I just got back from my daily backstage visit to document the
process of turning the Hilbert Circle Theatre into the Jimmy Fallon
Show set during the Super Bowl week. Here's what I overheard
as I was taking this picture:
Look folks, this carpet has to fit over this area *perfectly.*
These measurements should be exact...this carpet should be taut,
and I mean *perfectly* taut...no room for any error here. I
need it *perfect*. Did I say *perfect?* I mean absolutely
*perfect.*
Perfection is good.
I'v...
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Here we go.
Preparations for Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis are in full swing.
Roadways are closed off. Massive tents have been erected all
around town. The two football teams have been selected.
And Jimmy Fallon gave Indianapolis a shout-out on his show (come on
Indiana - submit a video!).
And speaking of the Jimmy Fallon Show, we are proud to be a part of
the preparation madness.
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has moved its performances to
Clowes Memorial Hall
this weekend in order...
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Me and my friend Gwen at the ISO in October!
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my transition to downtown
Indy from the hills of rural New Hampshire, it’s that city living
is alarmingly pricey. Marsh groceries,
City Market lunches and (a few too many) trips to the Fashion Mall
add up at an alarming rate, leaving scant any funds for
recreational pursuits. However, while swanky clubs and fancy
restaurants might be out of the monetary question, the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra has taken...
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Since purchasing discount Yuletide tickets through Franklin College
in the middle 90s, I have made it a tradition to attend Yuletide to
get into the Christmas spirit. It is always such a wonderful show.
Of course, as soon as my daughter was old enough, I had to share
Yuletide with her. In 2007, she was four at Christmastime. It had
been a particularly difficult year for our family, including my
father's death. The holidays were going to be hard for us. A friend
who new how much I have always...
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More than 15 years ago, my family attended our first Yuletide
Celebration. The family included my mother, sister, her three young
children and myself. We did not have much money, however, we bought
holiday attire and were enchanted by the entire show. The children
are now in their 20's and we are once again attending this year.
The ISO has become a part of our family tradition and I still can
see the joy on the faces of my neice and nephews that I saw that
first night. They still have their...
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I bet you have a friend or relative who likes to forward funny
emails. You know, the ones that say "Funniest Church Signs,"
"10 Things Never to Say to Women," (I can think of more than 10),
"Priceless Wedding Invitation from Mother of the Groom," or
"Awkward Family Photos."
Don't tell my mother-in-law (because she's the sender!), but I
usually disregard or delete most of these emails; however, the
Awkward Family Photos website is a must. I picked a few of my
holiday-themed favorites below.
The...
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Music can entertain us. Music can bring us to tears. Music can make
us exercise longer. Music can make us cheer. Music can help us
remember. Studies show that music can even heal.
And music has the power to distract, in a good way.
That's what Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Concertmaster Zach De
Pue was reminded of when he visited Brad Humphrey in the hospital.
Brad is a teenager who plays tennis and the violin. Tragically,
Brad was one of many severely injured during the Indiana State...
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Hello, everyone!
My name is Shannon Draucker, and I'm the new Communications Intern
for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. I am so excited to be
here - meeting great people, listening to wonderful music, and
learning a lot about the organization!
After I was hired, I immediately visited the ISO's website to
peruse the program for this season. When I saw that the ISO,
joined by the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and Children's Choir,
would be performing Carl Orff's masterwork
Carmina Burana,
I...
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If you asked me what's been happening this week, this is how I
would sum it up. Maestros. Mansions. Memory. Music. And Jimmy
Fallon.
Our new Music Director, Krzysztof Urbanski ("just call me Krzys")
arrived late Sunday evening. It's been a privilege for me to host
our maestro around town, especially to venues like Lucas Oil
Stadium for a photo shoot on Monday (Krzys will be appearing on the
cover of the winter edition of the Indianapolis Convention
& Visitors Association's 4/c visitor guide)....
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This week is one of those unusual weeks in the ISO calendar
when the orchestra players are just, well,
everywhere. Four
outdoor locations to be
exact. Welcome to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra - al
fresco style!
