Indianapolis Classical Music

I can’t believe summer is almost over. I can’t believe Marsh Symphony on the Prairie is ending. But I do believe that we will see the 100,000th patron enter those Conner Prairie gates this weekend.

In 2009, we celebrated with Debra Fleetwood, as she was the lucky 100,000th patron to arrive.

If patron number 100,000 walks through our gates (we think on Thursday evening), it will be the third time in history that we have achieved that feat.  What helped bring us to this magic number? Amazing crowds at this year’s Fourth of July concerts, amazing crowds at the Classical Mystery Tour (Beatles) weekend, amazing acts like Marvin Hamlisch, the John Denver tribute band and the Duke Ellington Orchestra, amazing performances of Pictures at an Exhibition and Tchaikovsky’s Fifth by our own Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and amazing weather (only a handful of weather-related delays and one rainout—knock on wood for this weekend!).

Symphony on the Prairie is more than an attendance number. As we close out the series this weekend, I thought I would reflect upon some highlights this summer.

A debut and an adieu
On July 23 & 24, singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile debuted with the Indianapolis Symphony and performed many of her hits to a large crowd of adoring fans. After the concert, we said adieu to ISO Associate Conductor Sean Newhouse. Sean moved to the east coast and now serves as an assistant conductor with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Bravo Sean!

Up, Up and Away
Our very own ensemble-in-residence Time for Three performed their signature genre-bending mix of music for their thousands of devoted fans.  Afterward, the boys went on a Conner Prairie balloon ride—they don’t seem to have stage fright…but do I sense a little fear of heights? 
 

It was a Thriller, for sure
Brent Havens, creator and conductor of the Michael Jackson Tribute show and other orchestrated rock tributes such as Pink Floyd, Queen and Led Zeppelin, hit a homerun by including wonderful orchestrations of the King of Pop’s greatest hits. I’ve never seen that many people dancing at Symphony on the Prairie.  One patron noted that she left “ticked off that I never got to see [Michael Jackson] in concert for real and I’m convinced no one else will ever come close to being as spectacular as he is/was.” Another patron sent in this message:  “This was a wonderful event. The ISO and the band that performed were excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed this concert. I love live music!”

He got what he asked for!
After joking about the large amount of insects buzzing around his head on stage, prolific American songwriter Marvin Hamlisch was given several bug repellent options at intermission from his fans—everything from spray, sticks, gels to bug repellant jewelry.  During the second half of Marvin’s concert, our very own Principal Librarian Mike Runyan made us all weep when he played the theme from Schindler’s List on harmonica.

Photographs also tell the story
I don't need to go on and on with highlights in writing.  I can also tell a story in pictures.  Here are some of my favorite photos from this season at Symphony on the Prairie.

Don’t forget!  The Music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper on September 2 & 3 and the every-popular River City Brass on September 4 & 5.  See you one final time at the Prairie!

We're now at Day 4 of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's single ticket launch. The "biggies" are going quickly as we imagined--Josh Bell, Liza Minnelli, Bugs Bunny, Andre Watts and Pink Martini. And we continue to ask our musicians--which classical, pops or special concert would you recommend a person (either a newbie or a veteran) experience this season? 

Bob Goodlett, Assistant Principal Contrabass:
"I would recommend Mahler's 5th Symphony. It has such monumental emotional substance. In addition, I'm looking forward to seeing soloist Barnabas Keleman play Sibelius' Violin Concerto.  He's a past Gold Medal Winner of the International Violin Competition of Indianapolis. It's always a pleasure to hear him perform."

Jill Boaz, horn:
"My pick is definitely Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Simply put, I love the "Ode to Joy."

What would you pick?  Feel free to comment!

Mark Newman is the ISO's Vice President of Marketing and Communications. I've turned my blog over to him so that he can remind you about the ISO's user-friendly Your Season~Your Way flexible subscription packaging. 

 The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is changing . . . evolving more accurately.  Much of the impetus for this evolution has been you—our patrons, fans and friends—and your changing lifestyle.  For some time, we’ve known that a traditional fixed subscription package didn’t fit everyone.  In response to that, we created Your Season~Your Way, a flexible alternative that allows you to create your own personalized concert package to fit your music preferences, schedule and wallet.

