We hope as you read our stories you will celebrate in our growth and successes. Please consider joining us in this year’s annual campaign. Your generous support allows us to continue providing high quality choral music instruction and performance opportunities for Indiana’s young singers.
Call us today to learn more. 317.940.9640.
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Reason 1… ICC has a New Number 1 Administrative Leader
“Based on the strength of the staff, the direction of the board and the environmental fabric formed by leaders before me, I knew I could see myself here.” — Don Steffy
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir is excited and proud to introduce its new executive director. Don Steffy, a well-known leader in the Indianapolis arts community and founder of the Pike Performing Arts Center will be joining ICC in June.
Don has a considerable amount of experience in the performing arts, including spending time on Broadway in Seven Brides for Seven Brothers and the Tony-Award winning On Your Toes. He has danced principal roles with the Basle Ballet Theatre in Switzerland and the Ohio, Birmingham and Cincinnati Ballets. Don was the Artistic Director and CEO of the Montgomery Ballet for 11 years before dancing his way into Indianapolis’ art scene. Most recently, Don served as the executive director of the Pike Performing Arts Center.
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Reason 2… A Special Program for Special Children
“Children with special needs are just as precious and as important to me as the gifted singers of ICC.” — Ruth Dwyer, Associate Director/Director of Education
What began as an after-school program to support the St. Vincent Unity Development Center’s mission of engaging children to experience healthy opportunities that encourages growth, new horizons for life and team and community leadership has developed into a partnership that now reaches into the hospital benefiting children with special needs.
With her unique teaching background and a passion for children, Ruth Dwyer has created a program that teaches occupational, speech, hearing and physical therapists to use musical activities to help healing children. The need — and a growing interest among therapists will take Ruth and her class to other St. Vincent communities across Indiana.
ICC also has donated percussion instruments and visual aids for therapists at St. Vincent to use in order to enrich their development activities — a true testament to ICC’s commitment to the community.
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Reason 3 to Be Inspired by ICC
“The children revere her. She means the world to them.” — Brenta Clem, director of early childhood, St. Mary’s Child Center, explains of the relationship with the children and music teacher, Mrs. Carter
The power of music is transforming the lives of at-risk children through a unique partnership between the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and St. Mary’s Child Center. Preschool children with developmental, learning or emotional problems are inspired by musical and developmental experiences provided by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.
With a grant from the Indianapolis Foundation, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir has been able to provide a 10-week session of music education to every child served by St. Mary’s for a second year in a row. Your generous support will allow us to continue our work with children who so desperately need to be shown the care and kindness from ICC music teachers like Mrs. Carter.
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Reason Cuatro… ICC Reaches Out to Indianapolis’ Hispanic Community
“As the face of our community changes, so do the faces of the young, inspiring singers involved with the choir.” — Henry Leck, artistic director and founder
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir created a new eastside satellite ensemble in January to address a growing interest from Indianapolis’ Latino community to participate in the choir. ICC welcomes singers from all over, from every socio- and economic background, from birth to teenager, and from every level of experience. The development of the eastside satellite choir was another opportunity for ICC to demonstrate its commitment to Indianapolis — and to the young singers of the community.
Singers from 4th-8th grade kicked off the new choir with rehearsals in January. Since that time, they have been rehearsing weekly at CAFE and will participate in the Indianapolis Children’s Choir Spring Celebration Concert on May 20 in the Pike Performing Arts Center.
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Reason 5… ICC Alum Reports the Facts
“The Indianapolis Children’s Choir is so much more than just a choir. It taught me discipline, confidence and dependability. ” — Kate Williams, Fox 59 Reporter
Kate Williams joined the Indianapolis Children’s Choir in the fifth grade and continued singing through her freshman year in high school. She has many fond memories of the international tours, the friendships she made and the fun she had on stage.
Reporting the facts on ICC, Kate shares the following:
- Singing in the Canterbury Cathedral was the most amazing experience of my life.
- I’ll never forget Henry Leck and his enthusiasm for music — it definitely rubbed off on me.
- It was great to show up for rehearsals and concerts and be around other people like me — kids who liked singing as much as me.
- The Choir was a wonderful experience — it truly helped shape who I am today.
