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"I thought it was most likely the end of the project," said Balsom, referring to the Iowa Makes Music program piloted by From the Top and Orchestra Iowa this year. Over the course of the past nine-months this residency has integrated broadcast tapings of the NPR show with educational outreach programs to generate increased enthusiasm and participation in classical music throughout the state of Iowa.
Yet in June 2008, the likelihood that this ambitious program would get off the ground was grim.
In the midst of the residency planning, Cedar Rapids suffered a devastating flood leaving 100 blocks of downtown underwater and forcing at least 24,000 people out of their homes. The flood not only destroyed Orchestra Iowa's concert venue, the Paramount Theatre, it also wiped out their offices. The floodwaters topped nine feet, resting just under the marquee at the theater, leaving the symphony with $25 million in damage. The symphony lost their computers, hard drives and archives, they lost their Steinway concert grand, their organ and other valuable instruments. Despite this obstacle, Orchestra Iowa continued their plans for the residency.
Just weeks after the flood, Orchestra Iowa's Music Director Tim Hankewich wrote in his blog: "While the waters have washed away our home in the Paramount and our offices next door, in its wake, the river has also given us the gift of opportunity and re-birth."
The symphony rescheduled their concert season at various venues in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Cedar Falls, broadening their reach to new communities in the process. They also announced that Orchestra Iowa would be partnering with From the Top for a statewide residency that would bring them to Des Moines for the first time.
"After the flood, it was clear that the people of Cedar Rapids needed something positive to cling to. It was an opportunity for us to fulfill our mission by reaching out to our community and inviting more people to participate in our programs," said Orchestra Iowa Executive Director Robert Massey. "Partnering with From the Top was an important part of our recovery. From the Top showcases what our community has to celebrate, and that's a great thing. We can look back a year later and say this has been an incredible season."
"From the Top became that much more important to us. It's all about reaching out to new audiences, bringing up young talent and celebrating the next generation of great musicians, to create interest and enthusiasm for classical music. That's why I'm so glad you came," said Hankewich.
This year, the Iowa Makes Music partners - From the Top, Orchestra Iowa and Iowa Public Radio - have taped radio broadcasts in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, presented more than a dozen school visits led by Iowa teens, developed new curriculum with Iowa teachers, and trained high school musicians as peer leaders to create their own community outreach programs. These NPR broadcasts have been shared with millions of listeners in Iowa and across the country, and this is only the beginning. From the Top and Orchestra Iowa will continue the project through the fall of 2010.
In the meantime, the Paramount Theatre continues to be restored, and Orchestra Iowa has just returned to its recuperated downtown headquarters, after a year in a temporary office.
The Iowa project has been an important pilot for From the Top, who will take this model to Hawaii next January. The residency has also given From the Top the opportunity to build on its existing arts leadership program that encourages young musicians to give back to their communities and fulfill their potential as leaders and artist citizens.
From the Top's broadcast from Cedar Rapids airs on participating stations the week of June 15.
Video Links:
From the Top Tour Producer David Balsom caught up with Orchestra Iowa's Tim Hankewich and Robert Massey at the Paramount Theatre recovery site one year after the flood to talk about the residency program that nearly did not happen. Watch the video now.
See what happens when From the Top takes young performers off the stage and into the classroom in Des Moines, Iowa. Watch the video now.
For more than a decade, From the Top has celebrated the energy of America's kids and the power of classical music through NPR radio and PBS television broadcasts, a national tour of live events, and leadership and community programs for young musicians.
© Copyright 2012 From The Top. All rights reserved.
© Copyright 2012 From The Top. All rights reserved.
