“Stoiala Sosna” — traditional Ukrainian

“Song of the Creation of the World”

There was a pine tree in the middle of the Danube, God grant it!
A falcon was sitting on that pine tree, God grant it!
He fluttered his wings, fell into the Danube, God grant it!
He came out of there in the third year, God grant it!
He took out three seeds from there, God grant it!
The first seed is black earth, God grant it!
The second seed is spring wheat, God grant it!
The third seed is green grass, God grant it!
Black earth, bread will be born, God grant it!
Spring wheat is for the bread, God grant it!
Green grass, for the livestock, God grant it!

Welcome to our season of Roots & Branches!

Trees have provided humans with creative and spiritual inspiration as long as humans have been making art and singing together. From what we observe in a tree — the deep roots, the spreading branches, the abundance of flowers and fruit, and the way that a tree grows not only within itself but as part of a richly connected forest ecosystem — we can make parallels to the growth of individuals and communities. In this weekend’s concerts, IWC explores the powerful symbolism of trees as a way to reflect on our own growth, and encourage all of us to root, to branch, and to flourish.

In our program today, we highlight many of the important values and community identities that make Indianapolis Women’s Chorus the “growing thing” that we are: feminism, queer love, individual empowerment, community, social justice, and of course, a deep love of music and singing.

Perhaps you might take a moment to reflect with us:

What are your roots? What keeps you rooted?

How do you grow? How are you growing?

The first half of our program celebrates these roots: our roots in sharing music and raising our voices together; our roots in feminism and a desire for inclusive community; and our roots in celebrating both our interconnected humanity and individual identity, especially queer and LGBTQIA+ identities.

In the second part of the concert, we start to explore growth and flourishing. What grows when we honor and nourish our roots? We see branches of justice and advocacy, of fierce love and deep listening that builds connection, and maybe — if we keep working and walking together — the fruit: peace. We end with both the culmination and the first step in a tree’s growth: seeds. Lea Morris’ powerful song, “Be the Light” calls us all to become seeds of light in the world, working together to “shine in the darkness.” This song was inspired by “The Hill We Climb,” written by national youth poet laureate Amanda Gorman, and read at the most recent presidential inauguration.

We hope you will take an opportunity to view the slideshow with composer bios and photos before the concert and during intermission. It is important to us to sing and perform music that comes from a variety of cultural perspectives and lifts up the voices that may not be as loudly heard in mainstream culture. We have intentionally chosen music of various styles written primarily by women, including several women of color, and queer individuals.

As voices that meet in song to lift up our common humanity, can we strengthen our roots to withstand even the strongest storms? Can we reach out in support — through our “underground” networks and our spreading branches, our seeds and pollen and fruit? Can we grow in ourselves and in our communities the love, listening, and light that will make positive transformation possible?

I say yes, because I believe in us — humanity — and the seeds that are in all of us. As we sing in “Be the Light”:

There is always a light, if we are ready to see it.
There is always a light, if we are ready to be it.
To see the light, to be the light, to raise our eyes in the dark of night.
To climb this hill, together we will…

Thank you for growing and shining and climbing with us!

