s continues to grow.

10) Lowndes “Viking Cantors”

PHOTO: Lowndes High School

There’s nothing better than seeing a first-year program succeed, and that’s exactly what happened with Lowndes this season. Despite only competing at one event in Tift County, they still took second place in the division and beat Tallassee, Lakeside, Eufaula, and Opelika. It will be worth watching to see how this brand-new group and program develops under the direction of director Jennifer McQuade.

Receiving Votes: Lakeside “Soundsation”, Columbia Academy “Premiers”, Tallassee “Voltage”, Wayne County “Orange Sensations”, Prattville “Spotlight”