Expansive garden hosts musical fundraiser

By Sara Gentry

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Last year, Karen Cochran and Vic Hasler’s three-acre garden hosted a fundraiser for Indiana University Cancer Research. This year, the proceeds raised from those touring the gardens will benefit the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Learning Community.

When Cochran and Hasler purchased the property 14 years ago, the land surrounding the historic house (built in 1868) was pretty bare. “Karen says the garden had some pine trees, some spruce trees and some dead trees. And that was about it,” said Judy Robertson, ISO Women’s Committee board member and event organizer.

These days, guests can admire conifers, sun-loving flowers, hosta gardens and all sorts of perennials and types of trees. Also adorning the gardens are pieces of architectural salvage and fine art. There are no walking paths, but there is a natural flow to the layout. “The grounds are absolutely beautiful,” said Robertson. “I don’t know how they do it by themselves.”

An additional attraction to Saturday’s garden tour is the Honey Creek ensemble, who will play two 45-minute sets. Refreshments will include cookies,

tea and water.

The ISO Learning Community is the orchestra’s educational division. Donated funds support educational programs that reach as many as 80,000 Hoosier children. Popular programs include the instrument Petting Zoo, in which musicians visit school functions with instruments in tow for children to examine; Discovery Concerts, where children visit the Hilbert Circle Theatre; the Foreign Language Club, which offers bilingual students a chance to hear music from their home country and includes a tour of the theater conducted in that language; and Coffee Concerts, which feature an informational segment on the composer or movement.

The Young Musicians contest gives $2,000 to the instrumentalist who performs the best memorized concerto; the child also has the opportunity to play with the

ISO at Symphony on the Prairie. Entrants must be no older than high-school age. “We’ve had 11-year-olds make it to the finals before,” said Sarah Stoel, also on the Women’s Committee. “It’s kind of amazing.”

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