About the Chorus
The mission of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus is to enrich the community with the highest quality of live choral music, to promote fellowship and artistic growth among its singers, and to inspire a broad audience with performances spanning the diverse spectrum of music for large chorus.
"I don't know if it is a spiritual, physiological or psychological phenomenon, but I believe now more than ever that singing is a universal, built-in mechanism designed to cultivate empathy and compassion."
-Eric Whitacre
The history of the Omaha Symphonic Chorus
OSC is proud of its long tradition of choral excellence. Founded in 1946 as the Apollo Club by the Dean of the College of Music at the University of Omaha, the Chorus was incorporated as a non-profit organization in August, 1971.
The Omaha Symphonic Chorus sings music of all genres and periods. Classical or contemporary, accompanied or a cappella, towering masterpieces or international folk traditions, all styles are represented in OSC’s diverse repertoire. Performing 3 to 5 concerts in a typical season, the 90 voice ensemble is augmented or reduced to meet the needs of the selected program. Chorus members come from all walks of life and are selected annually by audition.
Throughout the years, OSC has been led by a succession of distinguished directors including the noted composer/arranger John Miller; Bruce Hangen, former artistic director of the Omaha Symphony; Craig Jessop, former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir; and Dr. Cina Crisara, former chorus master of Opera Omaha. The chorus is currently flourishing under the baton of talented artistic director and conductor Dr. Greg Zielke, Professor of Music and Music Program Director at Grace University.
Noted for its rich sound, the Omaha Symphonic Chorus has been a frequent guest of other area music ensembles including the Omaha Symphony, the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, and the Lincoln Symphony Orchestra. OSC is especially proud of its many appearances with the Omaha Symphony. The Chorus has sung in the Symphony’s Chamber Music, Pops and Masterworks concerts, thrilling audiences with highly energized performances of the world’s great choral music.
The Omaha Symphonic Chorus is perhaps best known for its signature event, “Christmas at the Cathedral,” a concert that has become an annual tradition in Omaha and beyond. Accompanied by the Omaha Symphony Chamber Orchestra, the Chorus performs both classical selections and arrangements of beloved seasonal carols in the magnificent setting of Saint Cecilia Cathedral.
Artistic Staff

Dr. A. Barron Breland
Conductor, Spring Concert
A. Barron Breland has emerged as a conductor set apart from...

Dr. Marques L. A. Garrett
Conductor, Winter Concert
A Virginia native, Marques L. A. Garrett is an Assistant...

Dr. Derrick Fox
Conductor, Christmas at the Cathedral
Dr. Derrick Fox is the Director of Choral Activities...

David Batter
Conductor, Fall Concert
David Batter is the founding conductor of the Omaha Chamber Singers. He also...

Jonathan Mueller
Assistant Conductor
Jonathan Mueller is very excited to be the Assistant Conductor of...

Stacie Haneline
Pianist
A versatile pianist, Stacie Haneline maintains an active recital career...

D. M. Gardner
Composer-in-Residence
Mr. Gardner’s music, ranging from choral to larger orchestral works...

Dr. Greg Zielke
Conductor Emeritus
Dr. Greg Zielke is Professor of Music and the Director of the Music Program......
Board of Directors

Robert Hutcherson
President

Tom Wheeler
Vice President
Operations Committee Chair
Artistic Director Search Committee

Ann Koster
Treasurer

Janet Williams
Secretary
Membership Committee

Dan Adkins
Artistic Director Search Committee

Tracy Allgood
Development Committee

Louise Clayton
Editor
Newsletter

Bob Glaze
Nominations Committee

Ruth Glaze
Box Office
Patron Relations

Kalli Johnson
Publicity Committee

Rick Leinemann
Member at Large

Sharda Lemburg
Repertoire Committee

Jonathan Mueller
Assistant Conductor

Don Rokusek
Member at Large

Hillary Stickler
Technology
Chorus Librarians

Krista Green
Librarian

Kathy Mills
Assistant Librarian
Tickets
We hope you will join us at our performances as we seek to inspire and uplift through the choral art. In order to purchase tickets, you can:
- speak to any Omaha Symphonic Chorus member to buy tickets in-person in advance of the concert,
- call (402) 680-6156 to purchase tickets over the phone to be picked up at will-call,
- purchase tickets online for this season’s concerts by clicking on the purchase buttons below, or
- purchase tickets at the door.
Commemorate & Celebrate |
Sunday, Oct 17, 2021, 2:00PM |
Past performance |
Christmas at the Cathedral |
Friday, Dec 3, 2021, 7:30PM Sunday, Dec 5, 2021, 2:00PM |
Past performance |
Winter Concert |
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022, 7:30PM |
Past performance |
Wondrous Love |
Sunday, May 15, 2022, 2:00PM |
Past performance |
2021-2022 - 75th Anniversary Season
Commemorate & Celebrate
Sunday, Oct 17, 2021, 2:00PM
Covenant Presbyterian Church
15002 Blondo St
Omaha, NE 68116
- $18 - General admission
- $15 - Students/Seniors(60+)
The first half of the program commemorates all those affected by the coronavirus. We remember those we have lost and the sorrowful impact of the pandemic upon the world. This music is introspective and primarily unaccompanied.
The second half of the program celebrates our hopeful future and our will to live life abundantly. The chorus will be accompanied by brass, percussion and organ, exuding a festive and celebratory character.

