Summer season includes debuts of Marvin Hamlisch, popular indie artist Brandi Carlile and the Duke Ellington Orchestra; new programs with tributes to John Denver and Michael Jackson; and the return of the popular Classical Mystery Tour & Time for Three

Indianapolis (Vocus) April 8, 2010 -- The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has announced its 2010 Marsh Symphony on the Prairie season of programs featuring 12 weekends of summer concerts showcasing a broad spectrum of music under the stars at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater, located at 13400 N. Allisonville Rd., in Fishers, Indiana. The Orchestra's 2010 summer season will provide a wide variety of musical genres, including rock ‘n' roll, Big Band, patriotic pops, popular classical works, plus folk and Sci-Fi favorites in family-friendly programming for audiences of all ages.

The season includes the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie debuts of famed composer, conductor and performer Marvin Hamlisch, popular indie and folk artist Brandi Carlile, and the legendary Duke Ellington Orchestra; two new programs featuring the music of John Denver and Michael Jackson, respectively; a colorful Sci-Fi program with music from Star Wars and Star Trek featuring special guest George Takei, known as "Mr. Sulu" in the original Star Trek series, and two weekends of popular classical favorites to showcase the Orchestra's superb artistry. Other highlights include the return of the ISO's ensemble-in-residence, Time for Three, the popular Classical Mystery Tour: A Tribute to the Beatles, and the River City Brass Band; plus an evening of music from 1950s artists Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper, and the traditional Independence Day weekend Star-Spangled Symphony concerts with patriotic favorites and fireworks.

Single tickets will go on sale on Monday, April 26 and can be purchased at the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office at (317) 639-4300, online at IndianapolisSymphony.org , and at all Marsh Supermarket and O'Malia‘s locations throughout Indiana. From now until April 30, Symphony on the Prairie 10-ticket value packs are available for purchase at a savings of more than 40% off gate admission.

Since its inception in 1982, the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie series has become one of Indiana's favorite summertime traditions. Last year, a record-breaking 107,281 people attended the summer series. Marsh Supermarkets has been the Title Sponsor of the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie series for the past 28 seasons. St. Vincent is the Premiere Sponsor for the summer series.

Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Schedule:

June 19: Classical One-Hit Wonders The opening night program features the ISO performing popular classical works that over time became the "one hit" for which the respective composers were known. The program includes excerpts from Holst's The Planets, Dukas' The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Ludmilla, among others. Fifteen-year-old cellist Austin Huntington, 2010 ISO Michael Ben & Illene Komisarow Maurer Young Musicians Contest winner, will perform as soloist.

June 25 & 26: Marvin Hamlisch at the Movies As promised, renowned award-winning composer, conductor and performer Marvin Hamlisch returns to Indianapolis after having to cancel a performance in February in order to attend the Golden Globes ceremony. Hamlisch will take audiences on a musical journey through popular hit songs from film scores, including many of his own creations from movies such as The Sting, The Way We Were, and Ice Castles, among others.

July 2-4: Star-Spangled Symphony Three red, white and blue concerts featuring many patriotic favorites, the 1812 Overture with live artillery accompaniment and spectacular fireworks to Stars and Stripes Forever to conclude each evening. Gates open at 4:30 p.m.

July 9 & 10: The John Denver Songbook Noted John Denver interpreter Jim Curry joins the ISO to perform many of the legendary pop-folk artist's greatest hits, including Take Me Home, Country Roads, Rocky Mountain High, and Thank God I'm a Country Boy.

July 16 & 17: Sci-Fi Spectacular with George Takei ISO Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly and the ISO will perform popular Sci-Fi music from television and the silver screen, including selections from Star Wars, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Star Trek, plus special guest George Takei, known to fans as "Mr. Sulu" from the original Star Trek series. Fireworks will conclude the concerts.

July 23 & 24: Indie on the Prairie with Brandi Carlile Popular indie and folk singer and songwriter Brandi Carlile will bring her unique Seattle-based style of music to the Conner Prairie Amphitheater with the ISO in a program featuring many of her original songs with full orchestra.

July 30 & 31: Tchaikovsky's Fifth Symphony Dynamic young Russian conductor Andrey Boreyko and cellist Zuill Bailey join the ISO for a classical weekend of music featuring Tchaikovsky's popular Fifth Symphony, Saint-Saëns' First Cello Concerto and Rimsky-Korsakov's Russian Easter Overture.

*August 6 & 7: Time for Three: Classical Meets Garage Band ISO Concertmaster Zach De Pue, violinist Nick Kendall and double bassist Ranaan Meyer who comprise the Orchestra's ensemble-in-residence, Time for Three, will perform their own unique renditions of classical, bluegrass, and popular standards.

August 13 & 14: A Tribute to Michael Jackson Conductor and composer Brent Havens and the ISO will perform a broad spectrum of hits by one of the greatest icons in the history of pop music, Michael Jackson.

*August 20 & 21: Duke Ellington Orchestra The Duke Ellington Orchestra makes its Marsh Symphony on the Prairie debut to perform many of the legendary band's timeless hits, such as Take the A Train, It Don't Mean a Thing If It Ain't Got That Swing, Mood Indigo, Satin Doll, and Sophisticated Lady, among others.

*August 27 & 28: Classical Mystery Tour: Music of the Beatles Back by popular demand, the four original members of the Broadway cast of Beatlemania will perform many Beatles hits such as "Hard Day's Night," "Twist and Shout," and others in an authentic tribute to Liverpool's "Fab Four."

*September 2 & 3: The Music of Buddy Holly & Friends John Mueller, who starred as Buddy Holly in the national tour of the Broadway musical The Buddy Holly Story, will be joined by Ray Anthony as Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper's son, Jay Richardson, to perform their respective rock hits such as "Oh Boy," "La Bamba," and "Chantilly Lace."

*September 4 & 5: River City Brass Band One of America's finest and most versatile brass ensembles, the River City Brass Band will perform American classics, Big Band, swing, and jazz, plus other classical and contemporary favorites to celebrate its 15th anniversary of performances in the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Series.

*ISO does not perform in these concerts

Ticket and Table Information

Single Ticket Prices: Advance: $21 (Adults); $10 (Children Ages 2-12); $26 (Adults July 2–4) At Gate: $26 (Adults); $12 (Children Ages 2-12); $29 (Adults July 2–4)

Group Sales Prices: Groups of 30 or more: $16 (Adults); $10 (Children Ages 2-12)

Patrons also may buy economical Value Packs of 10 concert tickets, priced at $150 per pack at a special discount price if purchased on or before April 30, or for $175 through June 26, which may be used for any concerts including July 2-4. Tables may be purchased in full table (seating up to 10) configurations through the Hilbert Circle Theatre Box Office. Table reservation fees do not include concert tickets.

Season Table Subscriptions: Full Table: $389 for 13 Performances

Single Table Prices: Full Table: $79 July 2–4; $59 for Aug. 20-Sept. 5 concerts $49 for all other concerts

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