In harmony,
Meagan Johnson, Artistic Director

Sara Allaei
Sarina Allison
Emma Anderson
Sami Ayres
Reba Baker
Jodie Barnett Drew Begley
Sarah Bomberger
Vanessa Bozzo
Alicia Drier Burier
Vicki Bynum
Mary Beth Carlson
Rebecca Clark
Tara Cody
Jennifer Collins
SJ Cottrell
Sarah Cowan
Cheryl Croghan
Jo Davies
McKenzie Day
Mary de Groot*
Sherry DuBois
Cara Eastis
Elizabeth Enas
Erica Eugster
Stephanie Everett
Erika Fowler
Julia Geschke
Lannae Gordon
Margaret Gray
Andrea Groner*
Andrea Grotenhuis
Hannah Hadley-Maxwell
Abigail Hale
Tamsyn Hale
Meg Hart
Lisa Hartshorn
Christine Hawkins
Eva Hernandez
Mary Ryker Hernandez
Emily Hickman
Kristen Hidding
Krista Hoevemeyer
Robin Jones
Kris Kauffman
Rachel Kempin
Jayne Kercheval
Jane Lang
Niki Lyons
Melissa Madill
Kelsey Madill
Ana Mann
Marina Mann*
Janet McCabe
Diana McClure*
Sally McSpadden
Marty Miles
Janet Miller
Anne Murphy
Alicia Oskay
Lauren Peters
Sara Peterson
Liz Piekarczyk
Donna Pittman*
Cara Berg Raunick
Sue Robinson
Sarah Rowley
Bridget Sarris
Rose Saurini
Claire Scheele
Yvette Schubert
Ali Schumacher
Sarah Stentz*
Marilyn Stutzman
Bonnie Taylor
Lonnie Teeple
Jen Schmits Thomas
Catie Thomas
Lily Turner
Katherine Vellenga
Sarah Viktora
Cara Jean Wahlers
Anna Ward
Helen Weber-McReynolds
Maegan Wendt
Emily Wilhelm
Daniell Wilkins
Shirah Winicur
Larisa Woodruff
Cortnee Yarbrough*
Jenn Zuckerman

*Leave of absence for this concert

Meagan Johnson is a dynamic, interdisciplinary artist-educator with more than 15 years experience leading choirs and teaching Alexander Technique and voice to individuals and groups. Meagan’s goal in all settings is to empower people with the skills and tools that support them in doing their best work and living their most whole lives — with ease, with freedom, and with joy. Building on a life-long interest in the intersection of artistry, education, and well-being, Meagan Johnson is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, experienced singer and voice educator, and choral conductor. In addition to her studio teaching in Indianapolis and online, she has served on the faculties of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, Butler University, Marian University, and University of Indianapolis. In 2015, she was appointed Artistic Director of Indianapolis Women’s Chorus. Meagan is also a sought-after clinician for choirs, collegiate music departments, and conferences. She holds the Master of Music in Voice Performance and the Bachelor of Music in Voice Performance/Music Education from Ithaca College, and completed her Alexander Technique Teacher Certification (1600 hours, AmSAT) at Alexander Technique Urbana. More information at meaganjohnsonstudio.com.

Ross Dryer, collaborative pianist, received his Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance and his Master of Music in Collaborative Piano from the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he studied with Dr. Peter Miyamoto. In addition to his work with IWC, he is currently employed as the choir accompanist at Fishers High School and as a staff collaborative pianist at Butler University, and has worked with several community theaters in Columbia.

Board of Directors

Beth Kloote, Co-Chair
Office Manager/Executive Assistant
Indiana Humanities

Marty Miles, Co-Chair
Retired, Corporation for a Skilled Workforce

Jim Hanna, Secretary
Writer, Editor, Designer

Margaret Gooley, Treasurer
CFP, CDFA
Worley Erhart-Graves Financial Advisors

Drew Begley, Chorus Representative
Transgender and Disability Advocate

Erika Fowler, Chorus Representative
Medical Assistant

Christine Hawkins, Chorus Leadership Council Chair
Teacher, The Orchard School

Autumn Roberts, Director
Realtor/Broker
Anthony Team Realty (F.C. Tucker Co.)

