Michael Davis, conductor, has served as Assistant Artistic Director for the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir since 2002. He has supported choral preparation for conductors including Eric Stark, Nicolas McGegan, Mario Venzago, Erich Kunzel, Jack Everly, Patrick Quigley, Michael Christie, and Krzysztof Urbański. He was Chorusmaster for the Symphonic Choir’s world premiere of Mohammed Fairouz’s commissioned oratorio Zabur (released by Naxos Records 2016) and subsequent Carnegie Hall premiere. His work conducting the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra was included on Festival of Carols (Naxos 2019) featuring the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Sylvia McNair. Davis’s introduction to Carnegie Hall was in 1997 as a tenor for Robert Shaw’s Festival Chorus, with his conducting debut following in 2001. Through Carnegie Hall’s Professional Choral Workshops, Davis also sang for James Conlon, Sir Neville Marriner, Andre Previn, Peter Schreier, Charles Dutoit, Robert Spano and Chorusmasters Ann Howard Jones, Vance George, John Oliver, and Norman Mackenzie. Davis has managed and/or performed in concert tours nationally (44 states) and internationally (Europe, Asia, Canada). He is Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church of Noblesville, Indiana and holds degrees in vocal performance and the Doctor of Arts degree in Choral Conducting and Higher Education Administration from Ball State University. 

The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir is proud to be one of the nation’s most established and dynamic musical institutions. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Eric Stark, the Choir is among the most active symphonic choruses in the United States reaching over 20,000 persons each season through performances, education, and community engagement programs. The 160+ volunteer singers demonstrate the Choir’s commitment to musical excellence through their talent and dedication during each 10-month season. The Symphonic Choir is led by a professional staff and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Founded in 1937 at the Orchestra’s request to perform the great choral-orchestral repertoire, the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir continues to be the primary choral partner of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO). In 2018, the Choir joined the ISO at the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) for SHIFT: A Festival of American Orchestras. In 2015, the Symphonic Choir commissioned and premiered Mohammed Fairouz’s oratorio Zabur, which was released internationally by Naxos Records (2016) and also featured the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir. In 2019, Naxos records released Festival of Carols, featuring the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and Grammy award-winning soprano Sylvia McNair.