By Mark Ambrogi
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir has long been committed to collaboration. Artistic director Eric Stark said the 2016-17 season will be a prime example.
“This is our 80th season for this iconic choir, which makes us one of the oldest choirs of its kind anywhere in the United States,” said Stark, who is entering his 15th season. “We were founded in 1937 at the request of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and the ISO continues to be our chief musical partner in the community, but we’re also grateful for the opportunity to do a number other projects on our own. We’ll be highlighting some of those this season.”
The Symphonic Choir starts the 2016-17 season by visiting Carnegie Hall in New York City Oct. 16, its first visit to Carnegie Hall in nearly 40 years. The choir will be performing the piece “Zabur,’ which is the Arabic word for psalms.
“The music was written for us by a young Arab-American composer named Mohammad Fairouz,” Stark said. “We premiered the piece in April 2015 at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. The Indianapolis Children’s Choir joined us for the world premiere, and we’re very honored they will travel with us to perform at Carnegie Hall. That’s a great way to get the season started right.”
Stark said the Festival of Carols has grown enormously in popularity in recent years, in part, because of the collaborations.
“We’ll be joined by our friends from the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra for the five performances,” Stark said, “It will showcase two beautiful venues, one is the auditorium at the Scottish Rite Cathedral and at the Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. By popular demand, we’ve added a fifth performance for Festival of Carols. This is the first time ever we’re doing five concerts.”
Grammy-award winning soprano concert artist Sylvia McNair will join the choir in the holiday performances. In addition, singers from area high schools will be featured in the high school spotlight series.
The 80th anniversary season celebration concert will feature Medelssohn’s masterpiece “Elijah” at the Palladium in Carmel at 8 p.m. March 17. The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir will take part as well.
The gala supporting the Symphonic Choir’s music education and outreach programs is set for April 29 at the Conrad Indianapolis.
For more, visit indychoir.org.