Your Season~Your Way suits all kinds of people with all sorts of lifestyles.  Here are a few examples:

Eclectics - If you’re the kind of music lover who enjoys both the ISO’s Classical and Pops series, then Your Season ~ Your Way is for you.  It lets you mix and match from both series as well as our new line-up of casual Classical programs, Symphonic Hits.  Imagine bundling Joshua Bell, Andre Watts, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, the music of Paul McCartney and Cirque de la Symphonie in one concert series!  It doesn’t get much more eclectic than that.

Snowbirds - Say you spend part of your winter down south and can no longer make all the concerts in your traditional fixed package.  You should consider Your Season~Your Way as an option.  It allows you to fit ISO concerts into your busy travel schedule.

Power Brokers – Are you used to power lunches and power meetings?  How about a power concert series?  Your Season~Your Way is your ticket to the most inspiring music the ISO has to offer.

Workaholics - Maybe your work schedule is such that you only have select Fridays or Saturdays available for play.  Your Season~Your Way allows you to pick the concert dates that fit best with your hectic calendar. 

Penny Pinchers - Perhaps you just don’t want to make as big a financial commitment as a traditional fixed package typically requires.  The beauty of Your Season~Your Way is that you can pick as few as five concerts or as many as you like.  Regardless of how many concerts you choose, the one constant is that you’ll always save with Your Season~Your Way. 

To get a full taste of what we have in store for next season, I invite you to visit our website. I also invite you to go to our website to sign up for Your Season~Your Way.  Or, you might consider calling one of our Customer Care Representatives at 317.639.4300.  They’ll help you construct the perfect package. 

One thing we know for sure at the ISO is that life is better with music, and we feel we do a pretty good job of creating it.  I hope you’ll consider joining us next season at the Hilbert Circle Theatre!  What would be your perfect concert package?  Feel free to comment!
 

Hi All:

Just returned home from a sold out Pink Floyd Tribute Band concert with the ISO.  The light show was dazzling.  And I believe the ISO received at least three standing ovations from the appreciative (of ALL) ages audience. Possibly you were there and will comment.

I loved the outfits worn by our audience.  Walking in from the convenient parking garage I saw a couple that looked like they were dressed for a prom while many others were in jeans. One can always be comfortable at the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

My passion for this orchestra and music in general causes me to challenge those reading my blog that attended the Music of Pink Floyd concert. Have you ever attended one of our Classical Series concerts? Here is my suggestion for a night on the town.

For one of our 8pm Classical Series programs, begin with dinner at one of many wonderful downtown restaurants or at Dinner at the Symphony. These concerts have an intermission and you can have a drink and discuss the first half (possibly the world famous soloist or the intriguing music you just heard). By the way:  I often see young couples in the audience dressed to kill - so to speak.  What fun! (casual is ok also)  After the concert head to a local bar for shots (maybe tequila, but please don't drink and drive).  Or to a local jazz club.   Indianapolis offers so much.

On a personal note a "Jazz Master" in town, pianist Claude Sifferlen, passed away this past week.  Some of us in the orchestra know him from the Jazz Chatterbox Club on Mass. Ave.  Claude and clarinet/sax giant Frank Glover performed on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 25 years at this bar. They would always be there playing at "the next level."  Frank being much younger must have started playing with Claude at age 18 or 19.  Claude was a beautiful human being. He will be missed. Through the years the ISO has had as featured soloists (with the orchestra, not as a single act) such greats as Buddy Rich and the Modern Jazz Quartet.  When we think of Claude we put him at that level.  Someone who could live in LA or NYC but we were fortunate he stayed home.

I am proud to say that among my colleagues over the years, and presently, we have that kind of talent in a classical style and our audiences recognize that. And so this week we play for thousands of school age kids during our Discovery Concerts and then next weekend, THE WIZARD OF OZ with Orchestra!

While shopping at the Mall across the street from Hilbert Circle Theatre, a salesman told me he was in the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and they were rehearsing for Mahler's "Resurrection Symphony" in May.  As a student at Miami University he recalled when the ISO performed this masterpiece with John Nelson conducting and Benita Valente singing.  If you have never heard MAHLER - be there!  I had the honor of performing this work with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Leonard Bernstein conducting - and I was paid!!! I could discuss the rehearsals and performances for hours.

Bye for now.

Memory is a funny thing.

