Honors, Hoorays, and Happenings

All-State Band 2024

Eva Scali and Griffin Lindstrom, two outstanding students who were named among the best middle school band musicians in the state, proudly represented Cherokee Bluff.

Participating in the All-State Band is a prestigious honor that reflects the hard work, dedication, and talent of these exceptional students. Just being recommended to audition for the state's highest honor band demonstrates the countless hours of practice and study they have devoted to mastering their instruments.

Eva and Griffin's achievement not only highlights their musical talents but also underscores their commitment to excellence in all areas of their academic and extracurricular pursuits. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the support of our dedicated band staff.

Please join us in congratulating Eva and Griffin on this remarkable accomplishment! We are incredibly proud of their achievement and look forward to witnessing their continued success in the future.

Jacob Benjamin (Horn) named Atlanta Falcons NFL HS Man of the Year!

Jacob Benjamin (Sr.) was awarded the Atlanta Falcons High School Man of the Year Award on Thursday, April 13, 2023 during a ceremony honoring various scholars throughout the state. This Award is modeled after the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year. Aside from exemplary on-field performance- selection criteria include character, community service, leadership, academics, excellence, and well-roundedness. A short explanation would be a player that has a significant and positive impact on his community. Jacob is an “obvious” selection for this prestigious award. He literally possesses each of these intangible characteristics. He is extremely gifted, driven, and humble. In addition, he is committed to a standard of excellence in EVERYTHING that he does. Just to note, he was earned ALL STATE in both football and band in the same year! He is heading to further his education and football career at The United States Military Academy. This is another testament that you can excel in both athletics and music at Cherokee Bluff. We are so thankful to Coach Jones and the other coaches who have been so supportive of Jacob through the years. GO BEARS!

Walt Disney's Performing Arts Soundtrack Session: April 1 - 5, 2023

The Bear Band teamed up with the Cherokee Bluff HS Chorus on an amazing trip to Walt Disney World! Our performance in the Disney Performing Arts Soundtrack Sessions was truly outstanding, and we couldn't be more impressed with the conduct and behavior of our students throughout the entire trip.

We also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to our parent chaperones, who were tremendously helpful to the directors in ensuring that everything ran smoothly. We couldn't have done it without you, and your support is truly appreciated.

Your dedication, hard work, and professionalism have truly paid off, and I hope that this experience has inspired you to continue pursuing your musical passions. The students represented the Cherokee Bluff Community with such distinction and truly made us all proud!

Joseph Caron Named Star Student and A Georgia Scholar!

Congratulations to Joseph Caron, our 2022-2023 band president, on being one of 154 seniors named as Georgia Scholars. A Georgia Scholar is someone who carried exemplary course loads during their four years of high school, performed excellently in all courses, successfully participated in interscholastic events at their schools and communities, and assumed leadership roles in extracurricular activities sponsored by their schools.
Additionally, Joseph was named "Star Student" at Cherokee Bluff High School for 2023. In order to obtain the nomination for STAR students, graduating high school seniors must have the highest score on a single test date on the SAT, and also be in the top 10 percent or top 10 students in their class based on grade point average.

LGPE 2023 - A Huge Success!

The Symphonic Band students really had a fabulous performance at LGPE. They are judged in 50 captions and received all A’s in each category earning their way to what could be considered a “perfect score”. They were rated “Superior,” which is the highest achievable rating and is noted as “a performance worthy of distinction, among the very best” by our Georgia Music Educators Association.
Earlier this month (March 1st), our Concert Band students (mostly 9th/10th grade students) performed at their LGPE and also received a “Superior” rating (scoring 47 A’s and 3 B’s). I am very proud of this group because they increased reading/proficiency level (our 9th grade increased their performance level two grade levels, which is a huge accomplishment).

Lake Hartwell Marching Band Competition - Sat. Oct. 15, 2022

Middle School Band Night 2022 - Fri. Oct. 14, 2022

MARCHING BEARS WINS SILVER DIVISION GRAND CHAMPIONSHIP AT GEORGIA CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS - Saturday, September 24, 2022

Start to Year 5: New Facilities!

We started the 2022-2023 school year off with students on Friday, August 5, 2022. It was so great to be back in the classrooms making music with students. Cherokee Bluff Middle School just opened a brand new campus off of Union Circle Road (just down the hill from Cherokee Bluff High School). It is a new high-tech building. Check out this this video from WSB-TV about the new Cherokee Bluff Middle School.

The high school band also got some upgrades to its facility, as the band room was renovated to include a much large space which includes upgrades in technology and storage areas. Please feel free to come by and check out the new space!

Here is a short video from our last day of Band Camp in the new band room.

