The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra (ICO) reaches over 30,000 people annually through its seven-concert series, arts partner services, education/outreach programs, and radio broadcast. Marking its 34th season in 2018-2019, the ICO is under the direction of Music Director and Principal Conductor Matthew Kraemer. James Aikman serves as Composer-in-Residence. The ICO is professional Orchestra-in-Residence at the Howard L. Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler Arts Center.

Comprised of 34 professional musicians, the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra advances and promotes music composed for the small orchestra through professional concert performances and education and outreach programs. The ICO annually presents a concert series that features internationally recognized guest artists, superior local talent, and aspiring young soloists, and showcases the talents of living composers. The ICO’s artistic programming delivers on a brand promise of “ICO-Intimate-Classic-Original” concert experiences, utilizing innovative program formats and intimate concert venues. The ICO takes an active role in perpetuating the art form by commissioning and presenting works of living composers, as well as presenting venerable masterworks. The ICO has the distinction of performing several world and American premieres.

The ICO is featured prominently in local media with its weekly radio broadcast on WFYI, 90.1 FM. Featuring selections from ICO concerts, this major strategic initiative increases community awareness of the ICO and enhances its professional image. In 2017 the ICO was featured on the PBS concert “A Festival of Carols with Sylvia McNair.” Peacemakers, premiered in 2016, became the subject of an Emmy Award-winning PBS documentary in 2017. In May 2015, the ICO released its first commercial CD, Momentum 21.

The ICO is frequently engaged to provide professional accompaniment for area arts and educational institutions, such as Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and American Pianists Association. In 2018-2019 the ICO will serve its twelfth year as Orchestra-in-Residence for the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival. Through its affiliation with this three-day immersive educational event, the ICO sponsors a nation-wide competition for the composition of new works for chamber orchestra. In 2016 the ICO collaborated nationally with the American Composers Orchestra “EarShot” program to be the first chamber orchestra to present orchestral readings of new works by five emerging American composers. The ICO offers a full range of education and outreach programs for all ages. ICO FUNtastic Classics and Residency programs take ICO musicians into area schools for live programs or classroom coaching. ICO Concert Connections brings area youth to ICO concerts. The ICO partners with Indy Parks to present a free, family-friendly parks concert each summer.

To learn more visit: https://www.indplsartcenter.org/musiconthemonon