Monitoring the Situation: Nebraska Show Choir Rankings 2/6/2026

By William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

There are no changes at the top of any of the four polled divisions, but past performance is not indicative of future success. The top programs in each division continue to challenge each other and make things interesting.

Three regional experts evaluated 35 of Nebraska’s top show choirs to determine the rankings. While divisions are primarily based on NSAA cutlines, some adjustments were made for groups that compete in multiple divisions throughout the season.

Large School

1. Millard West “West in the Groove” (3 first-place votes, no change from last week)

2. Gretna “Revolution” (NC)

3. Gretna East “Equinox” (NC)

4. Westside “Amazing Technicolor Show Choir” (NC)

5. Elkhorn North “adrENaline” (NC)

6. Elkhorn South “Blackout” (+1)

7. Papillion-La Vista South “Titanium” (-1)

8. Lincoln Southwest “Resonance” (NC)

9. Grand Island Northwest “14 Karat Gold” (NC)

10. Millard North “Infinity” (NC)

11. Omaha South “The Ambassadors” (NC)

12. Lincoln East “Express” (NC)

13. Norris “Gold” (NC)

14. Hastings “UNCAGED” (New)

15. Millard South “South on Stage” (New)

Receiving Votes: Lincoln “Chain Reaction”

News and Notes

·        While the top of the rankings didn’t change, it’s certainly not for a lack of trying. Millard West turned back Gretna East in a split-caption decision at Lincoln East this past weekend. Additionally, Millard West and Gretna will tango this weekend at Papio South, keeping the door open for change in next week’s rankings.

·        Elkhorn South surged to sixth place on the strength of its second win of the season at Omaha Westside this past weekend. Blackout triumphed over Omaha South, Bishop Heelan and Lincoln High and took Best Vocals and Best Band.

·        The last two spots in the rankings were taken by new groups this week. Hastings emerged after taking a vocals/choreo win at Sioux Falls Jefferson, their second of the season after a previous win at Glenwood, Iowa. This is Uncaged’s first appearance as a ranked group since the 2024 postseason rankings. Millard South entered the rankings on the back of a solid sixth at Lincoln East. It is SOS’ first rankings appearance since Week 3 of 2025.

Single-Gender

1. Millard North “Illumination” (2 first-place votes, no change)

2. Millard West “Uptown” (1 first-place vote, NC)

3. Westside “Simply Irresistible” (NC)

4. Papillion-La Vista South “Titan Radiance” (NC)

5. Elkhorn South “Shock Wave” (NC)

6. Millard South “Stage One” (+1)

7. Papillion-La Vista “Monarchy” (-1)

8. Pius X “Prism” (+1)

9. Papillion-La Vista “Heart and Soul” (-1)

10. Mercy “The Treblemakers” (NC)

Receiving Votes: Kearney “Sapphire and Gold”

News and Notes

·        Stage One rose to second on the strength of a strong second-place finish in division at Lincoln East. Sixth is the highest that Stage One has ever been in HomeRoom’s Nebraska rankings, dating back to the 2024 season.

·        Practice makes perfect, and that definitely held true for Prism last week. Despite not competing on Jan. 31, Pius moved up a spot in the rankings. They will face #1 Illumination and #10 The Treblemakers this weekend at Elkhorn.

Prep

1. Gretna “Evolution” (2 first-place votes, no change)

2. Millard West “Swing Cats” (1 first-place vote, +1)

3. Westside “Warrior Express” (-1)

4. Elkhorn South “Power Surge” (NC)

5. Papillion-La Vista South “Titan Express” (NC)

Receiving Votes: Elkhorn North “ENcore”

News and Notes

·        A prep division win at Lincoln East brought Swing Cats up to second in the rankings, with the ensemble defeating both Lincoln Southwest prep groups along with the Norris 68^th Street Singers and Grand Island Future Image.

·        Saturday will bring a big showdown to this division, as Evo and Scats will battle for the title of top prep group in the state of Nebraska at the Papio South Titan Classic.

Small School

1. Skutt Catholic “Vivace” (2 first-place votes)

2. Wahoo “Royalty”

3. Aurora “Rhapsody” (1 first-place vote)

4. Blair “Ovation”

5. Plattsmouth “Out of the Blue”

Receiving Votes: None

News and Notes

·        It was a quiet week for Nebraska’s small school scene, as none of the ranked groups competed on Saturday, Jan. 31. However, Plattsmouth did participate in the Beatrice Homestead Heroes Invitational on Friday, Jan. 30, and brought home caption awards for Best Choreography and Best Band at the noncompetitive festival.

·        Opportunities for success will be plentiful this weekend. Skutt and Blair will both attend the Elkhorn Red Carpet Classic, an event that only allows open class groups in finals, so those programs will have a chance to make serious noise in the evening round. Wahoo will be at Lincoln Southwest, hoping for a finals berth in a seven-choir mixed division. Unranked small school groups Central City and Fairbury will be at Grand Island Northwest.