Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announces "Into the Music," a free series featuring Music Director Jun Märkl and Fox59 Indy Now host Ryan Ahlwardt
INDIANAPOLIS—Fresh from announcing Maestro Jun Märkl as the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s music director in 2024, the ISO is rolling out a new series of FREE concerts beginning in January 2025 inviting the community to dive “Into the Music.”
Each “Into the Music” concert will feature a lively discussion followed by a performance—with full orchestra—of the highlighted classical work. Joining Maestro Märkl for the on-stage discussion will be Ryan Ahlwardt, who serves as co-host of Indy Now on FOX59.
The concerts will take place at Hilbert Circle Theatre in downtown Indianapolis at 6:30 p.m. on the following dates:
- January 23, 2025: Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra
- April 24, 2025: Strauss: Ein Heldenleben
- June 12, 2025: Berlioz: Symphonie FantastiqueReserve free tickets here. “Into the Music” performances are offered free of charge; patrons are encouraged to pay what they wish to support the ISO.
Whether you’re a classical beginner or a longtime enthusiast, “Into the Music” offers an intimate look at each classical work in a relaxed, accessible setting. Joined by the orchestra, Maestro Märkl and Ryan Ahlwardt will chat onstage, providing background on each musical work and the composer. The orchestra will perform excerpts demonstrating the discussion topics that explore the elements that make great music. Following the discussion, Maestro Märkl will conduct the orchestra performing the highlighted work. The length of each performance will vary from 60 to 75 minutes.
“‘Into the Music’ is a wonderful opportunity to connect with classical music and learn more about some of the greatest pieces written for orchestra,” said Maestro Märkl. “The ISO invites our community to join us for an informative discussion in a casual setting. Relax, enjoy, and come back for the full performance on Friday or Saturday!”
Ryan Ahlwardt has been a featured guest on many network TV shows and two national PBS specials and has also served as a radio host in Indianapolis. An avid musician, Ahlwardt is an alumnus of the world-renowned vocal group Straight No Chaser, and his voice, arrangements and original songs are featured on the group’s albums.
“I’m incredibly excited to be part of ‘Into the Music’ and honored to be working with Maestro Märkl. The ISO is such an important part of Indianapolis culture. I’m eager to spread the word and help our community find ways to connect through classical music,” said Ahlwardt.
Know before you go:
“Into the Music” is offered free to the public. Patrons are encouraged to pay what they wish to support the ISO. Each concert will run between 60-75 minutes with no intermission. Ticket holders for “Into the Music” will be offered a 50% discount to attend the full IU Health Plans Classical Series concert featuring the highlighted music.
About Jun Märkl
Jun Märkl became the eighth Music Director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra in September 2024, having previously acted as the ISO’s Artistic Advisor from 2021–2024. This new appointment celebrates the culmination of Mr. Märkl’s nearly 25-year-long collaboration with the ISO. Märkl currently serves as Music Director of the National Symphony Orchestra of Taiwan, as Principal Guest Conductor of the Oregon Symphony, and was recently named Chief Conductor of the Residentie Orkest in The Hague beginning with the 2025–26 season.
Maestro Märkl is a highly respected interpreter of both symphonic and operatic Germanic repertoire, and for his idiomatic explorations of the French impressionists. His long-standing relationships with the great opera houses and orchestras of Europe have been highlighted by his leadership as General Music Director of the National Theater Mannheim (1994–2000), and as Music Director of the Orchestre National de Lyon (2005–11), the MDR Symphony Orchestra Leipzig (2007–2012) and the Basque National Orchestra (2014–17). He has appeared with many of the world’s leading orchestras, including the Bavarian Radio Symphony, the Munich Philharmonic, the Tonhalle Orchestra Zurich, the Orchestre de Paris in Europe, the Cleveland Orchestra, Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and the Montreal Symphony in North America, the NHK Symphony Orchestra Tokyo, and the Sydney Symphony and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in Australia among many others.
Born in Munich, Märkl’s father was a distinguished concertmaster and his mother a solo pianist. Jun Märkl studied at the Musikhochschule in Hannover, with Sergiu Celibidache in Munich and Gustav Meier in Michigan. In 1986, he won the conducting competition of the Deutsche Musikrat and a year later won a scholarship from the Boston Symphony Orchestra to study at Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and Seiji Ozawa. Fully dedicated to working with young musicians he has acted as Principal Conductor at the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, he teaches as a Guest Professor at the Kunitachi College of Music in Tokyo, and is a regular guest conductor at the Aspen Music Festival, Colorado.
About Ryan Ahlwardt
Ryan Ahlwardt is a host of central Indiana’s most watched lifestyle and entertainment show, Indy Now, on Fox59 and CBS4, a singer-songwriter, onstage entertainer, and voice actor who has called Fishers, Indiana, home since 1992. He is an alumnus of the world-renowned vocal group Straight No Chaser, and his voice, arrangements and original songs are featured on the group’s albums. Ryan has been a featured guest on many network TV shows and two national PBS specials, and has also served as a radio host right here in Indy. He has entertained hundreds of thousands of people across the world at such iconic venues as the Royal Albert Hall in London, the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.
Ryan is an alumnus of Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and was commissioned to write a new anthem to celebrate the university’s 2020 bicentennial. His song, “Indiana, We’re All For You” has been streamed by half a million IU alumni worldwide. Ryan is also an avid history fan and a co-creator of The Presiquential Podcast, which explores the lives, legacies, and little-known facts about every American president. He lives in Fishers with his wife Lauren and their two children, Olivia and Gus. In his free time, Ryan loves to explore the small towns of Indiana with his family, visit his alma mater Indiana University in Bloomington, and connect with his church family at Mercy Road in Carmel.
About the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, at home and thriving in the heart of Indianapolis, offers an exceptional artistic and musical experience. The orchestra is open to all and dedicated to creating an inclusive and innovative experiential environment that is inspiring, educational, and welcoming. The ISO celebrates historically beloved performances while engaging audiences by introducing new voices through programming including the IU Health Plans Classical Series, the Printing Partners Pops Series, the holiday traditions of AES Indiana Yuletide Celebration, and the popular Film Series presented by Bank of America. For more information, visit www.indianapolissymphony.org.