Founded in 1994, the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus (IWC) was the second of two LGBTQ performing groups established by Crossroads Performing Arts, created to develop LGBTQ musical ensembles (both vocal and instrumental) that would provide Central Indiana audiences with high-caliber concerts. The chorus also sought to present the LGBTQ community in a positive light, promote a spirit of pride, and build bridges of understanding.
IWC is a companion choir to the formed in 1990. Both vocal ensembles have roots in the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transexual (GLBT) choral movement, which arose in the 1980s in the wake of the AIDS epidemic. As the LGBTQ rights movement became more visible in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Indianapolis women’s and men’s choruses became ambassadors for the cause.
The Indianapolis Women’s Chorus is committed to excellence in music and the power of women and song to transform communities. Its repertoire is diverse, including ancient and modern chants, sacred music from many traditions, jazz, popular, feminist music, world music, and social justice songs. Also, IWC highlights music by women composers and has performed original works written by its own members.
IWC gives voice to the experiences of women and shares music to bring about a more inclusive and peaceful world. In addition to regular season concerts, IWC engages with the community in a variety of ways such as performing at the and social justice events.
CPA managed IWC for over two decades, along with the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. In 2016, IWC became independent. To honor its milestone 25th Season in 2018-2019, IWC established the annual Emerging Voices Women’s Choral Composition Contest to encourage young women composers in Indiana to create new music for women’s voices.
IWC is a nonprofit organization managed by a volunteer Board of Directors and two staff persons. It is supported financially through individual and corporate donations, foundation grants, membership fees, and fundraisers.
IWC collaborates with other choruses both locally and nationally and is a member of GALA (Gay and Lesbian Association of choruses) and the Sister Singers Network.
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