Band Camp 2022

Cherokee Bluff Bands All RecEIVE "PerFECT" Scores at LGPE 2022

Outstanding performances at the District 14 LGPE. All Cherokee Bluff groups (Middle School Advanced Band, High School Concert Band, and High School Symphonic Band) received straight superior ratings with all A's in every category (perfect score)! We are so pleased with the progress we've made in this journey and the contributions made by these fine students. Many magnificent moments to treasure forever, impeccable musicianship, and a great sense of pride displayed. Congrats to all students and directors! We are so thankful for the love and support of a great group of band parents and the great CB community. Go Bears!

Cale Brown Accepted to the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps

CBHS Places 9 Students in the 2022 GMEA High School District 14 Honor Band

LilaLee McCarthy (Clarinet)
Mikenna Smith (Clarinet)
Brinleigh Waxter (Bass Clarinet)
Jackson Odegard (Trumpet)
Anan Rahman (Trumpet)
Nicholas Jackovatz (Horn)
Seth Akridge (Horn)
Zander Alegria (Trombone)
Jacob Barnes (Percussion)

CBMS Places 12 students in the 2022 GMEA Middle School District 14 Honor Band

Marching Bears Place 3rd overall at the 2021 Strong Rock marching Band Competition - Saturday, October 23, 2021

Marching Bears Win 3rd Place in 2A Band Competition at The 2021 Golden River Marching Festival - Saturday, October 16, 2021

Congratulations Anan Rahman and Jackson Odegard - Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony

Huge congratulations to two of our high school students, Anan Rahman (senior) and Jackson Odegard (senior). These two gentlemen auditioned and were selected to perform in the 2021-22 Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony. Congratulations Anan and Jackson!!

We have a Our First Trailer!

Many thanks to Jason and Erin Barnes who traveled to Madison, GA to pickup our first band trailer in our very short history. Exciting times ahead!

Marching Bears 2021

Band Camp 2021

Congratulations Senior Class of 2021!

Top Left:
Taylor Click (Trumpet)
Michael Crouse (Percussion)
David Guerrero (Tuba)
Daniel Hall (Percussion)
Jessica Morell (Guard)

Bottom Left:
Charlotte Salb (Clarinet)
Madison Swaney (Saxophone)
Sabastian White (Trumpet/Trombone)
Ariel Woodruff (Bass Clarinet/Tuba)
Isabella Worthington (Oboe)

Pops At The Bluff 2021

The band finally had an audience to perform for with our annual spring concert called "Pops At The Bluff." The event was well received and featured the middle school bands, jazz band, high school band, and a marching band performance (that was overdue from the pandemic). It was a great night to get back to a normal performance setting while we honored the Seniors of the Class of 2021.

2021 Virtual LGPE

The Cherokee Bluff HS Concert Band presented a virtual performance for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on public performances. Presented with a different approach to large group performances, the band had fewer large group rehearsals and were permitted from traveling for their traditional concert assessment. The band recorded the performance in the middle school band room and forwarded the video to the GMEA District 14 representatives for adjudication. The band received "superior" ratings for their performance. GO BEARS!

Fall 2020 Looked Very Different...But The Show Must Go On!

As halftime shows across the nation became victims of the cancelation of the COVD-19 pandemic, the Cherokee Bluff Marching Bears pressed forward with a different approach. The 3rd edition of the Marching Bears did not have a band camp, nor was it permitted to have large group rehearsals or performances. However, toward the middle of the Fall (October-November), the band began performing at football games that featured the band performing in the far end zone of Bears Stadium with the students sitting in distanced formation. Band members were required to wear masks while they not playing and the instruments were featured with special bell covers to cover the holes of their respective instruments. With the band getting significantly less rehearsal time, it created a challenge for everyone. However, our students pressed forward and made the best of a difficult situation.

When conditions improved, the band began halftime productions, but with widened formations (four-step spacing) to keep students at least 6 feet apart from one another. The band cheered our outstanding football team to their first region championship and into the 2nd round of the state playoffs. GO BEARS!

Congratulations Class of 2020

Friday, March 13, 2020 was the last "normal" day for 2019-2020 school year. While the global pandemic of COVID-19 forced schools from all over the nation to close its doors and perform school virtually, coined here in Hall County Schools as "Digital Learning Days" (School From Home). Suddenly all large school events (spring sports, concerts, awards ceremonies) were put on hold and we had to perform precious ceremonies like graduation virtually. Our outstanding students persevered through the end of the semester, while working from home. However, for our seniors, it ended too soon.
We would like to honor the fantastic class of 2020 (pictured below)
Left: Right:
Katelyn Gomez (Guard & Percussion) Andrew Seymour (Clarinet/Oboe)
Benjamin Caron (Trumpet) Parker Hollers (Euphonium)
Matthew Tingley (Bass Clarinet/Tenor Saxophone) Jabriya Terrell (Guard)
Kennedy Turpin (Clarinet)

We are so very proud of you and are very excited about your bright future. GO BEARS!

