Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, led by Michael Hayden at Pride on the Circle in 1991. Courtesy of Mark Lee. Used with permission.
Stephen McCoy – Courtesy of Antonio Chapital. Used with permission.
On September 1, Stephen McCoy will commence his position as the first executive director of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. IMC board chair, Tim Birky, states in a press release, “Given his history with the IMC, experience fundraising and marketing in arts, and LGBTQIA2S+ organizations, and enthusiasm for the role, we are confident Stephen is the best individual to help take the IMC to the next level.” When McCoy takes on his new role, he will manage day-to-day operations for the volunteer chorus, in addition to leading fundraising, marketing, and community outreach. McCoy, who has a background in nonprofit development, will work in partnership with artistic director Greg Sanders, who celebrated 20 years of service with the IMC during the 2022-23 season.
I first met McCoy, 48, in 2009 when he worked for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (2008-2019). That first foray working in nonprofit administration laid the foundation for his new role with the IMC, according to Don Steffy (currently the Indianapolis Ballet executive director), who was the executive director of ICC at the time and McCoy’s boss. I reached out to Steffey for his assessment of McCoy’s impact on the ICC. “Stephen’s tenure and experience in the nonprofit sector, coupled with his passion and love for the choral arts, have brought him to the right doorstep to help lead the IMC to its next level. Stephen also holds degrees in music and nonprofit management, which easily serves to support his work. He blends leadership, strong ethics, knowledge, and a great demeanor — I cannot think of a finer arts leader than Stephen McCoy,” said Steffy.
I also contacted Greg Sanders, the organization’s artistic director, to ask for a prediction of what McCoy will bring in his leadership position at the IMC. Sanders responded, “When Stephen takes his new role at the IMC, I think it is going to elevate our organization in so many ways. His executive leadership will help us to live our mission even more, to engage even more with our community, and allow us to dream even bigger dreams. Of course, I think we will grow substantially, but more importantly, I think we will be able to be even more deeply connected to the artistic fabric of Indianapolis.”
During his tenure at the ICC, I collaborated professionally with McCoy when I covered the group for Examiner.com and later here in my column. Along the way, we also developed a close friendship, which grew as a result of performing together in several events that benefited the Damien Center. When we first met, McCoy sang at the IMC, and we bonded over our shared passion for choral music, which, for me, stemmed from my six years performing with the IMC. Recently, I sat down with McCoy for lunch at Mimi Blue on Mass Ave, shortly after his announcement, which generated excitement within the IMC rank & file, as well as the LGTBQIA2S and arts communities. We also communicated by email. Below is an edited transcript of our conversation.
Front row center Stephen McCoy – Courtesy of Stephen McCoy. Used with permission.
What makes you qualified for the job?
I have been very fortunate that music has surrounded me throughout my life. I sang my first solo at the Oak Hill School’s production of “The Kindergarten Grammy Awards.” All decked out in my hat and red vest, I performed “Yankee Doodle Dandy.” I fell in love with music.
I graduated from the IU Jacobs School of Music with a music education degree and taught choir and band for a couple of years. Over the next few years, I worked at Music for All/Bands of America, co-founded the Pride of Indy Bands with my good friend Shelly Snider (the now executive director of Indy Pride) and joined the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus as a singer. During my 11 years at the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, I was able to learn a lot as I worked my way up from a development/executive assistant to senior director of development/marketing and associate executive director. I felt fortunate to be given opportunity after opportunity by Don Steffy (who was the executive director and now serves as executive director of the Indianapolis Ballet). These last four years, I served as the vice president of donor relations at the Damien Center, where I oversaw fundraising, marketing, communications, volunteer management, and events.
But that’s just a list I might provide on a resume. I think what makes me uniquely qualified for the job is my love for the art form and for the IMC. This is a dream job, and I can’t be more excited to shape the organization’s future in collaboration with the artistic director, Greg Sanders.
Stephen McCoy with Pride of Indy Bands mates Courtesy of Stephen McCoy. Used with permission.
What are your goals?
I have a lot of goals for the IMC. I really want to ramp up our community involvement, expand our educational outreach, raise awareness of the chorus, and bring more resources into the organization so that we can bring even bigger, more immersive, and impactful performances to the community. I’m dedicated to keeping the IMC a supportive space where our singers can grow, not only as musicians but also as individuals.
What is your vision for IMC?