Kisha Walker, Director
Community Developer, FHL Community
Principal Consultant, Well Life Society Indy

Meagan Johnson, ex officio
Artistic Director, IWC

IWC’s Board of Directors and its committees are actively seeking new members with a variety of skills and experience. If you are interested—or know someone who might be—please contact Marty Miles at chair@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

Chorus Leadership Council

Christine Hawkins, Chair
Robin Jones, Treasurer
Reba Baker
Drew Begley
Mary Beth Carlson
SJ Cottrell
Erica Eugster
Erika Fowler
Lannae Gordon
Sara Peterson
Maegan Wendt
Sherry DuBois, Artistic Administrative Assistant
Meagan Johnson, Artistic Director

Chorus Support

Section Leaders

Sally McSpadden, Soprano 1
Sherry DuBois, Soprano 2
Jane Lang, Alto 1
Vicki Bynum, Alto 2

Artistic Director Advisory Team

Emma Anderson
Jodie Barnett
Alicia Drier Burier
Sherry DuBois
Christine Hawkins
Jane Lang
Sally McSpadden
Sarah Rowley
Rose Saurini
Claire Scheele
Shirah Winicur

Marketing/Communications 

Jen Thomas, Chair
Sami Ayres
Vanessa Bozzo
Alicia Drier Burier
Erika Fowler
Lisa Hartshorn
Ana Mann
Marty Miles
Rose Saurini
Cara Jean Wahlers

Revenue Development

Beth Kloote and Marty Miles, Co-Chairs
Drew Begley
Vicki Bynum (auction)
Jim Hanna (auction)
Emily Hickman
Kaye McSpadden

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Accessibility, Belonging (DEIAB) Integration Leads

Sara Allaei
Drew Begley
Cortnee Yarbrough

Additional Health & Safety Support

Kris Kauffman
Marilyn Stutzman
Bonnie Taylor

IWC remembers the following chorus members, leaders, and supporters who have passed away:

Joey Burt, stage manager & supporter
Sharon Farley, chorus member
Esther Fuller, chorus leader & supporter
Kathleen “Kassie” George, chorus member
Pam Mueller, chorus member
Mary Ellen Reed, chorus member
Christy Lynn Stossmeister, chorus member

If a name has been omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our apologies and contact us at info@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

We gratefully acknowledge the Hildegard Circle gifts listed here (gifts of $50+) and other special gifts, reflecting donations between 1/1/2022–10/30/2022. If your name was omitted or listed incorrectly, please accept our apologies and contact us at giving@indianapoliswomenschorus.org.

$1000–$1500
Rod Collier & John Strachan
Jim & Helen Johnson

$500–$999
Jeannette George
Jayne Kercheval
Marty Miles

$250–$499
Jeff Jones
Beth Kloote
Pamela O'Haver Day
Kaye & Bruce McSpadden
Dorothy & Bill Rice

$150–$249
Lori & Torrey Bievenour
Sally McSpadden & Jim Hanna

$50–$149
Ruby Jo Barnett
Bob & Valerie Brennan
Angela Cosentino & Phillis Green
SJ Cottrell
Don & Dolly Craft
Sam Crimmins & Marty Wood
Wilbur DuBois
Nancy Elsner
Margaret & Ryan Gooley
Margaret Gray
Marlana Haig
Susan Hanna
Ruth Hinkle
Krista Hoevemeyer
William & Ann Jones
Jerry King
Mary Liechty
Edith Millikan & Lynne Arrowsmith
Debbie Mitchell
Edyce B. Reizner
Sue E. Robinson
Bonnie Stahlecker
Judy Wolf

MEMORIAL GIFTS
In Memory of Christy Stossmeister
Hache Stossmeister

In Memory of Kassie George, Christy Stossmeister, Pamela Mueller
Stephanie & Tom Robertson

ANGEL FUND (scholarship help for singers)
Sara Kurtz Allaei
Andrea Grotenhuis
Janet McCabe & Jon Laramore
Marty Miles
Anne Murphy
Claire Scheele
Shirah & Zev Winicur

SPECIAL OCCASION GIFTS
In Honor of Marty Miles
George Hanlin

To the Angel Fund in appreciation of Reba Baker for her special help
Edith Millikan & Lynne Arrowsmith

AUCTION GOLD PASS VIP
Special thanks to JEAN PATTERSON, winning donor-bidder of the VIP Gold Pass in our 2022 online auction, “Rhythms of Renewal”

FACEBOOK FUNDRAISERS
Ana Mann
Catie Thomas