American Voices, Indiana Stories: Exploring America’s Story Through an Indiana Lens
America’s story is made up of millions of stories — of people and communities whose ideas, creativity, service, resilience and determination have shaped the country we know today. And many of those stories begin right here in Indiana.
As celebrations of America’s 250th anniversary continue throughout 2026, the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus will explore that history through a distinctly Hoosier lens with American Voices, Indiana Stories, a special musical program highlighting the people, places and voices of Indiana that have helped shape the nation.
The program will be presented by Crossroad, the chamber ensemble of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, on Thursday, October 29, at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center.
“There are remarkable stories right here in Indiana that are part of the larger American story,” said Stephen McCoy, Executive Director of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus. “This program gives us a chance to bring some of those stories to life through music and to celebrate the ways Hoosiers have helped shape our country.”
Where Music and History Meet
American Voices, Indiana Stories brings together choral music, storytelling and historical reflection to explore Indiana’s place in the broader American experience.
Rather than simply presenting a concert about American history, the program uses music as a way into the stories themselves — connecting audiences with Hoosiers and Indiana communities whose experiences reflect larger themes of innovation, resilience, service, creativity and belonging.
The program is curated by Joseph Perkins Jr. of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus, with historical research and interpretation provided by Dr. Nicholas Johnson, associate professor of musicology at Butler University.
Their collaboration brings musical performance and historical scholarship together, offering audiences an opportunity to encounter both familiar and lesser-known stories while considering how Indiana’s history is woven into the larger story of the United States.
Introducing Crossroad
The October performance also marks one of the first public programs by Crossroad, IMC’s chamber ensemble.
Crossroad offers the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus an opportunity to explore repertoire and storytelling designed for a smaller ensemble while expanding the ways IMC can perform, collaborate and connect with audiences throughout the community.
Its name reflects something deeply connected to Indiana itself: a place where people, ideas and stories meet.
American Voices, Indiana Stories is an especially fitting program for Crossroad — bringing together music, history and community to illuminate the intersections between Indiana’s story and the nation’s.
A Special Moment for IMC
The performance comes during another important chapter for the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus.
IMC is celebrating its 37th Season and its first season based at Butler University as part of the Butler Arts Collaborative. With more than 100 singers, the Chorus continues to expand its performances, partnerships and opportunities to use music to tell meaningful stories.
American Voices, Indiana Stories reflects that work in a particularly special way: bringing artists, historians and community partners together to explore where we have been and the stories that continue to shape who we are.
Join Us
American Voices, Indiana Stories
Featuring Crossroad, the chamber ensemble of the Indianapolis Men’s Chorus
Thursday, October 29, 2026
7:30–9 p.m.
Basile Theater
Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center
450 W. Ohio St., Indianapolis
Tickets are $15 and free for Indiana Historical Society members.
Tickets are available through the Indiana Historical Society: https://indianahistory.org/events/american-voices-indiana-stories/
Support for American Voices, Indiana Stories
Funding for the Indiana Arts Commission’s America250 Grant Program is provided by the State of Indiana and, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts.
This program has also been made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities in cooperation with the National Endowment for the Humanities.