Founded in 1968, Classical Music Indy has enjoyed over 50 years of providing free classical music radio programming to greater Indianapolis. In 1986, Classical Music Indy became one of the first radio broadcast entities in Indiana to receive a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award. Today, Classical Music Indy enriches its community’s cultural landscape in comprehensive and relevant ways, with a mission implemented on-air, online, and in the community.

On-air, Classical Music Indy is the premier classical music syndicator in Central Indiana, with its radio product aired in nearly every major market statewide, reaching 200,000 weekly listeners. With over 30 years’ experience in classical music broadcast, host Michael Toulouse is the most recognized voice in local classical music. Toulouse also oversees the Peck Classical Music Library, with over 40,000 items of digital music. The library has recently expanded to include significant holdings of underrepresented artists.

In December 2019, Classical Music Indy launched its new music streaming service, providing free, local classical music that is accessible 24/7, anytime, anywhere. Newly developed podcasts share compelling stories about classical music designed to attract younger audiences, and include Classical Pairings: the new way to consume classical music; and Melanated Moments in Classical Music: a podcast that shines a spotlight on musical works composed by, for, and about Black people.

Online, Classical Music Indy shares compelling stories about Indy’s vibrant music scene through its blog articles and NOTE magazine. Blog articles engage readers from around the world with topics ranging from pedagogy to spoken word artists. NOTE magazine’s contemporary design and accessible content gets audiences engaged and excited about listening to classical music and supporting local artists. NOTE has recently expanded from a print publication to an accompanying digital version of the magazine.

In the community, Classical Music Indy serves more than 100,000 Central Indiana community members of all ages annually via 150 free outreach and music education programs. Typically serving audiences that would not otherwise be able to experience live classical music, this work is fueled by the talent of 40 local, independent classical musicians. Nine of these musicians are Music Unites Artists, an extraordinary group of local independent artists whose talents represent the highest artistic and program quality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, community outreach programs have moved to a virtual environment.

Classical Music Indy has recently commissioned several new classical works, positioning itself as a key player in Indianapolis’ music economy while also providing a national platform for these local artists. The Micro Composition Project commissions six new short works annually, and Recording Fellowships support two local artists with professional development plus recording expenses for an EP-length album.

Classical Music Indy

On-Air, Online, and in the Community

In Honor of Michael Toulouse

2024 Individual Contributions