The time has come to look the 2025 show choir season in the face.
Over the past two weeks, HomeRoom Show Choir has previewed 225 different groups across three divisions, giving show choir fans from Connecticut to California all they need to know about the upcoming season.
Rankings are based on HomeRoom Show Choir’s 2024 Final National Rankings. Interested in digging deeper? View the 2024 Final National Rankings or see how the rankings were compiled.
2024 #25 Ranked Choir: Los Alamitos “Sound FX” (2nd in California)
2025 Directors: David Moellenkamp (17th season) and Moana Dherlin (8th season)
Choreographers: April James (17th season), Heather Hoppus (23rd season), and Cara Jennings (9th season)
Competition Schedule: Mar. 1 - Burbank; Mar. 8 - Hart; Mar. 21 - Show Choir Nationals; Mar. 29 - Oceanside; Apr. 5 - Burroughs
Los Al will look to grow off one of last year's best shows despite having a somewhat less successful competition campaign. “His name was Jonah” is a phrase that will certainly live on in show choir circles for a long time, the culmination of an electric show. SFX will continue the great formula of David Mollenkamp and April James to pump out top-tier products. A big goal of this year will be to get the group's sixth Show Choir Nationals championship since 2010, a feat unmatched by any other show choir. - Will Kaiser, Indiana Contributor
2024 #24 Ranked Choir: De Pere “Jam Session” (1st in Wisconsin)
2025 Director: Anne Marie Cummings (10th season)
Choreographers: Ben Schrank (3rd season), Ellie Jordan (2nd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - New London; Jan. 25 - Sauk Prairie; Feb. 1 - hosting; Feb. 15 - Monona Grove; Feb. 22 - Medford; Mar. 1 - Western Dubuque
Jam Session had arguably its most successful season ever last year, never dropping below second in a competition and sweeping Best Band awards at all five competitions it attended. A tougher schedule awaits this year, including a clash with Waconia and Chesterton at Sauk Prairie, Iowa City at Monona Grove, and Davenport Central at Western Dubuque. Should De Pere still never drop below second in 2025, it will demonstrate growth as a program and that they’re ready to battle with the Midwest heavyweights. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #23 Ranked Choir: Lincoln East “Express” (4th in Nebraska)
2025 Directors: Lisabeth Wissink (6th season) and Sam Klemme (1st season)
Choreographer: Ben Eklund (12th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Ralston; Jan. 25 - Standing Bear; Feb. 1 - hosting; Feb. 8 - Papio South; Mar. 1 - Norris; Mar. 8 - Lewis Central
Express has been increasing in quality over the past few years, with the 2024 season being the culmination of the group's hard work, taking four grand champion trophies against neighboring powerhouses including Papio South, Westside, Millard West, Mitchell, Ankeny, and Lincoln Southwest. Now Express has a new challenge: competing against Gretna four times this season. If Express is strong enough, they should be ready for anything that comes their way. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #22 Ranked Choir: Waukee Northwest “Eos” (5th in Iowa)
2025 Director: Jack Daubitz (4th season)
Choreographers: Lexi Robson Buglewicz (4th season) and Nick Quamme (4th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Sioux Falls Jefferson; Jan. 18 - Linn Mar; Jan. 25 - Johnston; Feb. 8 - Hosting; Feb. 15 - Urbandale; March 1 - Bishop Heelan
Waukee Northwest is only in its fourth-ever season, but the group has consistently remained a new powerhouse in Iowa. In their three seasons so far, they have only lost to Linn-Mar, Urbandale, Ankeny, and Ankeny Centennial. Now the pressure is on to see if Eos can keep up the momentum and continue to produce high quality shows. They’re starting off the season in Sioux Falls, competing against groups they don’t compete against often. After that, they go on a little tour of Iowa with two Des Moines competitions, one Cedar Rapids competition, and one Sioux City competition. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #21 Ranked Choir: Pius X “Spectrum” (3rd in Nebraska)
2025 Director: Edgar Estrada (3rd season)
Choreographer: Braxton Carr (5th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 1 - Lincoln East; Feb. 8 - Lincoln Southwest; Feb. 22 - Omaha South; Mar. 1 - Lincoln Northeast; Mar. 15 - Millard North
Pius X ended their 2023 season with two grand champion wins, and that didn’t slow down in 2024 as the group became one of the most successful groups in Nebraska. Spectrum claimed three grand champion trophies throughout the season, and it doesn’t look like that success is slowing down. They will have to start the season off strong against stout fields at Lincoln East and Lincoln Southwest, while Johnston awaits at Omaha South and Ankeny Centennial at Millard North. There may not be as many wins in 2025, but solid placings will show progress nonetheless. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #20 Ranked Choir: Huntington North “Varsity Singers” (3rd in Indiana)
