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INDIANAPOLIS, IN (March 26, 2018) – After winning the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) Show Choir State title on March 17, the North Central High School Counterpoints took their show on the road to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, Tennessee.
On Friday morning (March 23) they competed on the Grand Ole Opry stage in the Preliminary round of the Show Choir Nationals, earning their spot in the Finals round. “When finals were announced, there was a moment when we thought that we were going home,” said one choir member. “Counterpoints was the last of six choirs to be announced and the competition had been so tough in the preliminary round. “After hearing the names of five other choirs, we thought this was it.” But indeed, the North Central Counterpoints was the sixth choir to be announced, and the group began preparing for their Finals performance to take place on Saturday.
Five other choirs gave outstanding performances in the Finals on Saturday with North Central Counterpoints scheduled for last. They took the stage to a cheering crowd of not only North Central supporters who had traveled to Nashville to witness the performance, but also to members of other choirs who showed their enthusiastic support for the Counterpoints. The performance was outstanding, winning Best Vocals, Best Visuals, Best Male Soloist (Mark Maxwell, Senior), and Grand Champion winners of the 2018 Show Choir Nationals.
“Being named Grand Champions of Show Choir Nationals is an incredible honor,” said Director Mr. Mike Raunick. “The level of competition at this event is extremely high. I am so very proud of the talent and dedication of our North Central Counterpoints students and I am pleased to be able to use this platform to showcase to others, what I am able to experience every day in the classroom.”
The Counterpoints, under the direction of Michael Berg Raunick since 2013, are an auditioned mixed choir of 55 members and are nationally recognized as both a premier concert and show choir. They have performed at four Central Division ACDA (American Choral Director’s Association) Conferences, one National NAfME (National Association of Music Education) Conference, and one National ACDA Conference. The Counterpoints were named the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) top concert choir 15 of the last 27 years and top show choir 9 of the last 13 years. In 2015 the Counterpoints were asked to be the guest performers at the National Education Foundation’s gala ball in Washington, D.C. In 2017, they presented the world premiere of Fantastic Shapes in Vivid Blue, a new work by Dominic DiOrio. The Counterpoints are choreographed by Jarad Voss and Tori Burns. Their arrangements are by Garrett Breeze, a North Central alum, and Michael Berg Raunick. The Counterpoints are honored to be accompanied by members of the North Central High School Jazz Ensemble.
Mr. Raunick is also the Director of Descants, the most advanced women’s choir at North Central High School. The Descants also competed in the 2018 Show Choir Nationals and placed 2nd in the Unisex Show Choir division.
