2026 Southern Show Choir Single-Gender 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 single-gender division, which have been expanded from the 10 ranked groups in-season to 15 ranked groups for this special edition.

1) Tupelo “Synergy” (7 first-place votes)

Theme: Warriors

PHOTO: Tupelo Public School District

Wow. What a year for the Tupelo show choir program. Unless you’ve been living under a rock this last show choir season, you’ve heard about the incredible success Tupelo has had. Not only did they win their first-ever standalone single-gender Grand Championship in the southern circuit (as well as their first in their program’s history), but they are one of three southern show choirs to win at least three Grand Championships this season. Factor in the fact that they beat strong mixed groups like Grenada, Hastings, Northwest Rankin, and many more, and you will understand clearly why Tupelo more than deserves this ranking.

2) Oak Mountain “The Muses”

Theme: Mt. Olympus

PHOTO: John Welsh

Divisionally undefeated in the South and even making a finals appearance, Oak Mountain’s treble group comes in at second in the single-gender rankings. The lone event where they didn’t win their division came at a heavily-contested Midwest event with treble groups from Franklin Central, Fishers, and North Central (although they still managed to beat the last group). In the south, groups they have beaten include Hamilton, Homewood Nexus, Northwest Rankin The Allure, and many others. Although Tupelo has a chokehold on the number one spot, Oak Mountain has just much control over the following placement.

3) Homewood “Nexus”

Theme: What’s In A Name?

PHOTO: Sarah Bailey

Although they didn’t make a podium appearance at a stacked Show Choir Nationals, Homewood’s treble group still had a great run in the southern circuit. Their only loss came at the hands of Oak Mountain The Muses (although they did tie for the Best Choreography caption), and they still beat groups such as the treble groups from Petal and Auburn. They will look to improve next season by accumulating more wins over better groups.

4) Biloxi “Sound Sirens”

Theme: The Little Mermaid

PHOTO: Tupelo King City Classic

What a year it has been for the treble group from Biloxi. Three divisional wins and two overall top five placements (3RU and 4RU) cap off just the second year for this group. Despite last year looking similar at first glance, the level of groups beaten this year are notches above what they were before, as groups they have beaten this year include Northwest Rankin The Allure, South Jones, Brandon Bellas, and several more. One of the most improved groups from the 2026 season, this groups has earned a well-deserved tip of the cap from this author.

5) Northwest Rankin “The Allure”

Theme: Skating Rink Disco

PHOTO: NWR Choral Music

Also making great improvements over the last few years is Northwest Rankin’s treble group. With a divisional win, 4RU placement, and wins over groups such as Brandon Bellas, Sauk Prairie YTBN, Auburn Elan and others, The Allure showed the same sense of resilience that their mixed group did in wake of hearing that this would be their director’s (Toney Keeler) last year with the program. With such a change, a change in style is expected for this group over the next few years.

6) Brandon “Bellas”

Theme: Flowers

PHOTO: Old Soul Photography

Like their mixed group, Brandon’s treble group has had plenty of ups and downs in the season. The ups? Two division wins (albeit one non-competitive) and three finals/top-five placements (with results including two 4RU and one 3RU placement). The lows? Missing out on treble finals at both out-of-state competitions and their only regional wins coming against Purvis and Pearl River Central's girls. However, Brandon has plenty of resources and experience to bounce back from this season and improve on the next.

7) Petal “Innovations”

Theme: Deal or No Deal

PHOTO: Petal Show Choir

Like Brandon, Petal’s treble group shares a few similarities to their mixed counterpart. In Petal’s case, they started out their season with a great showing at their first competition, where they won their division and earned a 4RU placement. This followed by a third-place divisional finish at Auburn, where they only beat treble groups from Albertville and Briarwood. They then finished off their season with a divisional runner-up finish at an out-of-state competition against Hurricane. While not bad per se, Petal’s historic program understands there is plenty of room for improvement.

