Choral Department

There are several choirs offered to students at Roncalli.  Anyone who loves to sing, regardless of their vocal experience, is invited to join either the Beginning Women’s Chorus or the Beginning Mixed Chorus.  Students who have more of a choral background, and who qualify by audition, can be a part of our two advanced choirs - Advanced Women’s Chorus or Rebel Rhapsody, our show choir.  All four of these choirs perform in our three major concerts: the Sacred Sounds concert in the Fall, the Christmas concert, and the Pops concert in the Spring.

In addition, our advanced choirs compete in the ISSMA (Indiana State School Music Association) competition in the winter.  Roncalli choirs have a very successful history in these competitions.  The Advanced Women’s Chorus performs at various choral festivals, including the Catholic High School Choral Festival at Marian University, and the Choral Festival at the University of Indianapolis.  The Show Choir, or “Rebel Rhapsody” performs their show at multiple competitions in the winter as well.  Their exciting show this year has the theme “Pushing the Limits” and they certainly plan to push their vocal and dancing abilities to the max with this show.

We are looking forward to a very exciting and successful year for the Roncalli Rebel Choirs!  

Meet the Choral Director

Joey Newton, Choral Director

Roncalli High School welcomes Joey Newton in his first year as Choral Director.  Joey has been involved in the South Deanery all his life.  He attended St. Roch Catholic Grade School and is a 2003 graduate of Roncalli High School.  Joey attended Marian University, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in education.  

Joey plays the piano, but really learned to read music as a trumpet player in band at St. Roch, at Roncalli (under the direction of Ms. Peach), and through his college years at Marian University. 

Before becoming the Choral Director at Roncalli, Joey taught for four years at St. Roch, teaching 2nd grade for two years, and K-8 music for two years.  He is still the pianist and choir director at St. Roch Parish.   In May 2011, he married Roncalli classmate Stephanie (Horan) Newton.