Indianapolis Symphony Blog

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.

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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...Read More »

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)....Read More »

I purchased a new toy for myself last spring: a fancy-schmancy Nikon 3100 digital camera (it also takes video, although I'm not interested in reading that page yet in the handbook. One thing at a time for this beginner). I don't want to be a professional photographer or even an amateur for that matter. I just want to play one on TV.

So this season, I put myself to work at several Marsh Symphony on the Prairie performances to capture a bit of the audience, the environment, the entertainers and...Read More »

On Monday, Aug. 8, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's single tickets went on sale to the public. In this blog post, I mentioned a few of my favorite pieces, concerts, moments that I was excited about, and I also included what percussionist Paul Berns was looking forward to.

And now, we have violinist Jennifer Greenlee and Principal Bassoon John Wetherill submitting their picks.  Lo and behold...there's some similarity here!

From Jen Greenlee:

I found it difficult to find highlights, because the...Read More »

It's a big day at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra on Monday, Aug. 8 at 9 a.m.  That's when the flood gates open and single ticket purchasers can "have at it" and secure the best seat in the house for virtually any concert of their choice (except Yuletide Celebration - you'll have to wait for late September, folks).

Which begs the question...what concert are you looking forward to the most?

I know my picks.  I blogged about this particular piece of musica year ago. Thank goodness I get to...Read More »

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...Read More »

I love having contests on this blog. Contests allow us to give away cool stuff like tickets and gift cards. Contests allow us to get the word out about Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts, events and programs so that more people attend. Most importantly, contests allow us to hear from you - our blog readers - and interact with you.

But when it comes time to pick the winner, I'm not a fan of our contests. It's the old cliche...you're all winners in my book. So, I will follow my own rules,...Read More »

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...Read More »

It all started August 8, 2009 while watching the "Mozart in Moonlight" of the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie concert series. I was by myself watching the concert that night because all the friends I invited to watch this concert were either at work or had other plans or plain not interested with classical music at all. I was at that time enjoying my independence at 33 years of age, single and unattached, living at my very own apartment and simply enriching my life. Then there was this gentleman...Read More »

After graduating from DePauw University in May 2009, two of my friends and I stayed at our alma mater working various jobs, trying to fend off real life just that much longer. The economy was uncertain, and our futures looked like they might be bleak for a while. We enjoyed spending time together, but our worries about the new chapters of our lives made it hard for us to live in any given moment. Every time I smiled, I felt like I had a hornet’s nest in my throat. Misery was spreading around the...Read More »

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...Read More »

Hi Everyone:

I have not written for awhile - just too busy.! But, we are getting excited about this summer's run at Symphony on the Prairie.  The music looks fantastic.

Was at Home Depot (kitchen remodeling project and porch furniture) and I saw a couple picking out chairs and discussing if the attached umbrella would bother other concert goers at the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts this summer.  So, we struck up a conversation - they recognized me (darn pony tail).  A great couple -...Read More »

We had season tickets to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra back in the '80s and went to Symphony on the Prairie a few times back then, but then we moved away from Indy and could come back only occasionally. We still have two daughters and their families in the Indianapolis area, so last year I bought a Value Pack so we could all go to Symphony on the Prairie together, including our ten, nine and two year old grandchildren. We chose the concert with Maestro Urbanski, and knew right then he...Read More »

My husband and I brought our two boys (ages 10 and 12 at the time) to see the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra perform Queen. We put our blankets and chairs down, ate dinner and waited for the concert to start. Our youngest wanted to go down in front of the stage when it started, so one of us went with him. Slowly, more and more people came down, and eventually our whole family was front and center. We all sang and danced through the whole concert and never went back to our chairs! It felt like a...Read More »

Last year I took my daughter to the symphony for the first time. It was the fourth of July and we had a fantastic evening. A small picnic and books to read while we waited and fantastic fireworks at the end of the evening. Nothing is better than laying out on the grass listening to the symphony

Name: Emily Barrow
City: Noblesville

Hard to believe, but the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Marsh Symphony on the Prairie series is celebrating its 30th season this summer.

It's funny how much has changed (the orchestra under a tent ca. 1986).



And what still remains the same (our Nike swooshes and bangs are smaller now, but thank goodness you can still sit back, relax and listen to great symphonic music under the stars).



What are your memories of Symphony on the Prairie through the years?  Do you have a favorite performance?  A...Read More »

I was running with complete focus, I was running at a faster pace than in any race I had run before, and I was...twisting my ankle?! When my dad and I decided to run the ISO's Circle the City race last year, that was certainly not the ending we had imagined! While I had pictured racing to the end, my reality was walking across the line, upset that my injury had ruined the race for both my running partner and me.

As we drove home, looking at my race number, I saw that attached to it was admission...Read More »