Nutcracker Parent Note
Dear Discovery Chorus Parents, 10-23-25
The following is information about the Nutcracker performances for the Discovery Chorus with
Orchestra Iowa and the Quad Cities Ballet the first weekend in December!
Reminder: as was discussed at our September parent meeting, this is a ticketed event. You can order your tickets by stopping by the Orchestra Iowa box office, which is just inside the door where you drop off your child every Sunday, or you can call the box office at 366-8203. Important note: when you secure your tickets, please identify yourself as a Discovery Chorus parent. The 2025-2026 comp ticket policy is as follows:
Discovery Chorus Comp Ticket Policy 2025–2026
Each child will receive a total of two (2) complimentary tickets for both Nutcracker performances combined.
Each child will receive a total of two (2) complimentary tickets for both Holiday Spectacular performances combined.
In order to counterbalance the changes, Discovery Chorus families will also receive 25% off any additional (standard priced) ticket purchases using CODE: KIDS25. Student-priced tickets (50% off) are available by phone only at 319-366-8203. If a family would like multiple tickets to be seated together, all tickets—both complimentary and purchased—must be reserved at the same time.
NO COMPS will be honored after 5:00PM the Friday before the concert weekend. For Nutcracker, comps end at 5PM on Friday 12/5 and for Holiday Spectacular, comps end at 5PM on Friday 12/19. (This does not apply to the KIDS25 discount.)
In cases of financial hardship, families of Discovery Chorus performers are encouraged to contact Morgan Schwarting at mschwarting@orchestraiowa.org or contact school@orchestraiowa.org.
Another important note: When choosing your seats, choose seats on the main floor. The children will stand in front of the stage and off to the sides when they sing, and if you are on the balcony, you will not be able to see them. If you have already ordered balcony seats, call the box office and they will re-assign your seats.
Mandatory dress rehearsal with orchestra: Friday, Dec. 5: Singers need to arrive at the Orchestra Iowa building at 6:30 p.m. Do not wear choral uniforms. They will rehearse with the orchestra and dancers and should be ready to leave at 8:15 p.m. You can wait for them in the 1st floor lobby of the Orchestra Iowa building, or return for them at 8:00 p.m. They will be dismissed on 3rd Ave where they exit the building every Sunday.
Sat Dec 6, concerts at 2:00 and 7:30 p.m.: The call times are 1:50 p.m. and 7:20 p.m. They will report to the 2nd floor rehearsal room in their chorus uniforms. If your child is staying on to view the second act with you, you will need to arrange a meeting location before drop-off so you can connect during intermission. This could be the foyer area just inside the doors at Orchestra Iowa School, the Hall of Mirrors inside the Paramount, or their second floor rehearsal room. There is no supervision for students when Act 1 ends. If they are not staying on with you to watch Act 2, you need to pick up your child at intermission. They will be finished by 2:50 p.m. and 8:20 p.m., and can be picked up in front of the Orchestra Iowa School.
Sun Dec 7: come to choir for a regular 2:30-4:00 p.m. rehearsal for the Holiday Spectacular concerts! A detailed notice about that weekend will be coming to you soon.
Amy Hanisch Discovery Chorus Director