There’s a reason you’ve heard of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC) before. Whether you’ve enjoyed a concert, seen singers at a big public event, or you know someone who’s been involved as a singer, it’s clear that the organization has been woven into the fabric of Indianapolis and the central Indiana community. This season they are celebrating 40 years of making a lasting impact. 

In fact, the ICC is considered one of the largest children’s choirs in the world, and thousands of Hoosier children have been a part of this legacy of music-making magic over the years. Since its inception in 1986 by founder Henry Leck, the choir has grown to serve over 2,000 children annually through its weekly choirs, camps, and outreach programs. 

“As we celebrate our 40th Anniversary this season, we are aiming to honor this incredible legacy of choral music artistry that has been cultivated for so long,” explains Joshua Pedde, current Executive Artistic Director. “We are doing this not only through of course the music at our concerts, but also through sharing some of the magical moments from our alumni and current singers.”

These moments can be big or small, from making a new friend, to singing on a big stage for the first time. As the ICC celebrates, they’ve been collecting these meaningful stories to share, here are just a few:

“We were on tour in New York and we were singing in this big church. When we were singing, the sound just doubled back on us and it felt so magical. Kind of like you were floating,” shared Addison, an ICC singer, now ICC alum. 

“Max has a disability, which has made finding extra-curricular activities tricky. I wondered if he would do okay with the bright lights and large crowd. Would he sing? Would he become overwhelmed? Tears formed in my eyes as the music began, and I heard his voice, loudly and clearly, singing out the words. When I asked him afterwards if he was nervous, he replied, ‘No, my friends were with me,’” shared an ICC parent. 

“The most rewarding thing about working at the ICC now is seeing how the choir can make an impact on singers just like it did on me years ago – seeing their joy in singing together, making friends, and growing as a choir is such a gift! As a composer for ICC, it is also especially meaningful to hear them sing music I’ve written just for them,” shared Leeann Starkey, ICC alum and current ICC Director and Composer in Residence. 

Clearly the art form of choral music goes beyond the rehearsal room, beyond the stage, and into the lives of these singers and the community. 

The ICC’s 40th Anniversary concert season is just beginning, and new singers and the public are invited to join in on the magic. The choir accepts new singers on a rolling basis and beginners are welcome. The concert season kicks off on September 28, 2025 with Voyages, a concert that will catalog some of the choir’s prior international tours, and will continue with four holiday concerts, a master work presentation of Jubilate Deo at Hilbert Circle Theatre, and a celebration of old and new with At the Corner of Bach and Broadway to finish out the season. Tickets are on sale now.

All photos are courtesy of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir