CABARET AT THE COMMONS: The Philharmonic has successfully brought a whole different kind of entertainment to Columbus. “And it is quality, first-class entertainment of the variety you would see in places such as New York City and other major metro areas.

ALL FOR LOVE: [Ariel Horowitz’] collaboration with Bowden was exhilarating as he adeptly and commandingly led the orchestra through many tempo changes and a dynamic rollercoaster ride of emotion, which ended with loud cheers and such an ovation from the audience that Bowden had to bring her back to the stage for a second bow before intermission.

SEAN CHEN PLAYS BRAHMS 2: [Sean Chen] delivered the most original and likely the best live performance I have ever experienced among the many such performances I have heard in my professional life. From the solo horn entry played very beautifully by Victoria Knudtson, Chen made an entry which immediately showed him at one with the orchestra and the conductor.

CABARET AT THE COMMONS: New York City resident Benanti, 38, became the latest Big Apple star to water a wildly blooming small-city success story called Cabaret at The Commons. And like other A-list Broadway performers who have entertained audiences since the series began in January 2015, the singer and actress … made Broadway touchable in small-town America. And very much right at home.

BERNSTEIN & GERSHWIN: We were treated to a stellar performance of Gershwin’s “Concerto in F,” which brings together interlacing jazz and classical elements. This piece demands a pianist of the highest technical and interpretive caliber, and we were fortunate to experience such a performance by 24-year-old pianist Drew Petersen.

BEETHOVEN 5 DA-DA-DA-DUUUMMM: The orchestra was beyond reproach — clear textures, beautiful balance, and a joyous mixture of passion and even some of the humor that often goes missing in the numerous performances of this long-revered work.

SEAN CHEN ROCKS RACH 3: After my living a long life with the Rachmaninoff 3rd, it took this youthful musician to show me the most imaginative and compelling performance of the work I have ever heard.

VISIT TO VIENNA: Hoffman plays with a silky smooth tone with impeccable intonation.

MUSIC FOR ROYALTY: Excellent diction and precise rhythms were evident from the beginning notes, and Conductor Ruth Dwyer demonstrated why she has an international reputation as an outstanding treble voice and children's choir specialist.

CELEBRATING THE CHINESE NEW YEAR:  Wang impressed from the beginning with chains of huge chords that traversed the entire range of the piano, indicative of the difficulty of the work and her control and accuracy.

CHRISTMAS!: The extra touches - Santa Claus, the audience sing-along, the solos passionately delivered by Heaton and Seymour, and the talent youngsters of the Columbus Indiana Children's Choir - gave this concert that extra-special holiday feeling.

VERDI REQUIEM: The Philharmonic, from the opening delicate, sustained notes, through the fireworks of dies irae, to the breathless final release, played with the combination of precision and passion that is a trademark of this fine orchestra.

TIME FOR THREE: Tf3 performs like a thunderstorm moving across the American plain. Members' boundless energy and electrifying personalities filled the auditorium and moved the normally reserved concert audience to cheers, whistles and thunderous applause.

SYLVIA SINGS GERSHWIN: McNair’s elegant sound, crystal clear diction, captivating stage presence, and fun interaction with the orchestral musicians made this set delightful, only marred by a slight imbalance of volume between her voice and the accompanying orchestra.

JCB ADVENTURE CONCERT: Along with the Adventure Concerts, educational programming and outreach includes the Columbus Indiana Children’s Choir, the Choral Festival, strings classes in the schools, the Philharmonic Youth Orchestra, strings camp, Regional Strings Invitational, Jammin’ with the Phil and Musicians in the Schools.

...an electrifying evening that brought the audience to its feet with shouts of bravo."  

Thank you Vanessa for all of your dedication to the children of our community! We have seen our child grow, and learn to love music even more with your attention.

HAMMER BLOWS! MAHLER'S 6TH SYMPHONY: Credit is due to Bowden and the orchestra for tackling such a demanding work and giving audiences in Indiana a chance to experience it. The evening was a unique, enriching experience for all.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR: The attention paid to such details, along with the musical skill evident in the Beatles’ first number (“Magical Mystery Tour,” featuring the orchestra’s trumpet section), made it clear that the audience was in for a treat.

I am so excited to see and hear all of the "home grown" talent who will be performing at The Commons on June 28th.  Tom Pickett has been a household name for my family since I was a little girl.  What a great way to honor a "music man" who has taught and nurtured so many!"

On June 28, 2013...musicians came together to honor Tom Pickett...the man who taught many of them to play.  

Tom's success has to be attributed in part to his generosity of spirit.  His love of sharing music is unparalleled and his humor is in a class of its own.

I began buying LPs and 45s from Tom in 1964.  Bought an Alvarez Dove from him in 1971.  He is a man of quiet wisdom and gentle humor, and a generous spirit.

"Live from New York!" sparkled with a variety of old and new favorites before a sold-out crowd...  

RACHEL BARTON PINE PLAYS MOZART: Both the Philharmonic and Bowden deserve recognition for a successful performance of a very rarely heard and unfamiliar piece (The Accursed Huntsman by César Franck). 

Thank you for the great and wonderful evening, Great performance!

Di Wu was thrilling in concert tonight!!! BRAVA!!!

IU'S SINGING HOOSIERS - HOAGY & COLE: Saturday’s Columbus Philharmonic concert was a successful collaboration among Indiana-based musicians and a showcase of local talent.