2025 Director: Aaron Childress (7th season)
Choreographer: Jason Johnson (33rd season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - Kenton, Feb. 22 - Homestead, Mar. 1 - Hosting, Mar. 8 - Bishop Luers, Mar. 15 - Columbia City, Mar. 22 - ISSMA State
Huntington North’s 2024 season was full of accomplishments, but arguably the best one was tying Findlay First Edition for Best Choreography at Homestead. This kicked off what is likely the best season Huntington North has ever had (yet). With four wins (three of which were sweeps) Huntington ended strong with an unsurprising sweep at ISSMA state. Huntington is one of the best examples of why large schools shouldn’t dismiss their small school counterparts, and they may play spoiler multiple times in 2025. -AJ Prentice, Fort Wayne Contributor
2024 #19 Ranked Choir: Zionsville “Royalaires” (2nd in Indiana)
2025 Directors: Deana Broge (12th season) and Sam Chenoweth (6th season)
Choreographers: To Be Announced
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - Center Grove; Mar. 1 - South Dearborn; Mar. 8 - Fairfield; Mar. 22 - Show Choir Nationals
Zionsville will attempt this year to shirk the significant drag on its reputation in the past few years. They will take on a schedule with multiple competitions of near-peer opponents. They will open the year to a tough Center Grove competition, facing two powerful groups in the consistently excellent Franklin Central FC Singers and North Central Counterpoints, who overtook Zionsville in our poll rankings after a series of solid results. Their major competition will come at a highly competitive Show Choir Nationals, where they will take on hometown opponents Carmel Ambassadors as well as Los Alamitos, who have consistently found the Show Choir Nationals' top step. This will be one of the group's most challenging schedules and will be a great test for how competitive the group is within a very strong Indianapolis circuit. - Will Kaiser, Indy Contributor
2024 #18 Ranked Choir: Millard West “West in the Groove” (2nd in Nebraska)
2025 Director: Zack Bjornsen (12th season)
Choreographer: Stephen Todd (11th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 25 - Hosting; Feb. 1 - Omaha Westside; Feb. 15 - Urbandale; Feb. 22 - Hastings; March 8 - Lewis Central; March 15 - Millard North
The last time West In The Groove placed outside the top three in finals was in 2019, and this is worth noting because there are a few competitions where it’s possible for the group to place outside the top three. Urbandale is the big one. But this just shows how impressive and consistent of a group WIG is. Director Zack Bjornsen has found a style that works and he seems to be sticking with it. It’s interesting to see the group go to tougher competitions. Unlike other years, there aren’t many competitions this season where Millard West is guaranteed a win. But it’ll be worth watching their journey as they battle some of the toughest groups from Iowa and Nebraska. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #17 Ranked Choir: Ankeny “Visual Adrenaline” (4th in Iowa)
2025 Director: Ben Walters (10th season)
Choreographers: Kevin Chase (10th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Benton; Feb. 1 - Ankeny Centennial; Feb. 15 - Davenport Central; Mar. 1 - Southeast Polk
Visual Adrenaline saw yet another successful season in 2024, losing to only one choir all season and winning their other three competitions with numerous caption awards. Visual Adrenaline’s season was topped off with an invitation to perform at Show Choir Camps of America in Decatur, Illinois, in June, where they were the first group from Iowa to perform as a guest choir in the camp’s history. In 2025, Ankeny will only compete within Iowa borders, but will still see competitive groups from throughout the state, as well as out-of-state threats from Illinois and Wisconsin. With the same creative team as last season, Visual Adrenaline is bound to continue being one of Iowa’s top ranked choirs. -Ava Sammons, Iowa Contributor
2024 #16 Ranked Choir: Aberdeen Central “Eagle Express” (1st in South Dakota)
2025 Director: Susan Appl (22nd season)
Choreographer: Kevin Chase (12th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Sioux Falls Jefferson; Jan. 25 - Millard West; Feb. 15 - Sioux Falls Washington; Mar. 1 - O’Gorman; Mar. 8 - Sioux City East; Mar. 15 - hosting
Aberdeen’s last season featured three grand champion placements, the most grand champion awards for a group in South Dakota. Now Aberdeen is traveling farther to tougher events, competing against groups like Westside, Brandon, Millard North, Waukee Northwest, Hastings, Mitchell, Bloomington Kennedy, and Elkhorn South. It’ll be interesting to see how Aberdeen does against tougher competition. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #15 Ranked Choir: Marysville “Swingers Unlimited” (3rd in Ohio)
