Since attending college at his father’s urging, Robert McConnell has found success on two seemingly divergent paths.
AS FAR AS SECRET IDENTITIES GO, Robert McConnell is on par with Bruce Wayne. By day, he is a mild-mannered Iowa hog farmer, carrying on a family tradition while contributing to one of the state’s largest economic drivers. By night, he dons a dark suit, and while he’s not fighting crime like Batman, the alter ego is no less surprising – he’s the music director and CEO of a symphony orchestra.
Since 1990, McConnell has served as the music director of the Southeast Iowa Symphony Orchestra. Last year, he added CEO to his list of duties with the organization. It’s one of many lines on his musical curriculum vitae. Since graduating from the University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree, McConnell (’77) has taught music abroad in Israel, conducted a municipal band, participated in musical theatre, worked on the staff of Iowa Wesleyan University and spent 26 years as the principal oboe with the Quad City Symphony.
Throughout all his musical excursions, McConnell has remained involved in pork production. He owns and operates a medium-sized hog farm that feeds roughly 21,000 animals a year near Washington, Iowa. His double life has led to some interesting reactions from hog farmers and musicians alike.
“It really depends on how people know me, but I would say basically 100% of people are surprised,” he said.
It speaks to the value of a liberal arts education that an individual can excel in such disparate fields. McConnell, however, never intended to embark on the path that has opened so many doors for him.
“I was not originally planning to go to college, and my dad more or less made me go. Once I arrived, I just loved it,” he said. “For me, it’s hard to overstate the impact that Truman had. You’re a kid from a hog farm who didn’t really want to go to college, and then you become addicted to music.”
Like any good musical director, McConnell is quick to share credit. He attributes much of his success to the faculty members who supported him, as well as his membership in Phi Mu Alpha. Still, he did not fully appreciate his experience at Truman until he earned his Master of Arts degree in oboe performance from Temple University.
“Something I realized when I went to graduate school was that the music standards at Truman – for performing and for general musicianship – were really high. I attribute that primarily to the caliber of faculty,” he said. “It was just fantastic training. When I run into Truman graduates in music, they tell me they’ve had the same experience.”
McConnell has called on Truman-trained musicians several times throughout the years. Many of the musicians he directs and performs with either received degrees from Truman or are members of the faculty. The relationship works out well for performers and audiences alike as McConnell continues to spread the joy of music throughout smaller communities in the Midwest.
“These orchestras in rural areas give players the opportunity to perform at a higher level than they would otherwise have access to, and what the community gets in return is invaluable: skilled musicians for their churches, for weddings and funerals, for school and community musicals, and simply an enriched quality of life in the region,” he said.
Under McConnell’s leadership, SEISO has become one of Iowa’s most prominent community-based orchestras. In addition to live performances, it provides educational opportunities and rural outreach programs for all ages.
“It is a great outlet for teachers, helping them maintain their skills and motivate their most talented students,” he said.
One of the orchestra’s recent stops found McConnell in familiar territory. SEISO performed as part of the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series in March, marking the first time McConnell has been on the Baldwin Auditorium stage since he was a student.
“I remember distinctly my very first band rehearsal in Baldwin Hall. I was sitting next to two fantastic clarinetists – Ellen Lavender and Clay Pickens – and after the rehearsal I told band director Tom Duden that I didn’t think I was up to playing in the band. He told me, ‘Don’t worry about it,’” McConnell said. “Returning to that hall, all those years later, brought a lot of that back. I didn’t think I was a good enough player to achieve what I ended up doing. I feel like a lot of my life has been serendipity. Opportunities came up and they worked to my advantage.”
