Return of the Contenders: Choirs 51-75

Preview shows are going on, competition schedules are being released, and dance captains are worried that their groups will forget the choreography over Christmas break.

That means it's time to take a look at who will run America's show choir competitions in 2026.

Over the next few weeks, HomeRoom Show Choir will preview 100 of the country's premier show choirs, giving fans from casual to hardcore everything that matters in advance of a fast-approaching competition season.

Rankings are based on HomeRoom Show Choir’s 2025 Final National Rankings. Interested in digging deeper? View the 2025 Final National Rankings or see how the rankings were compiled.

Previews of 25 more choirs will release on December 30.

2025 #51 Ranked Choir: Davenport North “Northside Establishment” (12th in Iowa)

2026 Directors: Ryan Riewerts (28th season) and John Whitson (1st season)

Choreographers: Ben Eklund (7th season), Matt Watson (5th season), Melissa Eklund (1st season), and Rebekah Riewerts (1st season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 17 - Muscatine; Jan. 31 - hosting; Feb. 7 - Bettendorf; Feb. 14 - Fort Atkinson; Feb. 21 - Davenport Central; Feb. 28 - Davenport West

After coming out guns blazing at Bettendorf, it was only a matter of time before Davenport North won a Grand Championship in 2025. And not only did they find one, they actually found another, beating both Southeast Polk and Iowa City to take wins at Fort Madison and Cedar Rapids Jefferson. The biggest upset was seeing Northside Establishment in first in prelims at Totino-Grace, beating out both Broken Arrow and Hastings. While they were ultimately bumped back to second behind Broken Arrow, it was at TG when people realized just how good Davenport North had gotten. It’s tough to say how Northside Establishment will do in 2026. Will they get better, or will they do about the same? Well, with the addition of three new behind-the-scenes creatives, John Whitson, Melissa Eklund, and Rebekah Riewerts, and the addition of a male group, Da North Boyz, to the program, one could imagine Northside Establishment will see a leap in quality in the 2026 season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor

2025 #52 Ranked Choir: Indianola “Side One” (13th in Iowa)

2026 Director: Nathanael Smale (1st season)

Choreographer: Grant Luther (1st season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 10 - Des Moines Christian; Jan. 17 - Muscatine; Jan. 24 - Johnston; Feb. 7 - Norwalk; Feb. 21- hosting; Mar. 7 - Totino-Grace

The 2025 season was a highly successful one for Indianola, only placing lower than second once at a regional competition. However, with a new director and choreographer, it’s hard to predict exactly what this season looks like for Side One. Nathanael Smale assumed his new position as Side One director after four seasons with Norwalk Sound Revolution, bringing choreographer Grant Luther with him. Indianola’s schedule for the upcoming season gives lots of opportunities for them to have another highly successful season, especially at their early-season competitions. With a “Broke-Modern Jukebox” themed show ready to go, Iowa show choir fans are waiting to see what Side One will put on the stage this season. - Ava Sammons, Iowa Contributor

2025 #53 Ranked Choir: Daniel Hand “VIBE” (1st in Connecticut)

2026 Director: Ronald Soja (26th season)

Choreographers: April James (3rd season), Sam Mulligan (1st season) and Nikki Mele (1st season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 31 - Tantasqua, Feb. 7 - Shepherd Hill, Feb. 14 - Loveland, Feb. 28 - Somerset Berkley, Mar. 7 - Leominster, Mar. 14 - Bishop Hendricken, Mar. 21 - Andover

Daniel Hand is entering its 26th year as a competitive show choir this season. Coming off of a successful season in the New England region and placing fifth at Show Choir Nationals, VIBE will be aiming to remain one of the elite powers in the country. Their show this year is based off the Agatha Christie murder mystery novel Murder on the Orient Express. They are known for their intricate story shows and this one is heavily anticipated to be one of their best yet. A midseason bout with Marysville and Fairfield at Loveland will once again give VIBE an opportunity to shine on a national stage. - Michael James Breen, New England Contributor

2025 #54 Ranked Choir: El Paso-Gridley “Modulations” (3rd in Illinois)

2026 Director: John Shaffer (20th season)

Choreographer(s): Heath Gemar (12th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 10 - Tomah, Jan. 31 - Sauk Prairie, Feb. 7 - Bettendorf, Feb. 14 - Manteno, Feb. 21 - hosting, Mar. 7 - John Hersey, Mar. 14 - Wheaton Warrenville South

