Indianapolis Children's Choir

Accepting a request: Honoring Dan Wheldon

2011-10-20T23:11:00.018-04:00

When the call came in, the office stopped. Can we do this? Can we accept a performance request from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to perform at the memorial service for IZOD IndyCar series driver Dan Wheldon?

Our performances are planned months in advance. This is to allow time for our directors to choose appropriate music, for the singers to learn it, and for our parents to get it on their schedules. Unlike adult performing arts groups, our artists don't drive. Don Steffy, executive director of the Indianapolis Children's Choir said, "We don't just throw our guitar in the car and go."

Singers are on fall break, and there was a question about the music. Was there even appropriate repertoire for this somber event so early in our season?

The behind-the-scenes effort to honor this request was a moment I wish more people saw. The entire ICC staff pulled out phone lists and began calling individual families, and parents rearranged their schedules. Above all of this was the puzzle that had to be put together with the music.

This is where the ICC really shines: founder and artistic director Henry Leck and assistant artistic director Josh Pedde began poring over songs. Cheryl West, director of ICC's high school division the Indianapolis Youth Chorale, offered some of her singers to ensure there are enough to complete a full choir. The artistic quality that ICC was built upon could not be comprised, but it was beginning to look like there were enough singers, enough common repertoire, and enough rehearsal time that it wouldn't have to be.

The request was accepted. The public won't see the effort put forth by the entire organization over the past 24 hours - parents, singers, and staff alike. They will, however, see over 80 young singers atop the risers at Conseco Fieldhouse, with a sound beautiful enough to honor a champion.

Thoughts from the Super Bowl volunteer kick-off

2011-10-02T22:08:00.009-04:00

Indy is getting ready for the Super Bowl. Sports fan or not, this is huge for our city. I recently attended the volunteer kick-off, which amounted to a 2-hour cheerleading session to get over 8,000 volunteers excited about the work before them.

Hats off to the Super Bowl Host Committee - they did get us excited! At a preview of one of the world's biggest sporting events, one thing was clear: Music was a huge part of the excitement!

I walked in to Conseco Fieldhouse to hear live music coming from a band set up right on the basketball court. A former Miss America sang the national anthem, and the crowd sang along. In a video montage of the sporting events Indy has hosted over the past 25 years, I was thrilled to see that the Indianapolis Children's Choir was at many of them. The evening wrapped up with Indiana's own Sandi Patty singing "Indianapolis".

It's interesting to me how some people align themselves with one side of the fence or the other, proclaiming "I'm a sports guy" or "I'm an arts advocate." They're really so intertwined at times. The ICC has welcomed visitors, sung the Star Spangled Banner, and performed national anthems live for foreign athletes at world competitions.

Sports and music: we're lucky to be in a city that does both so well.

Project 9/11 Indianapolis Memorial Dedication CD

2011-09-04T22:15:00.006-04:00

I spent a little time last week feeling a bit like a record producer. I was listening to few takes of our national anthem, sung by Cantantes Angeli, that had recently been recorded for the Project 9/11 Indianapolis CD.

We were on time crunch, as the organizers of this project needed our recording by close-of-business that day. ICC founder and artistic director Henry Leck was hearing nuances in each take, and he was listening carefully to ensure we delivered the best version. His name would be on this CD, so I certainly understood, even though I kept checking the time on my watch.

Our involvement in this project - the dedication of the beams from the World Trade Center on the 10th annivesary of 9/11 - came about easy enough. I picked up the phone and offered our services. Not a moments hesitation, and Greg Hess, the Indianapolis firefighter who spearheaded the memorial, said "Could you sing the national anthem?"

He never asked for a demo, nor references, nor any questions about our experience with these types of public events. Think about that - just on our name alone did he enthusiastically take me up on my offer to perform at a civic event that will include many of our state's top dignitaries.

Our reputation is solid. The ICC is known for many things, but artistic excellence is at the top of the list. Due to the high standards practiced at every rehearsal by all of our conductors, our name alone is assurance of a great performance.

I'm never involved when it comes to artistic development - but Friday afternoon in Henry's office I got a glimpse at the process. It's a process that ensures when people read "The Indianapolis Children's Choir" on that CD jacket, they'll already know its going to be great.

Musical Relevancy

2011-08-19T22:34:00.012-04:00

Irrelevancy is a path one can easily go down as we journey through a career, but Henry Leck seems to be doing the opposite.

Henry is as dedicated today to the art of choral music as he was over 25 years ago when he founded the Indianapolis Children's Choir. His accomplishments of the past season alone leave a person exhausted. Several high-profile performances. orchestrating the ICC's concert season, leading choral festivals not only in Indy but around the world and conducting two world premiere pieces illustrate that Henry continues to be a huge influence in the choral music world.

With cuts in music programs across the state and regular decreases in government and corporate funding to support great music programs, what the Indianapolis Children's Choir does every day fills an important void. Under Henry's guidance, the ICC has been able to not only grow in numbers, but in its influence as well.

This weekend is a kick-off of the new ICC season, as the two advanced choirs are on the annual summer retreat. New singers to the choirs become acquainted, singers are fitted for uniforms, and the camaraderie that is vital to reaching artistic excellence begins to take shape.

These young singers one day will realize how lucky they were to have been able to spend time with Henry at the podium. As we usher in the 26th season, the ICC is more relevant than ever.

ICC hits the Big Apple

2011-07-01T09:21:00.012-04:00

I felt like the guest of honor at a party called the Big Apple when I recently traveled to New York City to attend A Melancholy Beauty. This world premiere, conducted by ICC founder and artistic director Henry Leck, recently had its third and final performance at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center.

I had been to the city before, but never with the luxury of time to really soak it in. It reminded me how important traveling is to the experience singers have with the Indianapolis Children's Choir.

