The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s “Voices of the Spirit” aims to give Black composer and trailblazer Margaret Bonds “long overdue recognition.”
The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir boasts an immersive musical experience with “Voices of the Spirit,” inviting guests to celebrate the history, resilience and legacy of diverse voices. Taking place April 12 at Indiana Landmarks, the performance will feature Bonds’ “Credo” alongside works from Aaron Copeland and Leonard Bernstein, according to a press release.
“Margaret Bonds’ Credo is a work of astonishing depth and emotion,” Dr. Eric Stark, artistic director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, said in a statement. “By setting the words of W.E.B. Du Bois to music, Bonds created something more than a composition — she created an anthem of resilience and hope. This performance will be a moving experience for singers and audience members alike.”
Bonds made history as one of the first Black women to gain national recognition as a composer and pianist.
Her compositions were famous for setting Langston Hughes and W.E.B. Du Bois’ words and poetry against a blend of traditional classic music and African American spirituals. Despite facing both racial and gender discrimination, Bonds’ legacy of “deeply expressive and socially impactful music” continues today despite facing both racial and gender discrimination, according to the press release.
Composed in 1967, Bonds’ “Credo” is a choral setting of Du Bois’ essay of the same name. It features choral harmonies, piano accompaniment and solo passages mirroring the Civil Rights Movement. The piece “passionately affirms the dignity of Black life and the enduring belief in justice and hope,” according to a press release.
In addition to “Credo,” the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will perform Aaron Copland’s “In the Beginning,” an a cappella choral piece featuring a mezzo-soprano soloist telling the story of creation from the Biblical book of Genesis.
The choir will also perform Leonard Bernetein’s “Chichester Psalms,” another choral piece featuring text from the Hebrew Psalms.
To increase accessibility to choral music, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is introducing a new pay-what-you-can ticket model for the concert, according to a press release. This will ensure anyone — regardless of financial means — can experience this “moving and historically significant performance. “
“At the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, we believe that music should be shared freely and that financial barriers should never prevent someone from experiencing the transformative power of choral music,” Jennifer Cooper, executive director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, said in a statement “This pay-what-you-can model is an invitation to the entire community to join us for an evening that uplifts, inspires and honors the voices of the past.”
Attendees are also invited to attend a pre-concert conversation with Josh Thompson, pianist, musical sociologist and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s Creative Partner-in-Residence. Also known affectionately as Sock Joplin, Thompson is a teaching artist and expert on classical African composers and “the inherent cultural connectivity in the broader aesthetic of Black Arts movements.
“Voices of the Spirit” takes place April 12 at Indiana Landmarks. Tickets are pay-what-you-can. For more information, visit indychoir.org.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
