Rockers join Orchestra Iowa to create ‘Ultimate Eagles Experience’

Orchestra Iowa hasn’t given up on bringing music to the masses under the night sky.

Pops on the River won’t be Brucemorchestra, which leaned on classical and classic stylings for all ages. This new event will have a new vibe, combining elements the orchestra has been employing for years: performing pop hits with a rock band; taking the show outdoors; making it all family-friendly; and having food available for purchase.

The 7 Bridges Band, based in Nashville, is creating “The Ultimate Eagles Experience” with the orchestra Saturday night, June 1, 2024, at McGrath Amphitheatre along the river that gave Cedar Rapids its name.

Merging the Eagles songbook with orchestrations isn’t that big of a leap, Maestro Timothy Hankewich told The Gazette via email.

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“The Eagles’ signature sound has always included close harmonies, which lends itself to colorful orchestrations,” he said. “But whether you realize it or not, a lot of their original recordings included synth strings patches — so why not use the real thing? With these as a foundation, there is plenty of groundwork to build an orchestral accompaniment to their hits.”

While the covered amphitheater stage could hold the entire orchestra, the show calls for a mid-sized ensemble.

“I think it was designed that way so the 7 Bridges Band has more performance options by appealing to orchestras of various sizes and budgets,” Hankewich noted.

Even though he hasn’t worked with this ensemble before, the band comes with an Eagles’ stamp of approval.

“As a professional ensemble, you can’t just decide to do these kinds of shows without permission from the original band members themselves,” Hankewich said. “As far as I know, the Eagles have only given 7 Bridges the go-ahead to perform their music in such a manner, to protect their brand. Since they have Don Henley and Glenn Frye’s seal of approval, I’m pretty sure this will be a fabulous evening.”

Outdoor history

The orchestra used to do a season-ending concert on second base at the Kernels baseball stadium, but as with Brucemorchestra, the costs just became too high to continue. However, Orchestra Iowa is returning there next summer to play “The Field of Dreams” soundtrack while the movie shown on a big screen. Aside from the weather aspect, the biggest consideration will be syncing the music with the movie so there’s no sound delay between the screen, the music and the audience.

“Stay tuned. We have a year to figure that one out,” Hankewich said.

“We have this storied history of playing outdoor concerts,” he added, “but now the advantage the McGrath Amphitheatre brings to the party is that a covered stage already is on location. This greatly reduces the overhead for producing such an event, so this concert is an experiment to see if a new tradition is viable and sustainable for our Cedar Rapids audiences. Translation: Buy a ticket.”

Brucemorchestra fans who flocked to the front lawn at Brucemore mansion in years past will notice some similarities, as well as differences.

“The experience will be similar to Brucemorchestra from an audience point of view,” he said, “although you will not be able to bring your own picnic. There will be food and drink vendors available on site. The programming is also slightly different.

“With Brucemorchestra, the programming was intended to present cross-over symphonic music that would present the orchestra as it was intended. If you’re going to hear an orchestra, you may as well hear music that was designed for them.

“Pops on the River is pure 100 percent fun, but it’s not designed to present symphonic music. We’re part of a larger whole in the production, but at the end of the day, everyone will be there to sing along and dance to the music of the Eagles.”

He jokingly pointed out that even though the Eagles’ heyday was before his time and he never saw the band in concert, he still loves the music.

“I am a big fan of the Eagles’ music,” he said. “Whether it’s ‘Desperado,’ ‘Lying Eyes,’ ‘Hotel California,’ ‘Wasted Time,’ ‘New Kid in Town,’ ‘Take it Easy,’ what’s there not to like? I love their chill vibe. It’s just easygoing happiness.”

In other words, a peaceful easy feeling.

Weather factor

The wild card, of course, is the weather. Right now, the forecast calls for partly cloudy conditions both Friday and Saturday. Friday’s weather is especially crucial since that’s when the orchestra’s “roadies” will be setting the stage.

“Watching weather forecasts is the toughest part of the job,” Hankewich said. “A rainout can ruin us. We rehearse the night before to make sure the sound levels are set and the musicians have a pretty good idea what the performance environment will be like.

“If it rains the night before — catastrophe. We won’t have enough time to set up an alternate rehearsal. If it rains on Saturday — catastrophe. Depending on the situation, the 7 Bridges Band might still be able to play (though I hear water and electricity don’t mix very well), and you can also well imagine that even with a roof, the slightest bit of water can destroy a wooden symphony instrument that’s worth over five figures, in pretty quick order.

“The window of good weather has to be perfect. Producing these kinds of concert events is not for the faint of heart.”

And it’s no picnic for the stage crew.

“These are some of the most complex and labor-intensive programs that we produce,” Hankewich noted. “Every piece of equipment has to be carried in on someone’s back, and set up in a meticulous matter. Sound engineering and light work is a crucial component. And long after the final song has been played, the crew is hard at work striking the stage after everyone has gone to bed.

“If the audience doesn’t notice anything and the evening progresses smoothly, it’s the crew that deserves as much credit as the performers on stage.”

One of these nights

When everything works, the musicians and crew can take it to the limit.

“For those who have not attended these kinds of events before, the experience is a family friendly environment where you can enjoy your favorite Eagles hits performed by a professional cover band, with the symphony orchestra on stage behind them to bolster the sound and enhance it in a way that you won’t hear anywhere else,” Hankewich said.

“It’s a whole lot of fun. Bring your lawn chairs, and there will be food on site if you crave a bite to eat.”

The musicians will be eating it up, as well.

“The orchestra LOVES these kinds of events,” Hankewich said. “This is the perfect way to end a season. It’s low stress for the orchestra, so they can just sit back, relax and get caught up in the excitement that the audience brings to the performance.

“If the weather cooperates, there’s nothing better to welcome in the summer and say farewell to what has been one of the best seasons the orchestra has presented since I’ve been music director here. I’m hoping the audience will get up and dance — musicians, too.”

And perhaps even the conductor, who has been known to cut a rug on the ballroom floor.

Comments: (319) 368-8508; diana.nollen@thegazette.com