Roncalli's Royal Rise to Top Indy's Small Mixed Scene

By Anna Welch, Indiana Contributor

Roncalli Royal Rhapsody performs their 2025 show, "The Luckiest" | PHOTO: Nathan Ensley / @nensley.photography

Thomas Jefferson once said, “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have it.” Roncalli Royal Rhapsody embodied that philosophy during their 2025 competition season, and it’s safe to say their success was no accident. Their show, aptly entitled “The Luckiest”, earned them the Grand Champion title at all six of their competitions. Their powerful soloists, storytelling, and on-theme costuming are just a few of the elements that put them at the top this season. However, there was much more than luck that brought this small mixed powerhouse their success.

Roncalli High School has had a competitive show choir since 1993 and has found increasing success in recent years. From 2012 to 2022, Joey Newton was the school’s choral director. After Newton's departure in 2022, Shannan Masten stepped in as the new director, leading the group to new levels of success. Her background in choral music and conducting brought Royal Rhapsody’s vocals to a higher level. Choreographers Eric Hayes and Marah Cover have provided the group with visuals since 2020. The musical minds of Newton and Masten, coupled with the creative minds of Hayes and Cover, established the group as a top contender for both small and large mixed competition. 

In 2020, the 38-member group competed well until the pandemic ceased all competitions in mid-March. The group, then named Rebel Rhapsody, was able to pull out three small mixed wins at Fishers Silver Spotlight, Center Grove Best of the Midwest, and the Warren Central Circle City Showcase. At the Franklin Central Hoosier Show Choir Classic, they placed third to rival competitors Beech Grove and Pendleton Heights, but their resilience shone through. At the last competition of a shortened 2020 season, Royal Rhapsody scored above the Pendletones but second to Huntington North Varsity Singers. Roncalli’s show, themed around rising to the top and living the high life, received several caption awards, including Best Vocals, Best Choreography, and Best Band. Despite the abrupt halt by the pandemic, Roncalli’s varsity choir rolled with the punches and came back for an even stronger 2021 season.  

During 2021, Roncalli faced the enforcement of face masks, an intense challenge to their singing. Although this mandate posed challenges, it didn’t stop Royal Rhapsody from giving the Pendletones a run for their money. Newton put together a solid show themed around direction and adventure. With pieces ranging from “Maps” by Maroon 5 to “We Know the Way” from Disney’s Moana, the group produced tenacious vocal strength and storytelling. Hayes and Cover choreographed expressive and captivating numbers that complemented their variety of songs well. Rhapsody battled but came up short a few times, placing second to the Pendletones four times this season. The Pendletones of Pendleton Heights have proven to be one of Royal Rhapsody’s toughest competitors over the years, and their rivalry continues to fuel higher levels of performance. When not competing against Pendleton, Roncalli won - taking the overall grand champion title at Lebanon and winning small mixed at Center Grove. While many groups had to rebuild from the pandemic, Royal Rhapsody produced one of their strongest seasons and took the hurdle in stride, setting them up for even more success in 2022.

The 2022 season was Newton’s last directing Royal Rhapsody. He directed a show that portrayed the highs and lows of high school, including the joy of time with friends. Newton went out with a bang, leading the ensemble to plenty of success. The ensemble performed their way to victory in their school colors, taking home Grand Champion titles at five out of their six competitions. Roncalli only placed second at Warren Central, where they fell behind Noblesville, a large mixed group. At that competition, they placed above their rival, Pendletones, and the formidable Franklin Community Heritage Singers. Although Royal Rhapsody competes mostly in the small mixed division, it’s a testament to their power and visual discipline to be able to compete with some of Indy’s big dogs. Their 2022 show not only brought them division wins but also accumulated four Best Vocals and three Best Choreography captions during that run. As Roncalli continued to accumulate caption awards, their momentum was undeniable.

Speaking of caption awards, 2023 was one of Royal Rhapsody’s most decorated seasons to date. In 2023, Rhapsody took home fifteen caption awards. This small mixed group was competing in the big leagues this season. The ensemble started their season with a second place and Best Choreography caption at the Plainfield Quaker Classic, losing to Pendletones for the only time that season. Rhapsody then swept the remaining competitions leading up to their first Indiana State Small School Finals appearance. During that run, they even defeated large mixed group Plainfield Belles et Beaux at Decatur Central en route to the overall event win. At the state finals, they competed for the first time against Northridge Northern Lights, a strong northern Indiana group, who competed in both the small and large mixed divisions. This matchup gave Roncalli a run for their money. Although Royal Rhapsody fell short of Northern Lights, they continued to triumph over competition from all over Indiana, including Huntington North , New Castle Red Hot Blues, and their rivals, the Pendletones. This was a stellar debut season for director Shannan Masten, and Royal Rhapsody fans were eagerly awaiting what the 2024 season would hold.

Roncalli Royal Rhapsody performs their 2024 show at Pike Musicfest | PHOTO: Nathan Ensley / @nensley.photography

The following season presented competitors new and old for Roncalli. The ensemble's prior seasons of dominance were proof enough that the group was ready for new challenges. In 2024, Royal Rhapsody competed for the first time in the large mixed division at Pike Musicfest. Their captivating show, themed around dark to light, was enough to win them Third Runner Up against some of the fiercest large mixed ensembles. Although this was Royal Rhapsody’s lowest finish of the season, it came in large mixed and understandably challenged them in new ways, allowing for further growth. They lost to large mixed titans Carmel, Franklin Central and North Central, three very good groups. By competing against such powerful competitors, Rhapsody was able to learn from some of the greats and apply that to their 2025 show. Continuing their dominance over small mixed competitors, Roncalli swept their other four competitions with winning performances in small mixed, although scheduling prevented them from competing in the state finals. The 2024 season for Royal Rhapsody was a true stepping stone for what 2025 had in store for them.

In 2025, Roncalli reached the peak of its thirty-two-year history. The last four years of development culminated in this record-setting season, and their efforts were rewarded with victory after victory. They competed with their show entitled “The Luckiest”, and it was clear to all in the audience that Royal Rhapsody’s members believed in their show. Their camaraderie and teamwork shone through their partner work and facials. Rhapsody started the 2025 season off with a Grand Champion win in the large mixed division at the Decatur Central Showdown, beating out Lawrence North Legacy, Lawrence Central Central Sound, Whiteland Community Rhythm Masters and Mooresville Spotlighters. Roncalli continued their dominance, taking small mixed and thirteen caption awards at their next four competitions leading up to their Indiana Small School Finals return. Continuing to demonstrate their mastery and power on the risers, Royal Rhapsody took the grand championship at state, beating Pendleton and Huntington North and cementing themselves as the best small school show choir in Indiana.

The question now is 'what will 2026 hold for the reigning champions?' Was it luck on their side in 2025? Will they continue to dominate the small mixed category for years to come at competitions that base divisions on school size? Will they seek out more opportunities to compete in large mixed at competitions like Decatur Central and Pike?  Nonetheless, history proves Roncalli will fight tooth and nail to defend their hard-earned title, and 2026 will bring another story to tell.