Indianapolis titans travel to Illinois for Midwest Showdowns

By Dylan Moss, Illinois Contributor

An Illinois season that has been eventful to say the least will continue on with two big events at Mt. Zion and Sullivan. Both of these events feature some of Illinois’ top choirs along with powerhouse groups from all around the Midwest. These competitions will certainly be hectic, intense, and some of the biggest events to keep your eye on this weekend.

Mt. Zion Midwest Invitational

Championship Mixed (Choirs from Illinois unless noted)

Marquette (MO) “Center Stage”

Naperville North “Entourage”

Wheaton North “Flight”

Glenwood “Titan Fever”

Carroll (IN) “Magic”

Troy Buchanan (MO) “Express”

Center Grove (IN) “Sound System”

Festival Mixed

Peotone “Powerhouse”

Crete-Monee “Cavaliers”

Troy Buchanan (MO) “Soundwave”

Single Gender

Naperville North “Vivant”

Carroll (IN) “Select Sound”

Center Grove (IN) “Debtones”

The Mt. Zion Invitational once again features a fantastic lineup of premier groups from Illinois and beyond, and it should make for some good, close competition. Indiana titan Center Grove makes a visit and enters as the odds-on favorite to win. Winning their first three comps after back-to-back undefeated seasons, how could they not be? Annual visitor Troy Buchanan fell just short of a win last weekend and will be hungry for a good showing. Troy is known for popping off at MtZ, so definitely be on the lookout for them. Wheaton North comes off a great showing at Chesterton, a solid fourth in a lineup full of the best of the best. They will likely enter as a favorite to place on the podium here, but they still need to be on their A-game. Carroll comes off a narrow finals miss at Chesterton and will be hungrier than ever to prove themselves in a big-time lineup like this. Naperville uncharacteristically missed finals in their first outing at Crete, however they’ve had three weeks of practice since then and should be primed for a bounce back here. Glenwood has notched solid placements all season, and while they aren’t a guarantee to make finals, they are certainly in the conversation. Finally, Marquette enters on the outside looking in for finals, however they are a scrappy choir who competes well in Illinois, and in a season like this, they can’t be fully counted out.

In the festival division, the main story here is a Crete vs Troy Buchanan Soundwave duel. Soundwave defeated Crete last weekend at El Paso; however, Crete has proven to be one of Illinois’ top festival mixed contenders in recent seasons for a reason, and they will absolutely be hungry to topple Soundwave and take the crown. While Peotone will likely be a solid third here, a good performance could be a good omen for when they finish their season next weekend.

In the single gender division, three choirs enter, two make the cut for finals. Center Grove “Debtones” are about as sure of a lock as you can get for the first finals spot; they are one of the best women’s groups in the country perennially. The second spot will be a duel between Carroll “Select Sound” and Naperville North “Vivant”, who are both very strong choirs and will hopefully make the race for that second finals spot a closely contested one.

Predictions

Mixed Finals

GC: Center Grove “Sound System” (BV/BC)

1RU: Wheaton North “Flight” 

2RU: Troy Buchanan “Express”

3RU: Carroll “Magic”

4RU: Naperville North “Entourage”

Treble Finals

GC: Center Grove "Debtones" (BV/BC)

1RU: Carroll "Select Sound"

Sullivan Show Choir Invitational

Championship Mixed

Batavia “Swingsingers” 

Manteno “Magic”

Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics”

Zionsville “Royalaires” (IN)

Festival Mixed

Herscher “Class Act”

BEAT “Amplitude” (IN)

Single Gender

Glenwood “Titan Flame” 

Wheaton Warrenville South “Esprit”

Zionsville “Choralaires” (IN)

While the Sullivan Invitational lineup may be on the smaller side, it’s still brimming with top tier talent in every division. Zionsville visits from next-door Indiana, coming off a solid second place showing at Pike. They enter as the odds-on favorites; however, they still face hungry competition in a different territory, so it’s in their best interest for them to put on the best show possible. Wheaton Warrenville South’s season has not gone to plan, as they have sported uncharacteristically low finishes in all their competitions. However, The Classics are still The Classics, and a good placement here could rejuvenate them to finish their season on a high note. Manteno had a nice bounce back, making finals last weekend, and should be a strong contender to make it here. Finally, Batavia will look to break into finals after missing out last weekend, but they will face strong challengers from large mixed and single gender groups, who are both eligible for finals.

Festival Mixed features a fun duel, as Herscher “Class Act” defends their home turf against visiting BEAT “Amplitude”. Both groups have seen plenty of success, both sporting division wins at some point in the season. However, Herscher had a tough outing last weekend, falling to fifth in the small mixed division at El Paso-Gridley, but taking down Amplitude would make for a great rebound for them. BEAT is an Indiana community program with a lot of fight while only sporting about a dozen performers.

Single Gender, much like Mt. Zion, is a small but mighty division. At this competitions, the choirs are contending for five group overall finals, meaning single-gender groups can upset some mixed groups in finals. Like their mixed group, Zionsville Choralaires are the favorites to win following their victory at Pike MusicFest, as well as a strong contender for a podium finish in overall finals. Esprit also enters as a strong contender for overall finals. Making finals would be a successful step in what has been a topsy turvy season for them. While Titan Flame, Glenwood's girls prep group, will likely be on the outside looking in for finals, but competing with the talent at this competition will only sharpen their iron for future success with their mixed group.

Final Prediction

GC: Zionsville “Royalaires” (BV,BC)

1RU: Wheaton Warrenville South “The Classics”

2RU: Zionsville “Choralaires”

3RU: Manteno “Magic”

4RU: Wheaton Warrenville South “Esprit”

This weekend promises an exciting slate of competitions in Illinois. And with how much of a rollercoaster this season has been, the balance of power of Illinois is in jeopardy at any time, so with two comps full of top talent, be prepared for potentially a crazy shakeup this week.