Bringing Music into Our Community
We’re committed to sharing the power of live music beyond the concert hall. Through community engagement programs, musicians connect with students, educators, and community groups across the region, helping make orchestral music accessible, engaging, and inspiring.
These programs introduce young audiences to the instruments, sounds, and stories of the symphony while encouraging curiosity, creativity, and a deeper appreciation for music.
Music in the Schools
A cornerstone of Orchestra Iowa’s engagement efforts is Music in the Schools, which brings professional musicians directly into classrooms throughout the Cedar Rapids and Linn-Mar school districts.
Each year, the program reaches more than 8,800 elementary students, giving them the opportunity to experience live symphonic music up close. During these visits, musicians perform for students, introduce their instruments, and demonstrate how sound is created, making the science and artistry of music both fun and memorable.
Roosevelt After School Strings Program
The Roosevelt After-School Strings Program (RASP) offers students the chance to learn from professional orchestral musicians, participate in advanced ensemble playing, and connect with other passionate young musicians.
Pied Piper
Join Orchestra Iowa’s talented String, Percussion, Woodwind, and Brass chamber ensembles as they introduce young listeners to the instruments of the orchestra! Free concerts are performed in libraries in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Marion, North Liberty, and Iowa City.