When I think about IMC’s future, I see it as this lively, inclusive hub of culture within our city, and I see us as one of the premier arts organizations in the city. Of course, I want us to be known for our outstanding musical performances, but I also want us to stand out for our community engagement, educational efforts, and advocacy work. I envision the IMC as a place where people come together, find their artistic fulfillment, and make a positive impact in the community.
What does the IMC mean to you personally?
Choral music is very important to me. When I was growing up in middle school and was coming to terms with my own sexuality, I felt so different from everyone else. I thought I was doing a good job of pretending that I didn’t feel that way, but somehow others must have sensed it, and they teased and tormented me. The bullying extended to almost every part of my school day, even the bus ride to school. I had to stop riding the bus because no one on the full bus would let me sit with them, and my stop was the last stop. I would try, but kids would shove me out of their seats and the bus driver would yell at me for not sitting down. But what I did have was a family that loved me, and I had music. The choir room was my safe space. It was a different world where I wasn’t teased. I had friends there, and I could be myself.
With ICC colleagues Amy Hughley & Josh Pedde. Courtesy of Stephen McCoy. Used with permission.
bWhat does its mission mean to you?
I believe the formative years of an organization have a huge impact on its future. Back when the IMC was founded in 1991, one of the first performances was downtown at the Pride Festival that year. I wasn’t there that day, but the story really moves me every time I hear it. There was a large group of protestors spewing hate at those in attendance. The IMC climbed the stairs of Monument Circle to the sound of an angry mob. Those singers were incredibly brave. Michael Hayden (the IMC’s first artistic director) led the group in the national anthem. When the chorus began to sing, the crowd fell silent, and the protestors dispersed soon after the last note was sung. I like to think our mission and future was solidified that day. We entertain, educate, and promote an inclusive community through musical excellence. We sometimes have to go into spaces that might make others fearful, and we may have to make a stand when it isn’t convenient to do so. But we do it every day, year after year.
What is your relationship with Greg Sanders?
Greg is a close friend, and I feel fortunate to be able to lead the organization with him. We met back in 2011 when I was working for the Indianapolis Children’s Choir, and Greg was getting his Masters in Choral Conducting at Butler University. The ICC’s offices were at Butler as well, so that put us in the same place. A mutual friend introduced us, and Greg asked me if I would like to join the Chorus, and I did. Greg and I became fast friends. Soon, I became the president of the chorus and then board chair in 2015 when the IMC separated from Crossroads Performing Arts (the old umbrella organization of the Indianapolis Women’s Chorus and the IMC) and formed our own 501(c)(3). We found that we really worked well together in many ways. Some things that I might struggle with, Greg was adept at, and some things that Greg might not be great at, I excelled at. It truly was a great match and really served the organization well in the early years of it being on its own.
Stephen McCoy with IMC singers. Courtesy of Stephen McCory. Used with permission.
What makes the IMC unique in terms of its programming?
What sets the IMC apart is our fresh, innovative programming. Greg has this ability to take music from different genres, or that is normally performed in different mediums, and not only get it to make sense as choral music, but make it feel as if that’s where it always belonged. This approach keeps our performances exciting and relevant, offering our audiences something new and memorable every time.
What makes the IMC unique in terms of presenting choral music?
We take choral music beyond the stage. Our goal is to create immersive experiences that engage all the senses, redefining how people experience choral music. We challenge what it means to be a choir, and we embrace change. The IMC today is not the same as it was even five years ago. We are constantly evolving. We embrace innovation in staging, lighting, and multimedia integration, aiming to give audiences a dynamic and captivating encounter with the art form.
Stephen McCoy with husband Zac Neulieb. Courtesy of Stephen McCoy, Used with permission.
What else would you like to share?
We’ve covered a lot, but I’d like to emphasize our strong commitment to inclusivity and creating a welcoming space for everyone. Diversity is woven into our artistic expression and community engagement. Greg is intentional to program music from diverse composers, the chorus challenges the gender binary, and we uplift historically underrepresented communities. We want every individual to feel that their stories and voices matter.
What’s your message to the community?
To our community, I want to say that the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus is here for you. Whether you’re a music enthusiast, an aspiring singer, or just seeking connection and community, we welcome you as a singer, volunteer, or patron with open arms. Through the universal language of choral music, we can build harmony, understanding, and lasting friendships. Your support and involvement mean everything to us as we work together to make our community stronger and more vibrant through the arts.
For information about the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus and its 2023-2024 season, visit indianapolismenschorus.org.
