Double West Virginia Weekend Sees Martinsburg Host the Panhandle Choirs and a Rescheduled Winfield Classic
- 21 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Tonya Chase, West Virginia contributor
This week, the competitions are split across West Virginia as Martinsburg and Winfield show choirs play hosts to choirs from Ohio, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. This will be the last opportunity for choirs to perform before the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival on Mar. 21 at Robert C. Byrd High School.
Martinsburg The All American Classic
Seven show choirs will be headed to the eastern panhandle as Martinsburg Good Times and GLITZ will host The All American Classic. The only event in the eastern panhandle, this competition will be held at neighboring Jefferson High School as Martinsburg awaits the completion of their auditorium renovations. The Washington, DC commuter school hopes a larger stage, new band and choir facilities, and updated seating will bring in more choirs when they host again in the 2027 season.
In large division, Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity will be going for their first grand championship of the season after missing finals at Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic. While their season got off to a slow start due to inclement weather, Vocal Intensity has set themselves up as a large division competitor within the state, finishing fourth overall at Hurricane’s Red Hot Championship (the highest placement for a West Virginia choir at that event).
They will be competing against Jefferson Pop Singers and their take on Marie Antoinette. Pop Singers have yet to lose to another West Virginia school, taking fourth at Robert C. Byrd Vocalfest behind Fairfield Choraliers and Pure Elegance from the Cincinnati area and Scranton First Edition from Pennsylvania.
Ravenswood Rave Revue will tap their way in medium division as Tuscarora Titan Tempo and Frederick High Fidelity, both Frederick, Maryland schools, will be making their competition debuts for the season.
Predictions
Predictions represent the opinion of this contributor and not of HomeRoom Show Choir.
The experience of Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity make them grand champion favorites. Their darkness to light show is well choreographed and designed for an imbalanced bass to treble ratio. Vocal Intensity will use this competition as a spring board in preparation for the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival on Mar. 21 where they face reigning champions Hurricane Red Hot.
Highest Ceiling
Genesis from Saint Joseph School took the stage at Cosby Titan Tournament of Choirs in exhibition. With vocals and choreography that would do well against high school choirs, Genesis has eliminated first competition jitters. A great finish here will set them up well as they compete in the Middle School Division at the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival.
Dark Horse
Jefferson Pop Singers will be ready to “chop off the heads” of their competition. Like other West Virginia choirs, Pop Singers have limited competition experience in 2026 due to several snow storms striking the Appalachians. Even still, this group’s vocals could present a challenge to other choirs, possibly earning them their first grand championship of the season.
Winfield Emerald Classic
Eight choirs scrambled to make adjustments to their schedule in order to attend Winfield Emerald Classic hosted by General Admission and Emerald Elegance. While a snow storm forced a postponement in January, the mild March weather welcomes schools from Ohio and West Virginia to compete.
Traveling from Akron, Ohio, ETC All Americans differ from the traditional approach of other Ohio and Midwest choirs with their modern style. Under new director Brian Rodabaugh, ETC has performed well in competitions, earning finals and caption awards. With an edgy performance, All Americans tell the story of a visitor who brings color to a colorless town. Choreographed by April James and Jacob Jones, this will be the most unique show of the day. They bring with them their womens group, Rouge, who will be fighting with Cabell Midland for final spots as well.
Herbert Hoover High Impact has the most momentum going into this competition
after their championship performance at Cabell Midland Rhythm In Red Invitational.
Inspired by Edgar Allan Poe's short story Tell-Tale Heart, High Impact is vocally sound with some of the most talented soloists in the competition. Unlike previous seasons, High Impact has been able to maintain their intensity throughout the show, earning them finals appearances at every competition this year.
Predictions
ETC All Americans have faced the stiffest competition in large mixed
groups such as Marysville, Fishers, and Piqua. With clean choreography, All
Americans could find themselves needing to make space in their trailer for their first
grand championship trophy this year.
Highest Ceiling
Moving to the large mixed division is a bold move for Riverside Melodic Fusion. First-year director Trinity Gray has gained experience, resulting in the choir’s improvement each week. With excellent soloists and arrangements that properly showcase this group, Melodic Fusion should see one of their best performances of the season.
Dark Horse
While predicting ETC All Americans and Rouge or Herbert Hoover’s High
Impact is the easy option, Poca Visual Volume could break the groups up with an
amazing vocal performance. Taking third at Cabell Midland, they continue to improve their “day at the beach” show and will likely perform well in finals.