Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra |
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| Orchestra | |
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in 2019
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| Short name | ISO |
| Founded | 1930 |
| Concert hall | Hilbert Circle Theatre |
| Principal conductor | Jun Märkl (designate, effective autumn 2024) |
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra (ISO) is a big American orchestra located in Indianapolis, Indiana. It's the largest performing arts group in Indiana. The orchestra started in 1930 and plays its concerts at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis.
Contents
History of the Orchestra
How the Orchestra Began
The orchestra was started in 1930 by Ferdinand Schaefer. He was a violin teacher in the area. Leonard A. Strauss helped him, and Strauss became the first president of the ISO.
In 1937, Fabien Sevitzky became the orchestra's first music director. This meant the musicians became full-time professionals. They earned a weekly salary for a 20-week season. The orchestra quickly became famous across the country. They made many recordings on RCA Victor and Capitol Records in the 1940s and early 1950s. Some of these early recordings have been released again.
New Directors and Tours
In 1956, Izler Solomon was chosen as the music director. The orchestra traveled around the country. They also performed a series of concerts called "international salute concerts." This special series won an award from the U.S. State Department.
The orchestra performed in places like Clowes Memorial Hall at Butler University. In 1976, John Nelson became the music director. During his time, the orchestra moved to the newly fixed-up Hilbert Circle Theatre. It opened again on October 12, 1984. Nelson helped the ISO get back on the radio and TV. They played concerts at Carnegie Hall in 1989 and 1991. They also performed at the Kennedy Center. In 1987, the orchestra went on its first trip outside the U.S. They toured Germany with concertmaster Hidetaro Suzuki.
Raymond Leppard took over from Nelson as music director in 1987. With Leppard, the orchestra started playing for a full 52 weeks a year. They also made many recordings for the Koss Classics label. Leppard took the orchestra back to Europe for two more tours in 1993 and 1997. After he finished his time as music director in 2001, Leppard became the orchestra's conductor laureate. In 2009, the ISO announced its first group to play with them regularly, called Time for Three.
Recent Music Directors
In April 2010, Krzysztof Urbański was a guest conductor for the first time. He came back in June 2010 for the orchestra's summer concert series, "Symphony on the Prairie." Because of these two performances, the ISO named Urbański their 7th music director. He started on September 1, 2011, with a four-year contract. In May 2019, the orchestra announced that Urbański would finish his time as music director at the end of the 2020–2021 season.
In May 2021, the orchestra announced that Jun Märkl would be their artistic advisor for the 2021–2022 season. Märkl had first conducted the orchestra in August 2000 at a "Symphony on the Prairie" concert. On January 23, 2024, the orchestra announced that Märkl would be their next music director. He will start with the 2024–2025 season, with a five-season contract. Märkl immediately took the title of music director-designate.
Music Directors
These are the people who have led the orchestra as music director:
- Ferdinand Schaefer (1930–1937)
- Fabien Sevitzky (1937–1955)
- Izler Solomon (1956–1975)
- John Nelson (1976–1987)
- Raymond Leppard (1987–2001)
- Mario Venzago (2002–2009)
- Krzysztof Urbański (2011–2021)
- Jun Märkl (designate, starting autumn 2024)
Principal Pops Conductors
These conductors lead the orchestra's "Pops" concerts, which often feature lighter, more popular music:
- Erich Kunzel (1982–2002)
- Jack Everly (2002–present)
See also
- List of symphony orchestras in the United States
- List of attractions and events in Indianapolis
