After 27 years of teaching music at Butler University, (a private liberal arts school in Indianapolis, IN), Henry Leck conducted his final concert in March.  A favorite of Leck’s, Durufle’s Requiem, featured the Butler Symphonic Orchestra, Butler Chorale, University Choir and the Indianapolis Children’s Choir (ICC).
 
Those ensembles tell the story of a man who has dedicated his life to young singers.  As a choral conductor, Leck has worked with a wide range of students. The same year he started at Butler, 1986, he became the Founder and Artistic Director of the Indianapolis Children’s Choir.  Leck’s relationship with Butler was a perfect place for the ICC to flourish, and flourish it has.  The ICC has grown to be one of the largest and most successful choral programs in the world, currently serving over 3000 children and performing in many of the world’s famous venues on six continents.  It’s been a mutually beneficial relationship, because the Butler name goes wherever the ICC tours.  In addition, says Leck, “Butler University gives the children’s choir a safe place to rehearse, and the Butler music students the opportunity to work with children in music.” 
 
Leck, 66, will continue in music.  He is not retiring from the ICC, and will continue to teach some at Butler as a Professor Emeritus as well as being an honorary associate professor at the Hong Kong Institute of Education.  His extensive schedule of teaching and traveling the globe to conduct honor choirs and choral festivals will go on, as will his activities in the music publishing world where he edits and publishes music. 
 
Leck has touched so many lives with his teaching and his connection to his students.  Former Butler undergrad Javier Mendoza, now artistic director of the Chicago Arts Orchestra, summed Leck up well.  “He doesn’t put boundaries on his students.  He doesn’t think about limits, but about possibilities.”   Indeed he does.