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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It's been six months since I graduated
from college and what do I miss the most? Well, that might be a
trick question. But one thing I do miss A LOT is student ticket
prices. Gone are the days when I can attend world class arts events
on the cheap. Or are they?
With Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra's Cyber Monday special, all
(well, most) tickets to Classical, Pops, Symphonic Hits and Happy
Hour performances are priced at the student rate of $12. Now, I
don't mean to get preachy, but this is a...
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What little girl didn't prance around her living room
belting "Sixteen Going on Seventeen?" What teenager didn't
experience some kind of adolescent romantic longing as the stars of
the high school musical crooned "Some Enchanted Evening?" What
music appreciation teacher didn't at least reference "Do-Re-Mi" in
a lesson on Solfege syllables?
Although I am a self-proclaimed "orchestra dork" and will
exalt the unparalleled power of classical music until my dying day,
I cannot deny that the works of...
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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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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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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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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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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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Today is my 29th birthday and December 4 will be my 25th Yuletide
Celebration. As I have been receiving wonderful cards and calls
from friends all day, I have realized that my birthday memories
through the years have always been connected to the Yuletide
Celebration and want to take a moment to reflect on my favorite
memories through the years. We had recently moved to Indianapolis
when my dad saw the advertisement for a new type of Christmas show
taking place at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, The...
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My 8 year-old still can't believe that
cartoons were only shown on Saturday mornings "back in the day," as
she calls "my era." Yes, darling. No 24-hour access to
cartoons like digital cable, Cartoon Network and the Disney Channel
provide us today (sometimes I wish we could go back to less
programming). My brother and I had the same Saturday morning
ritual: make some hot chocolate on the stove and turn on
Bugs Bunny and his friends--Elmer Fudd, Wile E. Coyote, Daffy Duck
and Yosemite Sam--and...
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Our Yuletide Celebration tradition began probably the first year
you started. We were guests of Merchants National Bank back then.
We enjoyed it so much that when our oldest daughter turned 3 we
took her (this would be 1987). And it became a famly tradition
whenever our latest child turned 3, he could go to Yuletide. We
have 3 children. Two out on their own and one still in college. The
kids would ask every year when we were going to Yuletide.
Each year we would choose a nice resteraunt and go...
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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...
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ISO
intern Ben Luttrell provides an update on the Circle the City for
the Symphony walk/run.
Things are beginning to fall in place.
That’s not to say it hasn’t been
stressful. I’d liken it to one of those big domino exhibitions:
it’s fun and amazing to watch and you can’t help but admire the
hard work that goes into it, but it gets more stressful as each
element is revealed and open to the public.
**Something I think needs to be
overstated before we go any further: this blog is only one...
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Hi
Everyone:
Wow, it has been a long long time since I wrote. But, I have
enjoyed reading so many of our guest bloggers contributions these
last few weeks.
Thought I would suggest how to enjoy an evening out of doors
listening to the music of one of the 17 full time orchestras in
'the land'.
First you show up to Marsh
Symphony
on the Prairie!! Of course, you can go
through our box office or Marsh and get tickets (possibly a nifty
'table') in advance. Bring a blanket or portable chairs...
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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...
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A Day
at the "Strings and Jazzy Things" Camp
Regina Henderson, ISO Learning Community/MYO Intern
Valparaiso Univerity '11
On Tuesday June 8th, I had the wonderful opportunity to
observe the annual summer music camp called “Strings and Jazzy
Things.” After creating quite a journey for myself on my way
to Broad Ripple High School, I wasn’t sure what I should be
expecting and had no idea where I was going once I walked into the
school. However, I finally found the registration area and...
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Hi
All:
Got an email from Rita Steinberg's husband - Rita is a key member
of our terrific Development Department. Larry wanted to know what I
was "bowing" during the concert last weekend.
I was using a cello bow on crotales (antique cymbals) - they are
tiny metal disks and pitched just like 2 octaves on a piano.
They are hard to play because, though mounted on a metal rod,
they can spin. I guess you need to be a percussionist to
understand that part of the difficulty.
Friday and Saturday's...
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Daniel
Spilsbury ("DJ") works as an intern in the marketing &
communications department at the ISO. DJ just finished following
the Butler University basketball team on their journey to the
championship game. Why? DJ is a proud member of the pep
band! Here's his story.
Of all the things I could brag about, the one I enjoy the most is
the fact I got paid to go every step of the way along the NCAA
tournament with the Butler basketball team. For four years
I’ve supported Butler basketball as a...
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When
someone finds out I work for the Indianapolis Symphony, the first
question is always "Do you play an instrument?" I usually smile and
say "Yes, a calculator."
I've been a member of the Finance staff for nearly three years and
enjoy being a part of the organization. I've always believed
in the power and importance music can have in people's lives.
It has been a part of my daily life for as long as
I remember. It's the first thing I want to hear when I
wake up, I listen all day at work,...
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The
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