I've been known to get up, walk to someone's office, and forget why I just got up and walked to someone's office.  More times than I care to admit, I send emails and forget to include the promised attachment. I know I've said this phrase more times than not: "Didn't I tell you that already?"

Luckily, my long-term memory is better. I can still rattle off the books of the Old Testament in seconds (taught to me as a young kid in Sunday school). I memorize lyrics quickly, and they stick with me forever. And speaking of music, my first and most poignant musical memory occurred here: 7310 17th Ave. NW Seattle, WA 98117.  My childhood home. I've never forgotten the address.

[Present occupant: Please forgive me while I blog about your house for a bit. By the way, the picture of it on Google Earth looks nothing like what I remember. What did you do?]

This week, I reach back into that good/bad memory bank of mine and recall the address where I heard Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B Flat Minor for the first time (on vinyl for you young kids - here's a picture just in case).



My mother kept a pretty impressive record collection of classical music.  All the masters were in our library--Beethoven, Brahms, Tchaikovsky--and these records rounded out the Crawford family's diverse musical tastes (Scott Joplin and the Kingston Trio for Dad, Elton John for brother Judd and Really Rosie featuring Carole King for me). I would come home from school and open the door with my Latchkey, invade my mother's closet in search of that fancy pale pink dress with the pleated skirt, select Tchaikovsky's first piano concerto, carefully place the needle on the record in the right spot, turn up the volume on our huge 1970s cabinet turntable (this sucker was a piece of furniture!), and dance around the room in my own little world...at least until my older brother replaced my beloved Tchaikovsky with Pink Floyd.

My memory is clear as crystal: As soon as I would hear the horns blasting those first four notes, shivers ran down my spine. I'd strike a pose once the orchestra answered. Then, that gorgeous melody by the strings put me into my dance routine of gliding and twirling until that pleated skirt was a perfect parallel to the ground. And of course, I would stop occasionally and play air piano.



I didn't need a TV to be entertained. I didn't need video games (although I tried begging mom and dad for an Atari, to no avail). I don't remember ever feeling lonely. I had music. I had Tchaikovsky.

It wasn't until I reached Music Appreciation class in college when I realized there was more to the concerto. You mean there's more to the piece than just the first movement? Fantastic. But the first movement is my first classical music memory.

If you come to the concert this weekend, look for me in the first mezzanine. I'm the one who will visually respond to the first four notes and then the melody.  It will go something like this: twitch, grin, sit back, smile, wipe a tear, close my eyes, and remember that pale pink dress.

My name is Sarah and I attend Covenant Christian High School. Each year after Christmas break, students at my school participate in a two week experience called “J-term”, or two week internship. I love music and thought that the Indianapolis Symphony would be a great opportunity. For my two weeks, I was part of the Learning Community. There were many activities and projects that I participated in during these two weeks, like the Young People's Discovery Concert teacher workshops designed to help teachers prepare their students for concerts and assisting HR with paper filing.  The teacher workshop was a brand new experience for me and I loved learning the different ways of presenting classical music to groups of elementary level students.

I was able to sit in on an ISO rehearsal and listen to the orchestra practice. Also, I attended a Happy Hour Concert planning meeting for the upcoming January event. It was interesting hearing all of the work that had been put into the event, and the work that still had to be done. Also, I was able to see the new promotional video for these concerts.

I attended a Coffee Concert and it was neat listening to the orchestra perform the songs that I heard them practice the day before. Also, before the Coffee Concert I served coffee and tea to patrons. It was fun and fascinating talking to the different people attending the concert. That ended my first week at the ISO, and I could not wait for the next week.

On Tuesday of my second week, I helped the HR department again with some filing.  I saw more paper than I have ever seen in most of my life! It was interesting how many papers and documents go through this department.

This week I was able to eat lunch with Becky, the principal piccolo player in the orchestra. It was fun hearing some of her stories and talk about flutes! Then I said bye and continued with my work in the Learning Community - mainly creating a database of orchestra music for the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra program. 

Next came Friday, my last day at the ISO. Today there was a Coffee Pops Concert that I was able to enjoy. I loved this concert and had a great time listening to it.

Well, that was my J-term experience at the ISO. I could not have hoped for a better internship. I learned many things about the business behind the orchestra on stage. I was also able to meet new people and get to know them better. I am glad that I had this opportunity to spend my two weeks with the ISO!