Beethoven and Brews - A THSO Presents! chamber music concert at Terre Haute Brewing Company

[Terre Haute, IN] – The Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra is delighted to present the second performance of its THSO Presents! chamber music concert series titled Beethoven & Brews on February 19th, 2022, at 7pm at Terre Haute Brewing Company.  Those attending can enjoy a brew while listening to some of Beethoven’s greatest pieces for small ensembles performed by talented THSO musicians.

“We are thrilled to partner with Terre Haute Brewing Company for this event. Classical music doesn’t need to be confined to the traditional concert hall, and our musicians are really looking forward to bringing their craft into a new venue,” commented Samantha Johnson-Helms, Executive Director and Principal Clarinet.

Beethoven & Brews will include a few of Beethoven’s most notable chamber works, including his String Quartet Op. 18, No. 1, the Sextet Op. 17 arranged for woodwind quintet, and his Trio Op. 87 for two oboes and English Horn. Beethoven’s works will be preceded by Haydn’s String Quartet Op. 20, No. 2, a composer that would have had significant influence on Beethoven’s style and compositions.

Concerts in the THSO Presents! series were first imagined in 2004 by Artistic Director David Bowden and former THSO Board Member Bev Cristee as an outreach program, taking the THSO – sometimes the full orchestra and at other times smaller ensembles - into atypical venues in the community to connect the THSO with a wider audience.  The initial series of concerts was presented in historic churches in downtown Terre Haute.

Over the years, a wide variety of styles and artists have been presented. These include a cabaret featuring Rumer Willis at the Indiana Theater, a Sinatra Valentine at the Terre Haute Brewing Company, a Simon & Garfunkel tribute, a concert featuring music from the Downton Abbey Era, Beethoven Symphony No. 9 at Hatfield Hall, and an Irish-themed concert at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church.

“We are delighted to continue presenting concerts in this series,” said David Bowden.  “The Terre Haute Brewing Company has been a wonderful partner, and we are excited to return to this venue.”

The pairing of the THSO’s Beethoven & Brews is especially appropriate for two reasons. First, Beethoven was known to enjoy his pipe and a glass of beer after dinner. Also just as Beethoven is an important historical figure, both the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and Terre Haute Brewing Company hold a long, notable history in the Wabash Valley.

The THSO presented their debut concert in 1926 at the then recently-built Indiana Theatre under the direction of Will H. Bryant. At their beginning the symphony was a volunteer group of musicians who provided community entertainment. Over the next 40 years, the orchestra would grow, even welcoming Grammy Award-winning violinist Isaac Stern as a guest artist.  In 1962, for the first time, all THSO members would be paid, making the orchestra truly professional. This makes the THSO, now in their 96th year, the oldest professional orchestra in the state of Indiana, a title they are honored to bear. The Terre Haute Brewing Company holds a significant and rich history as well. As one of the original nine commercial breweries in the U.S. (established 1837), and the second oldest remining today, the THBC current brewmasters incorporate many local ingredients as well as references to the Terre Haute heritage in their beers.

This concert is proudly sponsored by Terre Haute Brewing Company, ISU Credit Union, Wilkinson, Goeller, Modesitt, Wilkinson, & Drummy Law Firm, and Chris Schellenberg in memory of Jim Schellenberg & Lois Alberti.

Doors will open at 6pm. The concert begins at 7pm. Terre Haute Brewing Company is a family friendly venue and those under 21 are allowed. Patrons are welcome to arrive early and order a favorite brew prior to the concert. The performance will last approximately 90 minutes without intermission. Guests are welcome to use the restroom or visit the bar anytime throughout the evening.

Tickets 

Patrons can purchase concert tickets by visiting www.thso.org or calling (812) 242-8476. Ticket prices $35 for VIP (includes priority seating and one pint of beer) and $20 for General Admission. Only 200 tickets are available for this intimate concert experience.

Masks 

All patrons will be required to wear a mask while indoors regardless of vaccination status except when eating or drinking.