2025 Director: Jeremy Alfera (21st season)
Choreographers: Randy Sage (16th season), Dwight Jordan (7th season), and Ellie Jordan (7th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 25 - Winfield; Feb. 1 - Marion Harding; Feb. 15 - Olentangy; Feb. 22 - Ross; Mar. 8 - Hosting; Mar. 15 - Fairfield; Mar. 29 - Oceanside
Marysville had one of the best seasons in their history last year, with the only groups that beat them being Carmel and Brandon (both at Chesterton). This year, they will look to continue that momentum, though they will face several tests. Their first test will come against ETC at Marion Harding, followed by a convergence of the top Ohio groups (Loveland, Findlay, Grove City) at Olentangy, then a test against Center Grove and Zionsville at Fairfield, and finally a trip to California to face Los Alamitos, Burroughs, Burbank, and La Cueva. This is a tough schedule, and only time will tell what Marysville is able to make of it. - Simon Zimmerman, Ohio contributor
2024 #14 Ranked Choir: John Burroughs “Powerhouse” (1st in California)
2025 Directors: Brendan Jennings (19th season) and Jen Oundjian (2nd season)
Choreographers: Jen Oundijan (32nd season), Dominic Matas (8th season), Erik Hall (14th season), Amanda Richardson (8th season), and Emily DePauw (17th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 22 - Esperanza; Mar. 8 - Hart; Mar. 22 - ACDA National Conference Mar. 29 - Oceanside; Apr. 5 - Hosting
Burroughs is coming off another strong season in their illustrious competition history. Their show last year had a head-to-head victory against nearly every choir in the country until a shock third place to end the season, which came from a tie between the California Big Three in the consensus rankings. They will remain just as deadly, with their choreographers all returning. Expect another solid season from the group. As long as the set design can match the program's power, they will be well prepared to go into a shorter competition schedule, albeit one that has a performance at the American Choral Directors Association conference tucked in the middle of it. - Will Kaiser, Indiana Contributor
2024 #13 Ranked Choir: Neosho “Choraleers” (1st in Missouri)
2025 Directors: Melanie Soule (15th season) and Grant Benham (3rd season)
Choreographer: Kacy Christensen (15th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Blue Valley; Jan. 25 - Pleasant Hill; Feb. 8 - Smith-Cotton; Feb. 15 - hosting; Mar. 1 - Carthage; Mar. 8 - Mt. Zion
Choraleers continued its reign on top of the southwest Missouri circuit in 2024, winning both of its appearances in the region and defeating any other foe it came against from the area across the season. Neosho’s four wins were split in the middle of the season with a third at Troy Buchanan competing against regional powers. They’ll take it up a notch in 2025, going against national powers at Mt. Zion. Assuming that they still have southwest Missouri under lock for another season (although they will only compete once in the region, at Carthage), performing and placing well at Mt. Zion would make a lot of heads from around the country turn and focus on the program. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #12 Ranked Choir: Solon “Music in Motion” (2nd in Ohio)
2025 Director: Gary Lewis (19th season)
Choreographers: Marah Cover (2nd season) and Eric J. Hayes, Jr. (2nd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Beavercreek; Feb. 1 - Hurricane; Feb. 8 - Twinsburg; Feb. 15 - Medina; Feb. 22 - Homestead; Mar. 1 - Hosting
After a less than ideal start to post-pandemic show choir, Music In Motion STORMed back into the show choir scene with a vengeance, earning their most wins in one season since 2013. With five consecutive weeks of competition in 2024, MIM never left the podium and proved that they were back in a big way. This year they look to face a wide expanse of Indiana groups such as Brownsburg, Carroll, Huntington North, Lafayette Jefferson, and Noblesville… twice. MIM hopes to continue the great momentum with their 2025 competition season. - Michael McHargh, Ohio Contributor
2024 #11 Ranked Choir: Waconia “Power Company” (1st in Minnesota)
2025 Directors: Aaron Olson (27th season) and Tanner Larson (6th season)
Choreographers: Kevin Chase (16th season) and Alex Schultz (4th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 11 - Sioux Falls Jefferson; Jan. 18 - Omaha Burke; Jan. 25 - Sauk Prairie; Feb. 1 - Bloomington Kennedy; Feb. 8 - Bettendorf; Feb. 15 - hosting
Another driven and intense show propelled Power Company to a three-win season in 2024, including a split-caption decision over Wheaton Warrenville South and a decisive triumph over Cedar Rapids Washington. Waconia will once again start and end the season relatively early in 2025, and its competition season includes five competitions in five different states. PoCo’s trip to Nebraska will be its first since 2022, but even its trips to more familiar venues will pack plenty of challengers. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #10 Ranked Choir: Broken Arrow “Tiger Rhythm” (1st in Oklahoma)
2025 Director: Justin Rosser (14th season)
Choreographers: To Be Announced
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - Urbandale; March 1 - Totino-Grace; March 8 - Southlake Carroll; March 22- HOA Los Angeles; April 12 - Jenks
Another stunning Tiger Rhythm show captivated audiences all around in 2024, as toys came to life and pulled at audiences’ heartstrings in more ways than one. After winning competitions in three states in 2024, Broken Arrow is going for more in 2025. Its total round-trip competition mileage in 2025 will be just under 6,000 miles. Is that the most any show choir has ever traveled over the course of a season? There’s no way to know, but this is probably it. The competition is just as intense as the travel, with Tiger Rhythm contributing to potential ‘competition of the year’ lineups at Urbandale and Totino-Grace as well as performing at a large new Texas contest. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #9 Ranked Choir: Davenport Central “Central Singers Inc.” (3rd in Iowa)
2025 Director: Michael Reese (20th season)
Choreographer: Andy Haines (20th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 1 - Davenport North; Feb. 8 - Mt. Pleasant; Feb. 15 - hosting; Feb. 22 - Pella; Mar. 1 - Western Dubuque
On the east side of Iowa in the Quad Cities, Central Singers Inc. had an outstanding season in 2024. They started their season off strong with two grand championships at Davenport North and Mt. Pleasant, additionally receiving best choreography and best band captions at both. Central’s lone blemish all season was a loss against Iowa City at Benton. Their momentum will rise in 2025, as they head into the same competitions as they did last season and will once again be a tough opponent for other Iowa groups. - Arte Reed, Nebraska/Iowa Contributor
2024 #8 Ranked Choir: Johnston “Innovation” (2nd in Iowa)
2025 Directors: Laura Grimm (5th season) and Brianna DeMoss (4th season)
Choreographers: Stephen Todd (17th season) and Erik Hall (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Linn Mar; Jan. 25 - hosting; Feb. 15 - Urbandale; Feb. 22 - Omaha South; Mar. 1 - Southeast Polk
It’s safe to say that Innovation has found its footing. In the 2023 season, the group went undefeated against the best groups in Iowa, and they kept up that momentum in 2024. Innovation didn’t go undefeated, however; taking first place at Urbandale’s competition in a battle against Linn-Mar. But with the theme “Prometheus Unbound”, Johnston will continue to go to tough competitions against neighboring powerhouses. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #7 Ranked Choir: Blue Valley “BV Singers” (1st in Kansas)
2025 Director: Sam Dollins (5th season)
Choreographers: To Be Announced
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - hosting; Feb. 8 - Troy Buchanan; Feb. 15 - Harrisonville; Mar. 8 - Raymore-Peculiar; Apr. 12 - FAME National Finals (tentative)
The 2024 season was truly a revelation for Blue Valley. After a pair of seasons to establish the program in 2022 and 2023, the world saw the culmination of diligent prep work in 2024. Blue Valley took Best Choreography from Neosho at Pleasant Hill to start the season and then won its final three competitions of the season, including a takedown of Indiana’s Avon Accents at FAME Orlando. Urbandale and Mt. Zion await at Troy Buchanan, as well as Norris and Grand Island Northwest at a potential FAME Finals berth, but a growing Blue Valley program may remain a dragon slayer in 2025. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #6 Ranked Choir: Cosby “Spotlight” (1st in Virginia)
2025 Directors: Heather Andre (19th season) and Ella Mort (2nd season)
Choreographer: Jason Peace (19th season)
Competition Dates: Feb. 15, Feb. 22, Mar. 8 (hosting), Mar. 15, Mar. 22
Out of 12 major captions Spotlight could’ve won in 2024, they won 11. The lone drop was a choreography caption to a Southern group at a competition in New England. It was a phenomenal season for Spotlight, who went undefeated, firmly kept themselves at the very top of the Virginia show choir pile, and made the national community take notice of them. Oh, and they hosted one of the best competitions of the year as well. Spotlight is locked and loaded with the same creative team as a year ago, and will once again be traveling out-of-state the weekend of March 15. Whether it be New England again or somewhere else, another chance to turn heads awaits. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #5 Ranked Choir: ETC “The All Americans” (1st in Ohio)
