The HPO Indie Series partners with local emerging artists for cross-genre concerts

HAMILTON, ON – The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra is proud to announce a new initiative beginning this summer.  The HPO Indie Series brings our region’s local emerging artists and professional orchestra together for a collaborative, cross-genre approach to music-making, relevant and unique to Hamilton.

The Indie Series gives Hamiltonians the opportunity to experience HPO musicians perform with local emerging bands, in a hybrid concert experience that features new and familiar works that blend the classical and rock genres.  This program features innovative music that pushes traditional boundaries and connects with new audiences to introduce more people to Hamilton’s thriving music scene.

While you can expect to hear familiar classical works, the Indie Series is not a typical classical concert series.  HPO musicians partner with a different local artist to create their own unique performance experience.  Each performance features original works by the local guest band, reimagined for orchestral ensemble, and music from the classical repertoire revamped to include the influence and instrumentation of the guest band.  Concerts are held in casual and intimate venues throughout the city.

To launch the Indie Series, the HPO is pleased to announce the electronic rock band Illitry as its first collaborative partner.  Founded in 2011, Illitry consists of lead singer Troy Witherow, with live band members Kevin Fraser and Michael Boyd who create immersive performances using electronic sounds and live instruments.

The HPO’s Principal Double Bassist Rob Wolanski is one of the musicians involved in developing this exciting new series.  “Being both a professional, orchestral musician and someone who also comes in part, from a pop/rock background, the music of Illitry is in a very different style than I am used to,” says Wolanski.  “It is interesting to see how these different genres can influence each other.”

The first concert of the Indie Series takes place on Thursday, June 25 at 7:30pm at Park St. Gasworks (141 Park St. N).  Working with a chamber ensemble of the HPO, the Illitry and the HPO will create original, innovative and cross-genre works alongside Hamilton-based composer Christien Ledroit.

“We are honoured to be the first local band working with the HPO as part of their new Indie Series. It is a one-of-kind opportunity to arrange our music for a new audience, and an in-road for fans of our music to be exposed to the richness of orchestral music,” says Troy Witherow, lead singer of Illitry.  “There is a lot exciting work ahead for us. I am looking forward to this exchange of ideas, and to having my own creative abilities challenged and stretched.”

Over the past two years, the HPO has built on partnerships with local artists, including collaborative performances at SuperCrawl 2013 and 2014 with beatboxer Hachey the MouthPEACE and local rock band Thought Beneath Film.  Remaining concerts for the 2014-15 Indie Series will take place in October and December 2015.


HPO Indie Series
Featuring Illitry
Thurs., June 25 at 7:30pm
Park St. Gasworks
(141 Park St. N., Hamilton)

Ticket Information
Tickets are $15 (plus HST) and can be purchased by calling the HPO box office at 905-526-7756 or online at staginghpo.wpengine.com. Limited tickets will be available at the door.

 

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Media Contact:
Diana Weir, Director, Communications and Development | Tel: 905.526.1677 x230 | Email: dweir@hpo.org

The Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra was founded in 1884 as The Hamilton Orchestral Society and grew to become one of Canada’s major professional orchestras. Today, the HPO is a leader in Hamilton’s robust arts community where it provides professional orchestral services and music education programs to address the needs of the community. The HPO continues to commission and premiere works and is one of the artistic jewels of the Hamilton area. The combined musical talents of its artists continue to enrich the community and enhance the quality of life for its residents.