Valley Vista Monsoon Madness is Cloudy with a Chance of Sequins
- 6 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Andrew Estrella, Western contributor
The forecast for Surprise, Arizona, is looking a bit stormy as the second year of Valley Vista's competition, Monsoon Madness, approaches. Over 20 groups from three Southwest states will make this Arizona's biggest competition of the season. Most local groups have had time since Boulder Creek in February to work out any flaws, and many opinions and critiques have already been taken into account, while traveling groups have already competed in California as well. Unlike last year's Monsoon Madness, there will not be a finals round at this year's edition.
Advanced Mixed
Cypress “High Voltage”
Boulder Creek “Broadway Bound”
Diamond Bar “Marquis”
La Cueva “Underground”
Horizon “Step on Stage”
This is arguably one of the most diverse advanced mixed divisions of the Western season. Two of Arizona’s Big Three, two of California’s best under their Big Three, and New Mexico’s lone representative make up a stacked lineup. Each contender has already competed or showcased their show multiple times this season. The first look goes to Step on Stage, who's coming off a legendary performance last week at Burbank. While they didn’t take any captions, they did best Kennedy in Advanced Mixed 1. That result isn’t the most important thing, what's important is that SOS showed just how legit they are on a regional stage. In most cases, they would be favored to win. However, they have some things working against them. They will be without their director, Allison Kluch, for the weekend. They also will not be backed by their band and will be down some members due to Monsoon Madness coinciding with Horizon's spring break. Due to these factors, Cali’s Advanced Mixed 2 dominator Diamond Bar Marquis may be able to make a run to take that top spot. Cypress looks set to claim that third podium place, having beating Boulder last season at Burroughs, and La Cueva has some momentum as well, having captured showmanship last weekend at Burbank.
Predictions
Predictions throughout this article represent the opinion of this contributor and not of HomeRoom Show Choir.
1st: Diamond Bar “Marquis” (Music)
2nd: Horizon “Step on Stage” (Show)
3rd: Cypress “High Voltage”
4th: Boulder Creek “Broadway Bound”
5th: La Cueva “Underground”
Intermediate Mixed
Shadow Ridge “Stellar FX”
Verrado “Voices of Venom”
Oceanside “Soundwaves”
With most of California's staple intermediate contenders not making the drive to Arizona, the intermediate mixed division will be short and sweet. Oceanside is set as the favorite, having consistently been a middle of the road contender in other intermediate divisions. Stellar FX looks good to grab second place, as they are a more established program than the second-year outfit Verrado.
Predictions
1st: Oceanside “Soundwaves” (Music/Show)
2nd: Shadow Ridge “Stellar FX”
3rd: Verrado “Voices of Venom”
Intermediate Treble
Boulder Creek “Heart and Soul”
Diamond Bar “Solitaire”
Solitaire and Heart and Soul have one of the most interesting head-to-head matchups of the weekend. Although they competed against each other at Burbank in 2023, both groups are very different from where they were then, each making big improvements since that season. Heart and Soul is coming off a win at Heart of America, and with that success they seem to be in a good spot to take it home, but a total sweep seems unlikely.
Predictions
1st: Boulder Creek “Heart and Soul” (Music)
2nd: Diamond Bar “Solitaire” (Show)
Novice Mixed
Shadow Ridge “Galaxy”
Sandra Day O’Connor “Harmonics”
Barry Goldwater “Momentum”
ALA West Foothills ““Leading Tones”
Willow Canyon “Evolution”
A wild west novice division will kick off the high school divisions on Friday night. Five west valley groups are looking to kick up dust. Willow Canyon is the most experienced group of the bunch. They bested Sandra Day O’Connor and Barry Goldwater at Boulder Creek a couple weeks ago, making them the clear favorite for the top spot. The newest addition is ALA West Foothills Leading Tones, not to be confused with ALA Evolution, which comes from the Spanish Fork, Utah branch of the school and is competing at FAME Orlando this weekend.
Predictions
1st: Willow Canyon “Evolution” (Music/Show)
2nd: Sandra Day O’Connor “Harmonics”
3rd: Barry Goldwater “Momentum”
4th: Shadow Ridge “Galaxy”
5th: ALA West Foothills “Leading Tones”