Explore every episode of the podcast Mocktails & Masterpieces

From Score to Stage is a three-part podcast and video series that takes you inside the fascinating journey of turning a musical idea into a live performance with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Each episode pulls back the curtain on a different chapter of the process—blending artistry, strategy, and behind-the-scenes magic.

• Episode 1 – Programming & Commissions (August) Step into the conductor’s world with Matthew Kraemer and learn how concert programs are crafted—what pieces are chosen, why certain works are paired together, and how brand-new compositions make their way to the stage.

Learn about ICO's upcoming parks' concerts with partner guests Rachel Osterhouse and Patricia Altamirano.

This year's performances 

Riverside Park, Taggart Amphitheatre - August 28, 2025 at 7:30PM

• Featuring Global Prep Academy Choir and Suzuki Academy, plus Invoke Yoga

Holliday Park, at the Ruins - August 29, 2025 at 7PM

• Featuring Choir and Suzuki Academy and Invoke Yoga

A look back at ICO Parks Partnerships that continue still today. Learn about ICO's upcoming parks' concerts with partner guests Rachel Osterhouse and Patricia Altamirano.

Don't miss this year's parks' concerts at Riverside and Holliday Park!

Riverside Park, Taggart Amphitheatre - August 28 at 7PM

• Featuring Global Prep Academy Choir, Amabel & Juan (Ballet Folklórico), and Suzuki Academy Violin & Cello Students

Holliday Park, at the Ruins - August 29 at 6:30PM

• Featuring Global Prep Academy Choir and Suzuki Academy Violin & Cello Students

Join us for a special episode as the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra welcomes Michael Shapiro, our 2025–2026 Composer-in-Residence. Music Director Matthew Kraemer sits down with Michael to discuss his creative process, inspirations, and what’s ahead this season.

You’ll hear exclusive clips from Violinist, Tim Fain, with Shapiro conducting, and Tim Fain performing Shaprio's Peace Variations. Join the ICO in January for two premiere performances of Michael Shapiro: the high-energy Zoomies and the lyrical By the Shore of the Season, a violin concerto written for and performed by acclaimed violinist Tim Fain.  

Discover the music, the stories, and the artistry behind the season in this behind-the-scenes conversation. Learn More

Get to know Suliman Tekalli, ICO's next Concertmaster! Enjoy a interview with Executive Director, Dana Stone, as they discuss the role of concertmaster, what Suli is looking forward to next season, and a performance by Suliman and Jamila Tekalli, his sister, pianist!

Maestro Matthew Kraemer and Executive Director Dana Stone discuss the recent announcement of the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra's 42nd Season - In Motion.

Learn more at icomusic.org

ICO's first composer-in-residence, James Aikman, discusses the compositional process and inspiration for his new work Alarm! The mocktail will feature excerpts from Aikman's saxophone concert and Emmy Award Winning, Peacemakers.

**Fun Fact** The musical introduction for Mocktails and Masterpieces is a short excerpt from Alarm!

Jump back to April 2021 with this special interview with violinist, Rubén Rengel. Rubén played with the ICO at our first indoor concert with audience at the tail end of the pandemic in April 2021 which was at the Palladium in Carmel. ICO's next concert "Celebrate the Songbook" with Michael Feinstein is also at the Palladium and is our first time returning since 2021. Classic American - Rubén Rengel joins the ICO on Samuel Barber's Violin Concerto. He shares insights about this career, the Sphinx Organization, and more.

Join us as we dive into the creative mind of Venezuelan-American composer Reinaldo Moya, discussing his powerful multi-media work, Dark Earth, which the ICO premiered in November 2021. In this re-aired episode originally recorded in 2021, Moya shares the inspirations behind the piece and multi-media collaborative project with Michael Hallerz. Learn about his collaborative process, the fusion of music and visuals, and how Dark Earth brings stories to life in a unique and immersive way.

Full concert recording of Dark Earth - https://youtu.be/Zkwv1LQU6aY

Moya's upcoming premiere Hone, Run Away from Me is April 5, 2025 at the Schrott Center for the Arts 

Tickets  - https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/land-in-the-music-featuring-ico-chorus/

Reinaldo Moya, composer and longtime ICO collaborator, shares compositional and personal connections to his newly ICO commissioned work, Home, Run Away from Me. The piece is a song cycle centered around the universal experience of a person who must leave their homeland.  

Moya and ICO Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, discuss his compositional style and past collaborations. Stay listening for an excerpt of ICO's commission with Reinaldo from 2020, Dark Earth.