8) Auburn “Men at Work”

Theme: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. Pizza Monsters

PHOTO: Auburn High School

This fun and fan-favorite show started out the year a little rocky with a divisional last-place finish at their first competition of the season. Their next event was a divisional win, but non-competitive, so Men at Work was still looking for more. Homewood’s single-gender division brought the same feeling, where they placed fourth out of five groups and only topped the likes of Albertville CenSations. However, they would finish off their season beating their own treble group for their first competitive single gender division win since 2019. With such a fun show and promising milestones, Auburn’s bass group looks to expand the influence and presence of bass groups in the South.

9) Northwest Rankin “The Ambition”

Theme: Boy Bands

PHOTO: NWR Choral Music

Similar to Auburn Men at Work, The Ambition's season is highlighted by one main result. Despite splitting results with Biloxi Sound Sailors on the season and their last performance including a win only against the likes of a traveling Cristo Rey Fort Worth group, Northwest Rankin’s bass group made history with a shocking result at Madison Central. It was here that not only they won their division over the likes of treble groups from Biloxi and their own Northwest Rankin program, but they also made finals and finished with a 4RU placement. For just a three-year history, this group seems to be on the rise.

10)  Auburn “Elan”

Theme: Country Ever After

PHOTO: Auburn High School

Auburn’s treble group ended their season with three divisional second-place finishes and one divisional third-place finish. Their wins came against the likes of their bass group, Enterprise Esprit, Tift County Ladies Choice, and Albertville CenSations. This also marks the first time since the 2009-2010 season that Auburn’s treble group has gone back-to-back years without a divisional title. Like Petal, such a group with a strong history in the single-gender division knows there is plenty of work to do this offseason.

11) Tift County “Ladies Choice”

Theme: Fame

PHOTO: Bray Stevenson

Ladies Choice seemed to work on filling up their trophy case this season, with three divisional titles added to their resume after this year. Then why are they only at this ranking? Two of those wins were only against Enterprise Esprit, and one was non-competitive. Unfortunately, their most competitive event of the year (a four-group division at Oak Mountain) resulted in a divisional last-place finish behind groups from Homewood, Auburn, and Enterprise. Still, three divisional titles are plenty to be proud of and enter into next season with.

12) Biloxi “Sound Sailors”

Theme: Cars

PHOTO: Brynn Nichole Knapp

Due to Enterprise being cancelled in 2025, this marked the debut season for this Biloxi bass group. Fortunately, they showed genuine promise. Their season resulted in a competitive divisional title over Northwest Rankin The Ambition and also featured a couple of wins over Pearl River Central’s treble group. These victories are solid stepping stones for a first year group.

13) Enterprise “Esprit”

Theme: Voicemail

PHOTO: Enterprise High School Choral Music Department

Enterprise shares a very similar results sheet from this season to Auburn Elan: three divisional second-place and one divisional third-place finish. The difference comes in the level of competition. Their first two divisional second-place finishes both came at the hands of Tift County’s treble group. Although they would beat Ladies Choice at their next event, they would still end the event with their lone third-place divisional finish. Their best result came at the end of their season, where they not only earned their third divisional runner-up placement, but they beat multiple treble groups (Purvis and Pearl River Central).

14) Briarwood “Karis”

Theme: Maids Party

PHOTO: Tupelo King City Classic

Karis might have a claim for most underrated group in this division. Despite a lack of a division title, their season still featured three divisional second-place finishes and wins over groups such as Biloxi Sound Sailors, American Leadership Academy’s treble group, and a few others. This marks the most divisional 1RU placements in a single season in the program’s history, showing a continuing growth for this group.

15) Purvis “Pizazz”

Theme: Rosie The Riveter

PHOTO: Purvis Choirs

Purvis rounds out this list with two divisional 1RU, one divisional 2RU, and two divisional non-placements. This marks the second season since the program switched from a mixed group into a single-gender group. While no stunning finish this season (like what they achieved at West Jones last year), Purvis looks to improve next year in their relatively new division.

Receiving Votes: Albertville “CenSations!”, Pearl River Central “Illumination”