On April 12, 2025, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir proudly presents Voices of the Spirit, an evening that celebrates the artistry and resilience of three uniquely American composers: Aaron Copland, Leonard Bernstein, and Margaret Bonds. Their works, each rich with spiritual and cultural significance, illuminate the power of choral music to inspire, challenge, and unite.
Aaron Copland: A Choral Tour de ForceCopland’s
In the Beginning is a masterwork of choral music, an a cappella setting of the Genesis creation story that showcases the voice as a dynamic, expressive force. Written for chorus and mezzo-soprano soloist, the piece carries an intimate familiarity, reflecting Copland’s own view that the text is “like the reading of a familiar and oft-told story.” The legendary Robert Shaw led the premiere, featuring Columbus, Ohio native Nell Tangeman as the mezzo-soprano soloist.
Leonard Bernstein: A Legacy of Innovation
Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms offers a distinct fusion of Jewish tradition and modern choral expression. Commissioned for the Chichester Cathedral Festival in 1965, the piece premiered with the New York Philharmonic under Bernstein’s own baton. Our performance will feature his authorized adaptation for harp, percussion, and organ, highlighting the text’s spiritual depth and vibrant musical imagery.
A defining moment in the work comes in the second movement, where a treble soloist tenderly sings Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd”), evoking the youthful King David. This moment is quickly juxtaposed by the fiery proclamation of Psalm 2 (“Why do the nations rage?“), a passage originally composed for West Side Story but later removed. The contrast between peace and unrest remains a hallmark of Bernstein’s musical voice—one that speaks just as urgently today as it did decades ago.
To understand Bernstein’s connection to Indiana, take a look at this fascinating feature from the Indianapolis Star.
Margaret Bonds: A Voice Rediscovered
While Copland and Bernstein are household names, Margaret Bonds (1913–1972) is only now receiving long-overdue recognition. As a trailblazing Black composer, Bonds achieved great success in her lifetime, yet many of her works remained unpublished due to the systemic barriers Black musicians faced.
Among these rediscovered treasures is Credo, composed in 1967 but not published until 2021—almost 50 years after Bonds’ passing. Set for chorus, piano, and soloists, Credo draws its powerful text from the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois, one of the leading intellectual voices of the civil rights movement. Du Bois’ words, once considered among the most influential statements on racial justice before Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech, offer a stirring testament to faith, resilience, and the divine mandate of equality.
Musicologist John Michael Cooper, who has worked to bring Bonds’ compositions into the spotlight, describes Credo as a brilliant “strategy of dual perspective,” balancing themes of racial harmony and fierce Black pride. Through sweeping choral statements and soaring solo lines, Bonds brings this text to life, infusing the score with influences of Bach, Chopin, and Rachmaninoff, yet always in a voice that is distinctly her own.
Why This Concert Matters
Each of these composers faced obstacles—whether through political tension, religious heritage, or racial discrimination—yet their voices endure through their music. Voices of the Spirit is not just a choral concert; it is a celebration of resilience, storytelling, and the spirit that unites us all.
Let’s honor these legends of American choral music together.
Eric Stark is the Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Professor of Music and Director of Graduate Studies at Butler University, and a passionate advocate for the power of choral music to inspire, unite, and transform communities.