Hear this work and Haydn's Mass in the Time of War and Martinu's Sinfonietta La Jolla on April 5th at 7:30 PM

Get tickets and learn more - https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/land-in-the-music-featuring-ico-chorus/

Maestro Matthew Kraemer and Executive Director, Dana Stone, discuss Charles Chaplin's "The Gold Rush." The film is celebrating its 100th Anniversary. Maestro Kraemer discusses the film's evolution, the musical influences, and the rehearsal process.  

ICO will present "The Gold Rush" on March 8th at 7:30 at the Schrott Center for the Arts. The concert is currently sold-out.

Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, is joined by Butler Film Professor, Allison Harthcock. They discuss the impact of Metropolis on film, German Expressionism, the dawn of science fiction, and Maestro Kraemer discusses the Huppertz score.

This podcast is released in celebration of the upcoming ICO presentation of Charles Chaplin's "The Gold Rush" with live orchestral score on March 8, 2025 at the Schrott Center for the Arts.

Get Tickets & Learn More!: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/charlie-chaplins-the-gold-rush/

The Internationa Violin Competition of Indianapolis (IVCI) and ICO will co-present "Solidarity Symphony" on February 1, 2025 featuring Sirena Huang, Gold Medalist. 

In this interview, Sirena shares her prepartion process, her love for Beethoven, and much more!

Get Tickets and Learn More: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/joyful-solidarity-featuring-sirena-huang-violin/ 

Get to know the CMI composition winner, Jorge Muñiz. Jorge has composed "Solidarity Symphony" for premiere and recording with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on February 1, 2025. This piece centers around the inspirational texts and poetry of Pope Francis, Maya Angelou, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Langston Hughes.

Learn more and Get Tickets: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/joyful-solidarity-featuring-sirena-huang-violin/

Join us for a look back at a recent collaboration with past IVCI (International Violin Competition of Indianapolis Laureate), Bella Hristova.  ICO Executive Director, Dana Stone, talks with with Bella about her career, connection to Indiana, and her love of Prokofiev.

Don't miss our next partnership with IVCI on February 1, 2025 with 2023 Gold Medalist, Sirena Huang. Sirena will join the ICO with Beethoven's Violin Concerto on the "Joyful Solidarity" concert. This concert also features a world premiere by Jorge Muñiz. 

Tickets and Information - https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/joyful-solidarity-featuring-sirena-huang-violin/

Join ICO Executive Director, Dana Stone, and ISC Artistic Director, Eric Stark, for a conversation about artistic collaborations. ISC and ICO's most frequent collaboration is Festival of Carols which is coming up later in December. 

A look back on our first concert with chorus master, Eric Schmidt, with Maestro Matthew Kraemer. Learn about choral preparation, Messiah vs. Bach Christmas Oratorio, and its role in the Christmas repertoire in the USA and Europe. 

Don't miss this year's Classical Christmas on Saturday, December 14 (7PM) at Indiana Landmarks and the Sing-Along on Sunday, December 15 at 3PM.

Classical Christmas - https://ci.ovationtix.com/36694/production/1199550?performanceId=11462812

Sing-Along - https://ci.ovationtix.com/36694/production/1199552?performanceId=11462813

Combination Packages  - https://ci.ovationtix.com/36694/store/bundledPackages/143116

ICO Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, sits down with ICO Principal Oboe and our next concert's soloist, Leonid Sirotkin.

Learn more about the concert and get tickets for November 23 at 7:3pm

https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/autumn-sketches-vaughan-williams-mozart-and-leonid-sirotkin/

A throwback episode to this interview from October 2022 with Kenny Broberg, the most recent winner of the APA Classical Competition.

We're celebrating our APA partnerships as ICO kicked off the 2024 Classical Competition earlier this month. 

 Check out the APA concert lineup this season, featuring the ICO: https://lnkd.in/gS6fS7Jk

ICO welcomes guest artist and Mezzo-Soprano, Ashley Dixon, to discuss her background, love for Berlioz and the Barqoeu music. Maestro Matthew Kraemer interviews. Enjoy a performance by Ashley, Rossini "La Cenerentola" Non piu mesta.

Don't miss Summer Nights with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on October 19 at 7:30 pm. 

Tickets & Info: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/summer-nights-with-ashley-dixon/

Learn about the new ICO education field trip program created by Carnegie Hall: Link Up. ICO is offering this culminating concert and educational curriculum for free to schools in Indianapolis.

If you want to bring your class, sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSePg8NWXvCUUHDYM7HZHGp9AZq1jAGIP--QVTOhYk0Svgni_Q/viewform

New Virtual Education Program: Black Keys the Evolution of the Black Classical Arts is available for free after October 1, 2024. Sign up for classroom access here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddJRRcHvYqUTrF4o6xGfAK6f3COGVMK53KgkL0Wn7aRToIxw/viewform

Enjoy this re-aired interview with Rob Dixon, Dan Tepfer, and Matthew Kraemer from May 2021. They discuss their collaboration during James Aikman's "Peacemakers." A performance is included!

Learn more about the program that earned a 2024 ARTI from the Indy Arts Council for its work in community partnerships towards diversity and equity!

An interview with Matthew Kraemer, Music Director, and ICO Principal Oboe, Leonid Sirotkin, from 2020.

Leonid will solo with the ICO In 2024 - Autumn Sketches on November 23

Learn more https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/autumn-sketches-vaughan-williams-mozart-and-leonid-sirotkin/ 

ICO Principal Bass, David Murray, interviews Wendy Muston, Prinicpal Harp and founding member of the ICO. Enjoy a live performance from pandemic outdoor concert with Wendy Muston and Marjie Hanna!

Actor and Narrator, Ty Stover, together with Dana Stone, ICO Executive Director, discuss the virtual education module, Tall Tales and Long Tails. This program is free for all students in Indiana with accompanying curriculum guides.

Teachers can request free access: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSddJRRcHvYqUTrF4o6xGfAK6f3COGVMK53KgkL0Wn7aRToIxw/viewform

Get to know our principal bassist, David Murray, with this interview and performance from May 17, 2021. Bonus content includes the Octabass!

Join Maestro Matthew Kraemer and Executive Director, Dana Stone, as they discuss the 24-25 Season "Land in the Music" and ICO's education and community engagement.

Be sure to join us for the Building Community Through Music Day on June 11!!! 

https://ci.ovationtix.com/36694/store/donations

On the heels of the end of our 40th season, we are sharing an interview with Maestro Matthew Kraemer and now Artistic Director Emeritus, David Hochoy, of Dance Kaleidscope. This interview was in anticipation of the 2022 collaborative concert, Music Moves! 

Learn more about the ICO at icomusic.org

Get to know the artistic minds at work for the collaborative performance New World with Dance Kaleidoscope and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on May 17, 18, 19, 2024! Guest Conductor, Andrés Lopera, DK Artistic Director, Joshua Blake Carter, and DK Associate Artistic Director, Stuart Lewis, discuss the collaboration, artistic decisions, choreography, inspirations, and more!

Learn about ICO virtual education module launched in 2021, What Makes Music American, with its hosts Matthew Kraemer and Joshua Thompson. Project support from: Central Indiana Community Foundation: CICF

This episode originally aired on youtube on May 14, 2021. 

ICO's Creative Partner in Residence and concert curator, Joshua Thompson, discusses the classical programming and artistic collaborations with Maestro, Matthew Kraemer. 

“Black Keys,” weaves together dance, powerhouse vocals, and world-class artistry and featuring fellow artists Psywrn Simone, Kenyetta Dance Co., and Jared Thompson. The repertoire includes masterpieces composed by Black contributors in classical music that span over three centuries: William Grant Still, Joseph Bologne, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington, Harry Burleigh and Margaret Bonds.

This concert is sold out, but learn about other ICO concerts at icomusic.org 

Get to know Joshua and Jared Thompson twin brothers and artistic collaborators on "Black Keys: The Evolution of the Black Classical Arts."  Black Keys will have its first live performance to a sold-out audience on April 20, 2024 at the Schrott Center for the Arts with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. 

Learn more: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/black-keys-the-evolution-of-the-black-classical-arts/ 

Learn about ICO's signature fundraising event, Orchestration. 

Orchestration 2024 is March 16, 2024 at Crane Bay, so many of the details discussed in this interview hold true for the 2024 event.

Tickets https://my.onecause.com/event/organizations/sf-0018000000euDndAAE/events/vevt:f097d10f-c3b9-4392-9d4a-93fe7c40abc7/home/story 

ICO Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, interviews composer, Richard Einhorn. Einhorn composed the oratorio "Voices of Light" for chorus, soloist and orchestra to accompany the classic silent film, "The Passion of Joan of Arc."

ICO will present Voices of Light on March 9, 2024 at the Schrott Center for the Arts. DePauw University Choirs and professional soloists will join the orchestra for this collaborative performance!

https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/the-passion-of-joan-of-arc-voices-of-light-film/

Music Director, Matthew Kraemer, is joined by Butler Film Professor, Allison Harthcock. They discuss the impact of Metropolis on film, German Expressionism, the dawn of science fiction, and Maestro Kraemer discusses the Huppertz score.

Enjoy this re-aired interview, available for the first time as a mocktail, with Richard Lin, 2018 IVCI Gold Medalist. Dana Stone, Executive Director, interviews Richard about the music, his violin and more!

