Indianapolis Men’s Chorus – Courtesy of Indianapolis, Men’s Chorus Used with permission.
There is no question that ever since Greg Sanders was appointed Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, he has elevated the organization’s artistic level to new heights as an established mainstream arts organization. I base my opinion on having covered the chorus as a journalist for years and particularly since 2011, when Sanders began his tenure. During that time, I have since numerous IMC concerts as well as its hit IndyFringe Theatre Festival shows. Due to my own history with the IMC as a six-year member in its early days, I am a devotee of choral music in general and an advocate of the chorus’s mission. Recently I. communicated with Sanders via email. Below is an edited transcript.
Greg Sanders – Indianapolis Men’s Chorus – Courtesy of Indianapolis, Men’s Chorus Used with permission.
Describe your background?
I have had the honor of serving as the Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus (IMC) since 2011. I finished my training with a master’s degree in choral conducting from Butler University, where I had the privilege of studying with Eric Stark and Henry Leck. Besides directing the IMC, I am a choral director at Center Grove High School and the vocal director for Pops productions at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I love the multiple hats I wear as a conductor, arranger, and orchestrator, and I am proud of the contributions I get to make to the musical landscape within and beyond Indianapolis.
Tell me about your upcoming show, “Spirit of the Season.”
The IMC’s annual holiday show is the one event we have held every year since our founding, so it holds a lot of significance for us. This is our 34th consecutive holiday program, and it runs from December 15th to 17th at Marian University Theater. We hope that “Spirit of the Season” resonates deeply within the LGTBQIA2S+ community, where, for some, strained family structures can pose challenges during the holiday season. At the IMC, we take pride in creating a chosen family of supportive friends who gather around our mutual love for the art of music.
Alongside many familiar holiday classics, both sacred and secular, we also have our signature annual favorites like the Parade of the Wooden Soldiers. But Santa always has a few surprises up his sleeve, so our audience should be ready for anything!
L-R Greg Sanders & Jack Everly – Courtesy of Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Used with permission
What inspires you?
Through my many different projects and engagements, I am afforded the opportunity to collaborate with so many different people, all of whom bring a huge diversity of experience and skill set to the table. Daily I get to see musicians of all ages, from the mentoring of our high school students at Center Grove to collaborating with professionals at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I get to witness the profound impact of music at every stage. Music is a lifelong journey. That thread is deeply woven into the fabric of IMC, where individuals from all occupations converge. From newcomers to seasoned educators and performers, our musical “melting pot” embodies the beauty of music’s universality. My world is full of connections—some students I have taught at Center Grove have gone on to sing with the IMC or the ISO, and many of our IMC vocalists sing with the symphony. In all these situations, musicians gather to learn, share, and create. I feel privileged to be part of their journey.
Why did you choose music as a career?
During my college years, my initial plan was to become a medical doctor. I did the whole thing… I majored in Biology, took the MCAT, and went to the IU School of Medicine for a semester. However, I reached a pivotal moment that fall where I realized I had to embrace who I was more than who I thought I should be.
I took a “Renaissance Man” approach in college, and, even though I was busy doing the “science-y stuff,” music really emerged as my favorite passion. It combined my interest in a wide variety of disciplines: literature and poetry, history, religion, even a little math and physics. Music also has an element of public performance that is not unlike my upbringing in a sports household. Music was a way for me to take all those interests and put them into one career.
I would also offer this: I honestly believe that all forms of art serve as a reflective mirror, encouraging us to contemplate our roles as global citizens. Good art achieves this through its inherent beauty. It invites introspection and challenges us to dive deeper, nudging us towards being better versions of ourselves.
Indianapolis Men’s Chorus – Courtesy of Indianapolis, Men’s Chorus Used with permission.
What is it like working with IMC’s recently appointed Executive Director, Stephen McCoy?
The appointment of an executive director holds significant weight for our organization, and the impact was really felt on day one. Stephen brings a wealth of experience not just in arts management but also in understanding the ethos of IMC, making our investment in him immensely rewarding. Our existing friendship has set a solid foundation, allowing us to enter this partnership with a deep understanding of each other. Our daily discussions foster a collaborative environment where every idea finds a place at the table. This synergy has empowered us to craft a collective vision, fueling a remarkable surge in the organization’s dynamism. Through this shared leadership, we are witnessing an elevation in everyone’s commitment—from the staff and board to the volunteers—united in their pursuit to elevate IMC to its fullest potential. While co-leading can present challenges, I could not have wished for a better partner in this journey.
What are your goals for the IMC?
Stephen and I want to maintain the essence of our new branding and really highlight the amazing group of performers we have in the IMC. We continue to strategize around what it means to be a bigger chorus, how to foster increased stability, address growth challenges, and establish robust organizational structures. A priority of ours is to also enhance our outreach efforts in the community by bolstering partnerships. Our ambitions also extend to regional and even national tours.
I also want to take this moment to brag on our amazing creative team: Jared McElroy, our long-serving and fantastic associate director, Ethan Butt, our volunteer executive producer, Matthew Creek, our Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Jared Norman our choreographer, and Matt Richardson, our pianist. Just mentioning these names reminds me how fortunate we are to have a team that is committed to moving the IMC needle forward. This team all comes together to create performances that continue to push the creative envelope. Our audiences should expect us to continue to up the ante with our integration of more multimedia and elevated production value. We all work hard to remain adaptable and responsive to our community’s needs as we continually redefine what it means to be a chorus.
Indianapolis Men’s Chorus – Courtesy of Indianapolis, Men’s Chorus Used with permission.
Tell me about your Spring show?
I am thrilled about “Muppet Mania,” scheduled for April 19th to 21st at Marian University Theatre. For the first time, we have hired a writer, my good friend and colleague Aaron Fuksa. I first worked with Aaron at the ISO, where he continues to be our head writer for Yuletide Celebration.
In true Muppet fashion, we are experimenting with a variety show format filled with zany hijinks! The creation of this show holds a special place in my heart. In working on it, I have had such an enjoyable time revisiting beloved characters from my childhood. It promises to be a lot of fun!
What is your message to the community?
Come and experience an IMC performance—it is something you must witness to deeply appreciate. We guarantee a wonderful time, filled with energy, entertainment and a sense of community celebration.
For tickets and information about “Spirit of the Season” visit indianapolismenschorus.org
