The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is proud to be one of central Indiana’s most established and dynamic musical institution and 2013/2014 marks its 77th season. Among the most active symphonic choruses in the nation, this organization reaches in excess of 25,000 persons each season with more than 25 performances and a comprehensive educational/outreach program. The approximately 160 volunteer singers demonstrate the Choir's commitment to musical excellence through their talent and dedication during each forty-week season. The organization is led by a professional staff and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.

The Symphonic Choir is the choral partner of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, having been founded in 1937 at the Orchestra’s request to perform the great choral-orchestral repertoire. Over the years, this partnership with the ISO has remained at the very core of the Choir’s existence. This partnership exhibits the very best of collaborative ideals–two successfully independent arts organizations combining their strengths to create beautifully lasting musical results.

In addition to collaborative performances with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, the Symphonic Choir presents its own performances, educational initiatives and events each season. Regular features include the Sacred Masterworks concert series, which includes large-scale choral-orchestral performances that are complemented by an array of educational events. The Symphonic Choir also produces the family-friendly and ever-popular Festival of Carols concerts, an innovative Sacred Arts performance experience in collaboration with the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Celebration Gospel Festival, and a vocal jazz series titled Mood Indigo.

The Symphonic Choir is committed to providing world-class educational experiences to persons of all ages throughout the community. The Choir is now in its third year as the official choral partner of the Indianapolis Public Schools, providing teacher training, educational resources, performance experiences and free printed music. The Spotlight Choir series unites area middle and high school choirs with the Symphonic Choir in a side-by-side rehearsal and performance opportunity, providing intergenerational learning experiences. Other educational initiatives include In-Choir-ing Minds, a lecture-performance featuring a choral masterwork; the Choral Colloquium, which provides scholarly exploration and discussion via the Choir’s Scholar-in-Residence; Roundtables for choir directors from area schools, universities, congregations and community ensembles; student conducting workshops and Hallelujah – What’s it to ya!?, an engaging look at Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

Commissioning new works is critical to the Choir’s mission, and recent years have seen numerous commissioned works added to the body of choral repertoire. In 2009, the organization launched the international Christmas Carol Commission Competition, which encourages emerging composers to write high-quality choral music. CD recordings of recent commissions are available on the Symphonic Choir’s website, including the recent release of a complete, two-disc recording of Mendelssohn's Elijah. The Choir was featured at the Super Bowl XLVI half time performance with Madonna, and is heard on Sirius-XM Radio.

Throughout its history spanning three-quarters of a century, the Symphonic Choir has been served by leaders in the choral art, including music directors Elmer Steffen, Don Neuen, Charles Webb, John W. Williams, and Robert Porco, and has given performances around the world. The Symphonic Choir is under the artistic direction of Dr. Eric Stark and is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, in residence at Butler University's Jordan College of the Arts, Indianapolis.