Cherokee Symphony

04/09/2026

Meet Hailey!
Hailey Mao is a freshman at Millard North High School in Omaha, Nebraska, who began playing violin at age eight under the instruction of William Wolcott and has studied with Anne Nagosky since 2020. She has been a member of the Omaha Area Youth Orchestras (OAYO) since fifth grade, serving as Concertmaster for five seasons in the OAYO Youth Philharmonic. She currently serves as Associate Concertmaster of the OAYO Youth Symphony and was selected for the 2025 Nebraska All-State Middle Level String Orchestra. In 2025, Hailey was awarded Second Place in the Junior Division of the NeASTA State Solo Competition. She has also performed five times with the Omaha Symphony’s Celtic Journey program and performed with the group during the Omaha Symphony Christmas Celebration. Outside of music, Hailey enjoys playing piano and drawing.

04/06/2026

Meet one of our first student soloists, Grace!

Grace Goeller, originally from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is a student at the University of South Dakota studying Cello Performance with Dr. Sonja Kraus. At USD, Grace has been a member of the USD Chamber Orchestra, the USD Symphony Orchestra, Ensemble Zusammen, the USD Opera Orchestra, and the Cherry St. Quartet. In the spring of 2024, Grace became the cellist for the Belle Piano Trio under the mentorship of members of the esteemed Rawlins Piano Trio. Outside of USD, Grace has performed with the Christmas at the Cathedral Orchestra and as a chamber musician for the Candlelight Concert series in Sioux Falls. Grace has also participated in various international music festivals, including Cello Fresno and the Fresno Summer Orchestra and Opera Academy (FOOSA). In addition to performing, Grace is a passionate educator and is working to expand her private studio in Sioux Falls and the surrounding communities. She currently teaches private lessons in Sioux Falls through Popplers Music. Grace has also worked closely with non-profit music outreach music programs such as the Music Academy @ First (Sioux City, IA) and Harmony South Dakota (Sioux Falls, SD), where she taught private lessons, led rehearsals and classes, and mentored young musicians.

04/01/2026

Our final concert for the 2025-2026 season! We will soon have info on the amazing student soloists!

03/05/2026

This promises to be a fun show.

Cherokee Community Theater Presents: Arsenic and Old Lace!

Get ready for a night of murder, mayhem, and nonstop laughter as Cherokee Community Theater brings the classic dark comedy Arsenic and Old Lace to the stage!

Meet the sweet little old ladies who just happen to have a… unique way of helping lonely gentlemen. Add in a dramatic nephew who thinks he’s Teddy Roosevelt, a drama critic nephew who stumbles onto the family secret, and a house full of chaos—and you’ve got one of the funniest comedies ever written!

Show Dates:
• March 13–15
• March 20–22

Bring your friends, family, and anyone who loves a good laugh. This beloved classic is packed with outrageous characters, clever twists, and plenty of surprises you won’t want to miss!

Don’t miss the fun—mark your calendar and join us for a killer evening of theater!

Online reservations at: https://our.show/cctarsenic

01/17/2026

Our next concert is less than a month away! The program features a diverse mix of orchestral masterworks, including Karl Jenkins's Palladio, Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F, and the Colonel Bogey March. Audiences will also enjoy familiar favorites including music from "How to Train Your Dragon" and selections from "Les Misérables." We can't wait to see you then!

10/11/2025

Our first concert of the 2025-2026 season is a few short weeks away!

09/09/2025

Monday, September 15, rehearsals begin for the 2025-2026 Symphony Season. Here is a line up of selections for the first program on October 26.

Fanfare for the Common Man - Aaron Copland
Symphony No. 94 (Surprise) Movement 2 - Franz Joseph Haydn
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Movement 1 - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Concert Selections from Dances with Wolves - John Barry
Fanfare de Chasse (4 horns) - Gioachino Rossini
Symphony No. 83 Movement 1 (woodwinds only) - Christian Cannabich
Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - Harry Gregson-Williams
Variations on a Theme by Joseph Haydn - Johannes Brahms

We are looking for people to join our musical family. We are in need of the following:
1st Violin section player
2nd Violin section player
Principal 2nd Violin
Viola section player
3rd Flute/Piccolo
1st and 2nd Bassoon
Percusion

Contact me if you are interested in playing in the orchestra!

08/22/2025

Today's the day!

The symphony will be grilling with the Pork Producers in the Fareway parking lot on Friday, August 22nd! Join us for the last grill of the season and enjoy a tasty pork burger while help us raise money for our 2025-2026 concert season. We will also be asking for donations to purchase a clarinet in A so that we can play some new pieces at our concerts. Come hungry and enjoy!

07/17/2025

The symphony will be grilling with the Pork Producers in the Fareway parking lot on Friday, August 22nd! Join us for the last grill of the season and enjoy a tasty pork burger while help us raise money for our 2025-2026 concert season. We will also be asking for donations to purchase a clarinet in A so that we can play some new pieces at our concerts. Come hungry and enjoy!

06/19/2025

Hello everyone. I have started planning for the 25-26 season. We have some openings. If you have any interest, please contact me at [email protected]

Here are the openings:
1st Violins section players
Principal 2nd violin
2nd violins section players
Viola section players
Cello section players
3rd Flute/Piccolo
1st Bassoon
2nd Bassoon
Percussion

Send a message to learn more

04/18/2025

Meet the soloist!

Ben Ploegstra, of Sioux Center, is a cellist with nearly nine years of study under Gary Vanderhart. He has been an active member of his school orchestra throughout that time and has participated in the�Northwest Iowa Honor Orchestra for six years, various State Honors Orchestras for 3 years, and the Iowa All-State Music Festival for two years, after first being selected as an alternate in his freshman year. As a junior at Unity Christian High School, Ben is also in his third season with the Northwest Iowa Symphony Orchestra.