Music has the power to bring people together, to uplift voices and to create spaces where everyone feels they belong.
In every culture and generation, song has been a unifying force — whether in places of worship, at moments of protest or in celebrations of life’s milestones. This belief is at the heart of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s mission, and in 2025, we are taking a bold step forward in making choral music more accessible than ever before.
On April 12, 2025, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will present its first-ever pay-what-you-can performance, Voices of the Spirit, at the historic Indiana Landmarks Center. This concert is more than just an afternoon of beautiful music — it is a statement of inclusion and accessibility, ensuring that anyone, regardless of financial means, can experience the transformative power of live choral music.
The arts should never be a luxury reserved for a select few. Choral music is a shared experience that resonates deeply in faith communities, cultural traditions and moments of collective joy and sorrow. Too often, financial barriers prevent people from experiencing these moments in a live setting.
By introducing pay-what-you-can pricing, we are opening our performance to the entire Indianapolis community to experience the richness of choral music — many, perhaps, for the first time. Whether someone contributes $50 or $5 or attends at no cost, everyone can be part of our celebration of American music by Aaron Coplan, Margaret Bonds and Leanord Berstein.
This year’s Voices of the Spirit program is centered around the works of Margaret Bonds, one of the most influential Black female composers of the 20th century. A trailblazer in American music, Bonds was deeply inspired by spirituals and the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois and Langston Hughes, using her compositions to express the struggles and triumphs of the African American experience.
Her 1967 work “Credo,” featured in this concert, sets excerpts from Du Bois’ powerful poem about the nobility of the Black race and the unwavering belief in justice and equality. Bonds faced racism throughout her career but remained steadfast in using music as her tool for storytelling, advocacy and hope — an example that continues to inspire today.
In addition to Margaret Bonds’ Credo, this program will feature Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Chichester Psalms” — works that reflect creation, resilience and unity. These compositions remind us that music has always been a way for people to express hope, celebrate identity and build community.
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is proud to make this experience open to all. This is your opportunity if you have never attended a choral performance. If you have never heard of the powerful works of Margaret Bonds, this is your moment. If you believe in the importance of music as a force for connection and understanding, this is your chance to be part of something special.
We invite you to join us on April 12 for an unforgettable evening of music that will uplift, inspire and remind us of the power of community. Together, let’s prove that music belongs to everyone. Reserve your tickets today.
Dr. Jennifer Cooper is the Executive Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, dedicated to making choral music an accessible and transformative experience for all. Through innovative programming and community outreach, she champions the belief that music should be shared by everyone, regardless of background or financial means.
