When John Chiles was in early elementary school, he played the Titanic theme, a song he had taught himself by ear, on the piano during show and tell. His music teacher was amazed. When she learned his family couldn’t afford lessons, she began teaching him for free. That act of generosity gave John confidence and set his life on a trajectory toward professional music.
Today, John is paying that gift forward through the Chiles Orchestral Advancement Fund at the Waterloo Community Foundation.
The Fund was created to strengthen and expand orchestral music in Waterloo and across the Cedar Valley. Rooted in John’s personal journey and professional leadership, it is designed to build a thriving, connected orchestral community where students have access to instruments and instruction, professionals are supported and retained, and audiences have meaningful opportunities to experience live performance.
John serves as the Instructor of Instrumental Music for Violin and Viola at Hawkeye Community College. He is also the Suzuki Department Chair of Orchestral Studies and Chamber Music at the University of Northern Iowa, where he is a leader in both youth and collegiate orchestras. He sees both the promise and the gaps in the region’s musical landscape. The Cedar Valley is home to the Waterloo-Cedar Falls Symphony Orchestra, strong college programs, youth ensembles, and dedicated private instructors. “We have the building blocks,” John says. “We need to continue connecting and strengthening them.”
John believes Waterloo has a unique opportunity. With its concentration of students, institutions, and arts organizations, the community has the potential to become a leading center for orchestral music in Iowa. By aligning education, professional performance, and community investment, the region can create something distinctive and sustainable.
Through the Chiles Orchestral Advancement Fund, John is not simply supporting music programs. He is helping position Waterloo and the Cedar Valley to realize their full potential, ensuring that talent is developed, excellence is elevated, and orchestral music remains a vibrant part of the community’s future.
