The spectacular Indiana Landmarks Center was the site for Sunday’s gala IndyChoruses’ benefit and premiere of an It Gets Better video featuring the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and other singers, all of whom volunteered.
The video is the brain-child of IMC artistic director Greg Sanders who drove the project with the assistance of ISO cellist Geoffrey Lapin, and others. It features the entire ensemble of singers and musicians, led by Sanders, performing The Promise of Living by Aaron Copland, along with testimonials from IMC singers and others.
The collaboration also included WFYI, which donated its services for the production of the video, and the University of Indianapolis, which donated funds towards the production and the use of the Ruth Lilly Hall of the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center where the shoot took place.
The It Gets Better Project was created in 2010 by syndicated columnist and author Dan Savage and his partner Terry Miller to inspire hope for LGTB facing harassment through bullying. Since the project was created, thousands of videos have been posted. The IMC video will be available for viewing on www.itgetsbetter.org and on YouTube early next week.
The benefit itself was titled, It Gets Better – The Indianapolis Response. Attended by approximately 250 people, it consisted of a reception that took place prior to a two-hour long program of speakers and performers, which was held in the center’s imposing Grand Hall.
The evening concluded with the screening of the video, which delivers in terms of its inspirational value. It also succeeds due to the quality of its production and scope of its content. Overall, it’s a real coup not only for the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and IndyChoruses but for the city of Indianapolis as a whole.
Entertainment highlights of the program included The Indianapolis Women’s Chorus, led by IWC artistic director Scott Buchanan, and accompanied on piano by Dianna Davis. Their vitality and musicality were impressive as they sang Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu from Requiem and Wishing You Were Somewhere Here Again from The Phantom of the Opera.
A crowd favorite was former IMC chorus member and golden-toned tenor Doug Dilling. He sang and accompanied himself on piano as he performed a touching rendition of Everything Possible, a lullaby about unconditional love by Fred Small.
Reprising their recent performance with the ISO’s Pops concert stage production of Hello Dolly!, starring Sandi Patty, was the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. Led by Sanders and accompanied by D. J. Smith on the piano, they sang Hello Dolly! with Aly Peslis as the title character. Peslis, who gave a fine performance, showing promise as a singer and actor, also performed in the ISO production. A student at Butler University, Peslis also happens to be Sandi Patty’s stepdaughter.
Following the theme of the event, the IMC also sang Stephen Sondheim’s poignant Children Will Listen from his musical, Into The Woods. Filling the hall with the richness of their well trained voices, the chorus clearly demonstrated why they are creating a buzz and acquiring a mainstream reputation for their talent, artistic excellence and subsequent high quality of their performances.
The only disappointment of the evening was the fact that there weren’t more in attendance to experience what was truly a rare event. Perhaps with improved marketing and communications, audiences for IndyChoruses events will grow and expand.
For information about IndyChoruses and upcoming Indianapolis Women’s Chorus and Indianapolis Men’s Chorus performances, visit www.indychoruses.org.
