Carmel Symphony Orchestra launches summer concert series at Coxhall Gardens

By AMY ADAMS
news@readthereporter.com

Many braved the heat Friday, June 21 to welcome summer with the Carmel Symphony Orchestra (CSO) as it kicked off its first-ever Summer Concert Series at Coxhall Gardens in celebration of the Summer Solstice.

The music of pieces like Vivaldi’s “Summer,” Mendelssohn’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” and Gershwin’s “Summertime” filled the warm evening air as the sun set around 9:20 and the “Strawberry Moon” rose soon after on one of the longest days of the year.

“The start of summer and this unique full moon makes the pastoral setting of Coxhall Gardens the perfect place to relax and unwind,” CSO Executive Director Anne Marie Chastain said.

Violinist Cooper Olsen joins the CSO for its Summer Solstice concert. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)

Joining Principal Guest Conductor Joel Smirnoff and the CSO were violin soloist Cooper Olsen, former winner of the CSO Young Artist Competition and current student at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and soprano Asako Tamura, who launched her solo career singing with the Three Tenors during the Wold Cup Championships in Yokohama.

“We wanted to add a local celebration of this seasonal milestone and felt a collaboration of a wide and colorful group of artists would create the perfect solstice event,” Chastain said. “Around the world, many cultures host festivals focused on the solstice, some lasting a week, so even though this event does not fall on the exact day we still want to celebrate the season.”

Soprano Asako Tamura sings a medley of Japanese folk art songs. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)

In addition to the concert by the CSO, the pre-concert performance included Mr. Daniel, the Central Indiana Dance Ensemble, Kathak (North Indian) Dance Academy, Dhol Indian Drumming, the Indiana Association of Chinese Americans Lion Dance Team, and Indiana Ballet Conservatory.

Closing out the evening, Carmel Jazz Festival Artistic Director Blair Clark treated the crowd to Stevie Wonder’s “You Are the Sunshine of My Life.”

Carmel City Councilmember Jeff Worell (left) served as master of ceremonies for the CSO concert. (Reporter photo by Amy Adams)

July 3 marks the next CSO concert under the stars at Coxhall Gardens with a tribute to Earth Wind and Fire at 8:30 p.m. Family-friendly entertainment begins at 5 pm. Ticket options include general admission, terrace seating, and a VIP experience with reserved seating, preferred parking, and private party in the Coxhall Mansion. For tickets, visit carmelsymphony.org/event/patriotic-concert-at-coxhall-gardens.

The lights of the West Bell Tower light the way out of the gardens as the sun sets.

Reporter photos by Amy Adams