Our Vision
Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra advances and promotes music composed for the small orchestra through professional concert performances and education programs.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Access
The ICO is committed to increase inclusion, diversity, equity and access in all aspects of the organization and strives to be a leader among non-profit performing arts organizations.
Toward this goal, we will establish policies, procedures and training programs, pursue specific initiatives and commit significant resources. This policy is closely aligned with our long-term strategic plan.
Inclusion, diversity, equity and access is closely connected to our mission of offering music for the small orchestra to everybody in the community, including those who might have had little exposure to classical music in their lives. We commit to explore any underlying, unquestioned assumptions in our organization that prevent us from reaching these goals. The Executive Director and Music Director are expected to be visible leaders for achieving diversity and inclusion for the organization.
Michael Scott
The Karr/Murray concert [Double Talk] was so typical of what I’ve come to expect of the ICO — innovative, interesting, intriguing, inspiring.
Anonymous Patron
The performances [are] top notch … You feel like you are at a private concert.
Anonymous Patron
Ambiance, at intermission, and after with drinks and snacks makes the entire experience something special and unique.
Our History
1984
ICO made its debut on November 18 as Musicians of the Cloister at Trinity Episcopal Church in Indianapolis. David Urness was the first Music Director.
1987
The name of the orchestra was changed to Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, and the following year Kirk Trevor was appointed Music Director and Conductor. Maestro Trevor held this position for 27 years, retiring at the close of the 2014-2015 season.
2007
ICO joined the Indiana State University Contemporary Music Festival as Orchestra-in-Residence, an honor that remains today. During this annual three-day immersive educational event, the ICO sponsors a nation-wide competition for the composition of new chamber orchestra works and performs the winning piece during the festival.
2009
ICO begins weekly radio broadcast on WFYI 90.1 FM. This broadcast still continues today on Sundays at 9:00 PM.
2012-2013 season
ICO became the professional Orchestra-in-Residence for Schrott Center for the Arts, Butler Arts Center. ICO also hired James Aikman as its first Composer-in-Residence.
2014-2015 season
In May, ICO released its first commercial CD, entitled Momentum 21.
2015-2016 season
ICO welcomed Matthew Kraemer to the podium as Music Director and Conductor. ICO commissioned Peacemakers by James Aikman. This piece was written to commemorate the great work of previous music director, Kirk Trevor, while giving a nod to the great potential of Maestro Kraemer. Peacemakers was a bicentennial project for the State of Indiana.
2017
ICO and WFYI won a regional EMMY for the documentary, concert video, and performance of James Aikman’s, Peacemakers, on WFYI.
2020-2021 season
ICO establishes a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) committee and adopts a DEI policy to inform its programming and community work.
July 2020
ICO hired new executive director, Dana Stone, following the retirement and 15 successful years of leadership of Elaine Eckhart.
September 2020
The City of Indianapolis proclaimed September 24th “ICO Day” in commemoration of ICO’s ability to host a safe, free outdoor performance at Holliday Park during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
December 2020
ICO had great success with its virtual Christmas program created for audiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Baroque Christmas reached live audiences in the United States, Canada, Australia, Thailand, Mexico, and China. Since its premiere, A Baroque Christmas, has garnered nearly 20,000 views.
March 2021
ICO recorded three virtual education programs it can provide to augment music education in the state of Indiana. These programs have been used by more than 8,000 students.
November 2021
ICO’s virtual education program, What Makes Music American, premiered on WFYI on Thanksgiving Day.
February 2022
ICO was awarded the prestigious three-year Catalyst Incubator Grant from the League of American Orchestras in recognition of its consistent, intentional approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
April 2022
ICO hired Joshua Thompson as its Creative Partner-in-Residence to lead the development of culturally relevant and inclusive artistic programming, education programming, and community involvement.
