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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My mom is, and always has been, my concert buddy. We're really the
only two in our family who makes a habit of subscribing to the
Broadway series in Indy; attending our coffee pops and classical
performances here with the Indianapolis Symphony; and going nuts
for any live musical performance when we occasionally visit the Big
Apple.
And the ritual is the same: we nestle into our seats, read
the program notes, and right before curtain, I lean over and say to
mom: "Did you remember to turn off...
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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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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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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...
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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...
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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...
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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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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,...
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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...
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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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I'm gladly turning over my blog to our very own Principal Viola
Michael Isaac Strauss, who performs as soloist this
weekend alongside ISO Concertmaster Zach De Pue. Mike and Zach will
be playing Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante for Violin, Viola and
Orchestra. This will be the first time the pair has played
this piece together.
The Sinfonia Concertante for Violin,
Viola and Orchestra in E-flat major, K. 364 (320d), is a work
that is dear to my heart. I have played the work with over half a
dozen...
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In
this
weekend's concerts, the ISO is performing John Adams'
Lollapalooza, Saint-Saens' Second Piano Concerto (featuring
Ingrid Fliter), Debussy's La Mer, and a piece never before
performed by the ISO: Aaron Copland's Second
Symphony. It's not very often that this occurs, so I
have included Marianne's thoughts from the program book on
Copland's "Short Symphony."
Marianne Williams Tobias has authored the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra's program notes for more than 20
years.
When I entered...
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The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra just wrapped up another Stella
Artois
Happy Hour at the Symphony with our magnificent
ensemble, Time for Three. Post your comments...what was
your favorite moment from tonight's concert?
Mark your calendars for the next
Happy Hour -- as luck
would have it, it's on St. Patrick's Day!
A Mid-Week Roundup
TONIGHT. The legendary
singer
Liza Minnelli performs. In about an hour, the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra begins rehearsing and Ms. Minnelli arrives later
for a sound check. There are only a handful of tickets left -
so hurry and call the box office! 639-4300.
3-4-2. If you go to our
website, you're
immediately greeted by the best deal anywhere. Pick any two
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra concerts in the Classical, Pops or
Symphonic Hits series, and you'll receive the...
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Happy 2011 everyone!
Before we close the books on 2010, I
have to mention a few proud moments of this past year. One,
another record-breaking year with Marsh Symphony on the
Prairie; two, a sold out performance with the one, the only,
Itzhak Perlman, violinist and conductor; three, fantastic
guest artists in our Pops series including the Callaway sisters,
Wayne Brady and Bugs Bunny (on the big screen, of course); and
four, the smashing success of Duke Energy Yuletide
Celebration--the 25th...
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Greetings
folks!
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