Kate received her B.A. degree from Ball State University. She joined Fox 59 in November 2003 after serving as a general assignment reporter for WTWO in Terre Haute. She gladly supports Indianapolis Children’s Choir and is proud of her time as a member.
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Reason 6… Chartering a New Course
When the Indianapolis Children’s Choir first learned that several of the Charter Schools did not have choral programs as part of their curriculum, they took note. ICC quickly created an outreach program designed specifically for students who might otherwise miss out on music classes, giving them the opportunity to experience and appreciate the arts.
First established in 2004, the program has grown to nearly 50 students from six different Charter Schools throughout the city. Enhancements to the program also have been made over the years to provide students with the true ICC experience, such as rehearsing at Butler University.
Through this partnership, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir can continue to nurture the artistic excellence, self-esteem, accomplishment and pride in every singer.
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Reason 7… Creating Artistry
A strong commitment to music education and the dedication to training conductors led to the development of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir’s Creating Artistry workshop, now in its (?) year. Established in a nurturing environment, Creating Artistry offers conductors from around the world the unique opportunity to further develop their conducting skills.
The advancement of the art and the music profession are the motivation behind the training. Each year, ICC proudly sponsors artistic workshops designed to provide in-depth and insightful guidance on both technical and musical matters.
The impact of this program goes beyond what is taught in the workshops, touching the lives of the thousands of singers who participate in children’s choirs nationwide. A sense of pride comes with knowing that the Indianapolis Children’s Choir is making a difference in so many lives — and so many young voices.
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Reason 8: Traveling with ICC is Great
“Whenever I think of ICC, I'm going to think of friends, good times and the beautiful music we make.” —Andrew, ICC singer
Music being made by the Indianapolis Children Choir is being heard from all corners of the world. From Indianapolis to Italy; New York to Norway; and Columbus to China, ICC singers are singing and sharing their musical talents with audiences around the planet.
Touring has become a tradition of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. In-state, domestic and international tours provide exceptional opportunities for ICC singers and families. Singers learn the importance of representing Indianapolis wherever they go and come home with an appreciation of a different culture they learned on tour. They are also taught the value of fundraising — each raising money for their trip. Most remarkably, singers receive lifetime memories, lifelong friendships and a worldly education through the tours they embark upon.
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Reason 9… Sharing Our Stories with You On-line
Friends, families and supporters of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir were the inspiration and motivation behind the new design and information found on our new Web site. Launched in April, our plans with the site are to share our stories, our news, our people and our programs with you so you can become engaged and motivated by the wonderful work of the 1,500 singers involved with the Choir.
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Reason 10… ICC Offers Financial Aid
In its 21 years, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir has stayed true to a vision of enriching the lives of youth from all religious, racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds by providing quality music education. So when approached by a family who could not afford to participate, ICC leaders — all with big hearts — agreed to do something about it.
That was a defining moment — a moment when a young singer might have missed the opportunity to experience ICC. A moment when a family humbly asked ICC for help. And a moment when ICC leaders decided they would always find a way to help families in need.
ICC provides financial aid for tuition assistance and program underwriting support annually, allowing all young singers the opportunity to experience the joy of participating in the choir. In 2005-06 alone, ICC contributed $85,000 toward this community outreach program. However, we need your help. Your support will allow us to provide more financial aid to families who have a need.
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Reason 11… ICC Leads Benefit for African Orphans
Thirteen million orphans in Africa. Never before has the world encountered a crisis of such proportion. Never before have so many children been in need of care. In 2006, children’s choirs from across the U.S. united for African orphans — and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir was the organization chosen to lead this very important project.
When the Amani Children’s Foundation first thought of the idea to create a CD to raise money for children in Kenya affected by the HIV-AIDS epidemic, they came to Indianapolis — specifically to the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Organizers wanted to create a CD “so beautiful that it would make the world sit up and listen’.
“Our project was blessed by Henry Leck’s enthusiasm and his willingness to use his expertise and contacts to produce the CD,” said Dr. Jane Stephens, Director of the Amani Children’s Foundation. “The beauty of the music gives testimony to his passion for the project.”
