Wisconsin Show Choir Download: Recent Episodes
Wisconsin Show Choir Download
The only podcast dedicated to the Wisconsin show choir scene! Featuring previews/reviews, fantasies and a set of Competition Weekly episodes during the season, the Download has everything you need to know about the scene or enough to binge if you're bored!
A FAME National Finals recap, including how Wisconsin groups took all major captions and placed at the top of the board!
Tomah and Sparta ship off to Branson, Missouri to compete in the FAME National Show Choir Finals! But what awaits them there?
April is here, and so is 2024 season review content! This one was recorded before the La Crosse news broke, but the storylines remain unchanged. (P.S. - submit your questions and rate the show!)
Two of Wisconsin's oldest and most storied show choirs will be one in 2025. All the facts, some opinions and other assorted rumblings for next competition season.
Put a bow on the 2024 Wisconsin competition season this episode!
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Sparta takes their first-ever win at Janesville Craig, plus other assorted storylines
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De Pere takes home their second-consecutive sweep of Green Bay Southwest
The last full review-preview episode of the season is upon us!
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A collection of out-of-state notes, including Totino analysis
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Someone has to win Janesville Craig (I say this in the best way possible to snap a long winless streak)
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Green Bay Southwest sees interesting varsity storylines
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Out-of-state review
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Interview with Washburn director Zachary Olson
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Questions and answers!
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Out-of-state preview
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Out-of-state review (1:08)
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Sparta analysis (3:36)
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Monona Grove review (14:10)
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Out-of-state preview (26:30)
The Download is back with another 'thick of the season' episode!
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North St. Paul debrief (2:20)
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Logan review (4:40)
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Fort Atkinson analysis (11:30)
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Out-of-state preview (39:20)
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Sparta preview (42:25)
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Monona Grove Preview (46:10)
Lots to talk about after another jam-packed week!
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La Crosse Central review (1:30)
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Eau Claire Memorial Winterfest review (4:05)
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De Pere review and analysis (8:33)
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Consecutive three-peats in Wisconsin show choir history (32:32)
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A glimpse at North St. Paul Rock the North (37:38)
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Logan Showcase preview (39:36)
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Fort Atkinson Showcase preview (48:50)
Allllllright everyone! Two competitions in the rearview mirror, three in the windshield, and a set of scoresheets to digest highlight this episode!
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Analysis of every single group at New London!
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Reviews of Milton and West Salem
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Previews of Altoona and Sauk Prairie
Welcome to the thick of show choir season!
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Onalaska review
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Milton preview
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West Salem preview
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New London preview
Live interviews are back for 2024!
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Drummond director Nick Kuka
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Holmen alum Ian Bauer discussing prelim awards
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Judge Adam Peters about the finalists
What a weekend, and we're only at the start of January!
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Group-by-group analysis of what I saw at Holmen
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Out-of-state coverage
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Onalaska preview
Competition Weekly is BACK for its fifth (!!) season! This one starts off with a short look at Ankeny Centennial, then does a deep dive into everything Holmen and finishes out with a news nugget or two at the end. Happy comp season!
2024 is here and that means rankings are too! All of the state's groups are definitively and infalliably ranked, including:
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27 varsity groups
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14 prep groups
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7 womens groups
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26 middle school groups
2023 postseason rankings are contained in episode 65!
Presenting the final installment of 2024 preview episodes! This edition includes:
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Thoughts on varsity groups in the front half of the alphabet
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Five groups to watch this year
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Roughing out competitions that don't have public lineups yet
Thoughts on the upcoming season for the Mayville Cardinal Singers, Milton Choralation, Monona Grove Silver Connection, Neenah Vintage, New London Vision, Onalaska Hilltoppers, Plymouth Momentum, Preble Center Stage, Reedsburg Choraliers, Sauk Prairie Executive Session, Sparta Upstage Adrenaline, Tomah Limited Edition and West Salem Singsations.
Preview season is here! Catch all the details on the 14 prep groups, 7 womens groups, and 26 middle schools that will be active in the state this upcoming season!
Touching base in the 'calm before the storm' period before competition season starts. Checking in on updated school enrollment numbers, competition lineups that have already been released, and the Monona Grove Preview Show lineup.
Link to 2022 episode about school enrollments: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/42-changes-and-numbers/id1493352340?i=1000581423344
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More assorted news and rumors from throughout the past month!
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Previews of the Chippewa Falls SuperShow and Washburn Show Choir Extravanganza
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Includes previews of new groups debuting on the scene this month!
The Download is BACK! Summer was a busy time in the Wisconsin show choir world and the Download has you covered. Changes at Parkview, Colby, Milton, Tomah, Janesville Craig, Green Bay East, Logan, Onalaska, Green Bay Southwest, Sparta and Monona Grove plus a look ahead at the La Crosse Heritage Night!
