Farewell and Hello
Announcement from
The Canton Symphony Orchestra
The Canton Symphony
Orchestra (CSO) announces the departure of long-term President & CEO,
Michelle Charles with a heavy heart. Her last day of service will be on Friday November
25th, 2022.
On Monday, November 28th, 2022, current
Community Engagement & Education Manager, Rachel Hagemeier, will become
President & CEO. Rachel will be the youngest person to ever serve in this
position at the CSO at 25 years old.
Here is the Press
Release from the CSO:
"Michelle Charles has
served as President & CEO of Canton Symphony Orchestra for eleven years.
Previously serving in all capacities of the organization as chorus member and
volunteer, board trustee and staff, she was a driving force behind the
increasing notoriety of the Canton Symphony. Charles was the catalyst for
several major activities that solidified the Symphony's position in Stark
County. Under her leadership, she oversaw the funding, construction, and
eventual operation of the Zimmermann Symphony Center as part of the 2011-2014
capital campaign. The endowment of the Canton Symphony grew from $1.5 million
to over $4 million during Michelle's time with the CSO. During her tenure,
Canton Symphony brought in many internationally acclaimed guest artists
including Grammy-Award winners Bela Fleck and Sylvia McNair and collaborated
with numerous organizations including the McKinley Presidential Library &
Museum, Canton Museum of Art, Massillon Museum of Art, Stark Parks, and the
Dancing Wheels. “I have loved every minute of my time with the Canton
Symphony”, said Michelle. “I will certainly miss the staff, musicians, patrons,
and donors once I leave but I am excited for my next chapter in my professional
career.” Beginning November 28, Michelle will be working at The Summit, a
public alternative radio station in Akron.
On Monday, November
28th, 2022, current Community Engagement & Education Manager, Rachel
Hagemeier, will become President & CEO. Hagemeier was the first and obvious
choice to replace Charles, demonstrating an unmatched reverence for all things
relating to music and education. Her tenacity to accomplish above and beyond
what is needed has propelled Canton Symphony's educational initiatives into an
unprecedented era of engagement. Just recently, Hagemeier was named one of
Stark County's "Twenty Under 40!" list, produced by ystark!, a
department of the Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce and The Canton
Repository.* When asked how she felt about this transition, she said, "To
be the next President & CEO of the Canton Symphony Orchestra is a dream
come true. In my three years here at the symphony, I have seen the impact
classical music can have on a community, and I am overjoyed to continue being a
part of this incredible work. This symphony has been rooted in Stark County for
85 years and I am ready to take us into our next chapter of music making.
Canton is a special place filled with talented, hard-working, and creative
people, and I am lucky to be a part of it."
The Canton Symphony Orchestra board, staff, and musicians
are thrilled to welcome Rachel Hagemeier into her new position. They are
confident that under her supervision, classical music will be alive, well, and
growing into the foreseeable future."
