Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Artistic Director David Bowden.
Few people have made such a lasting impression on the local arts community as Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Artistic Director David Bowden, who later this month will take his final bow after conducting the orchestra for an astonishing 35 years.
When he does, he’ll customarily bring the company along to join him. He explained to The Republic’s Brian Blair recently why that matters as he marked the occasion of his final ticketed performance with the CIP.
“I want to have everyone who participates to be able to respond to the audience. The closing bow is a courtesy that says to the audience ‘You are important’ as the crowd gives us their applause.
“And the bow says to them, ‘We all did this together.’”
Together with the community, Bowden has been an arts leader whose impact reached far beyond the performances of the orchestra he leads.
Bowden is bidding farewell to an institution that has thrived under his direction, but he’s also been instrumental in expanding music education opportunities to local schoolchildren. He’ll take his final bow, along with his fellow musicians, after he conducts the annual Salute concert honoring local veterans in downtown Columbus on the Friday evening of Memorial Day Weekend, May 27.
At 68, Bowden can look back proudly on accomplishments over the decades in a field where he says conductors typically stay about six years, on average. He can also look forward to time with his wife of 46 years, Donna, their children, grandchildren, family and travel.
Observing that the tails conductors wear have their origins as a symbol of solidarity with those who worked in service in royal households, Bowden says that has always stuck with him.
“I viewed my time as a member of the community really doing just that, really being a servant leader and doing what I can to make the overall community better,” he said. “Everybody loves music, and we’ve tried to do music for everyone, literally. … In many situations, in many communities, that wouldn’t be possible.”
A couple of people with rich Columbus legacies of their own who have since passed on inspired Bowden — former Cummins chief J. Irwin Miller and Helen Haddad, whose name now graces the CIP’s performance hall. “One of the reasons we have this huge education program is Helen Haddad,” he said. Miller was a huge backer of the CIP and Bowden, but it took some convincing for him to come to a concert. “He was afraid he would hurt his ears,” Bowden said. After the show on June 4, 1988 — Bowden recalls the date — Miller “led the cheering.”
Thirty-five years ago, Bowden took Miller up on his challenge to give Columbus 10 years. “The Columbus Way,” Bowden said, struck a chord.
“It confirmed for me what I had begun to realize, that this very small community has some big ideas and it has wonderful people who really want to do things right the first time,” he said.
When Bowden takes his bow after the Salute concert later this month, it would be impossible for the audience to cheer too much in appreciation for his dedication, professionalism and service.
