History
The following history of Counterpoint is taken from the program for our 20th Anniversary Reunion Concert in 1999:
Counterpoint is... hmmm...
well... Counterpoint started in... nope... when the Mendicants were the only... yuck...
Well, you see, it's not really
that easy to describe what Counterpoint is - simply because it's been so many things to so
many people. Originally, Counterpoint was the brainchild of Joyce Rogers and Linda
Chin - two sophomores who spent a good amount of time sitting around Haus Mitt complaining
that there was no student run vocal group for women on campus. Actually, not a lot
of time - but certainly enough. Enough to do something about it. Enough to
start Counterpoint.
Joyce and Linda knew a number of the Mendicants, both from the Glee Club and from the Stanford Chorale. When they saw the Mendicants sing in dorms, they were happy, the audience was happy, and everybody came out a winner. Joyce and Linda wondered, how come the guys get to have all the fun? After some research, it became clear that the only reason why there wasn't a women's group was because no one had bothered to start one. With the enthusiasm of Joyce, Linda, and a number of their friends along with help from some Mendicants, auditions were off and running.
After a three-line classified ad
in The Daily, came auditions in the basement in Dinkelspiel, and the birth of Stanford's
first and only all-women's singing ensemble. Counterpoint's debut performance was at
the 1979 Manzanita Day on the Green. Later that spring, Counterpoint was awarded the
Innovative Student Project award and purchased a standing bass with the resulting prize
money. You see, back in those days, Counterpoint wasn't entirely "a
cappella." The Counterpoint bass became just another part of the family, and
the group later added a flute and guitar. During the first full year of the group's
existence, Counterpoint took the Mendicants on the first ever "Mendi-Point"
Victory Tour to Los Angeles - a tour which has been an annual tradition to this day.
From those beginnings, Counterpoint continues to evolve steadily and expand its horizons. Five albums, numerous tours, and about 166 alumni later, Counterpoint is still going strong, taking the group to new heights including two nominations for Best Female Collegiate A Cappella group for their last two albums. Counterpoint has also had songs featured on the last two Best of College A Cappella albums. Counterpoint's repertoire, while ever-changing, remains true to its beginnings with a mix of oldies and more modern songs, and "the Java Jive," Counterpoint's signature song, still holds a special place in everyone's heart.
This new year brings a new group
featuring 11 new members and another album in the works. Who would have thought
Counterpoint would come so far since its founding? Perhaps in the beginning, when
Joyce and Linda came to create Counterpoint, they didn't realize the long-lasting effect
the group would have on so many people. At the very least, they had hoped that
Counterpoint would be as popular, fun, and successful as the Mendicants. Although
the faces and styles of Counterpoint have changed over time, members continue to draw on
the support and energy that is the core of Counterpoint.
* Note: Since the writing of this history in 1999, Counterpoint has produced 3 more albums, been featured on yet another Best of College A Cappella album, been nominated for 4 more Contemporary A Cappella Recording society awards (including Best Album, Best Song, and Best Arrangement), and has welcomed 24 new members to the Counterpoint family. "These Are Days" has also joined the ranks of "Jave Jive," holding a special place in the hearts of Counterpointers of the recent past. :-) Here's to the past 26 years of women in music and friendship, and to many, many years to come.
These photos are taken from the front and back cover of Counterpoint's first self-titled record, produced in 1981.
Website Inquiries: Gabby Barsh (grbarsh@stanford.edu)