The CD was released in the Fall of 2006, featuring the voices of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir along with other wonderful choirs and the artistic leadership of Henry Leck.
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Reason 12… ICC heats up Miami
Miami, Florida, one of the most beautiful vacation destinations in the United States, was taken over by the most beautiful sounds of children’s voices during the 2007 ACDA National Convention in March.
Each year, the American Choral Directors Association chooses a select number of choirs to perform and participate in the annual convention. The Indianapolis Children’s Choir Cantantes Angeli was the only Indiana choir given the honor to perform. Singing before thousands of choral conductors from all over the United States, the choir received three standing ovations for their performances.
The convention provided ICC members inspiration and motivation. In turn, they provided others with excellence in performance.
Your support allows young singers the opportunity to represent Indianapolis at national conventions such as the ACDA National Convention. Please consider joining the Indianapolis Children’s Choir as we continue to support lifelong music lovers.
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Reason 13… There’s Nothing Unlucky About the Big Fun Event
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir celebrated the success of its first fundraiser after exceeding expectations with the Big Fun Event. ICC members performed “What a Wonderful World,” setting the tone for a “wonderful event.”
“To see the choir perform that song was a true testament to their professionalism,” said Lisa Mortier, event chair.
ICC teaches professionalism, self-confidence and poise — all of which were apparent during the Big Fun Event. ICC also teaches participants the importance of philanthropy. For the Big Fun Event, each choir created a basket for the silent auction. Creativity ran wild, and the themed baskets quickly became the popular items.
This year’s Big Fun Event equaled Big Fun Success thanks to the time, commitment and energy of the ICC staff, volunteers and event committee. The money raised at this year’s event will help ICC continue its quality programming for current — and future singers.
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Reason 15… ICC on DVD
Their stories are heartwarming. Their experiences are remarkable. And after the documentary, In Endless Song, first aired on WFYI, there was an increase from people who simply wanted to know more about them.
Who are they? They are the more than 1,200 singers who make up the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. And through a generous partnership with WFYI, ICC created a special documentary giving viewers an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the largest children’s choral programs of its kind in the U.S. That documentary has been turned into a special DVD, now available for sale.
After watching In Endless Song you will discover that these singers are great kids, sharing their talents in ways that will make a difference in the world.
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Reason 16… ICC Scores Big in Sports
For the past two decades, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir has performed in a wide variety of venues, including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Pan Am Plaza and a temporary pool built specifically for the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships. Twenty one years ago, ICC founder Henry Leck would have never guessed his audience would consist of national and international athletes, amateur and Olympic gold medalists.
When Indianapolis leaders had a vision to converge arts and sports, they called upon the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. Members of the choir have performed at such sporting events as the Pan Am Games, International Solheim Cup, the US Grand Prix/Formula One, the FINA World Swimming Championships, Big 10 Basketball Championships, along with local professional sporting events including Colts, Pacers and Indians games.
The choir received international acclaim when they sang the winner’s national anthem during the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships. Choir member researched, studied and rehearsed more than 25 national anthems — an incredible and impressive feat.
Your gift to the Indianapolis Children’s Choir will allow us to support important initiatives such as the city’s cultural convergence.
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Reason 21… Involved and Engaged for 21 Years
Twenty one years ago, Bill Batt signed his daughter up as a charter member of the new Indianapolis Children’s Choir. After just one year, Bill was invited to join the board. His dedication and commitment to the organization empowered him to serve as the board president, a position he held for ten years. He has seen more than 100 concerts, met thousands of young singers and traveled on several tours. As a board member, he has seen vast growth (including singers and staff), experienced the trials and tribulations of the ICC’s first major recording and observed the expansion of the breadth and depth of the board.
Bill is one of ICC’s biggest fans — someone who can be spotted at every concert and every event. So what are his hopes for the next 21 years (and beyond)?
“That we continue to nurture young singers, that we generate the funding resources to continue at this level and that we continue to recruit strong and capable staff and board members. Most importantly, my hope is that the Indianapolis Children’s Choir continues to be seen as one of the outstanding arts organizations contributing to the fabric of the community.” —Bill Batt
For more information on how you can support the Indianapolis Children’s Choir call 317.940.9640, or
you can donate online.
