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2006-2007

COUNTERPOINT PARENT ORGANIZATION (CPO)

WELCOME to the 2006-2007 Counterpoint year. This brochure is designed to provide parents an overview of the year's activities and projected expenses. It is not all-inclusive but should give you a good idea of what the Counterpoints will be doing and how we can help them!

The role of the Counterpoint Parent Organization is to assist Director Pat Wiehe any way we can to help make this a successful year. Mrs. Wiehe does a phenomenal job working with our students. She will have help from Brent "Woody" Holland with choreography, and she may have a student teacher during the year to assist her with class activities. However, she depends on the CPO for a lot of extra help and moral support.

There are many opportunities for parents to help. Assisting with car washes, chaperoning, doing laundry, filling Spirit bags, organizing receptions, and buying fruit are just a few examples of ways we can help the Counterpoints.

Host families have been assigned so that parents of returning Counterpoints can nurture and guide parents of new Counterpoints. We are counting on returning parents to stay in contact with the family they are hosting. Likewise, we hope new parents will take advantage of contacting their host parent if they have any questions about this Counterpoint year.

We hope you and your Counterpoint are excited about this year. It will be jam-packed with lots of activities, and you will love every minute of it. Please take advantage of every opportunity to support your Counterpoint. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for him/her.

COUNTERPOINT DIRECTOR:   PAT WIEHE  (317) 259-5301, ext 5793. pwiehe@msdwt.k12.in.us

CPO OFFICERS

Co-Presidents: Nancy Howe, Betsy Terry

Secretary: Anne Adams

Treasurer: Susan Risk

Wardrobe: Kristin Cudahy, Barbara Bohard

CPO COMMITTEES

Some Financial Projections for this year:

The numbers listed below are merely our best projections offered for your personal budgeting. You will receive exact amounts as they become available. Recognizing these expenses may present a financial burden, several fund raising events are planned for the year in which your Counterpoint may participate to earn extra money for his/her account. There is no formal program for financial assistance, but you are encouraged to discuss your own circumstances with Mrs. Wiehe.

Each Counterpoint is required to pay the $310 Costume Rental fee (½ due in August and the other ½ due in September), and each Counterpoint is required to have the remaining items listed above. However, your Counterpoint may already have some or all of those remaining items. If so, it is not necessary to purchase additional items.

OVERNIGHT TRIPS:

There may be some overnight trips in conjunction with Show Choir competitions, which may result in hotel lodging and miscellaneous meals. The costs are currently unknown, but every attempt will be made to keep costs down. Information will be provided to families as soon as costs are known so you can plan the proper budget. Family members are welcome to attend.

FUNDRAISERS:
ACTIVITY          WHEN
Car Washes     Saturdays (June-Aug)
Trash Bags      Fall
Fruit Sale        November

HISTORY OF THE COUNTERPOINTS

Donald E. Martin, who served as the group's director for 20 years, founded the Counterpoints in 1958. First established as a "swing choir", the group consisted of 16 singers. The size of the group increased over the years as the performance style gradually evolved. In the 1980s the ensemble became known as a "show choir", a performing group featuring singing, elaborate choreography, and costume changes. Today's Counterpoints consist of more than 50 singers/dancers plus a percussionist and pianist. Their competition set also involves a back-up band of nearly a dozen volunteer instrumentalists. In the past decade the choir competed nationally in Chicago, Nashville, Orlando, Branson, and New York City, and won the state show choir competition for the last two years.

The Counterpoints are also one of the best concert choirs in the state. In fact, they have won the state choral competition eleven times since 1990, including 1st place since 2000. They have been chosen to perform for the American Choral Directors Association at several venues for both regional and national gatherings.

In addition, the members of Counterpoints continue to represent a cross-section of student leaders. Among their numbers are varsity athletes, student and class council leaders, National Merit and AP Scholars, journalists, members of National Honor Society, French Spanish, and Latin Honor Societies, band, orchestra, speech & debate team, Repertory Theater, ROTC, Eagle Scouts . . . the list seems endless.

In 48 years of existence, the choir has had only four directors (listed below). They have all been held in highest esteem by their former students who gratefully recall their skill, dedication, and professionalism that have built the prodigious reputation the Counterpoints enjoy today.

Donald E. Martin, 1958-1978
Robert E. Critzer, 1978-1980; 1981-1986 (deceased 1986)
Bea Thomas, 1980-1981 (deceased 1999)
Patricia A. Wiehe, 1987 to present

Participating in a group such as this forges many strong bonds and fond memories. "Once a Counterpoint, always a Counterpoint!"