Touring can be quite enlightening. On my three day visit, I found New Yorkers to be so helpful and engaging that I wondered where their abrasive demeanor comes from. I learned the black, unmarked taxi cabs were a little sketchy. I saw so many New Yorkers with dogs & cats in pet strollers I had to mentally applaud the person who was making money from that idea.

I cannot imagine what it was like nearly 10 years ago on September 11, but I felt an immense amount of pride that this great American city had the tenacity to prevail.

The singers who were on tour experienced all this and more. They stood in one of the greatest venues in America and sang in a piece that was such a big collaboration it prompted the house manager to say, "I've never seen this many people on stage!" They shared a common history with ICC alumni they ran into along their travels: Laura Crockett and Ben Markham in Boston to name a few.

The world is a big place. We are fortunate that years ago, Henry Leck wanted to show it to his singers. As a parent myself, I've often felt the angst of wondering where that sweet spot was between holding a hand too tight and letting go. In a way unlike any organization, the Indianapolis Children's Choir makes that transition a little smoother.

Effort Undefined

2011-05-08T06:34:00.018-04:00

"The artist is nothing without the gift, but the gift is nothing without the work".

French writer Emile Zola is credited with these words . Coming off of the 25th anniversary concert of the Indianapolis Children's Choir last night, these words ring true. The sheer number of hours worked by hundreds of people - before the concert even began - is staggering.

ICC founder and artistic director Henry Leck had the vision - and those around him believed in it enough to help supply the effort. Effort is somewhat a mystery. We all know it is needed to do a job well; but how much more to really be outstanding?

Art in particular is somewhat difficult to gauge the success of. A business owner can check her bank account. A student has their GPA. A runner can clock his time. Art is a bit more intangible. The same lack of boundaries that draw some people to arts various forms - that fills their creative soul just by taking part in it - is also what makes it hard to measure. When does art go from merely good to touching the heart of an audience?

Should the conductor run the rehearsal just 5 more minutes? Should the violinist challenge herself with a more difficult piece? Should the dancer prepare a little longer? Should the film maker revise the script just one more time? Should the plein air painter paint again because the sun moved more to the west? It's hard to know.

However, when the right amount of effort is indeed put forth, it's crystal clear.

Give a Little

2011-04-02T10:58:00.015-04:00

Imagine this: You're walking in downtown Indy. You find that the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra no longer fills the Hilbert with music, the stage has gone dark at Theatre on the Square, art is no longer hanging at all the art galleries around town, and screenings have been canceled for the Heartland Film Festival.

You wouldn't want to live in a city like that, and neither would I.

That's why community support is so important. These past few weeks, grant submission deadlines aligned themselves perfectly to ensure that development personnel in many arts organizations were going nuts. The Indianapolis Children's Choir relies on contributed income to support its expenses, and grants are a piece of that pie.

Watching how tirelessly my colleagues worked these past few weeks was inspiring. "Burning the midnight oil" was a reality, not a cliche. Dotting all the i's in the narratives, making sure the budget data added up, creating artistic documentation that would speak to the grant panelists with a message that says, "Look at all we are doing! Look at how we are making the world a better place! Look how we are touching lives!"

It's no small task. Along with the ever-present efforts to raise money, people in the arts multi-task like no other. Because on top of everything else going on, so must the show.

So the next time you feel moved by a dance performance, wander into an art gallery for a quiet moment in your hectic day, or find your toes tapping to some fabulous live music, give a little.

LIVES IN TUNE: "You've changed the way I'll look at music forever"

2011-03-26T22:37:00.025-04:00

The conductors were in the audience for a change.

We premiered Lives in Tune: The Legacy of the Indianapolis Children's Choir. What started out about a year and a half ago as a note I had jotted during the first 25th anniversary committee meeting had a screening tonight in the Basile Theater at the Indiana History Center.

I have a tendency to editorialize my own meeting notes. Next to "Documentary" I had written "not likely".

Glad I proved myself wrong. This was a job worth doing, but had we done it well? You get tunnel vision at times with a long project. I liked it, but would others?

Many in the audience were ICC alumni and family - they were somewhat pre-disposed to seeing the positive in the movie. Even my friends were a bit biased simply because they knew me.

However, there was a gentleman who showed up and had no bias at all. He simply had read about it in the paper today. It was his comments that meant the most. He said, "I simply never knew singing could do that. You've changed the way I'll look at music forever."

Forever? Now that's a compliment. Especially given the fact that neither myself nor the filmmaker had any musical background to speak of. It's certainly a reminder of how powerful this medium of film can be, and it unique ability to tell a story.

Lesson from Chicago

2011-03-13T22:47:00.023-04:00

We had nothing in common except.... Wait: We had nothing in common. I rode a bus today sitting next to a 28-year old black male, moving to Indy for a while to help his wheelchair-bound cousin who had been shot. He asked me, "What are the women in Indy like?" Although I'm rarely at a loss for words, I just didn't even have a clue about that one!

He made me think about the other people on the bus. The older couple, the college girls, the mother and child. None of us would really have any reason to come together, but our common experience of a drive to Indy created an artificial community - if only for a few hours. Our status and careers outside of the bus were irrelevant.

I was in Chicago for the American Choral Directors Association conference. The Indianapolis Children's Choir had a presence at the conference in that our founder and artistic director Henry Leck conducted the National Children's Honor Choir.

After a busy weekend I enjoyed the opportunity to do nothing on the bus but think. I thought about how the singers created their own community for a few days too, and details outside of their common experience were inconsequential.

That's what participating in a choir does best: It allows walls to be broken down by the very nature of studying the music, soaking in the text, and creating a beautiful sound together. These singers in Chicago may never see each other again - but they will remember the work they accomplished, and the lesson that we are more alike than different.

If I had an experience like that with my seat mate, perhaps I would have found that common ground as well.

