Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra and Acclaimed String Trio Tiime for Three Establish Three-Year Relationship

"CLASSICALLY-TRAINED GARAGE BAND" BECOMES ISO'S FIRST ENSEMBLE-IN-RESIDENCE AND WILL TAKE A LEAD ROLE IN THE SYMPHONY'S NEW AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVES AND STUDENT MENTORSHIP

INDIANAPOLIS’ÄîFor the first time in its 79-year history, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra has created a residency program tied to an ensemble group rather than an individual artist or composer. As the new ensemble-in-residence for the Indianapolis Symphony, the dynamic string trio Time for Three will bring its unique sound and innovative approach to composing and performing music on stage and throughout the community beginning in November of this year and ending with the 2011-2012 season.

Time for Three members’ÄîZach De Pue, violin and ISO Concertmaster, Nick Kendall, violin, and Ranaan Meyer, double bass’Äîbegan playing together as students at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and formed the group after discovering their affection for improvisation and blending jazz, classical, bluegrass and country western music in new and different ways. The self-described "classically-trained garage band" has appeared with the ISO on multiple occasions at the Hilbert Circle Theatre, Marsh Symphony on the Prairie and at other select events. As the Orchestra's official ensemble, the group plans to bring its music to new audiences and new venues throughout Indiana; establish relationships with and inspire student musicians from selected residency schools; develop a leadership role with programming for, and performances in, the ISO's Stella Artois Happy Hour at the Symphony series; and together with the ISO musicians and artistic staff, create new opportunities that attract the next generation to the performing arts.

"I am excited about the possibilities that our partnership with Time for Three opens up for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra," said Simon Crookall, President and CEO of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. "We have seen what a dynamic affect the group has on our audiences, who are charmed and invigorated by their amazing talent, enthusiasm and charisma. Building on the relationship that Zach has already established with the Orchestra and with the public, it is wonderful to welcome Nick and Ranaan to the ISO family! There is no better way to reach out to new audiences in Indianapolis than by collaborating with this dynamic trio."

Time for Three's concert schedule with the ISO includes Lilly Classical Series performances Nov. 5-7 and in February and May of next year for Happy Hour at the Symphony. Working with the ISO's Learning Community, the group will be scheduling appearances and community events and developing official relationships with Broad Ripple and Perry Meridian high schools in order to work one-on-one with students in the music programs. More up-to-date information on the residency and events associated with the group will be available at a new web site, www.ISOTf3.org beginning Nov. 1.

"Being invited to partner with the ISO is a thrill for us, a career highlight, and an inspiring opportunity to be a part of an institution we strongly believe in," said Nick Kendall. "The ISO is a foundation for us, and together with the musicians and creative leadership of the Orchestra, we hope to provide additional energy to the already mighty strength of this organization. We want to evolve the art form and spread the word in a heartland community we are quickly falling in love with."

Time for Three Community Events and Concerts in 2009-2010

Time for Three: Roots and Wings
Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
7 p.m.
Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation
Explore the creative process of the dynamic trio, Time for Three. The group will demonstrate its approach to adapting existing melodies by experimenting with some songs from the Jewish tradition.
Public welcome; free

Young Professionals Breaking Boundaries
Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009
5:30-7:30 p.m.
Hilbert Circle Theatre Wood Room
A presentation, short performance and a question and answer session for members of IndyHub and Lacy Leadership Association.

Symphonic Hits Powered by Lilly
Time for Three Performs Jennifer Higdon's Concerto 4-3
Nov. 5, 11 a.m.
Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org or (317) 639-4300.

Spirited Chase
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009
WFYI
9 a.m.
Time for Three will help kick off this annual signature event of the 2009 Spirit and Place Festival.
Public welcome; free

Time for Three: World View, One Sound
February 2010 (exact date to be determined)
7 p.m.
Marian University Chapel
Hear the sound that's breaking down musical barriers and discover how this trio is defying the limits of their instruments and industry one note at a time.
Free; open to the public.