While not their most successful campaign, Mods’ 2025 season still featured plenty of highlights, including two Grand Champion trophies and Best Choreography captions at all but one competition. However, some uncharacteristic losses throughout the season did raise some question marks. This year, Mods hope to continue their visual success, however they also will want to add some more vocal flair this season. Success won’t be easy, as they see powerhouse groups such as La Crosse, Onalaska, Davenport North, Noblesville, Chesterton, John Burroughs, Mt. Zion, Omaha South and more as well as three matchups with in-state rival Wheaton North. While this schedule is daunting, it also gives great opportunities for Mods to make the kind of statement wins they have in their best seasons. - Dylan Moss, Illinois Contributor

2025 #55 Ranked Choir: Petal “Soundsations” (4th in Mississippi)

2026 Director: Shanna Luckett (16th season)

Choreographers: Lexi Robson Buglewicz (7th season) and Braxton Carr (2nd season)

Competition Schedule: Feb. 14 - West Jones; Feb. 21 - hosting; Feb. 28 - Auburn (additional dates to be announced)

When compared to the last couple of years, Petal Soundsations did not have as much of a successful season in 2025. Even though the choir was still successful, they only took one grand champion home along with a sweep of captions. However, they still performed well when the lights were brightest, placing fourth at Show Choir Nationals with their show “The Greatest Inventions.” The group will need to perform in high-profile situations this year, too, with an appearance at a tough Auburn competition and a likely travel competition at the end of the season. - Clark Piercy, Southern Contributor

2025 #56 Ranked Choir: Papillion-La Vista South “Titanium” (6th in Nebraska)

2026 Directors: Brian Johnson (9th season) and Jaxon Roberts (2nd season)

Choreographers: Tori Brindis (9th season) and Sam Mulligan (4th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 17 - Gretna; Jan. 24 - Millard West; Jan. 31 - Ankeny Centennial; Feb 7 - hosting; Feb. 14 - Elkhorn South; Feb. 21 - Omaha South; Mar. 7 - Lewis Central

After going winless in 2024, Titanium bounced back well in 2025, taking Grand Champion at Elkhorn South and overall having a much better season. The departure of Jarad Voss leaves Tori Brindis and Sam Mulligan as choreographers, and Titanium’s style could shift. This leaves Titanium in a precarious position for 2026, as they aren’t guaranteed to win any of the competitions they attend. Titanium has to do battle with Westside and Gretna East multiple times, go up against Gretna, Lincoln Southwest, and Millard West, and travel to Des Moines to face Iowa powerhouses like Ankeny and Waukee Northwest. As unpredictable as Titanium's 2026 season is, one thing is certain: their band will continue to be incredible. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor

2025 #57 Ranked Choir: Troy Buchanan “Express” (3rd in Missouri)

2026 Director: Ryan Cooper (7th season)

Choreographer: Stephen Todd (18th season)

Competition Schedule: Feb. 7 - hosting; Feb. 14 - Neosho; Feb. 21 - El Paso-Gridley; Feb. 28 - Mt. Zion; Mar. 21 - Andover

Troy Buchanan Express had a decently successful season last year, especially considering it was their first season in program history without Andrew Drinkall as a director. They did make finals at every competition last year, taking a Grand Champ at Neosho and advancing to the evening round in stacked events at Franklin Central, Mt. Zion and Wheaton Warrenville South. Troy has always been a force to be reckoned with in the Midwest, and if they hold steady with their trends from the last few seasons, that doesn’t look like it will be changing this go around. A trip to New England will cap their season, their first big travel competition since going to Virginia in 2024. - Anne Marie Wright, Heartland Contributor

2025 #58 Ranked Choir: Northwest Rankin “The Ambassadors” (5th in Mississippi)

2026 Director: Toney Keeler (7th season)

Choreographer: Sam Mulligan (2nd season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 24 - hosting; Feb. 7 - Jackson Academy (additional dates to be announced)

The Ambassadors had a long and winding competition season in 2025, competing on six different weekends between January and April. Their accolades included a pair of Grand Championships, sweeping Jackson Academy at Jackson Prep and upsetting Mt. Zion at Brandon, and a podium finish at the FAME National Finals in Branson. Now that the choir is in "traditional finals contender" territory, the bar will be high in 2026 for them to succeed. Noted as one of the best "traditional"-style choirs in the South, NWR has chances to make a lot more noise in 2026. - Clark Piercy, Southern Contributor

