2026 Southern Show Choir 2A Postseason Rankings

By Tony Holeman, Southern contributor

The (very hectic and tumultuous) 2026 show choir season has been over for several 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 2A, or middle mixed, division.

1) South Jones “Company” (5 first-place votes)

PHOTO: South Jones Show Choir

Not much to say here besides reading the results (which speak for themselves): divisionally undefeated in the season with five division wins total, three overall top-five/final placements (one 1RU placement and two 4RU placements), and a current divisional win streak of nine straight competitions. Piling up wins against groups like Brandon Bellas, Petal Innies, Northwest Rankin The Allure, and many others, South Jones continues their program’s upward trend that has kept strong since director Austin Perkins took over the program.

2) Vestavia Hills “Singers” (1 first-place vote)

PHOTO: Vestavia Hills High School

Past the number one spot, the middle division seemed to be the most chaotic this season, and that’s saying a lot given how the Southern circuit played out in 2026. Vestavia Hills' season was no different. With their first competition at Hoover, they fell to third in the division behind Tift County and Enterprise (the latter would later be considered a 3A/Large group). At their next event in Albertville, they finished second in the division behind Hoover (who would also later be considered a 3A/Large group), despite them taking a division choreography caption. They ended the season at Oak Mountain (on Feb. 8!) with a divisional third-place finish, with West Jones (again a 3A/Large group) winning the overall tier and entire competition. Yet, Vestavia Hills gathered wins against Homewood Continuum, Tift County, Jasper, and many others, making a strong case for most improved group from last season.

3) Homewood “Continuum” (1 first-place vote)

PHOTO: Jasper Choir

Like Vestavia Hills, Homewood’s middle mixed group had their own up-and-down season. They started off the year with a divisional third-place finish at Albertville, but then followed it with a divisional second-place finish at Oak Mountain (only behind 3A/Large group West Jones). They ended their season with a divisional win at Auburn against a few other groups, ending the competition year with wins over groups like Vestavia Hills, Tift County, and Jasper.

4) Tift County “8^th Street Singing Company”

PHOTO: Marquee Milla Reese

Tift County has a strong case for most underrated group in this division, especially if one can look over one of their single results. This season alone, they earned three divisional titles, two Grand Championship titles, and four total top-five/finals placements (with the other two appearances resulting in 1RU and 4RU placements). Their only Achilles heel on the season lies at Oak Mountain, where they missed out on the divisional top three placements. They earned wins over groups such as Vestavia Hills, Enterprise, Donelson Christian Academy, and many more. With that in mind, Tift County seems to boast the strongest trophy case of any middle-mixed group from the 2026 season.

5) Jackson Prep “Reveillon”

PHOTO: Jackson Prep Performing Arts

Despite a shorter season, Jackson Prep still reeled in pretty strong results. After starting off their season with a divisional win at the Mississippi Show Choir Contest over the likes of Sumrall and Pearl River Central, they would then earn another divisional title and an overall 3RU placement at Madison Central, earning wins over groups like Biloxi Sound Sirens, Northwest Rankin The Allure, and many others. They cooled off by the end of the season though, placing last at HOA Orlando. Expect this program to look different next season, as Northwest Rankin director Toney Keeler will take the reigns for the 2027 competition year.

6) Sumrall “Legacy”

PHOTO: Magnolia and Grace Photography

Sumrall held their own in a wild middle mixed division this year. With a divisional win, two divisional second-place finishes, and two divisional third-place finished, Sumrall has results spread across the board. They accumulated wins over groups such as Pearl River Central, Albertville, and Opelika, as well. They will enter the 2027 competition season under director Jeffery Coulter’s 13^th year leading the program.

7) Jasper “Phoenix”

PHOTO: Jasper Choir

Jasper, like Jackson Prep, competed within a shorter time frame this season, as they only appeared at three events. These competitions resulted in two divisional fourth-place finishes and a lone divisional title. Their wins come against the likes of groups such as Pearl River Central, Pike Road, and others. In their fourth season under director Sharon Abbott, Jasper seems to remain fairly consistent.

8) Pearl River Central “Central Attraction”

PHOTO: King City Classic

Pearl River Central came so close to taking their next step this season. One example? Three divisional second-place finishes. They would have had to beaten some of the higher-ranked groups from this list (South Jones, Jackson Prep, and Jasper) in order to do that. Another example? Their lone division win as non-competitive, but they had a shot to make finals at Jackson Academy but fell just a couple of placements short. With results so close to something even bigger, you have to imagine Pearl River Central already has their eyes set on next season.

9) Albertville “CenterStage!”

PHOTO: YouTube

Similar to Pearl River Central, Albertville’s lone win this season comes from a non-competitive division (at Jasper). Beyond that, two divisional second-place finishes round out the season, featuring wins against the likes of Helena, Pike Road, and others. There is a strong source of optimism though, as this was only the first season under new director Christian Lester. Time will only tell what he can do with Albertville.

10) Rosa Scott “Radiance”

PHOTO: Rosa Scott School

Rosa Scott rounds out the middle division top ten with a non-competitive divisional win, a divisional second-place finish (behind Tarpon Springs), and a no placement at Oak Mountain (which was their first competition of the season). With director Bradley Davis now taking the helm for the entire Madison Central show choir program as opposed to primarily being over this group, there are sure to be changes in the upcoming season with the restructuring of the show choir program.

Receiving Votes: Helena “High Frequency”, Appling County “Applause”, Pike Road “Prestige”