Orchestra Iowa Maestro Hankewich becomes American citizen

CEDAR RAPIDS - Orchestra Iowa Maestro Timothy Hankewich is singing a new tune of allegiance, replacing “O Canada” with “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

“It's been a great day to be an American,” he said, beaming after taking the oath of citizenship Friday afternoon at the Federal Courthouse, 4200 C St. SW.

Hankewich, 43, of Cedar Rapids, was among 21 people from 12 countries who took the final step in becoming American citizens. They came from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, China, Lebanon, Sudan, Iran, India, Haiti, Chad, Mexico, the Philippines and Hankewich's native Canada.

“The ceremony was very touching and moving,” Hankewich said. “I was most moved about the diversity of the countries and the solemnity of accepting these new citizens into this nation of immigrants.”

Guest speaker Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, described the event as “a tremendous day.”

"When you leave here today, you will step foot on United States soil for the first time as American citizens,” he said, telling the group that “each one of you is proof that the American dream is alive and well.”

He reiterated the responsibilities that come with citizenship, and urged them to actively participate in their communities, their state and the democratic process.

“I know that the path to citizenship is long, and I congratulate each of you on working your way through the process, including learning about our nations history and the meaning of our Constitution,” he said.

Hankewich, a native of Dawson Creek in British Columbia, came to the United States in 1992 to study instrumental and opera conducting at Indiana University. His road to citizenship began about 10 years ago when he applied for a green card.

“When I first came here, I expected to study and return to Canada,” he said.

Then his career took off. He spent seven years as resident conductor for the Kansas City Symphony and was named music director and conductor of the Cedar Rapids Symphony, now known as Orchestra Iowa, in 2006.

“This country has been very good to me and afforded me more opportunities than anywhere else,” he said. “Because it's been so good to me, becoming a citizen seemed like the least I could do.”

The hardest part of the process was waiting, along with learning about the culture, government and history.

---- But that's all behind him now, and he's most looking forward to “bragging that I'm an American citizen.”

---- He said his family supports his decision and while his wife, Jill, also is from Canada, he said she's “still thinking about” changing her citizenship status.