EDUCATION

Growing Up Baroque

FREE Musical storytelling programs that spark curiosity in learners of all ages!

Baby examining a baroque era instrument at Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra family friendly concert

Growing Up Baroque

Each spring, the Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra hosts multiple free and family-friendly performances incorporating multi-cultural stories with matching baroque-era music. These curated experiences engage even the youngest audiences, where they can enjoy the story, hear the music, meet the musicians and learn about the instruments.

Past Events

St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning

The Indianapolis Baroque Orchestra held three performances for a special telling of St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning in 2024. Children and their families to attended our annual musical storytelling program, Growing Up Baroque! at three local libraries. IBO musician and multi-instrument specialist Keith Collins curated a short program of Irish Baroque and folk music to accompany the beloved children’s book “St. Patrick’s Day in the Morning” by Eve Bunting. In addition to presenting music, the quintet of musicians introduced their instruments and their special features to the audience.

Don Quixote and the Windmills – Spanish/English

In October 2023, we presented our first bilingual program to fourth grade students at Indianapolis Public Schools #105 Fairbanks, an elementary school with a significant Spanish-speaking student population. Our program included instrumental introductions, selections of Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite played by members of the IBO, as well as a reading of the Don Quixote and the Windmills by award-winning children’s book author Eric Kimmel in a bilingual English-Spanish format.

Don Quixote and the Windmills

In February 2023 IBO partnered with the Indianapolis and Johnson County Public Libraries to present Growing Up Baroque to more than 230 kids and grownups! The event included instrumental introductions, selections of Telemann’s Don Quixote Suite played by members of the IBO, as well as a reading of the children’s book “Don Quixote and the Windmills” by Eric Kimmel.

Listen to My Trumpet!

In May 2022 members of the IBO presented Growing Up Baroque at the Central Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library. Selections of music featuring the Baroque trumpet were played as well as a reading of Mo Willems “Listen to My Trumpet!”

Getting a Handel on Messiah

In connection with our Messiah performances, we designed an interactive, family-friendly introduction to Handel’s Messiah! You’ve heard the famous Hallelujah Chorus – now learn about the rest of Handel’s masterpiece and the compositional tricks he used to make Messiah such a feast for the ears. Hear the music played on historical instruments and look forward to a special appearance by Handel himself! Chat with orchestra musicians after the performance and take home a themed gift bag including color-by-number pages of Baroque composers and instruments, a noise-maker or instrument to played during the program, and a Bibliocommons reading list to continue learning at home!


IndyBaroque Music, Inc. • PO Box 47985 • Indianapolis, IN 46247