Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra Announces Electrifying 42nd Season: In Motion!

The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO) proudly unveils its 2025–2026 season, In Motion!, a dynamic lineup celebrating musical innovation, cultural diversity, and artistic excellence. Now in its 42nd year, the ICO continues its legacy of bringing world-class performances to Indianapolis, featuring internationally renowned soloists, exciting premieres, beloved traditions, and compelling collaborations.

A Season of Stars and Premieres

This season, ICO welcomes a stellar roster of guest artists including Grammy Award-winning guitarist Sharon Isbin, acclaimed violinists Tim Fain and Brendon Elliott, and celebrated pianist Gabriela Martinez. The orchestra also deepens its commitment to contemporary music with several newly commissioned works, including two by returning composer Michael Shapiro, who joins ICO as Composer-in-Residence for the season. Shapiro’s new compositions—At the Shore of the Sea (Violin Concerto) and the whimsical Zoomies!—will premiere in January.

Highlighting the season's focus on groundbreaking works, ICO will debut CHROMA, a full-length composition by renowned composer Stacy Garrop, commissioned through the Virginia B. Toulmin Foundation and the League of American Orchestras.

Season Highlights

• October 18, 2025 — Ben-Hur (1925) Silent Film with Live ScoreKicking off the season is a cinematic celebration of the iconic silent film Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ, paired with a live performance of Carl Davis’ stirring orchestral score. In honor of the film’s 100th anniversary, audiences will relive the spectacle of one of cinema’s earliest epics.

• November 2025 — Sharon Isbin: Miami in MotionThe legendary Sharon Isbin performs the Miami Concerto by Karen LeFrak, a vibrant new work inspired by Latin rhythms and emotional depth. This rich program also features Ibert’s playful Divertissement, Ravel’s elegant Le Tombeau de Couperin in honor of his 150th birthday, and Shostakovich’s Ballet Suite No. 1.

• December 2025 — A Classical Christmas & Messiah Sing-AlongA cherished tradition returns with ICO’s Classical Christmas, featuring selections from Handel’s Messiah, Vaughan Williams’ Greensleeves, and Finzi’s radiant In Terra Pax. The popular Messiah Sing-Along invites the entire community to join in on classic carols and choruses.

• January 2026 — Shore of the Sea with Tim FainA thrilling night of new music with the world premieres of Michael Shapiro’s Zoomies! and his Violin Concerto, At the Shore of the Sea, performed by the masterful Tim Fain. The concert also includes Mendelssohn’s stirring Hebrides Overture and his youthful Symphony No. 1.

• March 2026 — Gardens of Spain with Gabriela MartinezPianist Gabriela Martinez brings new life to Falla’s Nights in the Gardens of Spain (in its rare 1926 chamber version) in a program that also includes Copland’s Three Latin American Sketches and Gottschalk’s lively Symphony No. 2 (Montevideo). The evening features the premiere of Garrop’s CHROMA, a powerful addition to the orchestral repertoire.

• April 2026 — American Sound: ICO + Dance KaleidoscopeA thrilling fusion of music and movement in ICO’s bi-annual collaboration with Dance Kaleidoscope. This multimedia event features John Adams’ pulse-pounding Shaker Loops, Gershwin’s bustling An American in Paris, and a stunning interpretation of Philip Glass’s Glass Pieces. Choreography by Joshua Blake Carter, David Hochoy, and Sean Aaron Carmon elevates this dynamic program.

• May 16, 2026 — The Chevalier at Madam Walker Legacy CenterThe season finale presents The Chevalier, a theatrical concert experience spotlighting Joseph Bologne, Chevalier de Saint-Georges—an 18th-century virtuoso violinist, composer, and activist. Blending drama, live music, and solo performance by Brendon Elliott, the production examines Bologne’s impact and relevance in today’s cultural landscape.

Community Engagement and Access

ICO continues its commitment to accessibility with free outdoor park concerts in collaboration with Indy Parks in late August. These performances bring the orchestra to neighborhoods throughout the city, offering families and music lovers a chance to experience live orchestral music under the summer sky.

Tickets and Subscriptions

Under the baton of Music Director Matthew Kraemer, ICO’s 42nd season offers something for everyone—from classical favorites to adventurous new works. Full Season Subscriptions are available now, offering exclusive benefits including priority seating, ticket flexibility, and guest passes. Duet Packs go on sale July 1, and single tickets will be available starting August 11.

For tickets and more information, visit ICO’s official website or call the ICO box office.