The off-season is here! The Download looks at five shows that were not covered during the 2023 season. Included are reviews of:
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West Salem Singsations
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DeForest DeFortes
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Westosha Central Central Swing Inc.
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Fort Atkinson South High Street Singers
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Janesville Craig Spotlighters
This is it, folks! The last season review episode of the Download is here! All 28 varsity groups are ranked and there are thoughts about every one of them!Hit play to find out where your choir stood this past season.
The long-awaited rankings are here! Five sets of rankings await, including:
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Middle school rankings
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Womens rankings
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Prep rankings
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Prep independent rankings
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Combined womens/prep/independents rankings
All 28 varsity-level groups from Wisconsin are covered in this episode! Each group's season is covered and a point of analysis or two is added on. As a bonus, some news and rumors are snuck in there as well!
43 total choirs are covered in this episode! A look at every choir that hit the stage in the middle school, womens and prep divisions in the 2022-23 season.
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23 middle schools (including eight debut groups!)
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6 womens groups
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14 prep groups (including a debut and a return!)
This episode serves as a precursor to the 2023 rankings, which will be released later.
Is it review time? It is review time! Storylines covered include:
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The winning ways of Sauk Prairie and De Pere
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The emergence of shared themes
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The rise of Sparta
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The smaller competition fields
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The flow of power to the northeast
Last year's season storylines: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wisconsin-show-choir/episodes/39--The-Storylines-of-2022-e1gs14f
Sauk Prairie comes home with a pair of second-place finishes at FAME Show Choir America, and a primer on the next batch of episodes from the Download!
Cult Candy: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3OvHGN3BlilPTihzrGbAgG?si=OWwKgN4nTHKJQKwHeTes-A
GBxGraphics: https://gbrisnehan.wixsite.com/gbxgraphics
Featuring interviews from Sparta Upstage Adrenaline director Camie Schneider and Mayville Cardinal Singers choreographer Isabelle Sabby! Schneider reflects on the past, present and future of Upstage Adrenaline and Sabby shares her thoughts on choreographing 'showsicals', Mayville's 2023 season and more!
Tomah takes its first-ever win, DeForest makes finals for the first time, Washburn, Milton's girls and Neenah's prep snap long finals droughts, Bay Port wins its first-ever prep division, De Pere sweeps, and Sauk Prairie heads to Orlando in this week's episode! Includes reviews of all groups who performed at Green Bay Southwest.
A recap of the five different competitions that Wisconsin groups attended last weekend, as well as in-depth looks at the Holmen, Janesville Craig and Green Bay Southwest lineups!
(Note: I somehow missed Green Bay East picking up a Best Soloist award with Afton Fuson at John Hersey. So it wasn't all in all a bad day for Wisconsin choirs there!)
Southern show choir titan Bradley Davis joins the show to talk all things Southern show choir and have better sound quality than the host. Also included is a look at the rise and fall of Wisconsin groups on February 25 and a look at the six (!!) different comps in four (!!) different states that Wisconsin groups are competing in this weekend.
Go check out Bradley's podcast! soundcloud.com/southernshows or instagram.com/thebradleydavis
A look back at what went down at Monona Grove and discussing the far-flung locales that Wisconsin choirs will be competing in this weekend!
Lots to talk about from Logan and Fort Atkinson, and a look Wisconsin's last competition in February - Monona Grove!
A full analysis of De Pere performances and results, as well as a dissection of Winterfest results. Looking ahead, previews of Logan and North St. Paul! (yes I know that's not in Wisconsin but it's majority Wisconsin choirs competing so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ )
A finals delay turns into two interviews! Featuring a roundtable discussion plus a chat with Kayden Kloehn, who won Best Male Soloist at this competition.
How is it almost February already? Breakdowns of three competitions, including prelim and final scores from Sauk Prairie! A look at two hearty competitions coming up this weekend is also contained. Plus, hit play for details of the first WCSD meme competition!
The interviews are back! Vision alum Paige Schubert gives a recap of the morning shows at New London, Medford director Josh Ognenoff talks about the first year of resurrecting a program, and New London director Kevin Spindler shares why this year's Vision theme is so important to him.
The busiest episode of the season is here! Reviews abound for three in-state competitions along with three Wisconsin comps to preview coming up! Plus analysis of most groups that attended New London, and a couple show choir hot takes sprinkled in here and there. Enjoy!
We are already right in the swing of show choir season! Shakeups at the back end of finals at both Burlington and Onalaska provide plenty of news to cover. A loaded competition weekend with contests at West Salem, Milton and New London also gives a ton to talk about!
We are in the swing of show choir season! Group-by-group analysis of Colby and Green Bay East highlight the episode. Also included is a Viterbo review and previews of the Burlington and Onalaska competitions!
