Eric Stark, Artistic Director
Eric Stark became Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir in 2002, after a two-year national search. Under his leadership, the Choir has experienced an extended period of vigorous growth and artistic excellence that has propelled the organization to a position of national prominence and cultural leadership. His work as conductor, collaborator, manager and fund-raiser has been recognized with numerous invitations to conduct and teach in the US and abroad.
As an interpreter of the major works for chorus and orchestra, Stark has earned a reputation for exciting, integrated performances that display dramatic, holistic unity. Under his direction, choirs and orchestras have performed such works as the Bach Mass in B minor and Christmas Oratorio, Handel's Messiah and Israel in Egypt, Beethoven's Mass in C, Mozart's Requiem, Mendelssohn's Elijah, Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem, the Poulenc Gloria and Britten's War Requiem. In addition, he has prepared the Choir for the performances with such notable conductors as Mario Venzago, Raymond Leppard, Jahja Ling, Erich Kunzel, Jack Everly, Carl St. Clair, Carlo Rizzi, Juanjo Mana, Jesus Lopez-Cobos and Harry Bickett.
In June 2010, Stark led the Symphonic Choir on its first international tour, traveling to Beijing, Shanghai and Xi'an China. The Choir performed Brahms's Ein ductsches Requiem in the Oriental Art Center Concert Hall in Shanghai accompanied by world-renowned organist Marilyn Kaiser, a concert in the Forbidden City Concert Hall in Beijing, a workshop with singers from the China Conservatory of Music and multiple concerts at the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai. In 2006, Stark conducted the Symphonic Choir's acclaimed performance at the close of the Central Division Conference of the American Choral Directors' Association in Chicago.
Recordings Stark has released include Mendelssohn's Elijah (2011) and the holiday-themed Festival of Carols (2006), both with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Previously released recordings include The Harmonies of Hoosier History (2001, with the Indianapolis Arts Chorale) and A Festival of Carols (1997, with Masterworks Chorale).
Stark is Professor of Music, Assistant Chair and Director of Graduate Studies at Butler University's Jordan College of Fine Arts, where he conducts the Butler Chorale, and teaches conducting, choral literature, and "Putting Wings on Dreams," an honors seminar on the first century of powered flight. He has served on the faculties of the Christian Theological Seminary, Indiana University-Purdue University, Fort Wayne, and Earlham College. He earned his doctoral degree in choral conducting from Indiana University, where he was a student of Jan Harrington, Robert Porco and Thomas Dunn. A 1988 graduate of Wabash College, he is also a volunteer for Angel Flight, a non-profit network of pilots providing free air transportation for those with medical needs.
