ISB Information

     The Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit corporation formed by Bob Phillips, our founder, to ensure the continuation of the musical endeavors he began in the 1950's.

The corporation consists of a 11-member board of directors that "manages and supervises all activities, operations and properties of Indianapolis Symphonic Band (ISB) Inc.

Board of Directors & Management

The Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Inc. represents and serves the community by:

• Actively working to promote musical and artistic growth;
• Providing and supporting continued musical education;
• Providing a challenging performance outlet;
• Reaching out to audiences old and new.

     The Indianapolis Symphonic Band provides year-round, free of charge, accessible band concerts in a variety of venues--indoors and out, to audiences of all ages--throughout the Central Indiana area.

In addition to the 80-piece Indianapolis Symphonic Band, the corporation also includes the Barton Rogers Big Band.

     Over 110 volunteer musicians, representing a variety of ages, occupations, socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, rehearse and perform regularly with these groups.

Introducing the Indianapolis Symphonic Band

     The Indianapolis Symphonic Band (ISB) is an 75-piece concert band that performs a variety of concert band music from marches to musicals, from overtures to popular sounds. The ISB performs over 15 concerts a year in outdoor venues and in the concert hall.  This year, 2011-2012, the band begins its 56th year of music. 

ISB History: Overt fifty years ago two young men, Bob Phillips and Sandor Kallai, shared a common love of music and a dream. They created the Indianapolis Symphonic Band. After the first year, Bob Phillips took sole charge of the band and for more than thirty years personally organized and funded the band. Bob's efforts succeeded, and in recent years the Indianapolis Symphonic Band has been praised as one of the finest community bands in the United States by prominent guest conductors from Indiana University, Butler University, and Purdue University schools of music.

The band's history began in the mid 1950s when the two founders, Bob and Sandor, called together a group of musicians and started rehearsing at the All Saints Episcopal Church at 15th Street and Central Avenue. In the ensuing years, the band moved through a variety of rehearsal locations. After All Saints, the band moved to Memorial Presbyterian Church on the near north side of the city. From there the Band rehearsed at Tabernacle Presbyterian and North Methodist churches, then to Glendale Shopping Center and Lawrence Central High School. In 1999 a new home was found at Warren Central High School.n the early years the band performed only in the summer. It was during those seasonal concerts at the then open-air Glendale Shopping Center that the band gained recognition as a serious performing organization.

     As interest in the band grew, the Indianapolis Symphonic Band expanded its schedule to include opportunities for musicians to rehearse and perform throughout the year. Yet, remembering where it had its beginnings, the Indianapolis Symphonic Band continued the Glendale tradition with a summer series that has gone uninterrupted for more than 47 years. With the renovation and loss of the indoor concert space at Glendale Mall in 2007, the music now continues in venues nearby and in other parts of the city.

The Indianapolis Symphonic Band performs about fifteen concerts each year.  The band plays in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings throughout the year, including Fort Harrison State Park and Holliday Park in Indianapolis, the Warren Performing Arts Center, T.C. Howe High School, and parks in Zionsville and Noblesville, IN.

     The ISB's strength has come from its performers and volunteers. Over the years serious amateur musicians from all walks of life have gravitated to the organization.  Today members include talented high school students to retirees, all wanting to expand their musical opportunities. 

 Until 1970 the band was organized and managed by Bob Phillips. In that year the Indianapolis Symphonic Band was incorporated with a Board of Directors to oversee the operations. With age and health effecting Bob's ability to carry out all the necessary responsibilities for a successful organization, he stepped down. But as he did so, Bob donated his massive music library and large collection of instruments to the corporation, charging it to carry on the great musical tradition that he had personally started over 50 years ago. The library and instruments are made available to area bands and musicians at no charge

     The history of the Indianapolis Symphonic Band continues through Bob Phillip's legacy and the participation of many people in Central Indiana. For more information, read the tribute to Bob Phillips.

Introducing the Barton Rogers Big Band

Count Basie's One O'Clock Jump, Lennie Niehaus's, Half and Half or Carrol DeCamp's arrangement, Tribute to Miller, are just a few of the charts heard at a Barton Rogers Big Band concert.

The Barton Rogers Big Band has assembled some of the area's finest musicians to perform the best in old and new jazz, dance music and concert jazz. With its beginnings in the mid-1940's, Bob Phillips assembled a group of students who were interested in learning to play jazz. Bob named the band after his professional stage name, "Barton Rogers". As the students became proficient, the group began to play for area dances. Today the Barton Rogers Band includes musicians of all ages who love to perform big band jazz.

If you enjoy high quality jazz music, come hear "Barton Rogers" in concert!

Joining an Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Inc. ensemble

The Indianapolis Symphonic Band, Inc. ensembles are all-volunteer groups consisting of musicians from all walks of life. Auditions are required for membership. The auditions are informal and usually involve playing next to a section leader at a rehearsal. If you would like us to consider you for membership in one of the groups, please send a letter to ISB, Inc. P. O. Box 716, Indianapolis, IN 46206 or submit your information on our "Interested in Joining" link. In the message, please include your complete mailing address, daytime and evening telephone numbers, an e-mail address if you have one, and a brief statement of your musical experience. Our VP of Personnel and Memberships will reply to you via mail or e-mail to acknowledge your request.