Dear Hawkeyes,

Greetings from Iowa City! As I write this message, it is cloudy and cold, a strong northerly wind is blowing, and most of the leaves have disappeared from the trees. It’s hard to believe the fall semester is almost over but these are the unmistakable signs that the holiday season and another Iowa winter are on their way.

We have had an incredibly rewarding semester, but before I discuss that, I want to express how proud I am of the UI School of Music students, staff, and faculty in persevering the COVID-related difficulties of last year. I will not go into detail about the challenges we faced, but there were many and they were significant. 

We followed an excellent mitigation program that was orchestrated by Dr. Tammie Walker, experts from various departments across campus, and School of Music faculty. We kept our people safe and healthy, and we managed to rehearse and  perform in person in chamber ensembles throughout both fall and spring semesters. It was an overwhelming success, especially in the face of a global pandemic.

In the summer, many of us were uncertain about what to expect at the start of this academic year. Would the students return to campus? Would most instruction be virtual again? Would our music ensembles be required to function like last year? Would we have in-person concerts? Would fans be allowed in Kinnick to cheer on the Hawks and HMB?

Well, the campus roared back to life in August. The HMB welcomed a large, talented group of first year members at camp in August, and the enrollment for Symphony Band, Concert Band, and University Band exceeded our expectations. This fall, almost 500 students have participated in one or more of our concert and athletic bands!

The HMB has enjoyed a rewarding marching season with the promise of a bowl game trip to (hopefully) a warm, sunny location. We have had the normal array of band concerts in the Voxman Music Building for large, enthusiastic audiences. We are not quite back to normal operations but we are well on our way!

I am especially pleased to report on the triumphant return of the Band Extravaganza, which was held in the new Xtream Arena in Coralville. The Symphony Band, Johnson County Landmark under the direction of Damani Phillips, and the Hawkeye Marching Band were joined by the Iowa Dance Team, Iowa Spirit Squads, and Herky in a performance for an audience numbering more than 2000. The Iowa City West High School Trojan Marching Band, Rob Medd and Rich Medd, directors, was showcased as a special guest band this year. It was truly a wonderful event, and I was thrilled to once again offer the Band Extravaganza and for the 52nd year!

Other highlights from this fall include the Symphony Band sharing a concert in November with the Moline High School Symphonic Band, UI alumnus Zack Morton, director, and featuring Dr. Amy Schendel, UI Associate Professor of Trumpet. 

We are excited to host the Iowa Honor Band in February, which will feature Dr. Katy Ambrose, our new Horn professor, and Dustin  Seifert, Director of Bands at Eastern New Mexico University, as conductor. The Iowa Symphony Band will tour to the Des Moines area in late March, collaborate with Kenneth Tse in April, and perform at the Iowa Bandmasters Association Conference in May.

As you can see, we have returned to a full slate of activities, and I cordially invite you to attend one (or more) of our many concerts in the Voxman Music Building or join us via live stream if you are not able to attend in person.  

I am very proud of our students and how well they responded to the pandemic. Please know that everyone affiliated with Iowa Bands is committed to upholding the many traditions of excellence established by the generations of proud Hawkeyes that came before us.

My very best wishes to you and yours for a happy and healthy holiday season!

Richard Mark Heidel
Director of Bands