Picture from the mid 1960's
Cherokee can be very proud of the Cherokee Symphony,
an outstanding musical organization. Having a first-rate symphony
orchestra is indeed unique and fortunate for a city of Cherokee's
size.
The Cherokee Symphony was co-founded in 1956
by Merle Robinson of Cherokee and Della Beth Thomson of Cleghorn
when "Orchestra" was offered by the Adult Education Program.
The orchestra provides the community with the
highest quality musical entertainment while giving musicians
in the area a semi-professional outlet for their talents. This
60-member orchestra has been referred to as "the best kept secret
in Northwest Iowa".
Lee Thorson, a cellist and instructor from Rolfe,
Iowa, has been conductor since 1981. He is currently adjunct
faculty at Buena
Vista University in Storm Lake, gives private lessons, and
is a member of the Plains Trio. The Vista Chamber Players,
of which Mr Thorson is Artistic Director, is a string quartet
which performs for weddings and receptions throughout Northwest
Iowa.
The Cherokee Symphony Association has a Board
of Directors that supports the symphony, especially in the area
of providing funds through program advertising, association
memberships and ticket sales. These all insure future programming.
Children who are high school age or younger are admitted free
of charge.
Usually three concerts are given each season....
a Pops Concert in the Fall; the Mid-Winter Concert in February;
the Young Artists' Concert in March or April. Concerts are held
on Sunday afternoons at 4 p.m. at the Cherokee Community Center
in Cherokee, Iowa.
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