Descants

North Central’s Premier Univoice Choir

Celebrating 60 Years

North Central’s choir program added The Descants as an all-girl choir in the 1966-67 school year and the group has served as the program’s top univoice group ever since. According to the 1967 Northerner, that first 19-member group “performed for assemblies and civic, religious, and private groups. In addition to working as a unit, the girls also concentrated on perfecting their individual solo voices.”

Along with having one of the longest histories as a choir group in the area, The Descants also have a long legacy of success. Since 1990 the group has won eight ISSMA state concert choir titles and seven ISSMA state show choir titles.

The 2026-27 Descants is a 46-member auditioned treble univoice choir under the direction of Daria Weingartner and Jared Z. McElroy. As an advanced choir program, The Descants work on developing advanced skills of proper tone production, diction, technique and intonation; building advanced skills in music reading; growing stage movement, choreography, and performance skills appropriate to competitive show choir; and fostering advanced solo and ensemble skills in singing repertoire from a variety of historical and cultural genres. They study, rehearse, and perform music from the ISSMA Group I List as well as competitive show choir literature.

As the top competitive univoice choir representing North Central High School, The Descants compete against state- and nationally-ranked show choirs in regional contests in February and March. They conclude their seasons by competing in state or national championship events. After show choir season, The Descants take part in the ISSMA concert choir contest, culminating with the finals held in early May.

The Descants traditionally open most choir events at Birge Auditorium. They hit the stage for the first time every year at their annual camp show, performing two choreographed numbers and a ballad learned at summer camp held in late July. The first official look at The Descants comes in September at North Central Choirs’ Fall Concert. December brings the annual Messiah concert with North Central’s orchestra and the holiday showcase More Joyful Sounds of the Season. Show choir takes over the calendar at the start of the new year. The Descants perform a public preview of their competition set before their first contest and showcase the polished version in March at the Show Choir Showcase. After a concert choir preview in April, the group finishes the year at An Evening with The Counterpoints, Descants, and KC Jazz, celebrating the graduating seniors from North Central’s top groups.

The Decants contribute to the academic success of the North Central Choirs program along with the performing success. The 2025-26 Descants averaged a 3.61 GPA and collected over $2 million in scholarships combined with Counterpoints and KC Jazz. Graduating Descants seniors in 2026 went on to study at Indiana University, the University of Cincinnati, the University of Colorado, Loyola University – Chicago, DePauw University, Butler University, Ball State University, Purdue University, Case Western Reserve University, and Marquette University.

Traditions

GET DOWN, DESCANTS!

The “Get Down Descants” chant is the group’s way to hype themselves up for a competition and celebrate a win. Listen closely at the final number of The Descants’ competition set — you’re sure to hear “GET DOWN, DESCANTS” snuck in near the finish.

The Rugby Shirts

The distinctive white, red, and black rugby shirt is the easiest way to spot a Descant in the halls of North Central or at a show choir competition. The rugby is the official uniform of The Descants and should only ever be worn by current Descants, Descants alumni, and North Central’s choir directors and administrators.

Turkey Lurkey

“Turkey Lurkey” is part of two Descants traditions. The group traditionally performs the song “It’s Turkey Lurkey Time,” the Burt Bacharach/Hal David-composed song from the Broadway musical Promises, Promises, each year during the More Joyful Sounds of the Season concerts. The choir’s annual holiday party is also called Turkey Lurkey and is highlighted by a pinata smash.

Despoints

The hardest working people in North Central Choirs outside of our directors are our “Despoints,” the performers who participate in both Descants and Counterpoints in the same year. These committed upperclassmen put in double-duty learning both sets and often performing four times at a single competition. Descants members also double in other North Central Choirs including KC Jazz, Northernaires, and as assistants with Ambassadors.