The Focus is Children; the Result is Excellence

2011-01-18T07:44:00.014-05:00

I happened to be driving by the Children's Museum of Indianapolis yesterday. Having spent a fair amount of time at the museum when my own kids were younger, I have to say I had never seen quite so many cars parked there. The lot in front was crammed. The parking garage had the "Full" sign out. As I continued driving north on Illinois Street, several smaller lots I hadn't even noticed before were packed to the gills with cars.

An annual gift to the community is free admission on Martin Luther King Day. The museum has been doing this for years, and I quickly made the connection.

Hats off to the Children's Museum. Think about it: the museum opened its doors for free, on what is a day off for the rest of us. The museum most likely had to add extra staff, extra volunteers, extra food and a healthy dose of extra patience.

It takes very special people to dedicate their lives to children. The Children's Museum first opened its doors way back in 1925, and those people had a vision. It's the same vision I have come to learn that the founder of the Indianapolis Children's Choir has. Henry Leck has made an art out of looking past the frustrating nuances of working with children. He gives them his passion, new experiences and a place to grow, along with expectations higher than they would have given themselves. They are better people for it.

From one youth organization to another, to the Children's Museum I say, "Job well done!"

A Long Day's Lesson

2010-12-16T21:34:00.011-05:00

As Marketing Director for the Indianapolis Children's Choir, my days are full. Today was fuller than most. It began with meeting a group of singers at a local TV station for a live segment, then shopping for a reception, uploading photos, selling a few tickets, putting the finishing touches on a press release, answering email, answering voice mail, writing a thank-you note to a local news editor for a print story, submitting some information to a choral publication, reserving ad space in another, reviewing a video project, delivering CDs to a retailer, and loading toys into my van that were donated for a local toy drive.

What struck me as I was leaving the concert venue where the toys had been collected was a smile and a wave from a parent who had been at the TV station early this morning as well.

Her day had been as long as mine.

It was another reminder that our parents are one of our finest assets. They sacrifice, rearrange schedules, and put up with last minute changes. A week like this - leading up to a concert - is especially taxing.

Thanks to all our parents, for all you do. When your children file flawlessly into the sanctuary at St. Luke's United Methodist Church this weekend, when you hear the first measure of the first song, when the conductor takes the podium and raises the baton, you'll be reminded why it's worth it.

Collaboration at its Finest kicks-off 25th Anniversary

2010-11-08T08:32:00.022-05:00

Aside from the occasional street musician playing his own songs, most projects involving the performing arts are collaborations. Nowhere was this more evident than Friday evening, when the Indianapolis Children's Choir performed the world premiere of The Lost Son.

Collaborators in this concert were many. The company commissioning this piece, Soli Deo Gloria, their talented and visionary CEO and an equally visionary board of directors and artistic director were just the beginning.

The librettist then eloquently penned the story of the prodigal son into poetry and the composer infused song into those words. The narrator and the orchestra and the genius of the ICC founder and artistic director Henry Leck tirelessly rehearsed until the musical score and the voices melded into one.

The Indianapolis Youth Chorale began the concert is such a classy fashion and set the tone for what the audience would experience next. The local Indianapolis media, the ticket buyers, and the financial sponsors all did their part to fill the house. The staffs of the ICC, St. Paul's Music and SDG did dozens of tasks of that go unrecognized.

The videographer and photographers whose work will preserve this moment in time and even the ushers at St. Pauls who hurriedly added extra chairs as the audience was filling the sanctuary all added to the concert's success.

What sets this collaboration apart from our colleagues in the arts community is the keystone without which none of this would happen: the parents.

Thanks to them, the night was divine.

An Event to Remember

2010-10-01T07:58:00.018-04:00

I am not sure if the singers understood. Was this just another performance for them? Did they really understand THIS opportunity?

Last Saturday, the Cantantes Angeli choir were guest artists at the Indianapolis Prize Gala. (This is the world's leading award for animal conservation, presented by the Indianapolis Zoo. This year's winner, Dr. Iain Douglas-Hamilton, was honored for his work with Save the Elephants.)

The Indianapolis Children's Choir has performed at countless award ceremonies. This one was special. The ceremony included a song written by legendary composer Marvin Hamlisch, "True Heroes" was an inspiring work about the true heroes of conservation - people like Dr. Douglas-Hamilton.

Mr. Hamlisch was in attendance for this event, serving as accompanist. Henry, along with soprano Angela Brown, worked with Mr. Hamlisch during a lengthy rehearsal to fine tune the performance. It was fascinating to watch these three music professionals - each at the top of their respective games - to come together and present the audience with an experience they will not soon forget.

Until Henry instructed the singers to do a little research on Mr. Hamlisch, I'm sure only a handful knew that he was an Emmy, Oscar, Tony, Grammy, Golden Globe and Pulitzer Prize winner. Hopefully, it's an experience they'll look back on and say, "Wow! I worked with one of the greatest names in entertainment."

An experience brought to them by the legacy Henry Leck began 25 years ago.

The Power of LaBamba!

2010-09-05T09:42:00.006-04:00

I went to see my first Symphony on the Prairie concert this week. (I am somewhat embarrassed that as Marketing Director for the Indianapolis Children's Choir I had never been!)

The show was Buddy Holly & Friends. This was a tribute show to Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens & the Big Bopper. In the spirit of full disclosure, I had see these guys perform before - and knew they were fantastic.

I had not, however, seen them perform outdoors. I was pleasantly surprised by the fantastic acoustics provided by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Connor Prairie. What really was the icing on the cake for me was how the thousands of people responded to the music. Folks were up dancing, singing - and the energy was palpable. When Ray Anthony - who performed as Ritchie Valens - teased the audience with the first few bars of LaBamba - I thought the prairie was going to explode with anticipation.

