Counterpoints

A North Central Tradition Since 1959

A Rich History of Excellence

The Counterpoints debuted at North Central High School in the 1958-59 school year, the school’s third year of existence. First-year choir instructor Don Martin added the group to a choir program that included an A Capella choir and a Girl’s Chorus. According to the 1959 Northerner, the 19-member group, “made its first appearance in September as a specialized group, singing for the Christmas program, assemblies, and for the Triangle Club meeting in January. They also sang for organizations outside of school.”

In the decades following that debut, The Counterpoints have become one of the nation’s top mixed choir groups. Since 1990 the group has won 15 ISSMA state concert choir titles, 11 ISSMA state show choir titles, and was Grand Champion at the 2018 Show Choir Nationals in Nashville, TN.

The 2026-27 Counterpoints is a 46-member auditioned mixed choir under the direction of Jared Z. McElroy and Daria Weingartner. Inside the classroom, The Counterpoints focus 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 mixed choir representing North Central High School, The Counterpoints 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 Counterpoints take part in the ISSMA concert choir contest, culminating with the finals held in early May.

The Counterpoints serve as the headlining act for most choir events at Birge Auditorium. They kick off their year before the first day of school with their annual camp show, showing the results of their week-long summer camp held in late July. They officially debut in September at North Central Choirs’ Fall Concert. They stay busy before the holidays with the annual Messiah concert with North Central’s orchestra and the holiday spectacular More Joyful Sounds of the Season. Their attention turns fully to show choir after the calendar turns, previewing their competition set before their first contest and showcasing the set 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.

Along with being some of the top performing arts students at North Central, The Counterpoints are also among the best in the classroom. The 2025-26 Counterpoints averaged a 4.04 GPA and collected over $2 million in scholarships combined with Descants and KC Jazz. Graduating Counterpoints seniors in 2026 went on to study at Indiana University, the University of Cincinnati, Oxford University, DePauw University, Butler University, Ball State University, Purdue University, and Montana State University.

Traditions

Jenny Rebecca

Meghan Parker was a Counterpoint who graduated in 1990. The summer after her graduation, Meghan was tragically killed in a car accident. At her funeral, The Counterpoints sang Jenny Rebecca. Since that time Jenny Rebecca has become the unofficial anthem for the Counterpoints. They choose to sing it at special occasions such as competition victories, the end of the year show, and awards night. Since the Counterpoints generally do not sing Jenny Rebecca during performances, but rather as a family with alumni always welcome to join, it holds a special place in all their hearts.

The Rugby Shirts

The red, white, and black rugby shirt is the official uniform of The Counterpoints. The distinctive look has been worn by generations of Counterpoints and is easy to spot at competitions or in the halls at North Central. The rugby should only ever be worn by current Counterpoints, Counterpoints alumni, and North Central’s choir directors and administrators.

Counterpoints Solo Night

The Counterpoints celebrate the holiday with solo night. The Counterpoints-only event allows each member to show off their talents by performing for their fellow members.