Christmas at the Cathedral
Friday, Dec 3, 2021, 7:30PM
Sunday, Dec 5, 2021, 2:00PM
St. Cecilia Cathedral
701 N 40th St
Omaha, NE 68131
- $30 - Preferred seating
- $20 - General seating
The Omaha Symphonic Chorus presents the 25th annual Christmas at the Cathedral concert at St. Cecilia Cathedral. The chorus will be accompanied by the Omaha Symphony. You may attend the concert on Friday, December 3, 2021 at 7:30 pm or Sunday, December 5, 2019 at 2:00 pm. The cathedral is located at 701 N. 40th St. in Omaha, NE.
Dr. Derrick Fox, Director of Choral Activities at UNO, will be the guest conductor for this concert.
Advance ticket holders may enter the SOUTH doors of the Cathedral beginning 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Will-call tickets may be picked up at the NORTH doors of the Cathedral beginning 45 minutes prior to each performance.
Tickets are available for purchase at the NORTH doors of the Cathedral beginning 45 minutes prior to each performance. We accept cash, checks and credit cards.

Winter Concert
Saturday, Feb 26, 2022, 7:30PM
First United Methodist Church
7020 Cass St
Omaha, NE 68132
- $18 - General admission
- $15 - Students/Seniors(60+)
Dr. Marques Garrett from the Glenn Korff School of Music at the University of Nebraska Lincoln will be the guest conductor for the Winter Concert.
The concert will include a wide variety of wonderful music ranging from the early eighteenth century to the present time.

Wondrous Love
Sunday, May 15, 2022, 2:00PM
First United Methodist Church
7020 Cass St
Omaha, NE 68132
- $18 - General admission
- $15 - Students/Seniors(60+)
Dr. A. Barron Breland from Creighton University will be the guest conductor for the Wondrous Love concert.
Dr. Breland has been a member of the Creighton Music faculty since 2008. He holds degrees in music theory and choral conducting from the University of Georgia and Indiana University. He earned his doctorate in choral conducting from the Jacobs School of Music.
At Creighton Dr. Breland conducts choral ensembles and teaches classes in theory, history, conducting, and diction. He is currently the chair of the Creighton Department of Fine & Performing Arts.
The concert will feature of wide variety of music by well known composers including Rachmaninoff, Duruflé, Kodály, Stroope, Rutter and Forrest.
Support the Omaha Symphonic Chorus

The Omaha Symphonic Chorus depends on the generosity of individuals, businesses and foundations to help us bring the joy of live choral music to the Omaha Community. The costs of managing and promoting a concert season and of hiring the instrumental musicians who accompany us are significant. Your tax deductible contribution enables us to remain a healthy and vibrant organization. Please make a gift to our Annual Fund today!
Contribution levels
- Underwriter ($5,000 and above)
- Benefactor ($2,500 – 4,999)
- Oratorio ($1,500 – 2,499)
- Cantata ($1,000 – 1,499)
- Madrigal ($500-999)
- Canon ($250 – 499)
- Chorale ($100 – 249)
- Anthem ( $10-99)
Matching gifts
You may be able to double or even triple your gift to the Omaha Symphonic Chorus. Many employers offer matching gift programs that will match employees’ charitable contributions. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer (typically the human resources department), and mail the completed form to the Omaha Symphonic Chorus along with your contribution. We will handle the rest.
How to make your contribution
To support musical activities of the chorus by making a donation to our Annual Fund, please click the button and fill out the form to make a credit card donation securely processed by Square. Or, if you prefer to write a check, please mail your check to:
Omaha Symphonic ChorusP.O. Box 24225
Omaha, NE 68124-0225
Checks should be made payable to the Omaha Symphonic Chorus. Please note “donation” on the memo line. Your contribution will be acknowledged in writing, and you will be listed as a contributor in our concert programs.
Our partners
In the summer of 2021, OSC was invited to participate in a Nebraska Medicine study regarding the spread of aerosol virus in a choral setting. Read the article here.
The Omaha Symphonic Chorus gratefully acknowledges assistance and funding from the following organizations:
Contact the Chorus
Auditions
Open auditions for the upcoming season are held in early August. Please fill out the contact form below if you are interested in auditioning for the chorus.
Contact form
Set up an off-cycle audition, a donation, or just tell us you love us. Fill out the form below to reach the chorus.