Country Roads Competitions Give Fairfield, Hurricane First Wins of 2026 on Feb. 21

By Tonya Chase, West Virginia contributor

Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity performs its 2026 show. PHOTO: Johnny Adams Photos

A weekend snow storm was delayed just long enough for Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity and the Capital VIPs to heat up the stage as choirs from West Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania came out to compete. While the large mixed choirs performed as expected, small and medium choirs didn’t shy away from the action, slicing and dicing for their spots in finals. 

Robert C. Byrd Vocalfest

After last week’s third-place finish at the Loveland Showfest, the Fairfield Choraliers crossed the Ohio River to central West Virginia. Their show, based on the children’s novel Charlotte’s Web, swept the competition, winning Grand Champion, Best Vocals, Best Visuals, and first place in large division. Fairfield was acknowledged off the stage as well, winning the Heart of Vocalfest award for spirit and sportsmanship. 

Fairfield’s womens ensemble, Pure Elegance, didn’t keep the audience guessing, winning first runner-up honors.  The Clue-inspired show gave them their first division win of 2026.   After earning this one-two finish, Fairfield will be traveling to the Ross Legacy Championship, where they will face Ohio powerhouse choirs Solon, Marysville, and Loveland.

In third, Scranton First Edition brought a modern sound from Pennsylvania to the mountain state. This was First Edition’s first open competition of 2026, facing large mixed groups Fairfield and Huntington Illusions in finals and overcoming a second-place medium choir finish earlier in the day.

Jefferson Pop Singers gave the audience an entertaining history lesson with their “Let Them Eat Cake” performance. In their 2026 debut, Pop Singers received first among medium choirs during the preliminary round and fourth overall in finals. Poca Visual Volume also graced the competition stage for the first time this season, coming away with fifth place overall and first in the small division.  Huntington Illusions improved over last week’s performance at the Hurricane Red Hot Championship, earning a spot in finals with a sixth place finish. 

The host choir, Vocal Intensity, will be traveling to the Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic in Indiana this weekend. They will face the reigning Show Choir National Champions, Carmel Ambassadors, among several other regional powers.

Capital Capitol City Classic

It was unusually sunny at Capital High School as nine show choirs and two concert choirs competed in the Capitol Classic hosted by Capital Voices In Perfection (VIPs). Located near West Virginia’s state capitol, this competition welcomes choirs of all sizes as they dance and sing in hopes of a grand championship. 

Hurricane Red Hot’s haunted mansion show overcame sound system issues to earn their first grand championship of the season, sweeping the competition with Best Vocals, Best Choreography, Best Band, and Best Show Design. The show’s creativity in set design has furniture moving, lights flashing, and a three-dimensional ghost taking the stage. After a disappointing start to the season, this win should provide momentum as Hurricane travels to Voices in the Grove hosted by Grove City this upcoming weekend. 

Herbert Hoover High Impact also delved into the creepy side, earning second place with their Edgar Allen Poe “Tell Tale Heart” story. High Impact successfully uses their talent with great soloists and featured singers. Herbert Hoover will take the success of this finish into next week, competing at the Cabell Midland Rhythm In Red Invitational. They compete against Virginia’s Clover Hill New Dimensions and other West Virginia ensembles.

Alliance Jet Setters had no problems finishing in third place, singing pop songs from the last decade.  This is their fourth finals finish and divisional win of the season.  Next week, Jet Setters will be hosting Alliance Royal Aviation Show Choir Competition. 

Three womens groups finished out finals with Hurricane Heat Wave stealing first among their division and fourth overall. Heat Wave will travel to Grove City with their mixed counterparts in search of a third divisional win. Alliance Aviatrix tapped their way to a fifth-place finish followed by the sorority girls of Sissonville Touch of Class in their first finals appearance of the season. 

Capital Voices in Perfection presented their take on a cops and robbers show to end preliminary competition. Next week, VIPs will take I–64 to Cabell Midland in the small division against Poca Visual Volume, Nitro Showcats and Doddridge Bel Canto Buildogs.