2025 #59 Ranked Choir: Bloomington Kennedy “Rhythm in Gold” (2nd in Minnesota)

2026 Director: Nikki Jordan (15th season)

Choreographer: Kevin Chase (12th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 16 - Onalaska; Jan. 23 - Sparta; Jan. 30 - hosting; Feb. 14 - Waconia; Feb. 21 - Hastings; Feb. 28 - O'Gorman; Mar. 14 - Los Alamitos

RIG continued its form as one of Minnesota's top outfits in 2025, claiming a pair of wins and two other podium finishes. This year, Kennedy will play the villain at competitions with its Cruella show. The choir will return to the sites of both its 2025 wins, Waconia and O'Gorman, although they will face Millard North at Waconia and Mitchell, Waconia and Elkhorn South at O'Gorman. A trip to California will close the season, and if RIG elects to compete in the top advanced mixed division, they will have a shot to win. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

2025 #60 Ranked Choir: Grove City “Touch of Class” (5th in Ohio)

2026 Directors: Ann Johnson (8th season) 

Choreographers: Eric Hayes (3rd season) and Shane Coe (20th season)

Competition Schedule: Nov. 8 - Ada; Feb. 7 - Marion Harding; Feb. 14 - Hurricane; Feb. 21 - Hamilton; Feb. 28 - hosting; Mar. 7 - Solon 

Touch of Class has solidified its place among the top programs on the Ohio circuit over the past several seasons and looks to continue that success in 2026. TOC opened the 2026 season with its third consecutive win at Ada Music Feast in November and aims to carry that momentum through the remainder of the year. With limited Ohio schedules released, Grove City is currently slated to face Beavercreek, ETC, Findlay, and Marysville—of those opponents, TOC has only fallen to Marysville over the past two seasons. Featuring a show themed around a trip to Europe, Touch of Class appears poised for a season full of both fun and success. - Michael McHargh, Ohio Contributor

2025 #61 Ranked Choir: Waconia “Power Company” (3rd in Minnesota)

2026 Directors: Aaron Olson (28th season) and Tanner Larson (7th season)

Choreographers: Kevin Chase (17th season) and Alex Schultz (5th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 17 - New London; Jan. 24 - New London; Jan. 31 - Bloomington Kennedy; Feb. 14 - hosting; Feb. 21 - Hastings; Feb. 28 - O'Gorman

The 2025 edition of Power Company competed five times and achieved the rare feat of a straight, placing in each spot from first to fifth exactly once. The highlights included a two-caption win at Sauk Prairie and taking Best Choreography off Wheaton Warrenville South at Bettendorf. The 2026 edition of Power Company will also compete five times, but the season will look different than in the past. For the first time since 2019, PoCo will compete after it hosts, jumping into a monster Hastings event and finishing against Mitchell and Bloomington Kennedy at O'Gorman. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

2025 #62 Ranked Choir: Pius X “Spectrum” (7th in Nebraska)

2026 Directors: Ian Mitchell (1st season) and Austin Oltman (1st season)

Choreographers: Braxton Carr (6th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 24 - Standing Bear; Feb. 7 - Elkhorn; Feb. 14 - Lincoln Northwest; Feb. 28 - Norris; Mar. 7 - Lincoln Northeast

Spectrum has made its mark of being one of the top show choirs in Nebraska. They never dropped below third place last season despite some tough competitors such as Papio South, Millard North, and Grand Island. This season they are introducing Ian Mitchell as their new head director, who has been the director of prep group Prism since 2023. Their toughest competition in 2026 will be Norris, where they will face Lincoln Southwest, Lincoln East, Millard West, and Urbandale. With all this momentum behind them, Spectrum has a good chance to make yet another statement as one of the top shows in Nebraska in 2026. - Arte Reed, Nebraska Contributor  

2025 #63 Ranked Choir: Fossil Ridge “Pantheon” (2nd in Texas)

2026 Directors: Carlos Saenz (5th season) and Clare Nelson Scribner (2nd season)

Choreographer: Ashley Kimbrough (5th season)

Competition Schedule: Feb 7. - Fort Worth Southwest; Feb. 21 - LD Bell; Feb. 28 - Keller Central;  Mar. 6 - Southlake Carroll

