Advanced Shakeups, Intermediate Progress Promises Eventful 2026 Western Show Choir Season
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By Chris Mendoza, Andrew Estrella and Jackson Ferrier, Western contributors
The 2025 season felt like a triumphant return to form for West Coast show choir. Tier 1 advanced mixed was as strong as ever, and Tier 2 was quickly recovering into the ultra-competitive division it once was pre-pandemic. This amazing year was capped off by a huge three-day, 24-school, 60-group competition featuring groups from four different states at the Oceanside Sound-Off. Now less than a year later, it feels like everything’s changed. Three top-ten level groups in the circuit have new directors after one of the busiest offseasons in the history of the region. Things are not quite the same in the Wild West, but there’s reason to believe that this might still be one of the best seasons yet. - Chris MendozaÂ
What’s changed?
Los Alamitos show choirs have a new head director after the exit of the legendary David Moellenkamp. Former associate director Moana Dherlin has taken over his role, and former director of Glendora High School choirs Matthew Davis became the associate director.
Glendora replaces Davis with Kristen Hamilton, an adjunct Professor of Voice at the local Citrus College (notably one of the few community colleges with a show choir program) and current member of one of the nation's premier treble choral ensembles, Vox Femina. Hart High School alumnus Sioeli Aliki picks up a choreographer role with Glendora as a replacement for the departing long-time choreographer Andrea Aron.Â
John F. Kennedy High School has said goodbye to director Janae Morales, and brought on former Santiago and Chesterton High School director Christopher Brush.
Most likely due to declining enrollment in the show choir program and the school as a whole, Hart High School choirs have (perhaps temporarily) combined their advanced treble show choir, Hartbreakers, and their advanced mixed show choir, Sound Vibrations, into one larger advanced mixed groups. This new Collective Harts ensemble will provide a boost to Hart’s advanced mixed group that had enrollment in the low 20s in 2025.
Dominant intermediate choir Pacifica Encore appears to be taking the plunge into Tier 2 advanced. They will have a great litmus test against division mainstay Chaparral Platinum FX at Bonita Vista San Diego Sings before they face a slew of top contenders at Esperanza Spectacular. - Chris Mendoza
Who’s on the rise? (Andrew)
 As previously mentioned, Pacifica Encore makes a move many have hoped and anticipated, a shift into the ever-growing Tier II scene. Encore has spent the past couple of seasons rivaling with intermediate leaders John Burroughs Sound Waves and Los Al Connexion, and while it has been refreshing to see someone give these two groups some trouble, the bottom line is that if someone can be competitive with them, they have a great shot in advanced. Pacifica never fails to disappoint, and this group radiates star power. They have great energy in their show that's paired with quality vocals. Encore has all of the vital components to make a strong advanced contender, and makes a bustling Tier 2 scene even busier. - Andrew Estrella
Cypress High Voltage’s turn out towards the end of last season feels like it came out of nowhere, and to be honest it kind of did. Going from a middle-of-the-pack intermediate player, to the lower end of the advanced groups, then pulling out some massive victories over larger more grounded groups at Sound Off and Showcase, Cypress really put themselves out there and therefore in a great spot heading into this season. It’s crucial to look at their growth over the years, with director Hollie Jones on her third year with the program. The program has moved forward each year, going from stock arrangements and tracks in 2023 to now custom arrangements with a full band, making it easy to perceive the increase in show quality. Last season Cypress really shined with their musicianship, coming out on top of groups almost twice their size, leaning into that with choreography that wasn't the most difficult but executed well. High Voltage now has a fresh start and a new season to really cement themselves in the advanced division. - Andrew Estrella
Valencia was a post-pandemic addition to the show choir scene and has steadily grown since, even trying their hand in intermediate at John Burroughs last season. Just 4 Show now has a companion womens group, Valkyries, and the program is competing at Chaparral for its first-ever February appearance. All signs point to the positive for this young program. - William Soquet
Who has something to prove this season?
JFK Executive Order took the plunge into Tier 1 in 2025, and while they still were unable to make a dent in any of the Big Three schools, they had a successful season. With new director Christopher Brush taking over for the 2026 season, Kennedy has a new adventure ahead of them in only their second season playing with the circuit's titans. - Jackson Ferrier
Glendora Royal Stewarts have been on the rise in Advanced Tier 2 division for a few years now, dominating last season at Burbank, Hart, and Cypress. With more groups entering their division this year, it will be tougher for Glendora to stay on top with so many great choirs coming for their spot, especially with Matthew Davis taking the job at Los Alamitos. Chances are Glendora still has impeccable vocals and will ride it out at the top of the division, but it's not certain. - Jackson Ferrier
Burroughs, Burbank and Los Al are all traveling in a big way this year, and each have something to prove. Burroughs is headed to the Wheaton Warrenville South Choral Classic in Chicago, where they will attempt to do what no one else (including past Powerhouse groups) have done: win the competition. Burbank is going to the Marysville Showcase, their first time in the Midwest since 2019, and their goal will be to remind everyone of the national power they are. Los Al has arguably the toughest task of all, matching up against Johnston, Westside, Mt. Zion and others at Heart of America Orlando to show that they haven't missed a beat with their leadership change. - William Soquet
What competitions are looking good this year?
Feb. 28: Esperanza High School hosted Spectacular for the first time in 2023, and since then, it has become one of the biggest competitions in California with 28 groups competing there last year and 32 on the schedule for this year. Los Alamitos will be making their first ever appearance at Esperanza, with all of their groups facing extremely tough divisions. In Tier 1, Burbank and Los Al will go head-to-head in a rare February matchup. Advanced Tier 2 is also a division to keep an eye on with Cypress, Glendora, Brea Olinda, Diamond Bar, and new competitor Pacifica. An early-season competition in California could truly be anyone’s game, and Esperanza Spectacular will be the perfect example of this. - Jackson Ferrier
Mar. 7: Year after year, Burbank Blast has been one of the best competitions in California. They often boast out-of-state competitors, a Los Alamitos vs. Burroughs matchup from intermediate treble to advanced mixed, and a stacked tier 2 co-main event. With rumored attendance from Arizona titans Horizon and performances from all 4 California tier 1 mixed choirs, Blast 2026 is sure to be a great event. - Chris Mendoza
Apr. 18: The Oceanside Sound-Off is the grand finale for the 2026 season. Likely the only neutral0ground matchup between the Advanced Tier 1 groups this season, Oceanside is absolute fireworks every single year. This is one of the biggest competitions of the year both in spectacle and attendance, with over 50 attendees in 2025. -Chris Mendoza
At a glance, this season is set to be the biggest one of the decade. It appears as though many programs that were hit hard post-pandemic finally regaining their pre-pandemic momentum. While still missing some of the key 2010s norms like the wall-to-wall novice divisions (yes, multiple novice divisions), and even some of the big players (Mt. Eden and Arcadia, rest in peace) it's still the best the west has to offer. All of these smaller programs hitting their strides and growing has been amazing to see, and a win for one is a win for all. - Andrew Estrella