Music, and few other things, can do this. It can wow a crowd, and make you cry, and send you back to a long ago memory, and is one of the things that gives those intangible moments in life a chance at being defined.

So go enjoy some music this weekend!

Nine concerts. Six venues. One historic season.

2010-09-01T08:04:00.004-04:00

It's been 25 years in the making: the silver anniversary concert season of one of the world's premier children's choirs.

Season tickets go on sale today! By far the best value in town for season tickets, you'll experience choral music at its finest and enjoy some of Indy's most beautiful venues. Choose as few as three concerts, all nine or anything in between to receive the discounted season ticket price.

Henry Leck, Founder and Artistic Director, recently reflected on the choir's beginnings. "You know it’s there is an old adage that says the secret to success is find a need and fill it and I think that’s what happened in this case. When I started the Indianapolis Children’s Choir there were probably only about 10 children's choirs in United States. It was in the mid 80s that children's choirs started springing up all over the place. I think the timing was right and the need was there."

The timing WAS right, the need WAS there - and so was the support of thousands of parents, singers, sponsors, volunteers and donors throughout the years. Thanks to all.

To buy tickets and check out concert dates and venues, visit "TICKETS" on the ICC website. See you at the show!

Common Denominator

2010-08-11T08:08:00.003-04:00

In an effort to come up with some new print advertising for the 25th anniversary season, I scheduled a photo shoot with some ICC singers. Due to the fact that the concept was developed pretty close to some advertising deadlines, the shoot was put together quickly. With such little notice, I was not really attentive to which choirs the singers were in - I was just thrilled their parents could get them to it!

It was interesting though, because four different choirs wound up being represented. I entered the room where I had told parents to meet, and the singers were all just sitting there, quietly. So I said, "Do any of you know each other?" Aside from the brother and sister team from Cantantes Angeli, the reply was, "No."

So we went through introductions. We talked about how the CA kids were moving up to the Indianapolis Youth Chorale, and which choir everyone had been in last year. Within minutes the kids were all chatting, and acted like young professionals during the shoot. Considering the amount of experience I have as an art director is zero, they all took direction really well. They were polite, articulate and fun to work with. I was most impressed with how fast they went from being strangers to team players in a group project.

They all had different things going on in their life that day. That evening though, their common denominator was the Indianapolis Children's Choir.

Thanks, Pixar

2010-06-29T22:31:00.022-04:00

I have to hand it to Pixar. I was reminded of how good they are at making movies tonight after seeing Toy Story 3. Since 1995 when Toy Story came into our theaters and introdced us to just how real animation can look, the story has followed Andy and the adventures with his memorable cast of toys.

Free family tickets are a perk of having two sons who work at a movie theater, and it was with them I settled in tonight for Toy Story 3. They are taller than me now, but back when Toy Story first premiered, they were 3 and 4. Just like Andy, they will be starting college in the fall. I hadn't expected this film to move us, but it did. By the end of the movie they were talking about their own Woody and Buzz toys, and regaling me with memories of adventures that - until tonight - I hadn't known made such an impact. I was surprised to hear how memorable it was for them to visit the ocean, nurse a turtle back to health and set off fire crackers in their fort built out of snow.

Some things, like the Indianapolis Children's Choir, we know make an impression on our children. The ICC impacts lives every day by offering a top-notch choral education, lessons in teamwork and a chance to see the world. Each young singer also gets something unique out of this program, and like the stories that came bubbling up out of my own boys tonight, we may not know what that is for years. But we work hard every day to make sure the impact is a good one.

Day Five - Choral Festival!

2010-06-18T12:21:00.002-04:00

This morning, a parent who has two children in the Bel Canto choir, (Mr. Pedde's choir) asked me, "Which is the best children's choir in the world?"

I must have looked at her with a quizzical expression, because she continued, "Well, the directors are always saying that the Indianapolis Children's Choir is one of the best children's choirs. I think we ARE the best!"

She had just come from the combined rehearsal for tomorrow's concert. Hearing both the morning and afternoon groups sing together moved anyone who was listening. It was an amazing sound.

During this week, a concurrent program has been going on called Creating Artistry. This is a week-long intensive workshop for conductors, led by the ICC Founder and Artistic Director Henry Leck. We have conductors from around the world studying under Mr. Leck, and our own ICC directors are required to complete this same training as well. Rest assured - your children are learning from the best of the best!

Day Four - Choral Festival!

2010-06-17T16:19:00.006-04:00

The bar has been set pretty high for the Choral Festival campers this week, but they are proving they are up to the task! They are doing so well learning their assigned music for Saturday's concert, that they even had time to learn a new folk song today. It is exciting and inspiring to be around children when they are so excited themselves about learning!

By the end of both the morning and afternoon rehearsals, the groups had demonstrated that they almost knew every piece of music by memory! Next time you watch a choir perform, take notice if they are using the printed music - many adult choirs do. It is really a tribute to the talent of the directors of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, and the campers themselves, that the music has been memorized so fast.

You're in for a treat on Saturday!

Day Three - Choral Festival!

2010-06-16T16:35:00.002-04:00

Today the campers arrived in their sunny yellow shirts, and they really are becoming a group that is working as one. Many of the singers took Mr. Pedde's request to heart and have memorized a few of the songs. They understand the warm-up process, are singing with exuberance and more and more are auditioning every day.

One of the highlights of the day was getting to meet the ICC Founder and Artistic Director, Henry Leck. The kids were able to ask him a myriad of questions about the choir.

Also today, the campers were able to see an established Indianapolis Children's Choir group perform. When asked by Mrs. Dwyer to raise their hands if they had themselves been through Choral Festival, nearly every hand was raised!

ICC really is a journey - from Choral Festival participant to becoming a member of one of the best children's choirs in the world!

Day Two - Choral Festival!

