Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Tickets

Founded in 1930 by German conductor Ferdinand Schaefer, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is one of the Americas finest musical ensembles, continuing its upward spiral of artistic excellence. Each year, the ISO performs 200 concerts for over 350,000 people, making it the largest performing arts organization in Indiana.

In addition, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is dedicated to leading in music education while Symphony musicians and staff create innovative learning opportunities for all ages inspired by the power of music. If you have an itch for good classic music, take some time out and make a plan with your friends/family to see the most eclectic piece in Indiana.

The history of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra dates back to 1930 when a local violin professor Ferdinand Schaefer led the foundation of the Orchestra in Indiana. As the musicians became fully professional, Fabien Sevitzky was hired as the Indianan Symphony Orchestras first music director in 1937.

The orchestra quickly rose to national prominence, releasing a series of phonograph recordings on RCA in the 1940s and early 1950s. Followed to Fabien Sevitzky was Izler Solomon, the Orchestras next music director. Under the leadership of Solomon, the ISO toured set out on a national tour and issued a series of international salute concerts. These concerts afforded the ensemble a US State Department Award.

In 1976, one of the nations finest ensembles, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra was taken over by John Nelson. Nelson is noted for bringing the ISO back to the airwaves on NPR and PBS, as well as concerts in Carnegie Hall in 1989 and 1991 and at the Kennedy Center. He established the orchestras present home at the Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis and took the ensemble on its first-ever foreign tour, to Germany in 1987.

Since 1982, a popular summer series, the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie, is performed at Conner Prairie in Fishers each year. The series drew a record 13,000 attendees for the Patriotic Pops night. The year 1987 saw Raymond Leppard joining the Orchestra as a next music director.

Raymond Leppard and the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra began a 52-week season, and made a series of recordings on the Koss Classics label. Under his leadership, the group of volunteer musicians grew into a professional orchestra, performing more than 200 concerts each year at the historic Hilbert Circle Theatre and at Conner Prairie Living History Museum, as well as at some other sites. Leppard returned the ensemble to Europe for two more tours in 1993 and 1997.

With a discography of 36 recordings, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is currently one of only 18 American orchestras that perform year round.

In 1994, the Indianapolis Symphony orchestra created a syndicated radio series, called Indianapolis On-The-Air. The series now represents Indiana to the nation on 250 stations in 38 states. Today, to entice new audiences, the Orchestra offers the Happy Hour at the Symphony Series. Local celebrities play host to the one-hour concerts. Besides performing many classical and pops concerts in its home, the ISO is regularly heard in communities around Indiana.

The ISO is also dedicated to leading in music education, offering create innovative learning opportunities for all ages inspired by the power of music through the pioneering and award-winning Arts Everyday program as well as additional programs, workshops, and resources.

As of 2005 estimates, the one-millionth child attended The Sallie Mae Fund Young Peoples Discovery Concerts. Each year, more than 25,000 students from around the state attend a series of concerts, the daytime concerts, designed especially for students in the third through sixth grades.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra calls the Circle Theatre its home. Opened in 1916, the Circle Theater was regarded as one of the Americas first grand movie palaces. The Venue would undergo a detailed and extensive renovation and reopened in 1984 as the home of the ISO.

In the last quarter of 1996, the renovated Circle Theater was generously endowed by Stephen and Tomisue Hilbert, hence changing its name to the Hilbert Circle Theatre.

With a seating capacity of accommodating over 1700 people, the Hilbert Circle Theater is now noted for providing an excellent Venue for live performances.

Continuing a tradition of musical excellence in live concerts and community service, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has lined-up a series of new programs including the orchestras Classical, Pops, Family, Educational and Holiday concerts.

So remember the days of old and get your tickets to the upcoming event of Ring in the New Year. The Manhattan Rhythm Kings event is more beyond making the most of your time as it will take you back through your favorites from the 1920s-40s.