Along with big impactful moments, the ICC has created a place for children from the community to come together in friendship and song. Two singers, one current and one alum, have penned some beautiful love notes to their time in the ICC and what it’s meant for them. Read on to see how the ICC has created moments of magic and belonging for these two singers.

Hannah Harvey, Current Master Chorale Singer

Joining the ICC was the best decision I could have made. While I may be a very extroverted kid, I didn’t have a spot where I “fit”. In the 5^th grade I joined the Hendricks County Beginning Level Choir and never looked back.

I went into Kantorei my 6th grade year and truly fell in love with performing. I loved being on stage with my friends and seeing all the older kids. Choir was a lifeline during COVID. I didn’t go back to school after the initial lockdown, so the ICC was one of my only communities which helped my time out of school go by faster. In 8^th and 9^th grade I made more friends than I could count on my fingers, including my best friend Aubrey (whom I’m still friends with to this day).

The summer of 9th grade I attended my first tour to London/Scotland which was such a great experience that I still talk about! Getting to sing in Canterbury Cathedral was such a great opportunity that I wouldn’t trade for the world!

I can’t put into words how much my current choir, Master Chorale, has been there for me. It’s been a consistent place that I can look forward to every week! This past May, me and Aubrey attended the final Indy Voice concert and watched our 9^th grade friends join us in Master Chorale. It was so fun to watch them perform and enter a new chapter in choir.

The most magical moment I’ve experienced with the ICC isn’t a memory, but the community. The community is what keeps me coming back after a hard rehearsal with the goal to get better each week.

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Katie Gue, ICC Alum

I want to start by saying that the entirety of the directors at ICC will always have a special place in my heart, due to how incredible they are at what they do, but also how accepting, caring, and understanding they are with ALL of their students.

I started ICC when I was 8 years old and finished at age 15. My last year of ICC, I was diagnosed with anxiety, and it took a pretty extreme effect on my life at the time. I started struggling to go to and stay at school, rehearsals, concerts, events, etc.

My choir director at the time, Mr. Pedde, was so caring, understanding, and accepting of my diagnosis and the affect that it had on my attendance and performance as a part of the choir. He was willing to make any and all accommodations to make sure I felt supported, loved, and important, regardless of how much I was struggling at the time. It made me feel like someone was on my side and understood what I was going through. Which was exactly what I needed.

I will NEVER forget the impact that ICC has had on my life, and I will always be grateful for the love and support (and endless opportunities) that I got from ICC throughout the years. Although a simple thank you can’t measure the love I have for this organization— thank you ICC, for being so incredible and making sure your singers know that they are important and loved. You will forever have a special place in my and many others’ hearts.

Has the ICC impacted your life? Share your own magical moment with us as we celebrate 40 years of bringing musical magic to the central Indiana community.