2010-06-15T15:43:00.002-04:00

The morning and afternoon sessions on day two went amazingly well! "The singers arrived ready to sing with energy and beauty. They did an incredible job remembering much of what was taught on Monday," said Ruth Dwyer, ICC Director of Education. "They did an especially good job working on the Bel Canto vocal technique introduced to them at the first rehearsal."

Ruth, and all the ICC directors, have something in common that I noticed today as I was going from room to room. They all teach with encouragement. Some of the wonderfully reassuring things I heard today were: "You are wonderful musicians!", "You are all so smart I know you can memorize this music!", "You have the best singing posture!"

I recently interviewed some ICC alumni for a documentary, and when asked to describe the Indianapolis Children's Choir in one word, one particular alumni did indeed chose "encouraging." Having a passion for an activity is one thing; but having someone encourage you along the way gives that passion staying power.

Thank you for letting us encourage your children!

Day One - Choral Festival!

2010-06-14T11:36:00.003-04:00

It is an amazing thing, watching children. They came to the Indianapolis Children's Choir this morning, arriving for the first day of our 25th annual Choral Festival Summer Camp. Some had a look of trepidation, some looked like they just woke up, some were excited and others looked like they didn't quite know what to expect.

As they streamed up the steps of Lilly Hall, into the registration room then to the choir room, they took their assigned seats. They are like little diamonds in the rough - in a few short days it is hard to believe they will be participating in a public concert on the magnificent Clowes stage.

To get there, our directors work their magic. The kids were all given music folders today, and what I heard coming out of the choir rooms just this morning was already amazing. These campers don't know yet the journey they are on, and the thrill they will feel when they all come together to make an audience get up off its feet.

Welcome campers, and parents to the Indianapolis Children's Choir! Thanks for coming along for the 25th anniversary ride!

To Influence a Life

2010-06-06T20:48:00.004-04:00

Days ago, legendary basketball coach and native Hoosier John Wooden passed away. Indianapolis Star sports columnist Bob Kravitz wrote a stirring tribute to Wooden. Kravitz chronicled Wooden's 99 years, and summed it up by saying, "A well-lived life is a life that touches and helps others. Wooden left enormous footprints on so many lives."

When I read those words, it was a bit of deja vu. Earlier in the week, I was coordinating two long days of interviews with ICC alumni, in preparation for a video documentary. Without exception, each alumni spoke to the incredible impact the choir had on them. Whether they were in one year or 10, each reflected upon the life-changing significance the Indianapolis Children's Choir had made. If a script had been written, it couldn't have been more poignant.

It would be futile to compare John Wooden with Henry Leck, or Ruth Dwyer or the ICC organization for that matter. They are all great in their own way. But, John Wooden's passing has reminded me that it is a wonderful thing to do a job so well that years later people credit their experience with you as a turning point in their lives.

You are an inspiration Coach Wooden. May you rest in peace.

A Spotlight on Perfection

2010-04-05T10:16:00.021-04:00

The offices of the Indianapolis Children's Choir are on the campus of Butler University. Few people outside the ICC family know this. Up until two weeks ago, even fewer people knew exactly where Butler University was.

Thanks to the Butler University men's basketball team advancing to the NCAA championship game tonight, the awareness factor for Butler has grown exponentially. The championship game being played right here in Indy is icing on the cake.

The excitement on campus, and in town, is palpable. I know there are some folks in the arts community who lament all the attention that sports get, but there is no denying it: This is a sports town. Indy has four professional teams, a myriad of amateur teams, a very strong tradition of high school sports, and is home to the NCAA headquarters. There's also that little event we call the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing."

Indianapolis has an equally impressive array of art offerings. We are home to one of the few full-time orchestras in the country, have our own opera company, a myriad of fine theaters, dance offerings and world class art museums. Not to mention one of the largest children's choirs in the world.

Some people do naturally gravitate to art. Or to sport. Rarely both. Despite their different fan clubs, they both have the power to touch us. The anticipation felt when the house lights in a theater go down and the show is about to start is the same as when a row of sprinters crouch down in their starting blocks. Exhilaration when a piece of music has been played masterfully is the same as when we watch a quarterback perfectly hurl a football to the precise place he needs it to be. Together, art and sport allow us to feel the depths and peaks of human emotion.

So, if you only consider yourself a sports fan, or an arts patron, but never both, consider this: When you watch Butler coach Brad Stevens skillfully orchestrate the movements of five young men on a basketball court, and you watch an ICC conductor turn a new piece of music into a beautiful sound - you are watching the same thing. Perfection.

Good luck Butler!

Auditions Revealed

2010-01-31T07:17:00.005-05:00

Have you ever thought about having your child join the Indianapolis Children's Choir? Did you stop after that first thought, thinking it was too hard to get in? Were you worried about the audition process?

It is really much more simple than most people realize. Although the level of difficulty for the ICC auditions does increase depending on which level choir a singer is trying out for, the process for the beginning choirs (grades 4 through 7), is quite simple. The audition is an assessment of a child's readiness to sing in a choral environment. The ability to match pitch is what is most important. Preparation is never needed, and directors try to assess singers in small groups if possible.

"Are You Sleeping," that perennial favorite of music teachers everywhere, is one of the songs the ICC uses often during auditions. I observed one of ICC's Director of Education Ruth Dwyer's choirs demonstrate this song last week. Her Chamber choir, comprised mostly of 5th and 6th graders, sang it better than I had ever heard it. Singing this song in a round was the pinnacle of achievement in my 5th grade music class many years ago, and I'm sure we didn't sing it nearly as well as Chamber choir did!

If your children like to sing, give the ICC offices a call. Schedule an audition, and learn about the different choirs and programs offered. Whatever you do, tell your children to keep singing!

An Audience to Envy

2009-12-15T21:01:00.002-05:00

Standing room only - the type of audience every performing arts group desires. Tonight, this is precisely the audience that the Emmerich Manual High School concert choir and band had for their Manual Christmas Spectacular.

Months ago, Indianapolis Star columnist Matt Tully began a series of columns about life at Manual, one of the high schools in the Indianapolis Public School system. He wrote volumes about the problems there, many of which he directly observed. One of the bright spots was the choir, and its energetic young director, Spencer Lloyd. Mr. Tully appealed to the community to support the holiday concert. The high school theater with over 1300 seats traditionally sees fewer than 100 patrons in the audience.

The community answered. Folks literally poured in while Mr. Tully stood in the doorway modestly greeting the many patrons who thanked him. I pulled up a seat on the floor and enjoyed a concert filled with enthusiasm and holiday spirit galore.

Every singer in the Indianapolis Children's Choir knows what it's like to have an appreciative audience, and now these Manual performers do as well. A long and robust standing ovation was bestowed upon them. In this beautiful high school theater the power of the press, the importance of arts education, and the common language of music - along with a little Christmas spirit - all came together and showed a community just how strong it can be.

Reality Bites

2009-10-30T10:33:00.003-04:00

It is always a healthy thing to have a reality check once in a while, and recently the Indianapolis Children's Choir experienced a good one. We made the decision to participate in Indianapolis Downtown Inc.'s Circle of Lights program this year. I thought of the audition as a mere formality.

Last week, a nicely worded letter from the Indy Downtown folks informed me otherwise. Lo and behold, we did NOT make the cut.

A qualifier is needed: I was told it was best to audition in person, but they would certainly accept a CD in lieu of our choir being present. Our reputation spoke volumes, and the organizers understood the logistical issues we routinely face in gathering a choir together. So we selected some holiday songs and sent a CD on its way.

Our rejection letter spoke about the record number of acts that auditioned this year, as well as the concerns of staging an outdoor event. I'm sure the thought of herding an entire choir on and off a small stage quickly gave the organizers thoughts of how many things could go wrong on live TV!)

As busy as our singers are during the holidays, this decision, although it stings a little, is probably for the best. My brief interaction with the Circle of Lights process brought a new appreciation for the organizers of this event.

To all the performers who DID make the cut - break a leg! The Indianapolis Children's Choir wishes you all the best! Without a single ounce of jealousy.

Truly Moving Evening

2009-10-16T16:36:00.002-04:00

Last night, I was lucky enough to be in the audience of the Heartland Film Festival's opening night feature: "Hachi: A Dog's Tale". The packed house at the Murat was bound by the shared experience of being engulfed in this simple story of a man and his dog. The fact that this was a true story made made the warm fuzzy feeling even more poignant.

Heartland Film Festival President & CEO Jeff Sparks spoke from the stage about how in this rough economy, his film festival is growing. I think folks are looking for something to feel good about these days, and movies like Hachi do the trick.

There is a lot of negativity to go around today - so when you see your chance, escape from it. Whether its a wonderful movie, a lazy Sunday morning, a new challenge met - or hearing the Indianapolis Children's Choir sing........seek out those things that bring a smile.

Anatomy of a Video Shoot

2009-10-05T22:30:00.004-04:00

Like many arts organizations, the Indianapolis Children's Choir has an annual fundraising gala, and planning is already underway. Aptly titled The Big Fun Event, ours is a night that people really do have fun at!

If, as they say, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then the Indianapolis Museum of Art should be flattered! They sent around a great little video promoting their own fundraiser, and as in everything they do, it was a class act. It left me feeling like I wanted to support them, and communicated a concise yet meaningful message.

I thought, "We can do that!" Harnessing the impact of email and video may just be the best way to promote the Big Fun Event. In the capable hands of SceneStream Digital Video Marketing, the shoot went well. Stay tuned for the final product!

(Check out the ICC fan page on Facebook for more pics from the shoot!)

Lesson for the Day

2009-09-25T09:34:00.003-04:00

Recently, the Indianapolis Children's Choir performed at the annual Fiesta celebration in downtown Indy. The vibrant colors representing the various Latin countries, the mouth-watering aromas and the picture-perfect weather made for a wonderful day.

Cantantes Angeli kicked off a four-song set with our national anthem. Before the first few bars were sung, it became clear to me that many people in attendance may have forgotten, or perhaps have never known, the proper conduct they should display during the Star Spangled Banner.

Only a handful of people turned to face the flag, fewer still in proper form. Reverance for our flag is second nature to me, most likely due to many years spent on military installations. For those you may not have the same experience, here is what United States Code 36 says about conduct during the playing of our national anthem:

During rendition of the national anthem when the flag is displayed, all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart. Men not in uniform should remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Persons in uniform should render the military salute at the first note of the anthem and retain this position until the last note. When the flag is not displayed, those present should face toward the music and act in the same manner they would if the flag were displayed there.

Yet another "teachable moment" here at ICC!

What Merits a Standing Ovation?

2009-09-11T09:39:00.004-04:00

Driving to work yesterday, I caught the end of a conversation on WIBC. The morning talk show hosts, Terri Stacy and Big Joe Staysniak,were discussing what types of events merit a standing ovation.

I was thrilled to hear the first event on Terri Stacy's list was children singing! She went on to say how moving it can be to hear kids sing, and that, "....the Indianapolis Children's Choir does it to me every time!"

To hear the power and emotion that can come from these small voices certainly can move one to their feet. If you consider the work that is needed to meld hundreds of unique voices into one beautiful sound, a standing ovation is earned even before these kids sing the first bars of a song!

With the many public performances around town, you can not only appreciate all the hard work of our singers and artistic staff, but hear the results as well!
Our new season, Tapestry of Song, offers many opportunities to discover the Indianapolis Children's Choir. Standing ovations are guaranteed!

Start With Art - What a great idea!

2009-09-03T21:38:00.004-04:00

Today I attended Start With Art, a function put on each year by the Arts Council of Indianapolis to kick off the arts season. The featured speaker was Angela Brown, acclaimed opera singer and Indianapolis native. Angela spoke on the theme of the event, "Arts At Work", and in a very engaging way recounted her early experiences in the arts right here in Indy.

She praised the Indianapolis arts scene as that rivaling any big city. Growing up, the arts environment here provided her many opportunities to at first discover, then hone, her amazing talent.

She went on to speak of her travels around the world, and recently visited Christel House South Africa, where she sang with the same choir that the Indianapolis Children's Choir sang with while touring two years ago. (Even Angela commented that "there's nothing like singing with children!")

Then she said something that inspired this blog: "Arts make the bad things go down easy." The arts take what is beautiful about life and showcases it for all to see, and they do indeed soften the edges of a bad day. A beautiful painting, a inspiring one-man play, a dancer moving in ways that should be impossible, or even a children's choir singing a song flawlessly - these do make life a bit easier for us all. So go ahead - start your Fall with a little more art!

Welcome to the Indianapolis Children's Choir!

2009-08-30T17:16:00.004-04:00

I recently attended a meeting for those parents who have kids in the Indianapolis Children's Choir. These meetings are conducted during the first week of rehearsals to introduce some of the staff to the parents, as well as to summarize the information in the parent handbook. The meeting I attended was for Treble Choir, which is comprised of some of our youngest singers. There were many parents in this meeting brand new to ICC.

As I looked around and chatted with a few people, I thought, "These folks have no idea what's in store for them!" Although they listened intently about uniforms, performances, tuition and donating to the choir, it would take more than a 60-minute meeting to really understand all that the Indianapolis Children's Choir represents. The world-class music education offered here combined with the focus on personal growth that ICC has always strived for with each individual singer won't be apparent this first week.

But.......after their child has been in a performance or two, after they've observed their child's choir director working with a passion that's palpable, after they've seen their child's self-esteem blossom - then they will understand the depth and breadth of ICC. Welcome!

Myths of the Indianapolis Children's Choir

2009-07-31T13:16:00.002-04:00

Today I am headed out to the Marion County Fair to man the Indianapolis Children's Choir booth. This will be my second stint, as I was there last Friday as well.

ICC has not participated in any of the county fairs before, but we thought we would try this new venue to get the word out about our various programs.

Taking my place in Expo Hall across from the Culligan Man and his big faucet hanging in mid-air, I spent a few hours talking to folks. Those who are familiar with ICC had only positive things to say. A few alumni even stopped by to chat. Those who were not familiar with us were the ones that I was most interested in talking with, because these people I found had some common misperceptions about this wonderful organization. Here are the top 4:

1.) YOU HAVE TO BE A GOOD SINGER TO BE IN ICC. No, you do not. A child must have the ability to match-pitch. There are very few children who cannot do this. The very core of our mission is music education. ICC will teach them to sing well.

2.) ICC IS ONE BIG CHOIR. ICC is comprised of 19 separate choirs. Some practice on the campus of Butler University, and some practice in their hometown through our regional choir system. There are two Preparatory ensembles, (geared for the younger school-age child in grades 1 - 3), as well as First Steps in Music, a program for 3 to 5 year olds.

3.) THE TUITION COSTS TOO MUCH. ICC is one of the best music education values around. All tuition costs are for two semesters. Here is the breakdown:

Registration fee: $50
Regional choirs: $275
Preparatory Program & campus choirs rehearsing once per week: $365
All campus choirs rehearsing twice per week: $490

There are additional costs for a uniform, as well as the cost of the tickets for the families to see the professional performances that are in ICC's concert season. But the tuition averages to about $10 per rehearsal, which is very competitive for music lessons of any kind! Payment plans as well as financial aid is available.

4.) ICC MAKES THE KIDS TRAVEL INTERNATIONALLY. ICC has a long and proud tradition of touring around the globe, and performing is some of the world's finest venues. However, this is not mandatory. This is a choice each singer makes, and fundraising opportunities are made available to help supplement the cost.

I am getting ready to head off again to the fairgrounds, and in between chatting with my neighbors in Expo hall and running out for a funnel cake, I hope to debunk a few more ICC myths tonight.

The Power of Music

2009-07-08T16:08:00.002-04:00

I've been somewhat obsessed by the coverage Michael Jackson's passing. I think this is due to the fact that Thriller came out when I was a junior in high school, and it was huge. I remember it playing constantly on MTV, and even before the main attraction when we went to the movies. Then, a chance meeting with Brooke Shields gave me a brief insight into the real Michael Jackson. I grew up in New Jersey, and Brooke attended Peddie, a local private high school. My track team members and I once bumped into her at a track meet Peddie was hosting. As exciting as it was to meet her, we all wanted to know what Michael Jackson was REALLY like. She spoke so warmly about him, that from then on I always thought of him a little differently - as a guy who just really liked to sing.

His contributions to the entertainment industry changed the world. That's the power of music. It can change moods, change minds, and change hearts. The Indianapolis Children's Choir recently held a ceremony for its 2009 graduates. Part of the ceremony involved reading each graduate's answer to the following question: "What does ICC mean to me?" Elizabeth Bain, a six year member of ICC very eloquently said, "ICC means music to me. It is a common joy that flows through each and every one of us and bonds us in ways nothing else could."

Music does bond us. What else could explain all the recent attention on Michael Jackson? We all witnessed the making of one of the biggest stars on earth - brought to us by music.

Summer Camp - Full Steam Ahead!

2009-06-19T09:45:00.002-04:00

It's been a busy week here, with Monday being the first day of the 2009 Indianapolis Children's Choir summer camp, "Summer Festival". Since this is my first year with ICC, I didn't quite know what to expect. I know there was lots of planning, and quite a bit of recruiting this year, but until I saw it for myself I couldn't quite grasp it.

