After a recommendation from the late Bishop Madarija in the summer of 1931, the first organized choral group was established at St. Nicholas Serbian Orthodox Church in Omaha. The St. Nicholas or SOKO choir as it was previously called principally served the purpose of singing responses during the Divine Liturgy. This young choir was directed by Professor Frank Buckingham, who also directed the St. Nicholas Orchestra. The name SOKO means falcon, which is symbolic to the Serbian people as the bald eagle is to Americans.
The choir kept the title SOKO until its induction into the Serbian Singing Federation of America and Canada in 1953. This newly inducted choir of the S.S.F. was then requested either to choose the entitlement of a famous Serbian composer, or its church name. Choosing the latter, the S.S.S. St. Nicholas of Omaha, Nebraska was born. S.S.S. Sloboda of South Chicago (now Lansing, Illinois) served as honored kumovi during the induction and remains as a faithful friend to this day. The S.S.S. St. Nicholas celebrates its Slava on December 19, the Feast of St. Nicholas.
The choir was strong then and remains so now. The S.S.S. St. Nicholas has established an everlasting bond with its close neighbor, the S.S.S. St. George in Lenexa, Kansas. The two choirs annually participate in each other’s fall concerts and other special events.
Throughout the years, the S.S.S. St. Nicholas has been active within the Serbian Singing Federation. The choir was chosen as honored guest choir for the 1958 S.S.F. Festival in North Chicago. The choir hosted three S.S.F. Conventions, hosted the 60th annual S.S.F. choral festival in 2001, and has remained faithful to the St. Nicholas parish for over 75 years.
Our choir’s success can be seen through the dedication of 5-year and 50-year members alike. Through fund-raising efforts, choir trips, picnics, singing during liturgy and active participation in the S.S.F., the choir continues to maintain a strong presence.
Today the choir has about 45 members, active and social. Ann Renard and Thomas Olsen are our church directors and Thomas Olsen is our concert director. The S.S.S. St. Nicholas has established the Joseph A. Churchich Scholarship, named in honor of one of the most dedicated and talented directors to grace the choir. In addition, our youth have received $10,000 in scholarships through the Serbian Singing Federation. This dedication on the part of members young and old guarantees the success of this choir through the future!
CHOIR EXECUTIVE BOARD
President................................................................................................. Linda Olsen
Vice President........................................................................................ Jenny Haase
Treasurer............................................................................................ Mary Krajicek
Secretary............................................................................................. Thomas Olsen
Honored Kumovi 2010.............................................. Ann Renard and Milka Cubric
Church Directors...................................................... Ann Renard and Thomas Olsen
Concert Director................................................................................. Thomas Olsen
Contact Person: Linda Olsen
(402) 734-5760 or email: lzolsen1022@hotmail.com