30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
'Zoomies!', 'Ben-Hur' and 'The Chevalier' on Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra's new season
A slate of soloists and world premieres highlight the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra's new season, called "In Motion." Across the fall of 2025 and first half of 2026, the ensemble will invite pianist Gabriela Martinez, guitarist Sharon Isbin, and violinists Tim Fain and Brendon Elliott among others to perform.
The season's world premieres will include Michael Shapiro's "Zoomies!" — inspired by dogs and their playful bursts of energy. The ensemble also will continue its tradition of performing a live score to a classic movie with 1925's "Ben-Hur," starring Ramon Novarro and Francis X. Bushman.
Unless otherwise noted, all performances are at Butler University's Schrott Center for the Arts, 610 W. 46th St.
Find more information and buy season subscriptions now at Packs of two tickets, called duet packs, will go on sale July 1. Single tickets will be on sale Aug. 11.
Oct. 18
The ensemble will play the score by Carl Davis live during the silent film screening in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the epic.
Nov. 22
Guitarist Sharon Isbin will perform Karen LeFrak's Miami Concerto. Also on the program are Jacques Ibert's Divertissement, Maurice Ravel's "Le Tombeau de Couperin" and Dmitri Shostakovich's Ballet Suite No. 1.
Dec. 13 at Indiana Landmarks Center, 1201 Central Ave.
The Christmas portion of George Frideric Handel's iconic "Messiah" will again be part of the December concert. Rounding out the program will be Ralph Vaughan Williams' arrangement of "Greensleeves" and Gerald Finzi's "In Terra Pax."
Dec. 14 at Indiana Landmarks Center
Also returning this season is the sing-along that encourages patrons to join in on the "Messiah" and traditional holiday carols.
Jan. 31, 2026
Violinist Tim Fain will join the orchestra, which will perform two world premieres by Shapiro — "Zoomies!" and his Violin Concerto: At the Shore of the Sea. Felix Mendelssohn's Symphony No. 1 in C minor, Op. 11 and The Hebrides Overture are also on the program.
March 21, 2026
Pianist Gabriela Martinez will join the ensemble for a concert that includes the world premiere of Stacy Garrop's "Chroma," Aaron Copland's "Three Latin American Sketches," Manuel de Falla's "Nights in the Gardens of Spain" and Louis Moreau Gottschalk's Symphony No. 2.
April 17-19, 2026
The ensemble will collaborate with Dance Kaleidoscope for a program that includes John Adams' "Shaker Loops" (choregraphed by Joshua Blake Carter), George Gershwin's "An American in Paris" (choreographed by David Hochoy) and Philip Glass' "Glass Pieces" (choreographed by Sean Aaron Carmon).
May 16, 2026, at the Madam Walker Legacy Center, 617 Indiana Ave.
Violinist Brendon Elliott will perform in a musical play inspired by the life of Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges, a composer, virtuoso violinist, fencer and military leader. The play, by Bill Barclay, uses live orchestra, costumed actors and solo violin.