On Thursday, July 14, we travel west to the lovely town of
Danville,
Indiana and perform at the picturesque amphitheatre in
Ellis
Park. Danville boasts just over 8,000 residents and to my
naked eye, it seems like at least half of these friendly
folks enthusiastically attend this...
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My husband and I have been going to the Symphony on the Prairie
since before we got married. We have been married for 8 years.
Though the last few years we had not been able to go. We were
really sad about that. We have a 4 year old daughter. Last year we
decided we would like to take our daughter. She loves music. We
went to te Beatles tribute. We had a blast with her. She danced and
loved that we had a picnic at night. We love the prairie it is so
peacful and relaxing. We would love to come...
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My husband and I bought tickets to go to the music of Queen. It was
the first time we had attended an event there and we were hooked!
We ended up buying ticket packets and taking our family. We have
been to several shows since then with our son, and parents. I love
being able to sit around and visit with family and friends, enjoy a
picnic and great music. We are so happy we found out about this! We
are excited every year to get the schedule in the mail! Can't wait
for summer time!
Name: Jillian...
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I simply went backstage for a picture or two. Two hours
later, I learned more about rigging than I ever wanted to know and
gained even a greater appreciation for the Indianapolis Symphony
Orchestra's crazy-smart stage crew.
Cirque de la Symphonie is
this weekend (and few tickets are left - hurry!), and there's more
to this show than meets the eye. When I learned that the
aerialist was in the house and that the crew was installing his
pulley system, I had to snap a few photos. Here's the...
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This year, I am honored to be conducting the Indianapolis Symphony
at
Spotlight 2011, the
Indianapolis Performing Arts Community's annual benefit for HIV
education and prevention in Indiana. Created by David Hochoy
of
Dance Kaleidoscope and Rob McPherson
formerly of IRT 18 years ago, Spotlight has grown over the years
and now encompasses most of Indianapolis' major arts organizations,
all of whom volunteer their time for this
project.
Tonight, the Indianapolis Symphony string section will be...
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For the next Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
Symphonic
Hits Concerts (
April
1 and 2 at 7:30), we welcome up-and-coming British conductor
Michael Francis, who was brought on board just a couple weeks ago,
replacing Mark Wigglesworth who is expecting a child back in
England. Michael Francis has made quite a reputation stepping
in at the last minute. In fact he launched his conducting
career in 2006 by stepping out of the bass section of the London
Symphony and into a rehearsal of Shostakovich's...
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It's
finally here!
The
2011-2012 season has arrived and it is filled with concerts
that will arouse great memories, take you on a tour of the world
and challenge the musicians to perform at their highest level. Live
music in Indianapolis seems to get better with every season at the
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra!
Three concerts have me particularly excited!
Urbanski Conducts Smetana, March 29-31, will be
Bohemian perfection. I was fascinated to learn that Smetana
composed most of this...
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On
Feb. 27, Dan Kamin will bring side-splitting, family-friendly
comedy to Hilbert Circle Theatre--without saying a word. In a
performance of
"The Classical Clown" with the ISO and
conductor David Glover, Kamin will play a mischievous clown who
battles the conductor for control of the orchestra. His masterful
physical comedy is sure to delight everyone from toddlers to their
grandparents.
Kamin's comedy resume is impressive--he trained Johnny Depp and
Robert Downey, Jr. for their acclaimed...
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Wow.
I cannot believe that I've been the communications intern at the
ISO for three
weeks now! It has been a great experience so far and I'm sure it
will only continue to get better.
To commemorate my first three weeks at the ISO, I'm sharing "Three
in Three," three things I've learned about the symphony in my first
three weeks--and three things that you should know, too!
1. The ISO's music is truly phenomenal.
I must ashamedly admit that I had never been to an
ISO performance before starting my...
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This week on the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's
Symphonic Hits series we're presenting three works by
the great Czech composer, Antonin Dvorak. I am also very excited
that we are recording the entire concert for later release on CD!
While all three works on the program have interesting
backgrounds, I thought that here on the blog we could get to
know Dvorak, the person, a little bit better. Many people know that
he lived for a short time in America, but I hope on the following
list you'll...
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