Indianapolis Children’s Choir

Founded in 1986 by Henry H. Leck, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC) is known for its performances at civic and cultural events in the city in addition to its own concert series. Singers are admitted to the choir by audition. Headquartered at Butler University, over 2,500 children between the ages of 18 months and 18 years participate in the program.

Children who belong to ICC come from over 350 schools and 56 school districts from 20 Indiana counties, including the entire Indianapolis MSA and nearby rural counties. ICC members engage in weekly, in-depth music education. The choir organizes its own annual 10-concert series, performing at such venues as Hilbert Circle Theatre, Clowes Memorial Hall, and the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center.

In 1990, the Indianapolis Children’s Choir made its debut at Carnegie Hall in New York City. The choir regularly performs with area symphonies such as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and the Carmel Symphony Orchestra. It also has appeared on stage with Dance Kaleidoscope and Indianapolis Opera.

ICC has performed with many internationally recognized musicians, including the Chieftans, Judy Collins, Denyse Graves, Celine Dion, Sylvia McNair, Sandy Patty, Angela Brown, and Marvin Hamlisch. ICC sang for President George W. Bush when he visited Indiana, and in 2013, the choir sang for Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Desmond Tutu at Butler University. In addition, the choir has produced 15 CDs, recording with such musical ensembles as Canadian Brass and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra.

Local civic performances for sporting events have included the opening and closing ceremonies of the Pan American Games, the International Indoor Track and Field Competition, the opening and closing ceremonies of the 1992 World Gymnastics Competition, and the 2004 FINA World Swimming Championships. For Super Bowl XLVI in 2012, ICC performed the national anthem with Grammy-winner Kelly Clarkson, and the group was featured at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500-Mile Race in 2016.

The choir tours internationally regularly. ICC has appeared in performances on every continent, except Antarctica.

In July 2023 ICC plans to move from its longtime home at Butler University to a 15,000-square-foot building at 9111 Allisonville Road. The purchase of the former F. C. Tucker Company building was a central piece of ICC’s $4 million capital campaign to buy, renovate, and maintain its own headquarters. About 400 singers will use the new space weekly.