West Virginia Show Choir Readies for a New-Look 2026 Season

By Tonya Chase, West Virginia contributor

Stock image: Derrick Knight / Knight Photos

In the 2025 season, West Virginia show choir was dominated by one group: Hurricane Red Hot. Not only did the group retain their title as West Virginia State Champions, they also earned the title of Grand Champion at the Heart of America competition in Nashville, Tennessee. But while Hurricane traveled out of state, smaller choirs earned Grand Championships of their own both locally and in small division competitions as they competed in Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia.

The moving landscape that is the mountain state creates adjustments as population increases and decreases in areas throughout the state. While once-dense counties continue to see a decline in enrollment, the eastern panhandle has become a Washington, D.C. suburb with new schools and new choirs. The Appalachian Mountains create a natural divide with the western part of the state mostly traveling to Ohio and Indiana and the eastern half traveling to Virginia. 

While a lot of leadership remains unchanged, a few new faces will be sporting a director’s headset this season. Sissonville’s Touch of Class will not only have a new director in Caitlyn Taylor, but the group has moved from small mixed group to womens only. Director and arranger Jeff Haught retired from Riverside’s Melodic Fusion making room for Trinity Gray to make her directing debut. Peyton Bellman has been added to Hurricane Red Hot’s list of choreographers, replacing Jacob Jones, who has taken on a bigger role with ETC All Americans. One of the most dramatic changes for students happened at Robert C. Byrd High School, where school consolidation nearly doubled enrollment, creating a larger talent pool for this already talented group.

Although some things have changed, others remain the same.  Putnam County will continue to be dominant with their choirs, Hurricane Red Hot, Winfield General Admission and Poca Visual Volume. Leadership in these choirs has remained unchanged year-over-year, consisting of talent that is decades old. They receive support from administrators at the county level as well as within their own schools. A concentration of voice teachers, choreographers, and music studios in the area provide opportunities for students to develop their skills sometimes at no cost. They have energetic community backing that supports their visions and helps keep cost low for parents. One of the greatest advantages these groups have is block scheduling, which allows ninety minutes of class time each day as opposed to the fifty minutes in a traditional setting.  

One of only three large mixed groups in the state, Huntington High School Illusions could be the dark horse that breaks the Putnam County wall, similar to Robert C. Byrd’s breakout year in 2023.  Illusions has gradually improved year over year under the directorship of Rebecca Adkins, going from one of the lowest performing choirs in 2022 to a finals finisher in 2025.  Last year’s take on Beetlejuice showed creativity in show design and could steer the choir in a direction similar to the style of Midwest states. 

While some schools are on the rise, others are using this season as a chance to prove themselves. This is no more apparent than in the single-gender division as Emerald Elegance from Winfield High School wants to show their 2025 State Championship was not an aberration. They have the potential to win Grand Champion over mixed groups at local competitions, dwarfing other choirs in size at nearly fifty singer-dancers. At the same time, Hurricane’s Heat Wave is in a rebuilding year with more than half of their sixty students taking the stage for the first time. Losing the state championship left a bad taste in their mouth they hope 2026 can remedy. 

The biggest challenge for show choirs this season will be the 2026 State Show Choir Festival held at Robert C. Byrd.  Located in the center of the state, this competition will require top contenders to travel over two hours. While a disadvantage for some, this could give eastern panhandle groups such as Jefferson, Martinsburg, and Musselman a shorter drive, creating a competition that is more diverse in choirs and talent. With Hurricane primarily competing outside the state, this will be the only time some of these groups face the reigning state champions.