Indianapolis Symphony Sets New Attendance Record of 107,281 for Summertime Marsh "Symphony on the Prairie" Series

Attendance Tops 100,000 Mark for Only 2^nd Time in 28-Year History of Outdoor Series

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announced that it set a new all-time attendance record of 107,281 for its Marsh Symphony on the Prairie season of outdoor concerts this summer, exceeding the previous mark of 107,245, set in 1999. This marks only the second time that the ISO surpassed the 100,000 attendance milestone in its 28-year history of presenting the popular outdoor concert series at the Conner Prairie Amphitheater.

Among the notable attendance marks established this summer were:

¬… Total season attendance of 107,281, the largest full-season crowd to attend the series.

¬… Single night attendance record for a Pops concert featuring the ISO with 8,145 people enjoying the Classical Mystery Tour Beatles tribute program on Aug. 1

¬… Second largest non-July 4 weekend attendance of 14,304 July 31-Aug 1, just missing the all-time record of 14,829 (Aug. 27-29, 1999 - Big Band)

¬… Fourth largest single concert attendance of 12,291 on July 3

Commenting on the new record, ISO President and CEO Simon Crookall said, ’ÄúWe are grateful for the loyal supporters who have, in ever-increasing numbers, chosen to enjoy the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in wonderful concerts at its summer home at Conner Prairie, especially in these challenging economic times. Outstanding weather, plus the casual concert atmosphere and the wide variety of musical genres that we presented, from rock ’Äòn’Äô roll to classical, made for a delightful summer of entertainment for central Indiana music lovers.’Äù

’ÄúWe also thank our partners, Marsh Supermarkets and Conner Prairie, who have worked closely with us to build this Series from its humble beginning in 1982, when we performed eight concerts for a total audience of about 25,000 people to where it is today. The popularity of the series has blossomed over the years with the continued support of our two partners and we look forward to even greater success with them in the future,’Äù he added.

On Saturday, September 5, Debra Fleetwood of New Palestine was honored as the 100,000^th person to enter the gates this season for a Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Series concert. Fleetwood received a certificate for two Value Packs (each containing 10 tickets) to the 2010 Series, a $100 Gift Card from Marsh Supermarkets, and the ISO will donate two seven-concert Lilly Classical Series subscriptions to a local charitable organization in her name. Her party also was escorted to a reserved table near the front of the amphitheater where they enjoyed the concert by the River City Brass Band and a fireworks finale in this final weekend of the summer season.

The Orchestra’Äôs Marsh Symphony on the Prairie Series has grown to become a key part of the Orchestra’Äôs year-round season. Over the years, the Series has featured pops, rock, jazz, patriotic, and classical programming performed within a casual atmosphere where concertgoers from throughout Indiana and tour groups from surrounding states can enjoy orchestral music while picnicking in the open-air amphitheater. In 1996, three weeks of Prairie Pops! were added to feature guest ensembles in musical styles that were outside the ISO’Äôs normal repertoire.