Comps of the Week Recap: 4/18/26

By William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

John Burroughs completes an undefeated season, Hough wins its third North Carolina state championship, and John Muir comes out on top at Luther Burbank.

Luther Burbank Light Up the Stage

Middle School Mixed Results

1^st) John Muir “Imaginations” (Music/Show)

2^nd) Eisenhower “Five Star”

3^rd) Lakeside “Aptitude”

It was all John Muir at Light Up the Stage, as Imaginations took Music, Show and Best Dancer and Innovations took Music, Show and Best Soloist. It was Imaginations’ first division win of the season following a pair of third-place finishes earlier this season at Burbank and Burroughs. In fact, this is Muir’s first recorded mixed division win since Travis Ranch 2022. Eisenhower made it out to compete all the way from New Mexico, placing in the middle of the three mixed groups here. Lakeside rounded out a busy weekend that also included performing at Oceanside on Thursday. Aptitude took Best Soloist in the mixed division and Adrenaline took Best Dancer in the womens division.

North Carolina State Show Choir Contest

The Results

1^st) William A. Hough “Howlin’ Huskies”

2^nd) Voyager “Bull City Lights”

3^rd) Lake Norman “Showformance”

Hough did not appear at the state contest in 2025 but stormed back to win in 2026. Hough had not competed at all earlier in the season, leaving theme a total wildcard (compared to Voyager and South Granville, who had competed in Virginia). Technically, add Hough to the list of undefeated groups this season, as they went one-for-one in 2026. Voyager notched its second consecutive runner-up finish at states after winning in 2024. Lake Norman rounded out the podium following its state championship last year. Still, the success and longevity is impressive for a program that has never competed outside of North Carolina. Outside the podium was debutant Douglas Byrd and host choir South Granville. South Granville is slated to host their own independent show choir competition on March 20, 2026.

Oceanside Sound-Off

Advanced Mixed 1: 1^st) John Burroughs “Powerhouse” (Music/Show) 2^nd) Los Alamitos “Sound FX” 3^rd) Burbank “In Sync”

Advanced Mixed 2 Large: 1^st) Valley Vista “Vocal Thunder” (Music/Show) 2^nd) Glendora “Royal Stewarts” 3^rd) Chaparral “Platinum FX”

Advanced Mixed 2 Small: 1^st) Carlsbad “Sound Express” (Music/Show) 2^nd) Bonita Vista “The Music Machine”

The Big Three matchup lived up to its billing at Oceanside, with audience members none the wiser for predictions even after seeing all three groups perform. In the end, it was Powerhouse who rose to the top, sealing what has been a statement season for the group. The group did not drop a music or show caption all season, despite facing Los Al twice, Burroughs once, and a handful of Midwest powers. Los Alamitos evened the season series with Burbank and finishing with three second-place finishes in California competitions. Burbank was simply the choir that came in third, but In Sync still ripped out a phenomenal three-win season. John F. Kennedy also competed in advanced mixed 1 as a curtain call on director Christopher Brush’s tenure with the group. Vocal Thunder completed its end-of-season swing with its first California division win since this same competition three years ago in intermediate. Taking an advanced division win is a momentous step for that program. Further down the line, Helix took intermediate small in their first competition since mid-February and Los Altos took its third division win of the season in novice.

Comps of the Week has concluded for the 2026 season.