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.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
A Spotlight on Perfection
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!
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!
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Auditions Revealed
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!
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!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
An Audience to Envy
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.
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.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Reality Bites
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.
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.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Truly Moving Evening
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.
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.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Anatomy of a Video Shoot
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!)
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