Mocktails & Masterpieces

In anticipation of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s 2026–27 Story Lines season opener, Shakespeare and Love, ICO Music Director Matthew Kraemer and Diane Timmerman, Chair of Butler University’s Theatre Department, take a broader look at Shakespeare and his enduring place in our culture. They explore how radically accessible Shakespeare’s plays were across social and economic classes in their own time, how that compares with the way we experience them today, and the different schools of thought surrounding modern interpretations of his work.
 
Buy Tickets to Shakespeare and Love on October 17 at 8PM - Schrott Center for the Arts
 

Meet visual artist Tanía Michelle Wineglass for the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s first Creative Partnership! In this episode of Mocktails & Masterpieces, we explore Tanía’s artistic journey, her connection to music, and the inspiration behind a new collection of artwork created in response to ICO concerts. Learn how this unique collaboration brings music and visual art together—and how purchases of Tanía’s original works and prints will help support the ICO.
https://www.wineglassart73.com/ 

What does it take to embody one of history’s most extraordinary artists? In this episode, violinist Brendon Elliott takes us inside his role as Joseph Bologne in The Chevalier—a musical play that brings to life the brilliance, complexity, and resilience of the famed 18th-century composer and virtuoso.
Elliott shares how he approaches portraying the musical components of a real historical figure whose talents spanned music, fencing, and social influence. From mastering the Chevalier’s virtuosic style to connecting with the deeper themes of identity and recognition, this conversation offers a compelling look at the artistry behind the performance and Brendon's career.
Don’t miss The Chevalier, presented by the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on May 16 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center.Buy Tickets & Learn More - https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/the-chevalier-a-musical-play/

Step inside the story behind The Chevalier in this engaging conversation between host Joshua Thompson and playwright, director, and performer Bill Barclay. Together, they explore the spark that ignited this vibrant musical play and the remarkable true life of Joseph Bologne—a virtuoso violinist, champion fencer, and groundbreaking figure in 18th-century France.
Barclay shares how history, music, and storytelling intertwine to bring the Chevalier’s journey to the stage, along with insights into the work’s development and its growing success with audiences. The conversation also reflects on themes of identity, artistry, and justice that make this story resonate today.
Don’t miss this behind-the-scenes look ahead of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra’s presentation of The Chevalier on May 16 at 7:30 PM at the Madam Walker Legacy Center.Learn more and get Tickets

In this episode of Mocktails & Masterpieces, Matthew Kraemer sits down with Dance Kaleidoscope Artistic Director Joshua Blake Carter and choreographer Sean Aaron Carmon to explore an exciting upcoming collaboration between the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra and Dance Kaleidoscope.
Together, they dive into the artistic process of merging live orchestral performance with contemporary dance, highlighting a program centered on American composers. The conversation spotlights the driving energy and hypnotic textures of minimalist icons Philip Glass and John Adams, whose music forms the backbone of this innovative production.
Listeners will get an inside look at how choreography takes shape alongside music, including a special discussion of Joshua Blake Thomas’s work set to Shaker Loops—with an exclusive excerpt from the piece. This episode offers a compelling glimpse into the collaborative spirit, creative challenges, and artistic vision behind bringing music and movement together on stage.
Performances April 17, 18 & 19 at the Schrott Center for the Arts
Learn More & Purchase
 
 
 

In this episode of Mocktails & Masterpieces, ICO Music Director Matthew Kraemer sits down with composer Stacy Garrop to explore the vibrant stories behind her new work CHROMA. Inspired by the fascinating histories of colors—from the luxurious spice of saffron to the sinister beauty of Scheele’s Green and the celestial calm of cerulean blue—Garrop shares how these vivid narratives became musical sounds. Together, Kraemer and Garrop discuss the process of transforming color into orchestral sound, as well as the storytelling at the heart of Garrop’s music. Listeners will gain insight into the creative journey behind this imaginative work ahead of its world premiere with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. 🎨🎶
 
Tickets are available for this concert at https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/gardens-of-spain/
March 21, 2025 at the Schrott Center for the Arts - Gardens of Spain

On this episode of Mocktails & Masterpieces, ICO Music Director Matthew Kraemer welcomes Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Martinez for a vibrant conversation about her background as a fifth generation female pianist and Falla's work and connnection to impressionism. Gabriela shares reflections on her musical upbringing, her international career, and the influences that have shaped her distinctive voice at the keyboard.
At the heart of the episode is her upcoming performance with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra of Nights in the Gardens of Spain by Manuel de Falla—a work that shimmers with Andalusian atmosphere, rhythmic vitality, and poetic nuance. Together, Matthew and Gabriela explore the piece’s evocative landscapes, its folkloric roots, and the collaboration between soloist and orchestra that brings these “gardens” to life.
Join us for an engaging conversation that blends musical insight with personal storytelling, offering a behind-the-scenes look at an unforgettable performance.
Get Tickets at icomusic.org Concert on March 21st at 7:30, Schrott Center for the Arts

In this special episode, we step behind the scenes of Orchestration as the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra transforms the event into a circus spectacular on March 7th at Crane Bay. We sit down with our featured aerial silk artist, Lindsay Montgomery at Aerial Annex, to explore the strength, artistry, and storytelling behind this breathtaking art form—and what it’s like to soar above a live orchestra. From rehearsal insights to the creative collaboration between music and motion, this conversation offers a thrilling preview of an unforgettable night where classical music quite literally takes flight.
Tickets for Orchestration - https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0018000000euDndAAE/events/vevt:230714f8-1d8a-47ff-904b-ea55273ac45b/home/story