Fossil Ridge has shot up in the rankings after their best season to date. Only entering their fifth year, Pantheon took home Grand Champion at least year's North Texas Show Choir Invitational along with sweeping the Best Vocals and the Best Choreography captions. They also shined at Fort Worth Southwest, scoring third and at Keller Central, where they took home second place sitting just behind Keller Blue Lights, the best show choir in Texas. Although they will not have a chance to defend their win at NTSCI due to the event no longer existing, Pantheon is hungry to put a second win on their name in 2026. - Kortney Minnick, Texas Contributor

2025 #64 Ranked Choir: Glendora “Royal Stewarts” (4th in California)

2026 Director: Kristen Hamilton (1st season)

Choreographers: Susia Rudell (3rd season) and Sioeli Aliki (1st season)

Competition Schedule: Feb. 28 - Esperanza; Mar. 7 - Burbank; Mar. 21- Hart; Apr. 18 - Oceanside

With former director and choral mastermind Matthew David transferring to Los Alamitos, Glendora has welcomed Kristen Hamilton, a choral educator with a rich history of musical experience, to lead the program. Royal Stewarts have dominated the Advanced Mixed II division since the pandemic, with their vocals being the best thing about them. It's easy to recall last year's stunning acapella that was the peak of their show. Their showmanship is also nothing to underestimate, consistently putting out hauntingly beautiful shows that just encapsulate the California show style. This season they’ve added Sioeli Aliki, a recent Hart alum who is sure to be a powerful asset to the Glendora program, to the choreography team. While the group may be slightly smaller this year, Royal Stewarts are looking for another outstanding season and remain strong contenders in Advanced Mixed II again. - Andrew Estrella, Western Contributor

2025 #65 Ranked Choir: Jenks “Trojaniaires” (2nd in Oklahoma)

2026 Director: Michael Shimp (8th season)

Choreographer: Dominic Matas (4th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 31 - Lincoln East; Feb. 7 - Fort Worth Southwest; Feb. 14 - hosting; Feb. 21 - Rock Bridge; Feb. 28 - Heart of America Nashville 

After making finals at every competition attended in the past two seasons, Jenks is looking to challenge themselves as they go against some of the nation's best. Starting off in Nebraska, the Trojanaires are facing off against tough competition in Millard West, Gretna East, Lincoln Southwest, and more. If Jenks can reach a top 4-four spot, that will show major signs for what is to come. They follow this by going down to Texas, where they are favorites to defend their title as well as hitting Rock Bridge, which they swept in 2024. But the end of the season is not an easy one as they go back to their fourth HOA event since 2020. Jenks will have capped quite the season if they can manage a win here, which would make it their most successful season since 2013 if everything goes to plan. - Elli Peck, Oklahoma Contributor

2025 #66 Ranked Choir: Sparta “Upstage Adrenaline” (4th in Wisconsin)

2026 Directors: Camie Schneider (10th season) and Skyler Erickson (4th season)

Choreographer(s): Kevin Chase (2nd season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 10 - Holmen; Jan. 17 - Onalaska; Jan. 24 - hosting; Jan. 31 - Bloomington Kennedy; Feb. 7 - Eau Claire Memorial; Feb. 14 - Waconia; Feb. 21 - El Paso-Gridley

Sparta’s rise from a prep group immediately post-pandemic to one of Wisconsin’s top show choirs is now totally complete beyond all shadow of a doubt. Upstage started the 2025 season off with a bang, taking Best Choreography from Onalaska at Holmen, and closed it with a repeat grand championship at Janesville Craig. This year’s six-competition slate only includes three appearances in Wisconsin, where they will face Onalaska once and La Crosse twice. At the end of the season, Sparta will hope to replicate recent Wisconsin success from groups like Sauk Prairie and Mayville at an Illinois competition that will also include Midwest powerhouses Troy Buchanan and Mt. Zion. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

2025 #67 Ranked Choir: Plainfield “Belles et Beaux” (8th in Indiana)

2026 Director: Michael Hummel (5th season)

Choreographer(s): To be announced

Competition Schedule: Feb. 7 - Southmont; Feb 14 - hosting; Feb. 28 - Franklin Central; Mar. 7 - Fairfield; Mar. 14 - Lawrence Central; Mar. 21 - ISSMA State Finals