Learn about upcoming ICO concerts at icomusic.org

Get to know Julian Rhee with this special interview by Matthew Kraemer, ICO Music Director. Julian is the 2022 Silver Medalist of the IVCI. 

Julian will join the ICO on January 20, 2024 for the Silenced Voices concert playing Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto. Other music featured on the concert by Schreker and Korngold and the world premiere of "Anne Frank's Tree" by Victoria Bond.

https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/silenced-voices/ 

Enjoy this special edition of Mocktails and Masterpieces recorded live at the Ann Katz Festival with Indianapolis JCC on November 2023. Victoria is joined by ICO Creative Partner-in-Residence, Joshua Thompson, and ICO Executive Director, Dana Stone. They discuss Victoria's compositional style and process and the evolution of the commissioned project, "Anne Frank's Tree."

Hear excerpts of a string quartet reduction of the new piece which will premiere on January 20, 2024 on the Silenced Voices concert with the ICO.

Visit for information and tickets! https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/silenced-voices/

Musicians Featured:

Alfred Abel, violin & soloist

Emily Popham Gillins, violin

Colette Abel, viola

Nancy Smith, cello

Enjoy this interview from June 2023 with ICO Chorusmaster, Eric Schmidt. Eric and Executive Director, Dana stone, discuss the return to Handel's "Messiah" and Saint Saens Christmas Oratorio plus the Sing-Along.

Get Tickets for this year's "Classical Christmas" and "Sing-Along" at https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/a-classical-christmas/

Maestro Matthew Kraemer and Classical Christmas soloists, Mary Martin and Norman Shankle, discuss ICO's upcoming concert on December 8 and 10. Hear their favorite Messiah stories and learn about their experience with "new-to-them" Saint-Saens "Christmas Oratorio."

Tickets are available for Classical Christmas on Friday, December 8 at 7:30PM AND

Christmas Sing-Along (Messiah and Carols) on Sunday, December 10 at 3:00PM 

Purchase now

Enjoy this interview from December 2021 with then, new ICO Chorusmaster, Eric Schmidt. Eric and Maestro Matthew Kraemer discuss the return to Handel's "Messiah" in ICO programming and Bach's Christmas Oratorio. 

Get Tickets for this year's "Classical Christmas" and "Sing-Along" at https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/a-classical-christmas/

Join Maestro Matthew Kraemer and guest soloists Nancy Ambrose King, oboe, and Ryan King, clarinet. They discuss the premiere of Miguel del Aguila's new piece "Concierto Con Brio" featured on ICO's concert Suite Brilliance on November 18, 2023. They share more about their relationship with music, preparation, and more!

Milkman's Daughter prepares a "NO-jito" with Nancy's flavors in mind! Plus a bonus Mocktail!!!

Purchase Tickets and Learn more about Suite Brilliance: https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/suite-brilliance/

A re-air to podcast format from the June 2023 video edition of Mocktails & Masterpieces. Meet ICO 23-24 Composer-in-Residence, Miguel Del Aguila. Miguel's music is no stranger to ICO audiences. Learn about his musical influences as a Uruguayan-American composer and his compositional process. ICO is part of a consortium to present a new work in November by Miguel, "Concierto Con Brio." This concerto will feature soloists Nancy Ambrose King, oboe, and Ryan King (her son), clarinet. Learn more about the concert on November 18. https://www.icomusic.org/concerts/suite-brilliance/ 

Aaron Diehl, 2011 APA Jazz Winner, shares his connection with Mary Lou Williams' tour-de-force piece, Zodiac. Aaron and his combo will perform all twelve movements of the Zodiac Suite with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra on September 30, 2023.

This concert starts the ICO's 40th Anniversary Season! Learn more at icomusic.org

Enjoy a recipe for a Zodiac inspired Mocktail from Milkman's Daughter!

Special thanks to our sponsor - Anthony Team Realty

This episode was the very first episode of Mocktails & Masterpieces aired on April 30, 2020. Host Maestro Matthew Kraemer introduces the program with a movement from James Aikman's "Peacemakers."  This movement "RFK" features the speech from Robert Kennedy given in Indianapolis on April 30, 1968, the evening of Dr. Martin Luther King's assassination. "Peacemakers" was commissioned by the ICO in 2015 and was the subject of an Emmy winning documentary by WFYI. 

Join us for our first Mocktails and Masterpieces to feature an actual MOCKTAIL. ICO has partnered with Milkman's Daughter, a mobile bartending service, this fall to highlight non-alcoholic drinks with our featured guests in mind. This episode is the first to be distributed as a podcast. ICO Executive Director interviews Pam Ajango, oboe; Candice Kiser, clarinet; and Emily Popham, violin. Special thanks to our sponsor Anthony Team Realty!

Learn more about the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra.