History of the CRCO
The Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra was founded in 2013 by Martin Clancey, a retired music teacher, and Doug Elam, a longtime friend of Marty’s and one who saw the value of starting the orchestra.
| Our Conductors | |
| Martin Clancey | 2014-2018 |
| Elizabeth Driskell, Chrystal Faltis, Kelly Moritz & Mandy Denny | 2018-2020 |
| Dr. Ghyas Zeidieh | 2021- |
Our History
- 2013 Organized as the Cedar Rapids Community Strings
- 2014 First Concert at Cedar Hills Community Church
- 2019 Cedar Rapids Community Orchestra
- 2019 Greater Cedar Rapids Community Foundation Grant
- 2020 501(c)3 status
- 2021 Hired Dr. Ghyas Zeidieh as music director
- 2022 Kirkwood Partnership, CRCO is now a credit class
- 2022 KCRG – Show You Care
- 2023 Tyros Strings formed for new players
- 2023 Spring Concert, 74 members on stage and a full house in the Ballantyne Auditorium
- 2023 – 2024 10th Anniversary Celebration – Monthly Summer Concerts at Brucemore, Pop-up Concerts around Cedar Rapids, and the Fall Concert at Kirkwood on December 10th at 3:00 PM
- April 7, 2024 Free Community Concert at the Paramount Theatre featuring the world premiere of Dr. Jerry Owen’s ACCOLADES – A Tribute to a Vision
Members of the CRCO feel very strongly about providing music at no cost throughout Cedar Rapids at care centers, libraries, churches, and other public venues.