RCB, ETC Claim Maiden Wins of 2026 at Martinsburg and Winfield
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By Tonya Chase, West Virginia contributor
Saturday, Mar. 14 crowned two new grand champions this season as Martinsburg and Winfield hosted schools from Ohio, Maryland, and West Virginia.
Martinsburg The American Classic
In the spirit of community, Jefferson High School opened their doors, allowing Martinsburg Good Times and GLITZ to host The American Classic as they await the completion of their auditorium. Once complete, the new facilities, including a new choir room, band room and extended stage, will open the doors for Martinsburg to host larger schools in 2027.
With their empowering show about overcoming darkness, Robert C. Byrd Vocal Intensity received top honors, taking Grand Champion, first in large division, Best Vocals, and Best Choreography. Their first win of the season, Vocal Intensity will use this momentum as they host the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival Saturday. Among the caption awards, Vocal Intensity received Best Tech Crew, which will provide a boost as they prepare for West Virginia’s only timed competition.
Jefferson Pop Singers enjoyed home field advantage, taking first runner-up and second in large mixed. This is Pop Singers' highest finish of the season, taking away a caption award for Best Show Design with their Marie Antionette-inspired "Let Them Eat Cake" show. Pop Singers will be hanging up their wigs as they continue the next step in their choral journey.
Ravenswood Rave Revue, a show choir with rich history, took third place overall and first in the medium mixed division. Unlike other choirs who may have a tap feature, every member of this choir learns to triple time step their way into the hearts of the audience. This competition is their last on record for the 2026 season as auditions for the 2027 season will be underway shortly.
After an exhibition at the Cosby Titan Tournament of Choirs, Saint Joseph School came away with a sweep of their own, earning Grand Champion in the middle school division alongside Best Vocals and Best Choreography. This win will be huge for this young group as they face undefeated Martinsburg South at the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival on Saturday.
Hosts Good Times and GLITZ will spend the week preparing for a trip to Herbert Hoover River Classic, where they will be competing in the large mixed and womens divisions.
Winfield Emerald Classic
On the other side of the state, Winfield General Admission and Emerald Elegance were thankful for much more favorable weather as they hosted schools from Ohio and West Virginia. This event was originally scheduled in January, but a layer of snow and ice forced schools to adjust their schedules for the new competition date.
ETC All Americans from the Akron, Ohio area was forced to find space in their trailer after winning Grand Champion, Best Choreography, and Best Vocals. This is All American’s first win of the season and Brian Rodabaugh’s first grand championship as head director. Unique choreography by April James and Jacob Jay Jones set this group apart from the pack and earned them Best Dance Feature. This was a great finish to All Americans' season as they prepare for 2027.
Best Show Design went to Herbert Hoover High Impact and their Edgar Allen Poe-inspired show “Tell Tale Heart.” Earning first runner-up, second in large division, and Best Band, High Impact celebrates the end of an amazing season as they host the Herbert Hoover River Classic this upcoming Saturday.
ETC Rouge couldn’t let their mixed group have all the fun, taking first in the womens division in a heated contest with Cabell Midland’s Rhythm in Red, who took second with Best Show Design and Best Band. Rouge finished their season third overall, their best non-divisional finish of the year.
Finals finisher Poca Visual Volume came in fourth place as they warmed the audience with their beach-themed show, followed by Rhythm in Red, who raced the stage with their show inspired by the video game Mario Kart. These ensembles will take these accomplishments into next week as Visual Volume competes in the Championship Division at the West Virginia State Show Choir Festival and Rhythm In Red will face Martinsburg GLITZ and Sissonville Touch of Class in the womens division at Herbert Hoover.
After hosting, Winfield show choirs will prepare for the West Virginia State Show
Choir Festival as General Admission challenges reigning champion Hurricane Red Hot
and undefeated Emerald Elegance attempts to hold on to their state championship in
womens division.