Contenders Arise, Dominance Returns: A CCI Recap and Festival of Choirs Preview

By Cole McConnell, Virginia Contributor

Cosby "Rhapsody" performs at the Chesterton Trojan Classic. | PHOTO: Nathan Ensley / @nensley.photography

Another week has come and gone for the Virginia show choir scene as they rapidly approach the midway point of the season this weekend. Last weekend at the Thomas Dale Commonwealth Choir Invitational, many choirs took the stage for their inaugural performances, while others looked to rebound after a slow start the week prior. 

The competition kicked off Friday with the treble groups, and most of them picked up right where they left off last season. Both large division groups were coming in with some experience under their belt as they had both competed the weekend before, but this was their first meeting of the season. While they tied for Best Choreography, Cosby Rhapsody was able to win Best Vocals and gain the edge over Manchester Touch of Swing for their first win of the season. These two familiar faces will meet multiple more times this season, and Touch of Swing will be looking to rewrite the script. 

In regard to the medium tier, this was all four groups' first competition of the 2026 season, and they were looking to start on the right foot. Douglas S. Freeman Harmony in Motion was able to continue their streak of dominance and bring home the first-place trophy while winning vocals, choreo, best soloist, and best overall performer. Atlee Elegance and Clover Hill Iridescence rounded out the podium. The small division was won by Powhatan Radiance, who bested three other choirs to take the top spot. 

As Saturday rolled around, the results were even more entertaining as choirs began to dictate their story for this season. The large mixed tier produced results almost identical to those of Friday. Cosby Spotlight secured the grand championship as well as Best Vocals, but Manchester Capital Swing was hot on their heels in taking Best Choreography. Luckily for Virginia show choir fans, these two choirs will meet once again this Saturday for a rematch.

In their first competition of the season, Clover Hill New Dimensions started off the year strong, sweeping the medium mixed tier and picking up their third win in their last four competitions. Moreover, after failing to make finals last week, Powhatan Resonance finished in a respectable second, capping off a successful weekend for the school and director Terrell Dean. Atlee Illusion, who finished third, had the best performer of the day, Gabe Sims, who also won the award at the 2025 CCI. After returning to competition in 2025 from over a decade hiatus, James River Current Edition placing at a competition for the first time since 2013. While Current Edition was unable to win any captions last year, they swept every caption this year at CCI. Hanover Sound FX and Amherst Amherechos were the fellow competitors who helped flesh out the top three. 

While Thomas Dale was a tremendous success and a great second week of competition, the focus now shifts to what is on the horizon this weekend with the Hanover & Mechanicsville Festival of Choirs. This is the most collaborative competition of the season, as two schools go all hands-on deck as the work week concludes and the choirs take the stage. 

The treble choirs will get their time to shine on the first day of competition and will deliver some strong and competitive shows. Despite being headlined by a rematch between Cosby Rhapsody and Manchester Touch of Swing after a tight battle last week, the medium treble scene will also be one to keep a close watch of. Douglas S. Freeman Harmony in Motion will be looking to continue their reign but will have to go through Thomas Dale Knightingales first. This is the first time Thomas Dale’s treble group will compete in 2026, and after securing two wins in 2025, expect them to be hot on the tail of Douglas S. Freeman. 

The competition will heat up on Saturday with strong choirs competing in both the large and medium mixed scene. Before the heavyweights take the stage, Thomas Dale Knight Scene will be taking on two Virginia groups making their debuts. Knight Scene, competing in 2026 debut, will look to get off to a hot start and build success stemming from their 2025 season where they had one of their best seasons in recent memory. The last two times they competed: Thomas Dale placed second overall at Cosby and finished the year with a grand championship at the Manchester Koste Classic. In terms of their opponents, Mills E. Godwin and Colonial Forge failed to place at this competition last year and will likely be fighting for second place honors this year.

Even though the sun might begin to set outside, the competition inside will just be getting revved up. The large mixed tier has three very talented groups that will be swinging for the fences and looking to pick up a win against the fellow best in the commonwealth. As aforementioned, Cosby Spotlight and Manchester Capital Swing will meet once again after an intense battle last week, but don’t count out Midlothian Just for Show or Kecoughtan Harbor Lights either. In their lone competition so far this season, Just for Show placed second overall, won vocal and choreography captions, and took down Capital Swing. Spotlight took home a grand championship last weekend but also dropped a caption to Manchester. All focus should be dialed in on this group to see who will come out on top and establish momentum before the halfway point of the season. 

As the midpoint for the Virginia circuit rapidly approaches, this weekend at the Festival of Choirs is an important one because as the shows become stronger, cleaner, and tighter, so do the score sheets.

Predictions

Large Mixed

GC: Cosby Spotlight (BV)

1RU: Manchester Capital Swing (BC)

2RU: Midlothian Just for Show

Medium Mixed 

GC: Thomas Dale Knight Scene (BV/BC)

1RU: Mills E. Godwin Debut

2RU: Colonial Forge Encore

Large Treble

GC: Cosby Rhapsody (BV/BC)

1RU: Manchester Touch of Swing

2RU: Midlothian City Lights

Medium Treble

GC: Douglas S. Freeman Harmony in Motion (BV/BC)

1RU: Thomas Dale Knightingales

2RU: Kecoughtan Touch of Jade