Indianapolis Symphonic Choir celebrates live performance return of holiday tradition during its 85th anniversary season

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s Festival of Carols. A Midwest family tradition filled with a variety of holiday favorites, the Choir will be joined by guest artists including Indianapolis native and world-renowned soprano Angela Brown, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and of course – Santa. Although the Symphonic Choir is best known for performing classical music, Festival of Carols features a selection of fan-favorite and traditional holiday music such as “Joy to the World,” “Do You Hear What I Hear?” and Kenny Loggins’ “Celebrate Me Home.” Timeless classics will be intertwined with holiday film favorites, a visit from Santa, and Handel’s “Hallelujah Chorus.”

WHEN & WHERE: 

Presenting Partner: Indianapolis Monthly

Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021 at 7 p.m. – Warren Performing Arts Center*

Friday, Dec. 17, 2021 at 8 p.m. – The Palladium, Carmel

Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021 at 3 p.m. – The Palladium, Carmel**

Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021 at 3 p.m. – The Palladium, Carmel*

*Denotes performance with sign language (ASL) interpretation.

**Denotes performance with live stream option available. 

TICKETS: For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.indychoir.org.  

LOCAL COMPOSER’S PREMIERE: Festival of Carols will also feature the world premiere of “Gather Round the Holy Manger,” winner of the 12th Annual Christmas Carol Commission Competition, an initiative as part of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s ongoing commitment to the future of choral music. Composer Joyce Vickery, an Indianapolis native, is an alumna of the International Hymn Writing Collective where she studied modern hymn writing with Matt Merker and Keith Getty. A homeschooling mother, Vickery finds great joy in writing songs for her local church and elementary music classes. She holds a BM in Composition from Indiana University, where she first studied choral composition with the renowned Swedish composer Sven-David Sandstrom. She currently resides in Indianapolis with her husband and six children.

HEALTH & SAFETY POLICY INFORMATION: The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative COVID-19 PCR test for anyone ages 12 years and older for all self-produced productions in the 2021-2022 season, which includes Festival of Carols. Policy details:

·Children under 12 years of age are exempt from the vaccination mandate and the testing requirement, although a mask must be worn at all times for children over the age of 2.

·Patrons must have a completed Covid-19 vaccination card with their final dose at least 14 days prior to the event, or a negative PCR test result within 72 hours or less prior to the event.

·Proof of vaccination may include a physical card or a photo of a complete vaccination card that matches the patron ID.

·Proof of a negative test may be a printed or digital PCR test result (Rapid or Antigen tests not accepted) that matches the patron ID.

·People with a medical condition or closely held religious belief that prevents vaccination can attend with proof of a recent negative coronavirus test.

·In addition, per the latest CDC guidelines, patrons, staff, and volunteers will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccination status.

CHRISTMAS CAROL COMMISSION COMPETITION: Applications are now being accepted through May 31, 2022 for the 13th Annual Christmas Carol Commission Competition. For more information and application guidelines, visit https://indychoir.org/outreach/commission-competition/. Winners of the Commission Competition have been published by these and other publishers: EC Schirmer, Shawnee Press, Beckenhorst Press. Access and awareness of the annual competition has reached more than 44,000 students, teachers, and industry professionals through the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir’s ad placement in Musical America’s competition database.

About the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir: The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, celebrating its 85th season in 2021-2022, is proud to be one of the nation’s most established and dynamic musical institutions. Among the most active symphonic choruses in the United States, the Choir reaches more than 20,000 persons each season through performances and education & community engagement programs. The 150 volunteer singers demonstrate the Choir’s commitment to musical excellence through their talent and dedication during each 10-month season. The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir was founded in 1937 at the request of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra to perform the great choral-orchestral repertoire. This continued partnership exhibits the best of collaborative ideals – two independent arts organizations combining their strengths to create beautifully lasting musical results. For more information, visit www.indychoir.org.