Plainfield closed out the 2025 season with one grand championship and a runner-up finish at ISSMA, where they outplaced North Central. They could never quite defeat their west-side rival Avon, collecting three runner-up placements against the eventual state champion. In 2026, Plainfield’s schedule gets even tougher, beginning with a rematch against Avon at Southmont. Two weeks later, Plainfield will take on a challenging Franklin Central lineup, facing Carmel for the first time since 2017. After that, Plainfield will compete in Fairfield, Ohio, their first out of state competition since 2023, where they will duel with one of Nebraska’s best, Millard West. Belles will close out the season with two challenging ISSMA competitions, at Lawrence Central and state finals, hoping to repeat their 2024 state victory. While Plainfield has a challenging road ahead, finding success with this schedule will elevate Plainfield into being one of Indiana’s top five. - Nathan Ensley, Associate Editor

2025 #68 Ranked Choir: West Jones “Imagination” (6th in Mississippi)

2026 Director: Shane Cockrell (14th season)

Choreographer: Connor Pilgrim (1st season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 24 - South Jones; Jan. 31 - Mississippi Show Choir Contest; Feb. 7 - Oak Mountain; Feb. 14 - hosting; Feb. 28 - Oak Grove

Last season, Imagination started off with a very notable and memorable win against Brandon Brio earning them the nickname "Giant Slayer" for the season. West Jones has become known to be the group to beat when it comes to vocals. The group is making a switch on the visual side, this year, moving away from Jeff Jordan to the up-and-coming Connor Pilgrim. The question for this upcoming season is 'will West Jones Imagination continue to slay the giants of the south?' They are the favorite at the Mississippi Contest but will have opportunities to overperform elsewhere. - Clark Piercy, Southern Contributor

2025 #69 Ranked Choir: North Central “Counterpoints” (9th in Indiana)

2026 Director: Jared McElroy (7th season)

Choreographers: Dominic Matas (3rd season) and Tori Brindis (9th season)

Competition Schedule: Feb 7- Southmont, Feb 14- Pike, Feb 21- Center Grove, Feb 28- Lafayette Jefferson, Mar 14- Lawrence Central, Mar 21- Show Choir Nationals

North Central will enter year two with Jared McElory at the helm as head director, looking to achieve some of the consistency seen in their first six-competition season since 2023. When Counterpoints are at their best, they can compete with the best, but they have lacked the consistency found in their 2024 campaign. The addition of Southmont, an event the group has not attended in recent memory, should allow the group to get a competition in before taking on two tough competitions in Pike and Center Grove, which should give a clue to the group's chances at SCN. Great things come to groups who work for it, and if CP works for it, they have the opportunity to pursue the extraordinary. - Will Kaiser, Indiana Contributor

2025 #70 Ranked Choir: Manchester “Capital Swing” (2nd in Virginia)

2026 Director: Robyn Kim (15th season) 

Choreographers: Ryan Shapiro (4th season) and Tiona Bland (2nd season)

Competition Schedule: Mar. 14 - hosting; Mar. 28 - HOA Orlando (additional dates to be announced)

Highly regarded as one of two Virginia powerhouses, Capital Swing from Manchester had a strong showing in 2025, but came up just short inof taking home a grand championship. To start the year, they traveled with their clock-themed show to Medina and took home a well-earned third overall while also grabbing Best Show Design. Capital Swing then took home second overall at Robert C. Byrd. When they returned back to the Virginia scene, they took home back-to-back seconds at Hanover & Mechanicsville and Powhatan, losing to fellow Virginia powerhouse Cosby, but splitting major captions at both events. In 2026, Capital Swing will be taking a big out-of-state trip to compete at HOA Orlando. With further competition dates unknown, opportunities may exist for Capital Swing to get back to winning in 2026. - Cole McConnell, Virginia Contributor

2025 #71 Ranked Choir: Ben Davis “Premiers” (10th in Indiana)

2026 Director: Jerico Hughes (9th season) and Jason Davis (10th season)

Choreographer(s): To be announced 

Competition Schedule: Feb. 7 - Fishers, Feb. 21- hosting, Feb. 28- Franklin Central,  Mar. 7 - New Palestine, Mar. 14 - Lawrence Central, Mar 21. - Noblesville 

