The Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra is adding a new dose of genre-bending for its 2026-27 season: a concert with Emmy nominee Ben Folds. The singer-songwriter, pianist and pop artist is known for collaborating with orchestras worldwide, and the Circle City ensemble is on his list for 2027.
The Folds concert will cap off the orchestra’s coming season, which will highlight musical works that nod to playwright William Shakespeare and include pieces by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Aaron Copland as well as two world debuts.
Season subscriptions and duet packs are on sale. Single tickets go on sale Aug. 10. Buy them at icomusic.org. Here’s the schedule.
‘Shakespeare & Love’
Oct. 17 at the Schrott Center for the Arts
With pianist Adam Golka, the chamber orchestra will perform a program of pieces related to the Bard and romance, including Felix Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream Overture,” Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Piano Concerto No. 20” as well as suites inspired by “Love’s Labour’s Lost” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”
‘Pulse’
Nov. 21 at the Schrott Center for the Arts
Gabriela Lena Frank’s “Concertino Cusqueño,” Samuel Barber’s Violin Concerto, the world premiere of Tucker Fuller’s “Limerance” and Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring Suite” are part of this program with violinist Melissa White that celebrates America’s 250th anniversary.
‘A Classical Christmas’
Dec. 12 at Indiana Landmarks Center
The ensemble, with soloists and a chorus, will perform all three parts of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah.”
‘Messiah Sing-Along + Christmas Carols’
Dec. 13 at Indiana Landmarks Center
The audience is invited to sing along with the Christmas portion of Handel’s “Messiah.”
‘Nature & Soul’
Jan. 16, 2027, at Schrott Center for the Arts
Works by Franz Schubert and Gustav Mahler are the theme of the concert, including Schubert’s Symphony No. 3 in D Major and Mahler’s “Das Lied von der Erde.” Guest artists Olga Perez Flora (alto) and Jamie Flora (tenor) will join the ensemble.
‘Spectrum’
March 13, 2027, at Schrott Center for the Arts
Experience the full range of sound and emotion with music that spans tradition and innovation. The world premiere of James Lee III’s “Chamber Symphony” along with Anna Clyne’s “Color Field” and Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 7” make up the concert program.
‘Steamboat Bill, Jr.’
April 17, 2027, at Schrott Center for the Arts
The ensemble will perform Carl Davis’ score live while the 1928 silent film, starring Buster Keaton, plays.
Ben Folds Live with the ICO
May 7, 2027, at the Payne & Mencias Palladium at the Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets at thecenterpresents.org
Folds, who’s known for his work with Ben Folds Five and the songs “Brick” and “Rockin’ the Suburbs,” will join the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.
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Contact IndyStar reporter Domenica Bongiovanni at 317-444-7339 or d.bongiovanni@indystar.com. Sign up here for the newsletter she curates about things to do and ways to explore Indianapolis. Find her on Facebook, Instagram or X: @domenicareports.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Ben Folds will perform with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
Reporting by Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
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By Domenica Bongiovanni, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
