As we close the curtain on our 87th season, we are filled with gratitude for the music we’ve made, the stories we’ve shared, and the community that continues to grow around us.
This year was a milestone for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Not only did we celebrate our 88th birthday, but we also witnessed our mission in action more vividly than ever before: to inspire through choral music, to uplift through collaboration, and to connect through every note.
Honoring Legacy, Embracing Growth
Since 1937, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir has been a constant thread in the cultural fabric of our city. This season, we honored that legacy while boldly stepping into new spaces of relevance, accessibility, and artistic excellence.
“This choir is about more than music,” said Dr. Jennifer Cooper, Executive Director. “It’s about building a sense of belonging, bringing people together, and showing that music can create the kind of community we all long for.”
Our performances this year spanned a range of repertoire and reached thousands of people. But it wasn’t just where we performed—it was how we connected with each other and our audiences that mattered.
Season Highlights: Music with Meaning
The season opened with the joy and majesty of the Festival of Carols, a beloved holiday tradition that packed houses and welcomed new voices to the stage. From cherished classics to fresh arrangements, the concert reminded us why music is such an essential part of celebration and connection.
Then came Handel’s Messiah, a cornerstone of our season and a profound reminder of the spiritual and artistic power of live performance. “Every year we perform Messiah, it feels renewed,” said Dr. Eric Stark, Artistic Director. “This year, the connection between chorus, orchestra, and audience was truly transcendent.”
One of the most powerful moments of the season came with Voices of the Spirit, a concert celebrating the contributions of composers representing sometimes marginalized segments of our shared community. Featuring the celebrated but seldom heard “In the Beginning” by Jewish composer Aaron Copland, the only recently published 1967 composition “Credo” by Black composer Margaret Bonds (with lyrics by Black sociologist and co-founder of the NAACP W.E.B. DuBois) and Leonard Bernstein’s beloved Hebrew setting of the “Chichester Psalms,” this performance shared a space for reflection, healing, and celebration of often-overlooked voices in choral music.
“Voices of the Spirit wasn’t just a concert—it was a conversation,” said Dr. Cooper. “We invited the community to listen, to learn, and to experience something significant together.” Our Pay What You Can initiative was a huge success, opening doors to many new faces in our audience.
Dr. Stark added, “Programs like this challenge us to grow as musicians and as people. They show us that music has a role to play in justice, in remembrance, and in hope.”
Celebrating Together
Our 88th birthday was more than a number—it was a celebration of the people who make this work possible. At our End of Season Celebration, we gathered with friends, donors, singers, and supporters to reflect on the journey and look ahead with excitement.
“Thank you for sharing this season—and this celebration—with us,” said Dr. Stark. “Each of you brings life to the music we create, and I’m endlessly grateful for your presence, your energy, and your belief in the power of choral music to build community.”
Dr. Cooper echoed the sentiment: “Seeing so many supporters gathered in one space reminded me why this work matters. We are deeply grateful to our choir family.”
Looking Ahead
As we begin preparing for our 88th season, we do so with bold ideas and renewed purpose. We’re commissioning new works, expanding educational outreach, and deepening our commitment to making choral music accessible to all.
“ISC is a special organization,” said Dr. Cooper. “And, we are excited for all of our growth to come.”
To everyone who filled a seat, shared a program, gave a gift, lifted their voice, or simply listened with an open heart—thank you. This season was unforgettable because of you.
Let’s continue to build this community of song, one powerful performance at a time.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Dr. Jennifer Cooper, Executive Director
Dr. Eric Stark, Artistic Director