Ben Davis quietly had one of the best seasons on the Indy circuit this past year with two grand championships, their most since 2013. The program has improved significantly in a short amount of time, so the only question that remains is 'how high is the ceiling for Ben Davis in 2026?'. They will have a tough schedule, as is almost required for any metro program, but they have shown they can compete with the best Indy has to offer. If the group can hold onto this momentum, they could become a consistent contender, a remarkable resurgence for the historic program. - Will Kaiser, Indiana Contributor

2025 #72 Ranked Choir: Matoaca “High Impact” (3rd in Virginia)

2026 Director: Brad Berkley (22nd season)

Choreographers: Grace Pacheco (2nd season) and Jeremy Alfera (13th season)

Competition Schedule: To be announced

In 2025, Matoaca entered back into the mixed show choir scene after a brief, one-year hiatus in 2024 when they only competed with a womens choir. Although it was their first season returning to competition, director Brad Berkley directed a tremendous show in his 21st year at Matoaca. High Impact started their year fast as they were named Grand Champion at Clover Hill while winning Best Vocals and Best Band. They went on to win medium mixed at Thomas Dale while capturing Best Vocals, a second runner-up at Cosby, and finished their year second at Manchester, taking vocals and band.. High Impact will look to build on their success from last year and could be a sneaky contender in the 2026 Virginia season. - Cole McConnell, Virginia Contributor

2025 #73 Ranked Choir: Lincoln East “Express” (8th in Nebraska)

2026 Director: Lisabeth Wissink (7th season) and Sam Klemme (2nd season)

Choreographer(s): Ben Eklund (13th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 17 - Gretna; Jan. 24 - Gretna East; Jan. 31 - hosting; Feb. 7 - Lincoln Southwest; Feb. 21 - Omaha South; Feb. 28 - Norris

Express has had an interesting run after the pandemic, doing really well in 2023 and exceptionally well in 2024, but dropping a little in 2025. With the 2025 season behind them, Lincoln East is in a good spot to improve its show quality. While Express is going to very tough in-state competitions in 2026, it doesn’t immediately mean they’re going to go winless, as their best shot at first place is at Lincoln Southwest, where they’re going up against Elkhorn South and Norris. Aside from that, Lincoln East is going to have a tough season ahead of them, facing Papio South, Millard North, Westside, Elkhorn North, and Millard West multiple times, but also facing groups like Gretna, Gretna East, Linn Mar, and Urbandale only once. The Spartans have their work cut out for them but have the chance to create a fantastic season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor

2025 #74 Ranked Choir: Totino-Grace “Company of Singers” (4th in Minnesota)

2026 Director: Tori Hornby (1st season)

Choreographer: Tara Tober Barcón (4th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 24 - Milton; Jan. 31 - Bloomington Kennedy; Feb. 7 - North St. Paul; Feb. 21 - Spirit Lake; Mar. 7 - hosting

The 2025 season was nothing if not eventful for Company of Singers. Director Philip Brown departed the school in fall before competition season, and former Keokuk and Mitchell director Nick McGraw was tabbed as a temporary director alongside help from assistants Rayna Morano and Allison Koehler. Company came out swinging early in the season, placing second behind Onalaska at both of its January competitions. A triumph over Bishop Heelan and Sioux Falls Jefferson at Emmetsburg was the group's biggest moment since taking down Neosho and Blue Valley at Harrisonville in the beginning of 2023. Now, with former Cottage Grove director Tori Hornby in charge, TG is a bit of an unknown quantity, and with only two in-state competitions, they may be a bit of a mystery even at the end of the season. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief

2025 #75 Ranked Choir: Chesterton “Sandpipers” (11th in Indiana)

2026 Director: Kristin Morris (13th season)

Choreographer(s): Randy Sage (9th season) and Ellie Jordan (5th season)

Competition Schedule: Jan. 17 - Muscatine; Jan. 24 - Chillicothe; Feb. 14 - hosting; Feb. 21 - Northridge; Mar. 7 - John Hersey; Mar. 14 - Norwell

Sandpipers showed flashes of greatness in 2025, like taking Best Choreography from Waconia at Sauk Prairie and taking Best Band at a Marysville competition that included Fairfield and Olentangy. Chesterton was solid, taking three podium finishes and a win in Advanced Mixed II in California. Their 2026 season sees five competitions across four states, including a seven-hour trek to compete in the inaugural Chillicothe Chilli Grooves Festival in north-central Missouri. While direct comparisons will be nonexistent this upcoming season, Sandpipers have the opportunity to put together another nice string of finals appearances. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief