Bloomington Symphony Orchestra - Indiana

Piano Masterclass with Ignas Maknickas
2023-03-03 16:30 - 18:30 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Faith Lutheran Church Sanctury, 2200 S. High Street, Bloomington, IN, 47401
FREE masterclass open to middle and high-school pianist from Bloomington and surrounding areas. Audience is open to the public.
Apply here to participate in the masterclass

The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra (BSO) is excited to welcome concert pianist Ignas Maknickas to Bloomington as part of our upcoming “Imagine: Legacy” concert where he will perform Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. Ignas’s impressive biography boasts numerous awards and prizes, such as “The Queen’s Commendation for Excellence” (the highest-scoring graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, July 2021), First Prize at the XIX Fryderyk Chopin Piano Competition for Youth in Szafarnia, First Prize at the XX Piano Competition “Young Virtuoso” in Zagreb, Third Prize at the Aarhus Piano Competition and, in 2021, he was the semi-finalist of the Vendome Prize. Ignas has also appeared with orchestras all over the world, playing everything from Mozart to Chopin.
During his visit to Bloomington, Ignas has generously offered his time and expertise to lead a masterclass, coaching young pianists who will receive world-class feedback on their playing. Selected applicants will get to play for Ignas and then receive his help in areas of technique, expression, and musicality. This is a rare opportunity for young performers to learn from a highly-accomplished professional performer who will only be in Bloomington for a short time!
The BSO welcomes all interested local (Bloomington and surrounding area) middle- and high-school piano students to apply. Applicants must submit a roughly one-minute video (in any format, even cell phone video is fine!) of them playing either piano or keyboard. For the application you can play anything you would like – something from a piece you’ve mastered, a piece you are working on, or something that you aspire to play! If you are selected, you will be asked to bring any Classical or non-Classical piece on which you would like to receive Maestro Maknickas’s feedback to a public masterclass held on Friday, March 3rd, from 4:30-6:30pm at the Faith Lutheran Church Sanctuary (2200 S. High Street). Selected participants will each get 10-20 minutes of one-on-one time to work exclusively with the maestro himself. This masterclass is FREE and open to the public: parents, friends, any interested pianists, BSO superfans, or lovers of music are welcome to attend as audience members, with the request that all attendees be quiet and respectful of the students in the class.
Applications are due by February 24th, and we will send details to participants by February 27th.
Are you (or someone you know) interested in the opportunity to be part of this exciting masterclass? Click here for to submit your application., or let us know if you have questions! bso@bloomingtonsymphony.com

Imagine: Legacy - with BSO founder Geoffrey Simon
2023-03-05 17:00 - 19:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Buy your Legacy tickets here

Repertoire
Serenade, Op. 11, Mvt. 1, by Johannes Brahms
Piano Concerto No. 2, by Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring pianist Ignas Maknickas
Hümn (The Anthem), by Hanna Havrylets
Dances of Galanta, by Zoltán Kodály

Description:
He’s back! Our founder Geoffrey Simon planned to come help us celebrate our 50th season in March 2020, but we all know how that ended up. Fortunately, he will join us this March instead for a concert featuring pianist Ignas Maknickas. Come be a part of history as the man who started it all returns to conduct the orchestra he founded in 1969! With guest conductors Geoffrey Simon and Isaac Terceros.
The 4:30 pre-concert talk, led by musicologist Dr. Alexis Witt, will focus on how the theme of “legacy” applies to each composer on the concert program — Brahms grappling with the legacy of Beethoven’s symphonies and choosing to write his orchestral serenades first as a sort of test-run for a symphony; Rachmaninoff heartbroken over how the Soviets destroy the legacy of the Russia he loved causing him to focus on his piano performance rather than composition; Havyrlets dying on day three of the current Russian invasion of Ukraine because she couldn’t receive medical attention and the legacy of Ukrainian music in the face of Russian erasure; Kodály’s interest in collecting Hungarian folk music to preserve the musical legacy of his homeland

Tickets
Adult: $25
Student w/ID $12
Children 18 and under: FREE
Buy your Legacy tickets here
or at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater box office, 114 E Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington

A Fanfare Farewell - Open Rehearsal and Reception
2023-05-13 15:30 - 18:00 | Faith Lutheran Church Gym, 2200 S. High Street, Bloomington, IN, 47401
Join the BSO to say so long and good luck to our conductor of the past 6 seasons, Alejandro Gómez Guillén, as he prepares to conduct his last concert with the BSO as Artistic Director.
Saturday, May 13th, 2023, 3:30-6:00 PM
3:30-4:30 PM: Come watch the Maestro in his element leading the BSO in an open rehearsal for the next day’s Legends concert.
4:30-600 PM: A reception with snacks and refreshments.
Faith Lutheran Church Gymnasium (map)
2200 S High St
Bloomington, IN 47401

Tickets for the reception are $19.69 in honor of our founding year, and can be paid by making a donaton online, or pay at the door with cash, check, credit card, paypal, venmo. We aren’t accepting RSVPs any more, but you we still have seats available so come and pay at the door.
And don’t forget to get your tickets for our concert, Imagine: Legends, Sunday May 14, 5pm at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Imagine: Legends - featuring Firebird and Scheherazade
2023-05-14 17:00 - 19:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Imagine: Legends – featuring Firebird and Scheherazade
Sunday May 14, 2023, 5:00 PM
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture, by Felix Mendelssohn
Selections from Scheherazade, by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
Mar de recuerdos (Sea of Memories), by Antonio Medellín Fajardo (World Premiere)
Firebird Suite, by Igor Stravinsky

Where do legends begin?
The BSO explores epic mythology as we end our 53rd season with Igor Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite. Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade will add to the mystique; Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture introduces an element of high fantasy to the program. The premiere of Antonio Medellín Fajardo’s Mar de recuerdos (Sea of Memories) rounds out this evocative, legendary performance.

Your ticket includes a 4:00 pre-concert conversation and Q&A with Drs. Alexis Witt and Alejandro Gómez Guillén.
Lastly, all good things must come to an end. Our conductor of the past 6 seasons, Alejandro Gómez Guillén, has accepted a position with theOmaha Symphony. Don’t miss this chance to watch him lead the BSO one last time, and to wish him well in the next chapter of his career. A special Fanfare reception will be held on May 13th. More info HERE.

Buy your Legends tickets here
Adult: $25
Student w/ID $12
18 and under: FREE
Doors open at 3:45 PM for open-seating pre-concert conversation
4:00 PM: Pre-concert conversation with Q+A with Drs. Alexis Witt and Alejandro Gómez Guillén
Doors open at 4:35 PM for reserved-seating concert
5:00 PM: Concert (120 runtime, including 15 minute intermission)

Join the BSO on Saturday May 13 for an open rehearsal and reception to say so long and good luck to our Artistic Director and Conductor of the past 6 seasons, Alejandro Gómez Guillén, as he prepares to conducts his last concert with the BSO..
Saturday, May 13th, 2023, 3:30-6:00 PM
3:30-4:30 PM: Come watch the Maestro in his element leading the BSO in an open rehearsal for the next day’s Legends concert.
4:30-600 PM: A reception with snacks and refreshments.

More info: bloomingtonsymphony.com/fanfare

2023 BSO Annual Meeting
2023-06-20 19:00 - 20:30 | City Hall, 410 N. Morton Street, Bloomington, IN, 47404, United States
You are cordially invited to the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 20 at 7pm. The meeting will be held in person in the atrium at City Hall in the Showers Building, and snacks will be provided. The purpose of the Annual Meeting is to provide a State of the Orchestra and for members to vote on new board members.
If you cannot attend in person, CLICK HERE to join via zoom, meeting ID: 811 1012 1469, passcode: [REDACTED]
Voting members include:

Performing musicians who have participated in at least 50% of full orchestra performances during the 2022-23 season OR at least 30% of full orchestra performances during the 2021-2023 seasons.
Music managerial personnel
Individual donors of $25 or more
Corporate donors of $125 or more

The Annual Meeting is open to the public, but only members as defined above are allowed to vote. Electronic ballots will be sent the week before the meeting in case you cannot attend in person. Contact us with any questions at bso@bloomingtonsymphony.com, and we hope to see you on June 20!

FREE Concert at Switchyard Park
2023-08-27 19:00 - 20:00 | Switchyard Park Main Stage, 1601 S Rogers St, Bloomington, IN, 47403, United States
6pm Musical Instrument Petting Zoo: a great chance for kids of all ages to get a close-up introduction to many of the musical instruments that make up an orchestra
7pm Concert: Come on an adventure with us, across the globe and into outerspace!
Are you ready for an adventure? Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra as we kick off our 54th season, all on the theme of Adventure. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you prefer pops or classical. Musical selections will feature film music favorites from Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Pirates of the Carribean, and more. Plus, this year’s Youth Concerto Competition runner-up, Miranda Isbitts, will wow you with the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. This is a FREE concert on the Switchyard Park outdoor stage. Show up early with your kids to experience an instrument petting zoo starting at 6pm, then spread out your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy an adventure for your ears!Are you ready for an adventure? Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra as we kick off our 54th season, all on the theme of Adventure. There’s something for everyone to enjoy, whether you prefer pops or classical. Musical selections will feature film music favorites from Indiana Jones, Star Wars, Pirates of the Carribean, and more. Plus, this year’s Youth Concerto Competition runner-up, Miranda Isbitts, will wow you with the third movement of Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto. This is a FREE concert on the Switchyard Park outdoor stage. Show up early with your kids to experience an instrument petting zoo starting at 6pm, then spread out your picnic blankets and lawn chairs and enjoy an adventure for your ears!

Chamber Concert
2023-08-28 08:00 - 17:00
Join the BSO for an intimiate evening of chamber music, including a Vivaldi concerto for 4 violins and an English horn duet!
More info coming soon.

“De España vengo (I come from Spain)” - concert and pre-concert talk at BCT
2023-10-22 17:00 - 18:30 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
How do you like your music? Bustling? Evocative? Exuberant? Sensuous? Breathtaking? Sparkling? Zesty?
What about all of the above? Join the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra for a buffet of musical offerings that tempts the senses and showcases the variety of orchestral riches that come from Spain. Come broaden your palate and explore the musical delicacies of Spain with us!
4:00-4:30pm Pre-concert talk
Join us for a wonderful pre-concert talk led by Dr. Christine Wisch. Like the country itself, Spain’s musical traditions are rich and diverse, but today’s audiences rarely have the opportunity to hear Spanish masterworks in concert. In this talk, Dr. Wisch explores some of the challenges of performing orchestral repertoire from Spain and offers an introduction to the many styles and genres of music represented in the BSO’s program. The half-hour talk briefly touches upon the lives of the composers and situates their music within the broader, better-known history of European art music. From the Aragonese jota to the Basque zortiko, Dr. Wisch will serve as your guide through the dances and musical influences that make up this orchestral program, which includes gems from the zarzuela tradition as well as arrangements of some of Spain’s most beloved masterpieces.
5:00-6:30pm Concert
ᐧ Intermedio from La boda de Luis Alonso – Giménez
ᐧ Concierto de Aranjuez – Rodrigo (featuring guitarist Carlos Bedoya)
ᐧ “Canción de la Paloma” from El Barbarillo de Lavapiés – Barbieri (featuring mezzo-soprano Arienne Fort Cannock)
ᐧ “De España vengo,” from El niño judío– Luna (featuring mezzo-soprano Arienne Fort Cannock)
ᐧ Danzas fantásticas – Turina
ᐧ Selections from Suite Española – Albéniz
ᐧ Spanish Dance No. 1 from La Vida breve – Falla

Tickets: $25 Adults, $12 Students, Free 18 & under
Get your tickets for this concert as part of the BSO Season Pass.
Save 12% and go on an ADVENTURE through 4 wonderful BSO concerts at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater for only $88.
Click here to purchase your season pass.

After purching your season pass online, you will then choose your seats for each concert individually, as if purchasing tickets for each concert but at checkout the cost will be $0. Or you can reserve your seats at the BCT Bloom Box Office:
Bloom Box Office
114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
812-323-3020 ext 1
Click here to purchase tickets for this concert only.

Celebrate the Season with the BSO - 5pm and 8pm at BCT
2023-11-24 17:00 - 20:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
‘Tis the season…for music!
Click here to purchase tickets for this concert.
This year, our traditional holiday celebration will include fresh faces from the Bridges Musical Arts Youth Organization. We’re partnering with Bridges MAYO to present a wild, wintry musical adventure. From waltzes to rockets, kings to wizards, traditional holiday tunes to some pretty big surprises…this concert is sure to delight the whole family!
Our 5:00 pm show gets out in time for everyone to watch the Canopy of Lights, while our 8:00 pm show ends your evening in a festive holiday mood.
Get in the mood for the holidays!
Tickets: $25 Adults, $12 Students, $5 for 18 & under
Click here to purchase tickets for this concert.

Get your tickets online at the BCT Bloom Box Office,
by phone or in person at:
Bloom Box Office
114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
812-323-3020

New Date - BSO Chamber Conversations with AAAMC
2024-01-17 19:00 - 20:00 | First United Church, 2420 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47401, United States
Are you ready to return to the Archives?
Last fall, the BSO partnered with the Archives of African American Music and Culture (AAAMC) to bring you an unforgettable collaboration. And now, we will return to the archives for another exciting journey into America’s musical heritage – both past and present. Audiences will hear works by some familiar figures, such as late jazz legend (and beloved IU faculty member) David Baker. And if you came to our “Imagine: Collaboration” concert last fall, you will recognize more music by jazz pianist and composer, Mickey Tucker.
This is also a rare opportunity to learn more about some truly fantastic music that will likely be unfamiliar to many people. The programmed works range from those that have been recorded and performed (Undine Smith Moore’s “Afro American Suite for Piano, Cello and Flute” and Mickey Tucker’s “Blues for Khalid”) to those that have never been published, including handwritten manuscripts from the archives (Moore’s “Andante for Strings” and Charles Coleman’s “Duo for Two Violins”).
So please join us, as we return to the archives to enjoy the music of David Baker, Mickey Tucker, Undine Smith Moore, Carl MaultsBy, and Charles Coleman. An extra dimension of learning and discovery will be provided by Mia Watts, Head of Collections at the AAAMC, who will provide commentary and context for these works throughout the concert.
The concert starts at 7pm on Wednesday, Januray 17, at First United Church. This unique musical experience is free for all audience members, although donations of any amount are welcome and appreciated.

This concert is part of the ongoing collaboration with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and the Archives of African American Music and Culture.

This concert was rescheduled from September 20, 2023 to January 17, 2024.

Countryside Getaway - concert at BCT
2024-03-03 17:00 - 18:30 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Escape to the countryside with Dvorak’s 8th Symphony and Montgomery’s Banner.
Click here to purchase tickets for this concert.
Tickets: $25 Adults, $12 Students, Free for 18 & under
4:00-4:30 PM Pre-concert talk with Dr. Alexis Witt
Included with all tickets.
5:00-6:30 PM Concert with the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra
Banner – Jessie Montgomery,
with solo string quartet
Concertstück for Harp and Orchestra, Op. 39 – Gabriel Pierné,
featuring Emma Levesque, BSO Youth Concerto Competition Winner
Symphony No. 8 in G, op. 88 – Antonín Dvořák

Antonín Dvořák found inspiration, respite, and sheer joy in the forests surrounding his country home. Biographer Hanz-Hubert Schönzeler observed, “When one walks in those forests surrounding Dvořák’s country home on a sunny summer’s day, with the birds singing and the leaves of trees rustling in a gentle breeze, one can virtually hear the music.”
Also on the program, French composer Gabriel Pierné’s delightful Concertstück for Harp and Orchestra, featuring our Youth Concerto Competition winner Emma Levasque on harp, and Jessie Montgomery’s moving orchestral tribute to the 200th anniversary of the Star-Spangled Banner, entitled Banner.

Click here to purchase tickets for this concert.
Tickets: $25 Adults, $12 Students, Free for 18 & under

Get your tickets online at the BCT Bloom Box Office, by phone or in person at:
Bloom Box Office
114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
812-323-3020

"There Goes the Sun" - A FREE Solar Eclipse Event
2024-04-07 15:00 - 16:00 | Switchyard Park, 245 W. Grimes Lane, Bloomington, IN, United States
The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra and the City of Bloomington present this FREE concert on Sunday, April 7, 2024, at 3 pm, to celebrate the total solar eclipse. Join us at the Switchyard Park main stage for a lighthearted blend of familiar classical and popular music that pays homage to our very favorite sun and moon. Featuring special guests Voces Novae chamber choir.
We’ll hope for sunny skies as Bloomington is directly in the path of totality of this rare cosmic event the following afternoon.
Special thanks to our concert sponsor, Oliver Winery!

Une Fête Fantastique
2024-04-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Oliver Winery, 200 E Winery Rd, Bloomington, IN, 47404, United States
Une Fête Fantastique
Saturday, April 20, 2024
7:00-9:00 PM at Oliver Winery

Imagine yourself at a French café. Soft jazz fills the air as you sip a glass of fruity Chardonnay. Snippets of conversation from nearby tables drift on the fragrant breeze, and you feel both relaxed and excited. Getting hungry? The baked brie, pastry pinwheels, and crisp crostini look tempting. Oh, but save room for the pastry crème tarts, eclairs, and crème brulee!On Saturday, April 20, immerse yourself in the culture and cuisine of Paris as the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra hosts Une Fête Fantastique from 7-9 PM at Oliver Winery. What you can expect:
-Savory hors d’oeuvres and classic French desserts catered by One World Catering
-One glass of wine (included) or soft drinks – additional wine available for purchase
-Strolling jazz duet (you can request a specific song for a “tip”)
-Photo booth
-Costume contest – come dressed in your favorite French fashion
-Raffle for season tickets
-Announcement of our 55th season programming
…and more
Tickets: $75 per person* or $350 per table of fiveRSVP by April 9
*$45 of your ticket price is eligible for a tax deduction.

Un Voyage Français - concert at BCT
2024-05-12 17:00 - 18:30 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Purchase Tickets Here

Our season finale takes us on an emotionally-charged tour of Paris. From Lili Boulanger’s tragic, intimate musings on her own small world to the grandiose excesses of Berlioz’s exploration of obsessive love, this will be a program to remember!
Lili Boulanger is often overlooked compared to her better-known sister, Nadia, however she was also a groundbreaking composer in her own right. D’un soir triste (Of a Sad Evening) is shrouded in dark orchestral colors and pushes the boundaries of conventional harmonies for its time. This personal and expressive sonic exploration was completed only a few months before Lili died at the young age of 24.
The shocking originality of Berlioz’s Symphonie fantastique goes well beyond the programmatic to enter the realm of the psychological. Its exploration of an unstable, drug-addled mind spills into hallucinations, and is both disturbing and innervating.
To help our audience explore this program in more depth, we’ve chosen to include some extra-musical elements to our performance, including –
– Collaborations with local spoken word performers to give voice to both Berlioz and his beloved Harriet Smithson
– An interactive Listening Guide where musicologists and members of the orchestra provide insights into Berlioz’s masterwork
– Slideshows during each piece to evoke the shifting sentiments/mood brought forth by the composer
– The use of onstage props to highlight exceptional moments in each piece
We hope you’ll join us for this very special, thought-provoking program. The length of these pieces and the added features mean this concert will run a little over 2 hours, so please plan accordingly.
Program:
Symphonie fantastique – Hector Berlioz
D’un soir triste – Lili Boulanger

Tickets: $25 Adults, $12 Students, Free for 18 & under
Click here to purchase tickets for this concert, or you can reserve your seats at:
BCT Bloom Box Office
114 E. Kirkwood Ave.
812-323-3020 ext 1

BSO Annual Meeting
2024-06-18 18:30 - 20:30 | Monroe County Public Library Downtown – Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408
Update 6/18/24:
Reminder that the BSO Annual Meeting is TONIGHT, 6:30pm at the Monroe County Public Library, Room 1B (NOT city hall like previous years). Snacks and refreshments provided. If you need the elevator and are entering from the 6th street parking lot, you will need to ask a MCPL staff person for assistance using the staff elevator as the main elevators are not working at the moment.

To attend virtually, click here for the BSO Annual Meeting Zoom Room. We will try to start as close to 6:30 as possible.

You are cordially invited to the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 18 at 6:30pm. This meeting is open to the public and will be held in person in meeting room 1B at the Monroe County Public Library downtown. A zoom link will be shared the week of the meeting if you cannot attend in person.

The main purpose of the Annual Meeting is to provide a State of the Orchestra and for members to vote in new board members. Please let us know by June 4 if you are interested in joining the board, or in the currently open board position of Treasurer.

While the Annual Meeting is open to the public, only voting members must meet one or more of the following requirements:–Performing musicians who have participated in at least 50% of full orchestra performances during the 2023-24 season OR at least 30% of full orchestra performances during the 2021-2023 seasons.–Individual donors of $25 or more–Corporate donors of $125 or more – one representative of the corporation receives a vote.

An email invitation was sent to all members on May 16. If you are a member and did not receive that email, please contact us.

Thank you so much for being a part of the BSO’s 54th season, and we look forward to seeing you on June 18!
Contact us: bso@bloomingtonsymphony.com

SHOWTIME! A Free BSO Concert at Switchyard Park
2024-08-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Switchyard Park Main Stage, 1601 S Rogers St, Bloomington, IN, 47403, United States
The hills are alive…with the sound of music! This free, family-friendly concert will showcase tunes from Broadway classics like A Chorus Line, Les Misérables, West Side Story, The Sound of Music, and more. Bloomington’s own Windfall Dancers will join us in some toe-tapping fun. Bring your dancing shoes, and get ready to boogie with the BSO!
Sunday, August 25
6pm Instrument Petting Zoo
7 pm ConcertSwitchyard ParkFREE

Once Upon a Midnight
2024-10-20 17:00 - 19:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Season and Single Tickets Available Now!
What are nightmares made of? Dancing skeletons, ghoulish visions, witches soaring through the night sky – face your fears with the Bloomington Symphony at this Halloween-themed concert. Featuring Bernofsky’s Wild Ride on a Broomstick, Saint-Saëns’s Danse Macabre, Slatkin’s The Raven, and Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King, this concert of the musical macabre will have you whispering “Nevermore!”
Repertoire:
The Raven by Leonard Slatkin
Danse Macabre by Camille Saint-Saens
“Wild Ride on a Broomstick” from Three Portraits of a Witch by Lauren Bernofsky
“In the Hall of the Mountain King” from Peer Gynt by Edvard Grieg
This Midnight Hour by Anna Clyne
Phantom Chapel by William Grant Still
Night on Bald Mountain by Modest Mussorgsky
October 20, 2024 at 5 pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Season and Single Tickets Available Now at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater box office.
Adult $25
Student $12
Ages 18 and under FREE

Chamber Music 4 Everyone
2024-10-30 18:30 - 19:30 | First United Church, 2420 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47401, United States
Wait a minute, I’m seeing double(double)! But you don’t need your eyes checked…there really are a lot of number 4s in our upcoming chamber concert…
4 “big” names: Handel, Holst, Vivaldi, Weber
Concerto in B minor for 4 Violins
Quartet for 4 Violins
4 Pieces for Horn Choir
…and so much more! Please join us FOUR an evening of chamber music from around the world, featuring our talented BSO musicians in an intimate setting.
Wednesday, October 30th, 6:30 PM at First United Church, 2420 E 3rd St
We’re delighted to offer FREE admission, but we do appreciate donations.

Annual BSO Poinsettia Sale
2024-11-14
Give the gift of beautiful, festive poinsettias!
Orders due Nov 14. Pick up or delivery on Dec 5.
CLICK HERE TO ORDER ONLINE NOW!
or print this order form to send in.
More infomation at bloomingtonsymphony.com/poinsettias

Celebrate the Season at the BCT - 5pm
2024-11-29 17:00 - 18:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Join the BSO for a treasured tradition as we celebrate the holiday season with two concerts. Our 5pm early show is perfect for families with small children, and finishes just in time for you to watch the City’s Canopy of Lights. The second, slightly longer 8pm program will top off your evening with a festive mix of holiday music from around the world. With a new “elf” leading us as Music Director, you can expect a fresh treat or two!

November 29, 2024 at 5 pm and 8 pm (two shows)
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Get your tickets HERE
Or contact the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office at 812-323-3020
Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under $5
Also, join us in at the Tivoli Theatre in Spencer, IN.
Tuesday, December 3 at 7 pm
Tickets: https://spencertivoli.org/

Celebrate the Season at the BCT - 8pm
2024-11-29 20:00 - 21:30 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Join the BSO for a treasured tradition as we celebrate the holiday season with two concerts. Our 5pm early show is perfect for families with small children, and finishes just in time for you to watch the City’s Canopy of Lights. The second, slightly longer 8pm program will top off your evening with a festive mix of holiday music from around the world. With a new “elf” leading us as Music Director, you can expect a fresh treat or two!

November 29, 2024 at 5 pm and 8 pm (two shows)
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Get your tickets HERE
Or contact the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office at 812-323-3020
Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under $5
Also, join us in at the Tivoli Theatre in Spencer, IN.
Tuesday, December 3 at 7 pm
Tickets: https://spencertivoli.org

Celebrate the Season at the Tivoli
2024-12-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Tivoli Theatre, 24 N Washington St, Spencer, IN, 47460
Join us in Spencer as we take our treasured holiday tradition on the road! This festive program will feature a mix of holiday music from around the world. With a new “elf” leading us as Music Director, you can expect a fresh treat or two!

December 3, 2024 at 7pm
Tivoli Theater, Spencer
Tickets: https://spencertivoli.org
Students $5, Adults $15,

Or join us November 29, 2024 at 5 pm and 8 pm (two shows)
at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in Bloomington, IN
Get your tickets HERE
Or contact the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office at 812-323-3020
Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under $5Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under $5

2025 Youth Concerto Competition Auditions
2025-01-18 10:00 - 14:00
Deadline to apply is January 4, 2025 at 11:59pm EST.
In-person auditions are Saturday, January 18, 2025, 10am-2pm at Faith Lutheran Church

The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra invites local youth musicians to participate in the 2025 Youth Concerto Competition, with a chance to perform a solo with the BSO and win up to $300. Any instrumentalist through high school from Monroe, Brown, Green, Lawrence, Morgan, and Owen counties is eligible to participate. The deadline to submit an application is January 4, 2025. The rules of participation and application can be found here.

American Voices for All Times
2025-03-09 17:00 - 19:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
Take a tour of the American musical landscape with the BSO and our partners from the Bridges Youth Orchestra and the IU Archives of African-American Music and Culture (AAAMC). Gershwin’s An American in Paris, Price’s Ethiopia’s Shadow in America, and Banfield’s Symphony No. 6: “Four Songs for Five American Voices” showcase the rich variety of American musical traditions, from jazz to spirituals.
4pm: Pre-Concert Conversation with composer William Banfield, included with your concert ticket.
5pm: Concert, Bloomington Symphony Orchestra side by side with the Bridges Youth Orchestra
*Opening Night by Brian Balmages
*An American in Paris, by George Gershwin, arr. John Whitney
*Ethiopia’s Shadow in America, by Florence Price
*Blue Cathedral, by Jennifer Higdon
*Symphony No. 6, “Four Songs for Five American Voices”, by William Banfield
March 9, 2025
Buskirk-Chumley Theater

Get your tickets HERE.
Or contact the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office at 812-323-3020
Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under FREE

“Simply Brilliant” – A Free Performance of Hansel and Gretel, April 3, 2025
2025-04-03 17:30 - 18:30 | Monroe County Public Library Downtown – Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408
Timothy McShea of the Johns Hopkins News-Letter called Nicholas Hersh‘s adaptation of Hansel and Gretel “absolutely flawless.”
“The classical vocal performances paired with heavy jungle beats and jazz solos created a clash of musical traditions that seemed so outrageous on paper yet absolutely thrived onstage. The more quirky, whimsical performance of the singers, with their bizarre facial expressions and direct communications with the audience, felt right at home with the wild yet controlled nature of the musicians. The musical adaptation [of the original opera by Englebert Humperdinck] by Nicholas Hersh was simply brilliant.”
Don’t miss your chance to experience this magical retelling of the classic fairy tale in a FREE concert! The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra is partnering with Reimagining Opera For Kids to present this 45 minute program at the Monroe County Public Library Auditorium (downtown) for 2 perfomances:
Thursday, April 3, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Saturday, April 5, 2025 at 11:00 am
This performance is made possible by a generous grant from the Bloomington Arts Commission.
FREE for all ages, donations accepted.

"Simply Brilliant" - A Free Performance of Hansel and Gretel April 5, 2025
2025-04-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Monroe County Public Library Downtown – Auditorium, 303 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408

Get in the Groove Gala- Celebrating 1969 to Now with the BSO
2025-05-04 18:00 - 21:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
1969 was a year to remember. The Moon Landing. Woodstock. Sesame Street’s first season. The founding of our beloved Bloomington Symphony Orchestra.
Our upcoming gala celebrates some of the milestones of that fabulous year.
– Get down and get funky with a DJ / Karaoke spinning all your favorite tunes from the late 60s and early 70s
– Look your coolest, dude, at our super hip photo booth
– Enjoy fun snacks (included in ticket price), and themed cocktails (for card purchase)
– We’ll also have a short program about the BSO’s past, present and future, and other fun ways for you to celebrate our milestone season.
So dust off those bell bottoms and the tie dye, and join us for a groovy evening of peace, love, and music. It’s going to be outta sight!

Get your tickets here!

BSO Past, Present, and Future
2025-05-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Avenue, Bloomington, IN, 47408, United States
The capstone of our 55th anniversary season begins with a trip down memory lane, as we recreate the opening of the BSO’s very first concert with Nicolai’s Merry Wives of Windsor Overture. Our Youth Concerto Competition Winner, Catelijne Hunt, shows us the talent of future musical generations with Saint-Saëns’s Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso, and we will revel in the artistry of our musicians of today with Sibelius’s Symphony No. 2. We’ve been making music with our community for 55 seasons; we hope that our audience at this concert will continue to celebrate with us the many reasons we love calling Bloomington our home.
May 18, 2025 at 5pm
Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Get your tickets HERE
Or contact the Buskirk-Chumley Theater Box Office at 812-323-3020
Adult $25, Student $12, Ages 18 and under FREE

BSO Mixtape - A Free Chamber Concert
2025-06-04 19:00 - 20:30 | First United Church, 2420 E 3rd St, Bloomington, IN, 47401, United States
Join us as we celebrate the start of the summer with some beautiful chamber music from our talented BSO musicians.
Schubert String Quintet
Thuille Woodwind Sextet
Tchaikovsky Serenade for Strings
Clara Schumann Piano trio
Piazzola
…and MORE!
No ticket needed. Free entrance – donations always appreciated: bloomingtonsymphony.com/donate

BSO Annual Meeting
2025-06-17 17:30 - 18:30 | MCPL Southwest Branch, 890 W. Gordon Pike, Bloomington, IN, 47403
You are cordially invited to the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday, June 17 at 5:30pm. This meeting is open to the public and will be held in person in Meeting Room A/B Combo at the Southwest Branch of the Monroe County Public Library. Join us for refreshements starting at 5pm.

The main purpose of the Annual Meeting is to provide a State of the Orchestra and for members to vote in new board members. Please let us know by June 3 if you are interested in joining the BSO board of directors.

While the Annual Meeting is open to the public, voting members must meet one or more of the following requirements:–Performing musicians who have participated in at least 50% of full orchestra performances during the 2024-25 season OR at least 30% of full orchestra performances during the previous 2 seasons–Individual donors of $25 or more–Corporate donors of $125 or more – one representative of the corporation receives a vote.

If you are elligible to vote, you can do so here: 2025 BSO Ballot. Voting closes at 11:59 EDT on Wednesday, June 18, 2025. We have three potential new board members that need to be voted on, so please submit your ballot on time. If you cannot attend in person, you can participate via this zoom link:
Annual Meeting Zoom link, or Meeting ID: 893 8321 3099, Passcode: BSO

An email invitation was sent to all members on May 16. If you are a member and did not receive an email, please contact us at us: bso@bloomingtonsymphony.com

Thank you so much for being a part of the BSO’s 55th season, and we look forward to seeing you on June 17!