Stella Artois Happy Hour at the Symphony featuring Time for Three
Feb. 18 & May 6, 2010
Hilbert Circle Theatre
Happy Hour begins at 5 p.m.; Concert starts at 6:30 p.m.
$20/person
Tickets can be purchased at www.IndianapolisSymphony.org or (317) 639-4300.

For a complete calendar of information, go to www.ISOTf3.org.

ISO Residency Programs

The ISO has collaborated with four artists-in-residence’Äîpianists Barry Douglas, Pascal Rogˆ© and Andrˆ© Watts and baritone Nathan Berg’Äîall during former Music Director Raymond Leppard's tenure. In addition, Gabriela Lena Frank just completed a residency program in the 2008-09 season with the premiere of Peregrinos (Pilgrims), and David Ott joined the ISO in 1990 as a composer-in-residence and created five works’ÄîMusic of the Canvas (1990), Indianapolis Concerto (1993), Improvisations on the "Clara Songs" from Egmont (1994), Garden of Secret Thoughts (1996) and Triple Concerto (1997).

About Time for Three

What started as a trio of musicians who jammed together backstage while students at Philadelphia's Curtis Institute for Music evolved into Time for Three -- a charismatic ensemble with a reputation for limitless enthusiasm and no musical boundaries. The members -- Zach De Pue, violin; Nick Kendall, violin; and Ranaan Meyer, double bass -- carry a passion for improvisation, composing and arranging, all prime elements of the ensemble's playing. Zach De Pue and Nick Kendall first discovered their mutual love of fiddling in the country western and bluegrass styles. Bassist Ranaan Meyer then introduced them to his deep roots in jazz and improvisation. After considerable experimentation, the three officially formed Tf3. The ensemble gained instant attention in July 2003 during a lightning-induced power failure at Philadelphia's Mann Music Center. While technicians attempted to restore onstage lighting, Ranaan and Zach, who were both performing with The Philadelphia Orchestra, obliged with an impromptu jam session that included works as far afield from the originally scheduled symphony as "Jerusalem's Ridge," "Ragtime Annie," and "Orange Blossom Special." The crowd went wild.

Tf3 sets itself apart not only with its varied repertoire performed with astonishing technical acuity, but also through its approach. Its high-energy performances are free of conventional practices, drawing instead from the members' differing musical backgrounds. The trio also performs its own arrangements of traditional repertoire and Ranaan Meyer provides original compositions to complement the trio's offerings. Tf3 has performed on many of the nation's important stages, including the Mann Music Center, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and Joe's Pub in New York. In addition to their albums, they have been seen and heard frequently on various television and radio broadcasts throughout the country, including numerous times on Public Television and NPR, and were featured in a documentary film about Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square directed by Robert Downey, Sr. The group also recorded the soundtrack to the History Channel's production, The Spanish-American War.

The ensemble has begun a major commissioning program to expand its unique repertoire for both symphony orchestras and concert series. One of these projects has involved a new work written by celebrated composer Jennifer Higdon, premiered in six performances by Tf3 with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Christoph Eschenbach in January 2008. Future commissions will include works by Chris Brubeck and William Bolcom. In addition to its demanding performance schedule, the trio is committed to reaching younger audiences and has participated in a number of educational residencies and outreach concerts including Paul Newman's Hole In The Wall Gang Camp (for which they have helped raise over $8 million along with Whoopi Goldberg, Alec Baldwin, Mikhail Baryshnikov and Joanne Woodward); The Fox Channel's "Good Morning Philadelphia" telecast from the Kimmel Center; the Liberty Awards Ceremony honoring Colin Powell; and the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce's morning debate banquet for gubernatorial candidates Edward Rendell and Mike Fisher. Tf3 was also featured in the Pennsylvania Society's televised annual gala from New York's Waldorf-Astoria.

The 2009-10 season finds Time for Three continuing a rigorous North American performance schedule. Highlights include appearances with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop; Fort Worth Symphony under Miguel Harth-Bedoya; Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra; and a debut of a Chris Brubeck commission with the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart. Also in 2009-10, the group furthers its commitment to outreach by launching a multi-year residency with the Indianapolis Symphony and makes its Carnegie Hall debut on the Family Concert Series.