KC Jazz

A New Sound for a North Central Tradition

2024 ISSMA Vocal Jazz Champions

KC Jazz grew out of Kings Court Singers, a Madrigal Choir that started at North Central in the 1979-80 school year. That tradition reigned for over 45 seasons with an annual Madrigal Dinner serving as the highlight of the Kings Court season.

The move toward becoming a vocal jazz choir began in 2022 with the arrival of director Elizabeth Morrison. Over the next three seasons, the choir added jazz numbers to their repertoire while still carrying on the madrigal tradition. The new direction proved successful nearly immediately as the group won the 2024 ISSMA State Vocal Jazz Competition, the first year they entered the contest. In subsequent years the group has had members honored as Best Soloist at the competition and claimed Best Tenor Group in 2026.

The final Madrigal dinner was held in 2024 and the group officially became KC Jazz in 2025, keeping ongoing homage to their Kings Court roots in their new name. The 2026-27 edition of KC Jazz is a 21-member auditioned mixed vocal jazz group. Like all of North Central’s advanced choir programs, KC Jazz works on developing advanced skills of proper tone production, diction, technique and intonation; building advanced skills in music reading; and fostering advanced solo and ensemble skills in singing repertoire build on vocal jazz traditions and arrangements. They study, rehearse, and perform music from the ISSMA Group I List as well as competitive vocal jazz literature.

KC Jazz’s season includes performances at the North Central Choirs Fall Concert in September, More Joyful Sounds of the Season in December, and an Evening with Counterpoints, Descants, and KC Jazz in May. Their season peaks in March as they take part in qualifications and finals events for the annual ISSMA Vocal Jazz contest.

KC Jazz launched a new tradition in 2026 with the introduction of the KC Jazz Cabaret. The Cabaret in downtown Indianapolis hosted the inaugural event and gave the group an opportunity to perform in front of a sold-out house on a stage that regularly hosts top Broadway and cabaret stars. The evening features group, ensemble, and solo performances from KC Jazz along with guest performers.

The members of KC Jazz are a big part of the academic success of the North Central Choirs program. The 2025-26 KC Jazz group averaged a 3.63 GPA and collected over $2 million in scholarships combined with Counterpoints and Descants. Graduating Descants seniors in 2026 went on to study at Hanover College, Ball State University, and Indiana University.

Traditions

The Branch of May

KC Jazz has adopted “The Branch of May” as their official anthem, keeping them always connected with their Kings Court Singer roots. The traditional English folk song came from the medieval era and was frequently performed by Kings Court. KC Jazz performs the song annually at the KC Jazz Cabaret and to see off seniors at choir awards night.

KC Jazz Cabaret

A newly launched tradition, the KC Jazz Cabaret serves as the year-ending event for the group. The evening offers a sophisticated setting for KC Jazz performers spotlighted in solo, ensemble, and group performances.