I would like for it to be added to the record that Dr. Bill Myers from Northeast Jones received the first ever "ELITE educator" award. Congratulations to him for an amazing career and changing so many lives.
Middle School:
First Place: Grenada "Entertainers"
Second Place: Jackson Prep "Fusion"
Best Vocals: Grenada "Entertainers"
Best Visuals: Grenada "Entertainers"
Best Show Design: Jackson Prep "Fusion"
Small Mixed:
First Place: Laurel "Showstoppers"
Second Place: Madison Central "Radiance"
Third Place: Wayne County "Orange Sensations"
Middle Division:
First Place: Northeast Jones "Gold Horizons"
Womens Division:
First Place: Madison Central "Renown"
Large Mixed:
First Place: Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
Second Place: Madison Central "Reveille"
Third Place: Grenada "Visions"
Overall:
GC: Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
1RU: Madison Central "Reveille"
2RU: Northeast Jones "Gold Horizons"
3RU: Grenada "Visions"
4RU: Laurel "Showstoppers"
Best Vocals: Madison Central "Revellie"
Best Visuals: Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
Best Show Design: Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
Best Costumes: Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
I love that ELITE has become the season-closing event in the South. It's reminiscent to me of Chula Vista's (now-defunct) Southern California Show Choir Invitational, which was essentially as much an end-of-year celebration as a competition where the biggest choirs in the state came together for one last hurrah. Plus, Brandon's venue is just too killer to pass up. It's just their second year now, so it's still growing, but I hope more groups throw their hat into the ring here as time goes on. If I were still in show choir, this is where I would want to perform!
GC: Grenada ‘Visions’
1RU: Madison Central ‘Reveille’
2RU: Jackson Prep ‘Reveillon’
3RU: Northeast Jones ‘Gold Horizons’
4RU: Madison Central ‘Radiance’ or Laurel ‘Showstoppers’
Well folks… you know what they say. All southern show choir comp rivers lead to Brandon ELITE. The Finale competition of the south is again poised to be an ultimate showdown!
Couple of things to think about going into this competition:
-We’re getting a rematch between Laurel and Radiance. Laurel was incredibly strong this year, being the ONLY small mixed group capable of putting a dent on West Marion’s insane record breaking year. This IS rumored to be Radiance’s last year (at least for the foreseeable future) so, this is their final competition. Radiance was also successful at the beginning of the year, but hasn’t competed since then… will this give laurel an edge? We shall see
-Laurel is also defending their win from last year and is looking to finish their comp season with a win. And of course we can’t forget Wayne County, who has competed in a mind boggling EIGHT competitions this season. This will be their 9th. Will Laurel and Wayne Co. face fatigue? We shall see (i’m gonna say this a lot).
As for Large Mixed… Reveille is defending their GC from last year against Grenada, who has brought out the brooms at them twice this year already. They will be game. They’re gonna come out swinging to close this year out on a win. Remember many (including myself) had them out of first last year at the Inaugural Brandon ELITE. And we were all wrong
-Grenada came up short at MC Deep South, but has had a strong year this year. They are the group to beat I think.
-Jackson Prep went out of town twice and dominated, particularly at HOA Chicago - they’re back in home territory and will be looking to grab their first win of the season. Expect them.
And we absolutely CAN NOT forget about Northeast Jones. They are not coming to play around. Don’t sleep on them either. They’ve had an amazing final season with Dr. Myers and I’m sure they are fully intent on closing this year out on a win.
This is a one and done comp with a million possibilities. Honestly I think the top 4 is a complete toss up ESPECIALLY top 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Here goes nothing...
GC: Grenada (Vocals, Choreography)
1RU: Madison Central
2RU: Jackson Prep
3RU: Northeast Jones (Show Design)
4RU: Laurel or Renown
Small Mixed:
GC: Laurel
1RU: Radiance
2RU: Wayne Co.
If you’re not able to make it over to the Brandon Amphitheater, I strongly encourage you to catch the livestream! It’s free :D also I’ll be offering some more commentary on these amazing groups following their performances (the same way I did at HOA Orlando this past weekend).
GC- Grenada "Visions" (Vocals, Choreograpy)
1st ru- Madison Central "Reveille" (Show design)
2nd ru- Jackson Prep "Reveillon"
3rd ru- Northeast Jones "Gold Horizons"
4th ru- Madison Central "Radiance" or "Renown"
Brandon Show Choir ELITE 2023