2025 Directors: Zack Triscari (2nd season) and Brian Rodabaugh (5th season)
Choreographers: Tara Tober (19th season), Jacob Jay Jones (6th season), Zack Triscari (2nd season), and Peyton Bellman (1st season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - Jay County; Feb. 1 - Marion Harding; Feb 8 - Loveland; March 1 - Pendleton Heights
ETC went undefeated last year with their show about the dark side of Hollywood, and their schedule doesn’t show any sign of slowing down. They’ll be making two trips to Indiana to compete, including a showdown with Fishers at Pendleton Heights to end the season, and go up against Marysville at Marion Harding. It will be much tougher to go undefeated against this schedule than last year’s, but if any group can do it, it’s ETC. - Simon Zimmerman, Ohio Contributor
2024 #4 Ranked Choir: Center Grove “Sound System” (1st in Indiana)
2025 Director: Jennifer Dice (19th season)
Choreographer: April James (4th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 1 - Fishers; Feb. 8 - Pike; Feb 15. - Hosting; Feb. 22 - Franklin Central; Mar. 1 - Pendleton Heights; Mar. 15 - Fairfield; Mar. 22 - Heart of America Los Angeles
Last year, Sound System won their third and fourth straight national events, with victories at Wheaton Warrenville South and Show Choir Nationals on their way to their first undefeated season since an abbreviated 2021. That run included wins over local rival Carmel Ambassadors and California standout Los Alamitos Sound FX. The group is a vocal powerhouse, winning Best Vocals at nineteen of their last twenty competitions and look to extend an eight competition winning streak against top contenders of the Midwest circuit at Fairfield. Despite having two out-of-state trips for the second consecutive year, their toughest foe likely remains in their home circuit against Carmel, who split captions with them at Franklin Central last year. - Nathan Ensley, Associate Editor
2024 #3 Ranked Choir: Gretna “Revolution” (1st in Nebraska)
2025 Director: Katelyn Wallace (3rd season)
Choreographer: Stephen Todd (3rd season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - hosting; Jan. 25 - Standing Bear; Feb. 8 - Papio South; Feb. 15 - Gretna East; Mar. 1 - Norris; Mar. 8 - Lewis Central
In 2024, Gretna came out of center field to become the best show choir group in Nebraska with its tear-jerking storytelling. Not only that, but Gretna had their first undefeated season in the program's history. Now expectations are high as the group continues to face tough opponents in the 2025 season. Most notably, Gretna will battle Lincoln East four times throughout the season. It’ll be a challenge to see if Gretna can pull through and keep their win streak, but certainly one of the highlights of the upcoming season. - Quinn Masek, Siouxland Contributor
2024 #2 Ranked Choir: Clinton “Attaché” (1st in Mississippi)
2025 Director: David Fehr (33rd season)
Choreographers: April James (28th season), Dexter Bishop (16th season), and Kellis Oldenberg (11th season)
Competition Schedule: Feb. 15 - West Jones; Feb. 22 - Petal; Mar. 8 - Biloxi; Mar. 22 - hosting Show Choir Nationals
The more things change, the more things stay the same. Nick Djernes, originally announced as the new director of Attaché following the 2023 season, did not assume the position during the school year. Nevertheless, Clinton trotted out another classic Attaché show in 2024, taking home every caption award and completing the season undefeated yet again. Another new face has joined the Clinton team this year, as Chance Anderson is the new curricular choir director at Clinton High School. David Fehr is still Executive Director of Attaché, so expect a year typical of the group in 2025. In terms of competitors, they will see Grenada twice, Petal once, and Brandon zero times. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
2024 #1 Ranked Choir: Linn-Mar “10th Street Edition” (1st in Iowa)
2025 Director: Trent Buglewicz (11th season)
Choreographers: April James (23rd season), Lexi Robson Buglewicz (12th season), Braxton Carr (6th season)
Competition Schedule: Jan. 18 - hosting; Jan. 25 - Johnston; Feb. 1 - Prairie; Feb. 15 - Chesterton; Mar. 1 - Liberty
After another remarkable season that saw 10SE go undefeated, the entire creative team is back - and it’s almost guaranteed that Linn-Mar will have another show that’s jaw-dropping in both design and execution. With Ankeny Centennial moving its competition back to February 1, 10SE will start its competition season later than usual… by hosting Supernova. Urbandale and Waukee Northwest wait at Johnston, as do a slew of national contenders at Chesterton. If they repeat as #1, Linn-Mar will have earned it in 2025. - William Soquet, Editor-in-Chief
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