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Sara Anne Hook
W HEN PEOPLE THINK of Indianapolis, the image that comes to mind most often is probably the Indianapolis 500 auto race with its thrill, spills, and yellow, green, and checkered flags. Others might think of basketball, the NCAA headquarters, or other sporting organizations and events. It may come as a surprise to many that Indianapolis and Central Indiana are filled with lots of exciting early music events provided by both local groups and nationally known performers.
Although Indianapolis has an established reputation as the amateur sports capital of the world, Mayor Bart Peterson has embarked on a plan to promote cultural tourism and the arts in the city, an effort that was a cornerstone of his election campaign. Mayor Peterson's new initiatives bode well for the advancement of early music. Although each of the early music organizations featured in this article is a separate entity and has its unique niche in the community, there is a considerable amount of collaboration between the various groups and performers both on and off the stage. This collaboration offers early musicians in the community a collegial network that is important for keeping their professional efforts fresh and alive. Clearly, the green flag is out and the track is ready for early music to thrive in Central Indiana.
One of the key professional early music ensembles in the Central Indiana area is the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra. Founded in 1997, the IBO was originally in residence at the magnificent Christ Church Cathedral, located on Monument Circle in downtown Indianapolis. In 1999, the IBO became the ensemble-in-residence at the Christel DeHaan Fine Arts Center, located on the campus of the University of Indianapolis. Although the DeHaan Center provides the base of its operations, the IBO has performed at many of the major venues in Central Indiana, including the Indiana Historical Society, Christian Theological Seminary, and the Indianapolis Civic Theatre. In terms of leadership, the IBO took a major step
indianapolis baroque orchestra. photo: spectrum studio
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forward in 2001 with the appointment of John Holloway, the eminent Baroque violinist, as artistic director. Although many of its core members are from the Indianapolis area, the IBO draws players from across the country and beyond and has been described as...