When Brett and Deb Habing moved to Indianapolis more than 15 years ago, they weren’t just changing cities. They were returning to Brett’s hometown, closer to family, and to a city where they knew they could stay connected to the kind of vibrant arts and community scene that had shaped their lives.
“One of the main reasons we wanted to return to Indiana was because of the arts and culture,” Deb said. “Music had always been part of who we were. We wanted to be somewhere that valued it.”
Not long after arriving, Deb found the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and auditioned.
At the time, she had already spent years teaching voice and performing. Still, she was searching for something that would challenge her.
“From the beginning, I knew this was different,” she said. “The music was demanding. The leadership was strong. And there was a real commitment to doing meaningful work. I fell in love with it.”
A year or two later, Brett joined her.
“I just wanted to sing great music,” he said. “And this choir delivers that. The repertoire matters, and everyone takes it seriously.”
They have both been singing with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir ever since.
A Lifetime in Music, and a Turning Point
For Deb, singing was never a choice. It was always there.
“I don’t remember a time when I didn’t sing,” she said. “I studied voice. I taught voice. It has always been part of my life.”
Brett’s story began differently. He grew up in Indiana, spending most of his time playing basketball and helping on his grandparents’ farm. Music entered his life almost by accident.
A teacher encouraged him to enter a vocal competition when he was a teenager.
“I only knew two songs,” he said. “I learned them and entered, not expecting much.”
He won at the state level. Then he won nationally.
“That was the moment I realized music wasn’t just something I enjoyed. It was something that could shape my life,” he said. “It opened a door I didn’t even know existed, and once I experienced it, I knew I had to walk through.”
Both Brett and Deb spent years teaching and helping establish college-level music programs, working closely with students pursuing degrees in voice and music education. But joining the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir offered something different. It allowed them to continue growing as musicians while being part of something larger than themselves.
The Moment When Everything Locks Into Place
For Deb, some of the most meaningful moments don’t happen during performances. They happen during rehearsals.
“There’s a moment when everything suddenly lines up,” she said. “Everyone is listening. Everyone is fully present. And the sound changes. You can feel it when it happens.”
Those moments cannot be forced—they come from preparation and trust.
“You realize you’ve created something together,” she said. “Something none of you could create alone.”
Brett has felt that, too. He remembers one rehearsal in particular. The choir had paused between passages, and he glanced around the room.
“I remember one rehearsal where I became very aware of the people beside me,” he said. “Musicians with decades of experience. Teachers. Performers. People who had dedicated their lives to this. And I thought, what a privilege it is to sing alongside them.”
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir brings together singers from across Central Indiana. Each person arrives with their own story, but they share a commitment to doing the work well.
“You don’t find that everywhere,” Brett said.
Singing Together, Living It Together
For Brett and Deb, choir has always been part of their relationship. They met in a choir. They built their careers in music. And now, rehearsal nights remain part of their weekly rhythm.
“We look forward to it,” Deb said. “We’ll have dinner beforehand. We drive there together. It’s time we share.”
Sometimes, Brett hears her voice rise above the others.
“I’ll hear a note and think, ‘That’s her,’” he said. “That never gets old.”
Over the years, the choir has taken them to places like the Kennedy Center and international tours. But the most meaningful part has never been the travel.
“It’s that we experienced it together,” Deb said.
A Choir That Shows Up
What has stayed with them most is the people.
“This choir shows up,” Brett reflected. “Not just for rehearsals or performances, but for each other. They show up in your messages. They show up when things get difficult. You quickly realize it’s more than music.”
Deb has felt that, too.
“You walk into rehearsal, and you’re surrounded by incredibly talented people,” she said. “But what stands out most is the kindness.”
Over time, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir has become a constant in their lives. A place where they continue to grow, and where they continue to belong.
Finding Their Place in the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir
Music has always been part of Brett and Deb’s lives. But the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir gave them something they did not expect: a shared community.
“We’ve said this to each other many times,” Brett said. “We’re an ‘us.’ And the choir becomes part of that.”
Brett and Deb’s story is just one of many that make up the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Each singer brings their own path, their own history, and their own reasons for showing up. Together, they create something that resonates far beyond the rehearsal room.
You can experience that connection firsthand at the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s upcoming Voices of the Spirit performance, taking place on Sunday, May 17, at 3 p.m., at Second Presbyterian Church. Voices of the Spirit is an annual exploration of the relationship between music and spirituality that has moved audiences with messages of hope, reflection, and peace.
This year’s program features two powerful works. American poet Walt Whitman’s Civil War texts come to life in Jeffrey Van’s A Procession Winding Around Me, written for chorus and guitar and performed with guitarist Daniel Duarte. The program concludes with Mozart’s Requiem, his final and unfinished masterpiece, known for its emotional depth and a poignant reminder of Mozart’s compositional genius cut short. The performance features soprano Gabriela Martinez, mezzo-soprano Mitzi Westra, tenor Thomas Cooley, and bass Ron Dukes.
Before the performance, audiences are invited to attend Words on Music at 2:00 p.m., where Artistic Director Eric Stark and guest artists offer insight into the music and its meaning.For Brett and Deb, it’s another opportunity to step into the music together. For audiences, it’s a chance to hear what happens when a community comes together in song. Experience Voices of the Spirit live. Tickets are available now.
