Orchestra Iowa takes “Field of Dreams” to the ballpark

If a symphony orchestra plays the soundtrack of "Field of Dreams" at Veterans Memorial Stadium, they will come.

That's what Timothy Hankewich hopes when the Music Director of Orchestra Iowa conducts his symphony Saturday, June 7 at the home of the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

"If the weather cooperates, it's going to be amazing," Hankewich said. "I believe people will come out for so many reasons. There is nothing more Iowan than 'Field of Dreams.' I love the movie."

Hankewich, 57, has been the music director of Orchestra Iowa and an Iowan for 19-years. The lifelong Toronto Bluejays fan proves that the classic film can appeal to a Canadian. Maybe that's since the movie is based on Canadian author and Iowa Writers’ Workshop alum J.P. Kinsella's compelling novel, "Shoeless Joe."

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While in college in Edmonton, Alberta, the British Columbia native, experienced the topography and vibe of the Midwest. "Where I went to school, there were similarities with Iowa," Hankewich said. "Our Canadian culture and American culture are similar. I grew up on the plains. That style of life resonates with me. And then there is the film, which is wonderful."

The 1989 movie features Kevin Costner as a farmer who builds a baseball field in his cornfield that attracts the ghosts of baseball legends, such as Joe Jackson, portrayed by the late Ray Liotta, and his Chicago White Sox teammates, who were dubbed the Black Sox after throwing the 1919 World Series and banned from baseball. The film received strong supporting performances from Amy Madigan, James Earl Jones and the legendary Burt Lancaster, who excels in his final role.

"Field of Dreams," which will be screened on Veterans Memorial Stadium's Jumbotron, was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. The film was nominated for three Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Original Score.

Regarding the latter, Orchestra Iowa will be the first symphony in the state to perform the "Field of Dreams" soundtrack with the film at a venue. But the shocker is that Hankewich and his musicians will be the first orchestra to render 'Field of Dreams' at a ballpark.

"I'm so surprised that's so and I'm so excited to be the first orchestra to play 'Field of Dreams' on a baseball field," Hankewich said.

When ICM Partners offered 'Field of Dreams' to be played, the expectation was to perform in a theater. However, Hankewich pushed to deliver the soundtrack outdoors and what better place to perform than in an Iowa ballpark?

"I think we helped them stumble onto a new business model," Hankewich said. "You can bet that so many orchestras will do what we're doing with 'Field of Dreams' in the near future. We're going to have the eyes of our national industry looking at us with great curiosity as we represent Iowa."

Hankewich has received some queries about how 'Field of Dreams" will be presented and he is happy to provide clarity.

"A lot of people are confused about what this evening will be like," Hankewich said. "We'll be playing music in real time with the film. You'll hear all of the dialogue and effects while the music is being performed live."

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Some scores are more difficult to play live, according to Hankewich. "John Williams' works ("Jaws," "Star Wars" and "Schindler's List") are very difficult, very complicated," Hankewich said. "The score for this film is not as technically difficult for the orchestra. It's going to work out well. I'll keep track of the music to make sure we are syncing with the video screen."

Hankewich has visited the Field of Dreams field in Dyersville, where the film was shot.

"When I moved to Iowa there were two meccas I had to experience," Hankewich said. "I had to see the Field of Dreams in Dyersville and I had to go to Spillville to see where (composer Antonin) Dvorak spent some time (in 1893)."

Those experiences had a huge impact on Hankewich but his life is now complete since the Kernels are introducing a new culinary item. "It's a specialty sandwich called "The Hankewich," Hankewich said. "It reflects who I am since I'm an Iowan, Canadian and Ukrainian. It's a breaded tenderloin, with Canadian bacon and a pierogi. It's the kind of food I enjoy."

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Perhaps such a sandwich has led to Hankewich's personal description. "I have the physique of a retired baseball player," Hankewich said. "I have a tire around my stomach."

But a buff body is not required to conduct an orchestra. Hankewich isn't altering his diet or his desire to perform the soundtrack to other sports films. "We're looking to see what kind of basketball movies are out there," Hankewich said.

Perhaps Hankewich will run with another classic baseball flick from the '80s next summer, such as Barry Levinson's acclaimed "The Natural." "That's one of my favorite baseball movies and it has some of the best music you'll hear in a film," Hankewich said. "It would be fun to do more sports films. Right now we're very much looking forward to 'Field of Dreams."