Orchestra Iowa Endowment Challenge Fund
The Orchestra’s mission is to foster enjoyment of, and support for, fine symphonic music through quality performances, education and community involvement.
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ABOUT
The mission of Orchestra Iowa is to foster enjoyment of and support for fine symphonic music through quality performances, education, and community involvement. Orchestra Iowa has been serving Cedar Rapids and the surrounding communities since it performed its inaugural concert in 1923. Performing throughout the Great Depression and World War II makes Orchestra Iowa one of the oldest continuously operating orchestras west of the Mississippi River. The 1980s and 1990s were a period of significant growth for the organization as it found its permanent home in the Paramount Theatre, significantly increased the reach of its education programs and created an endowment fund to support future growth and financial stability. In 2006, Timothy Hankewich was named Music Director, a position he holds to this day.
Following the flood of 2008, the Cedar Rapids Symphony Orchestra, as it was known at the time, underwent an organizational transformation that led to its present-day form. Under the new name of Orchestra Iowa, the organization expanded its reach and presence in the community through collaborative partnerships with other performing arts groups, venues and other community-focused organizations. Partnerships with organizations like Cedar Rapids Opera, Ballet Quad Cities, and Coralville Center for the Performing Arts provided a way for Orchestra Iowa to reach new listeners from not only Cedar Rapids, but throughout eastern Iowa and the entire state. In July 2024, Orchestra Iowa welcomed new CEO, Eric Marshall, to help lead the organization well into its second century. Mr. Marshall has over 15 years of experience in symphony administration and management.
Today, nearly 70 professional musicians present approximately 200 performances annually, consisting of ticketed concerts, educational programs, and community engagement programs. Artistic partnerships allow a variety of musical offerings beyond symphonic programming, including ballet, opera, chamber productions, and more. Performances are held in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, and Davenport with additional performances in small, rural communities throughout Iowa. Orchestra Iowa uses its resources to support other arts programs within Cedar Rapids through hosting jazz and cabaret events in its Opus Concert Café and acting as the ticketing partner for the Paramount Theatre. These smaller performances most often feature local artists to help blossom their budding careers.
The Orchestra Iowa School provides important private and group music instruction to hundreds of area students each year. One of the School’s most popular programs is the youth choruses. Our community-based youth education programs serve over 14,000 students annually. These programs are provided for free to all participating students. In total, five unique youth education programs are offered across the area, mainly in Cedar Rapids, Marion, and Hiawatha. Each program is unique and tailored to different age groups to help ensure all students have access to the arts. We also aim to reduce barriers to participation. Due to strict budget limitations for school districts, these programs are often the only arts education and/or exposure many students receive. All programs are offered in public settings such as directly in schools, classrooms, or libraries. Youth Concerts take place at the Paramount Theatre in downtown Cedar Rapids, to which transport is provided. Programs also take place during the school day.