On Monday, ICC began doing what it does better than any other organization: move hundreds of kids with ease. As parents dropped their children off, campers were given an information packet, a T-shirt and an assigned seat. Nervous parents and campers alike seemed to relax when they began to see how organized the system was. A huge hats off to Summer Festival coordinator Erin O'Rourke.

Promptly at 9am, the camp officially started. Our Director of Education Ruth Dwyer has a unique way of infusing enthusiasm into any audience, espcially an audience filled with children. Many other ICC directors were on hand to teach as well. As I roamed around to the different classrooms, I was surprised anew at the wealth of talent we have on our staff. By the end of Day 4, the campers really sound good!

I have a much better idea of our camp going into next year. Our campers don't come home with bug bites, crafts they've made or new stories to tell around the campfire ~ but they do come away with a glimpse into one of the best children's choirs in the world.

Summer Camp

2009-06-02T11:13:00.003-04:00

My summer camp experience consisted of a few days with a Girl Scout troop camping in the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. Lots of sand, pine needles, humid weather and bad camp fire stories about the Jersey Devil. I took away a new appreciation for air-conditioning, but not much else.

The experience that a young singer gets from Summer Festival, the week-long day camp of the Indianapolis Children's Choir, can be the beginning of a relationship with one of the largest, and most respected children's choirs in the world. This year our camp runs from June 15 - 20. And, in a constantly growing mix of summer camp offerings, Summer Festival is unique. Why?

* Summer Festival is the only HALF day camp in Indianapolis. Campers choose either a morning or an afternoon session.

* The camp culminates in a performance on one of the largest stages in central Indiana ~ Clowes Memorial Hall!

* Summer Festival is one of the oldest camp programs in Indianapolis, now in its 24th year.

If you have kids in your life who love to sing, give us a call. They'll have a great time, will be learning choral singing from some of the most highly trained music educators around, and won't come home with sand in their sleeping bag.

Singing in My Ear

2009-05-19T12:26:00.003-04:00

Well, it finally happened. A tune sung by the Indianapolis Children's Choir has landed on my IPOD. The always entertaining "Oye", the brainchild of Jim Papoulis, had my toes tapping in the car on the ride home from work last night. We had three phenomenal concerts this weekend, (Hear Our Song on Saturday, and two performances of Spring Celebration on Sunday) and "Oye" was in the repertoire. A recording was made of Hear Our Song, and that's how it landed in my CD player on the way home, and eventually in my IPOD.

Since I am not in the generation that grew up with the IPOD, I do not have it constantly stuck in my ear, nor do I have multiple play lists. I have ONE play list, filled with upbeat music to keep me motivated during my semi-regular runs. Since there is always the danger of me thinking I can run farther than I am capable of, the IPOD and it's cache of music carry me through.

So tonight, I'll listen to "Oye" on my run ~ when the Indianapolis Children's Choir will be singing just for me.

Choral Excellence in Columbus, Indiana!

2009-05-04T10:15:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I ventured down to Columbus, Indiana for the "Voices of Spring" concert presented by the Columbus Indianapolis Children's Choir. Columbus is the oldest and most established of all of ICC's regional choirs, and the only one thus far to have split into two ensembles. With all of these accomplishments, I've been remiss at not making the trip sooner!

The concert, under the guidance of CICC's Artistic Director Ruth Dwyer, was a delight! The kids sounded great, and an appreciative audience was not only treated to the Columbus Descant and Concert choirs, but also the Indianapolis Youth Chorale. The CICC kids sang with a precision one doesn't normally hear from such young singers, and IYC treated the audience to an seemingly impossible eight-part Indian Raga. IYC Director Cheryl West said about two weeks ago her singers nearly threw in the towel with this piece. But they stuck with it, and it was not only a unique treat for the audience, but the younger singers as well. Something to aspire to. A great moment happened when Ruth Dwyer was introducing the IYC singers, and took time to ask "How many of you were ever in a 'Dwyer Choir'?" Nearly every IYC hand went up!

The concert ended with Ruth asking the audience to join all three choirs in singing Irving Berlin's "God Bless America." We can only speculate on why a Russian immigrant wrote such an inspiring tribute to the United States, so popular that a stirring rendition was sung by members of the United States Congress on the steps of the US Capitol on September 11, 2001. I would bet he wrote it, because as Ruth Dwyer told the audience "Music just makes us feel better." And yesterday afternoon, it certainly did.

Voice of Youth wrap

2009-04-27T11:25:00.003-04:00

Here at the ICC offices we're all feeling a bit tired, but it's a good tired! Our Voices of Youth concerts this past Saturday were well received by very appreciative audiences! Since this is my first year with ICC, and my first Voices of Youth concert, I stand in amazement at the logistical feat our army of parent volunteers and experienced staff pull off on concert days. Moving hundreds of young singers quietly and seemingly flawlessly is no small accomplishment!

I invited two couples who had never been to an ICC concert to the 7pm show and am happy to report that they were amazed at the performance. Both spoke to the quality of the sound our choir directors were able to get out of these young kids, and it's safe to say that ICC has some new fans and future patrons!

As people were leaving the lobby after both shows, I heard a lot of positive buzz about Dance Kaleidoscope's performance as well. A wonderful complement to the show, the dancers garnered some new fans of their own. It was not only great for our audience, but for our ICC kids as well. Working with the DK dancers gave them an opportunity to appreciate this most athletic of all art forms up close.

25th Anniversary committee meeting

2009-02-19T16:11:00.000-05:00

The ICC's 25th anniversary committee met for the first time last night. A meeting filled with great ideas, ambitions and vision for this "silver" season lasted over 2 hours...........after a little leg work, some phone calls, and a survey of how 'do-able' some of these ideas are, I will later post a teaser on some of the upcoming plans.