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Before they step up to the plate, here are five things you should know about this talented ensemble, selected from a group of more than 200 who auditioned.
BROAD MEMBERSHIP
Consisting of 14 students, Catalyst includes representatives from every class including eight seniors. The members are not solely plucked from the choir component as well.
In fact, senior Paige Waterman, a soprano, was the drum major in the Northmont marching band last fall. Also, senior Carter Barone notably came in second at this year’s Ohio Beatbox Battle.
“Catalyst is truly unique because it all started from the students wanting a place to sing this type of music,” said co-director Anna King. “We have students from orchestra, band and choir. Along with the talent of our vocal percussionist, Catalyst has a strong bass that lays the foundation for our multiple harmonies that we can create with 12 other voices.”
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TWO DIRECTORS INSTILL RANGE
King, Northmont choir director, and Ryan Chatterton, Northmont orchestra director, work in tandem to mold the troupe’s artistry. “We both have very significant performance experiences that help Catalyst succeed and learn new music skills,” she said. “To continue the success Catalyst has created, we did not limit this group to seniors. The underclassmen of the group are consistently being trained to help the new comers each year get the group off the ground.” King also cites the troupe’s March 18 participation in the Nordonia A Cappella Festival as a very eye-opening and educational experience. “The biggest item the performers took from master classes by Deke Sharon (producer of “Pitch Perfect” and “The Sing Off”) was to have emotion while performing,” she said. “The whole drive home was talking about the meaning of songs, how they can portray that to the audience, and how they can keep improving on their own personal performances. Ryan and I were extremely happy with how the students felt about the festival.”
NATIONAL ANTHEM WAS ALWAYS A PRIORITY
Since the beginning of the school year, the troupe, practicing six hours per week, was determined to enter the Dayton Dragons national anthem contest. They have performed the anthem at some of Northmont’s football and basketball games throughout the season but are particularly thrilled to have won the contest.
“Catalyst entered the Dayton Daily News national anthem competition last year and made it on standby so it’s really awesome that the kids have been given this great opportunity to sing for opening day this year,” King said. “The national anthem was the first piece of music the students learned this year. We knew the auditions would be taking place in late February so we have been practicing throughout the school year.”
DIVERSE MUSICAL STYLES
The troupe is not solely devoted to Francis Scott Key.
Throughout the year, Catalyst performs mostly pop tunes, specifically Top 40 charts from the last 50 years to today.
“They are currently working on songs by Simon and Garfunkel, Nelly Furtado, Justin Bieber and Michael Buble,” King said.
“In the past, Catalyst had performed songs by The Carpenters, Michael Jackson, Reba McIntire and Zara. Also, the different patterns and sounds Carter Barone creates can really push the group to sound more authentic to the style they are trying to recreate.”
WHEN YOU CAN SEE THEM PERFORM
In addition to Dragons opening day, Catalyst is slated to perform Monday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m. inside Northmont High School’s auditorium. The showcase will also feature Northmont vocal troupes Wired (middle school) and Impulse. Admission is free.
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