A Tremendous Success!

Holy sweet mother of God! I knew this was going to be great, but I didn't expect our Brucemore event to turn into one of the most significant musical moments of my life. When the soloists arrived a few days before the concert we had a run through just to make sure everything was set. When Chris (baritone) opened his mouth and sang, my jaw dropped and I thought, how on earth are the other singers going to match this guy? Then one by one they all stepped up to sing, and I almost fell off my chair. I've worked with many good singers before--these artists were in a class by themselves. WOW!

The weather couldn't have been any better, and the audience count by early Saturday morning was 3500. We're still counting the ticket stubs, so we still don't have an official number. All I can say is that from the stage, you couldn't see any grass, just people. This concert was chalk full of surprises: The announcement of Daniel Kleinknecht as Resident Conductor of Orchestra Iowa, a beautiful work by Iowan composer Jeremy Beck, the Baritone singing his aria (and slamming down some wine) from within the audience, the sheer beauty and power of our Soprano and tenor soloists. The chorus was spectacular! This was a combined effort from so many people from across the region that I was touched on how they came together for this moment. Let me tell you what wasn't planned...these singers are incredibly trained actors as well as vocalists. Towards the end of the program as they are singing of love, they got pretty hot and heavy. I didn't know this until I saw some the musicians eyes wandering away from their music and a few head nods to let me know that I was missing something. HA! And finally during the very last chorus I turned around with my cell phone to see if I could get the audience to light up. At that moment I thought, "this would either be very cool, or I just made a fool of myself." Within seconds, like a sea of fireflies, the audience started waving their phones back and forth. IT WAS AMAZING TO SEE. I'm not going to forget this for a very long time, and you need to know, that each of these soloists thought this was the most fun they've had at a "gig" for a very long time. They were blown away by the quality of music making, and the power of the event, and desperately want to return again. THEY LOVED US. Thank you all for making this concert so spectacular. I now have the unenviable task of figuring out how to at least match it for next year.

jeff thompson on 09/17/09	Tim - It was an honor for my wife and I to sing Carmina under your baton....and it was a blast. The joy you experience when performing shows, and it is contagious. The soloists were unbelievably powerful and talented. Awesome is the word! We look forward to singing the Mozart Requiem with you in March. Jeff and Marl;a Thompson
CR Native on 09/17/09	The evening was wonderful. We enjoy having the ability to take in the culture in a comfortable setting, under the beautiful night sky. Thank you to the symphony and chorale for putting on such a wonderful show. To the cell phone guy -- loosen up, if the audience participating by holding up their cell phones put even a remote damper on your experience then maybe you should stick to attending the more structured shows at a concert hall.
Kathlene on 09/16/09	My husband and I listened to Nessum Dorma with tears welling up in our eyes. It was beautiful, and Carmina Burana was well done and fun! Plus, because it was in the park and inexpensive, I was able to invite friends, kids, family. Is there any way we can hear a symphonic Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin? The London Philharmonic Orchestra has played this and it's fabulous.
Just a guy in the audience on 09/14/09	The music was spectacular. The choruses sounded powerful and awe-inspiring. The majesty of the opening and closing moments, the drunken debauchery of the soloists, it was all a fitting conclusion to a beautiful summer and grand opening to a new season. The "fireflies" I'm not so sure about. My wife was in the chorus, and she said it was beautiful. I was in the audience, and I thought it just looked odd. Was this a symphony concert or a Hannah Montana event? More Orff off and on, some Kurt Weil once in a while, but leave the cell phones at home. Please.
Diane Hamer on 09/14/09	I had the pleasure of singing tonight and to say it was totally exhilarating is an understatement. I appreciate all that everyone does behind the scenes to give everyday working folks the opportunity to live a little of their childhood dreams out on the stage. Thank you, Timothy Hankewich, for doing what you were put on this earth to do. Your passion touched alot of lives tonight, for both the audience and everyone on stage.