Interviews with Colby director Carmen Wells, Plymouth director Carter Krzyzaniak, and Green Bay East alum Odie Berken comprise this week's interviews!
The Download returns for Competition Weekly! Complete previews of Colby, Viterbo, and Green Bay East, and a look at choirs that travel to compete in Iowa this weekend. Lineups and analysis on tap!
Green Bay East ticket link: https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/69600
Just in time for the season, the Download returns with all you need to know! No less than 42 different high schools are featured in the episode, with essential information such as directors, choreographers, and competition schedules. Plus, listen for five groups to watch in the upcoming season!
Plenty of preview shows in the past and upcoming, plus some semi-breaking news for the competition season ahead!
Thank you to Grady at GBxGraphics for the design refresh!
IG: @gbxgraphics
gbrisnehan.wixsite.com/gbxgraphics
It's fall preview season! Episode 43 takes a look at events happening in Chippewa Falls and Washburn during the month of November.
Chippewa Falls ticket link: https://cfhs.ludus.com/index.php
Back after a summer away, the Download returns to kick off its fourth season by giving quick analysis on a couple major summer storylines and also takes a look at the makeup of school enrollments that constitute the Wisconsin show choir scene. (Also the La Crosse Heritage Night is Wednesday, October 5, not Tuesday, October 4. Sorry!)
Stream Cult Candy:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/artist/3OvHGN3BlilPTihzrGbAgG?si=x52hmdaZQEaHoRabz888ug
Apple Music: music.apple.com/us/artist/cult-candy/1622932975
In this jam-packed varsity review, take a look at every single varsity group from Wisconsin that competed in 2022! Going over themes, competition schedules, and more in the last episode of the 2022 season!
A comprehensive look at all of the happenings in the middle school, prep and womens divisions this year in Wisconsin! Every single group from these divisions is covered in this huge episode!
A look at the top six storylines from the 2022 Wisconsin show choir season. I was also battling a sore throat so sorry if I sound congested!
A recap of the last choir out competing for the year and a nice little bow on some spring showcases!
What a loaded weekend! In-depth review on groups at Green Bay Southwest and additional commentary on the Craig and Holmen competitions.
Disclaimer: I misspoke at 14:42. Illusion of Life is not an Anita Cracauer original, it was originally performed by Dionysus. Ashwaubenon performed a version that was arranged by Anita Cracauer, not written by her. My apoligies, y'all, daylight savings was bound to get one on me sooner or later.
Link to Southern Shows' FAME Show Choir America commentary: https://soundcloud.com/user-789736086/southern-shows-episode-6
A look at a number of groups who competed last weekend as well as an epic look at all three competitions that are happening in Wisconsin this weekend!
A look at the out-of-state competitions going on last weekend and this weekend as well as a look at some more shows and programs that have been making waves this year!
An in-depth look at all of the action from Monona Grove and West Salem, analysis of program histories and shows from this year, and a look at an awkward scheduling situation.
29:40 - I said Express when I meant Hilltoppers. You guys know what I mean.
The Download is BACK for the 2022 season! Contents include a quick review of 2021, a recap and thoughts of what has gone on so far in 2022, and a comprehensive preview of the West Salem and Monona Grove competitions this upcoming weekend.
Follow the podcast on Instagram! @wishowchoir
The final Competition Weekly episode of the season recaps the North St. Paul contest and previews the final Wisconsin event of the 2021 season, the Eau Claire Memorial Winterfest.
A look back at a stacked Onalaska competition and previewing North St. Paul, which closes competition season for many groups this year.
North St. Paul livestream link: https://www.vancoevents.com/us/book/sessions?eid=9279
In-state competition season is in full swing! Hear how West Salem went and a look at the Onalaska breakdown.
Onalaska livestream link (free): https://www.youtube.com/c/RikFrankeCRSN/
A hearty review portion and a loaded preview portion make this Download episode an exciting one!
Ashwaubenon and Mayville at John Burroughs: twitch.tv/socalshowchoir (mispronounced in the episode)
Ashwaubenon at Hurricane: ondemand.hhs.hurricaneshowchoirs.com ($20)
More and more in-state groups are hitting the stage for performances! Two reviews and three previews populate this week's episode.
I failed to mention that Ashwaubenon is pulling a double, also submitting a video for the Twin Lakes (IN) competition.
Show Choir Live finale livestream (free, Fort Atkinson performs): showchoirlive.com
John Hersey Chicagoland Showcase livestream (free, six Wisconsin performances): givebutter.com/chicagolandshowcase2021
Rock Bridge Show Choir Festival livestream ($20, Ashwaubenon performs): rockbridgevocalmusic.com
Twin Lakes Show Choir Invitational livestream ($20, Ashwaubenon performs): performingarts.tlschools.org
Competition season is in full swing and the Download reviews a pair of events and previews a trio of virtual events for the upcoming weekend.
Glenwood livestream ticket link: https://livestream.glenwoodtitanfever.com/
St. Francis livestream ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rhythm-on-the-rum-river-tickets-143386202993?aff=erellivmlt
Heritage Night livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpHKelvbRRE
A recap of Fort Atkinson's performance at Show Choir Live week three and a look at the upcoming West Delaware and Sheridan competitions, which have Wisconsin representation.
Fort Atkinson South High Street Singers 2021 on YouTube: https://youtu.be/d0vgh-kqroM
Sheridan Spotlight livestream ticket purchase: https://www.sheridanspotlight.com
West Delaware livestream link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7UDtC2QiOtT7brDIcsnznw/live
A review of Onalaska at Central Lee and a preview of Fort Atkinson's participation in Show Choir Live.
A preview of Onalaska's appearance at the Central Lee Central Connections Invitational and other assorted nuggets of goodness.
2021 happenings are heating up! A quick look at the immediate past and immediate future as well as a season analysis of the 1998 Wisconsin show choir season (grunge music not included).
Rachel McIlquham interview on Preaching to the Choir: https://anchor.fm/preachingtothechoir/episodes/Rachel-McIlquham---WISCONSIN-eq2m4p
Shows are starting to come together! A little about that and some upcoming choir appearances before diving in to what makes Wisconsin the ideal place to be a part of the show choir scene.
Link to Neenah "Vintage" 2021 premiere: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ojbprl1t-VY
Clarification on the divisional breakdown: Yeah, I rambled a little bit. Sorry. To be concise and not step on toes, I think it's great that there are not a ton of places where a choir is going to be shoehorned in to a division.
Clarification on the season length: it runs parallel to the winter sports season. I am not one to delve in to the "sport or not a sport" debate.
Thank you as always for listening!
A quick look at the present before throwing it back to the absolutely rockin' year of 2004! Like, at first glance, it may not sound exciting, but I promise it is (at least in the show choir world)!
A look at adjusted rehearsal practices and competition schedules highlight this episode, which also includes a little bit of general news and some guesswork as to what setlists will look like this year.
A look at where things currently stand in the Wisconsin show choir world and a look back at some of the most illustrious choirs who no longer compete.
A look back at the 2020 season through the lens of grand champions, division winners, Who's Hot/Who's Not and geography.
Wisconsin, the center of show choir competition coolness?! That may not be true right now, but this episode of the Download looks at what it will take to get there, laying out ten unique scenarios along the way.
A mellow episode of the Download commenting on the events of the past week and the future plans of the Download.
A look back at Holmen, a look ahead to Craig and a little Prep Division talk highlights episode 15. The audio quality in the additions is not optimal and I apologize for that.
A review from North St Paul and a look ahead to Holmen highlight this week's episode of the Download!
A little bit of a shorter episode, with one competition in the rearview mirror (Bordhead) and no in-state competitions ahead, but three out-of-state competitions are covered.
A recap of Monona Grove, a quick touch on Waconia results, a mini-preview of Davenport and a nice uptick in choirs attending for Brodhead highlight episode twelve.
A look back at two exciting Showcases in Fort Atkinson and Logan as well as a look ahead to competitions in Illinois, Minnesota and Monona Grove!
It's peak show choir season with two in-state comps on both sides of the episode, review and preview! Also included are some thoughts on choirs attending De Pere and a little more attention given to Minnesota than ususal...
A review of all three competitions from the previous weekend, a look at an interesting De Pere competition and a preview of Eau Claire Memorial Winterfest.
A recap of a discussion-worthy Milton event as well as a look at both out-of-state and in-state performances for the upcoming weekend, including three Wisconsin competitions that all have an out-of-state flair to them.
A snow-dampened review of the Jan. 11 happenings and a preview of Jan. 18 happenings, including a rare Wisconsin group competing in Indiana and a packed Milton lineup.
A review of the two Wisconsin competitions on January 4, 2020, as well as a look forward to the three Wisconsin competitions on January 11, 2020. Included in the review is a "Who's Hot/Who's Not" segment and as always the previews feature showchoir.com prediction strategies! Also included is a look at groups competing out-of-state on the 11th and a noncompetitive festival that same day.
A look at the two Wisconsin competitions on January 4, 2020, including finals predictions and some tips for the showchoir.com prediction game!
A look at the current slate of competitive show choirs in Wisconsin's southeastern and northeastern regions, including two new choirs on the scene.
A look at the current slate of competitive show choirs in Wisconsin's southwestern and northwestern regions, including two new choirs on the scene.
A look back at the 2019 season of Wisconsin show choir, focusing on prep and single-gender groups. Included are competition recaps and group-by-group lookbacks.
A look back at the 2019 season of Wisconsin show choir, focusing on varsity groups. Included are competition recaps, group-by-group lookbacks and a preview of what is to come on the show!