BOTH MIDDLE SCHOOL & HIGH SCHOOL BANDS ARE SUPERIOR AT LGPE 2020

We are very proud of the work that all of our students accomplished over the weeks leading to LGPE 2020 for both CBMS and CBHS. LGPE (Large Group Performance Evaluation), commonly referred to as "concert festival" is an opportunity for large growth in the teaching and learning that happens in our band rooms. Our directors place a high priority on this assessment, as it is considered to be the equivalent of an end of course test or The Georgia Milestones Test in other subject areas (except that it happens mid-semester for band). This is the one big opportunity during the year for students to prove their knowledge in music that is recognized by the state and it is easy to see if our band program is meeting the standards held by the state. It is by far the most important event for every band program in the state of Georgia.

Congratulations to our CBMS Festival Band for receiving straight superior ratings in both stage performance and sight reading. Our CBHS High School also received straight superior ratings on the stage and in the sight reading room too!

Congratulations! 2020 GMEA District 14 High School Honor Band

Cherokee Bluff High School had seven students selected to perform in the GMEA District 14 High School Honor Band. On Friday, February 21, these students traveled to spend the weekend at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA to participate in the Honor band. These students represented the Cherokee Bluff community very well and, after only 10 hours of rehearsal, performed in concert with other schools from around the area. The GMEA District 14 has both public and private schools represented from Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Hall, Banks, Franklin, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Walton, Oconee, Clarke, and Oglethorpe counties. It is a tremendous honor to be selected to participate in this Honor Band, as our District has some very find band programs. We are so very proud of these students and look forward to the next great individual accomplishment that help improve the overall band program.
Please help us congratulate:
Jacob Benjamin (Fr.) (Horn)
Will Sweet (Fr.) (Trumpet)
Emilie Mathe (So.) (Saxophone)
Jackson Odegard (So.) (Trumpet)
Anan Rahman (So.) (Trumpet)
David Guerrero (Jr.) (Tuba)
Matthew Tingley (Sr.) (Bass Clarinet)

CONGRATULATIONS! 2020 GMEA DISTRICT 14 MIDDLE SCHOOL HONOR BAND

On Saturday, December 7, 2019, Cherokee Bluff Middle School had 27 students audition for a spot in the Georgia Music Educators Association District 14 Honor Band. This is kind of like an all-star team made up of the top band students in the northeast Georgia area. Over 40 schools sent students to audition and there were 700 students who auditioned. The audition process is very rigorous and these students have been preparing for this since September. They have spent countless hours practicing with me after school and at home. Please help us congratulate the following students for making the District 14 Honor Band:

Julia Caron (Flute: 7th grade) Landon Tanasa (Flute: 8th grade)
Mikenna Smith (Clarinet: 7th grade) Sully Thorderson (Clarinet: 8th grade)
Tyndall Brix (Clarinet: 7th grade) Diego Simental (Tenor Saxophone: 8th grade)
LilaLee McCarthy (Clarinet: 7th grade) Braxton Scarbrough (Baritone Saxophone: 8th grade)
Brinleigh Waxter (Bass Clarinet: 7th grade) Connor Kennedy (Trumpet: 8th grade)
Connor Skelly (Trumpet: 7th grade) Zander Alegria (Trombone: 8th grade)
Avery Wingo (French Horn: 7th grade) Jacob Barnes (Percussion: 8th grade)
Austin Click (Percussion: 8th grade)

CBMS had the highest number of students selected to the District Honor Band than any other school in our area. Three of these students, Diego Simental, Zander Alegria, and Jacob Barnes scored high enough to try out for the All-State Band in January. We wish them well as they work toward accomplishing this goal.

CONCERT BAND PERFORMS AT NEGA MEDICAL CENTER-BRASELTON for 2nd Year in A Row!

The Concert Band students did an incredible job on Thursday, December 5, 2019 in performing at the 5th annual Love Lights Tree Lighting Celebration. 100% of Love Light donations benefit Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, which provides quality end-of-life care for patients within thirteen counties of North Georgia. As we spoke with students earlier, all of us have dealt with the loss of loved ones. The program was a wonderful opportunity for our students to serve the community – which is one of the cornerstones of our school and band program. We are so very proud of our kids! Special thanks to Mr. Al Sweet for securing a moving truck for our equipment. Thanks to our wonderful band parent association (CBBA) for your outstanding support of these efforts – GO BEARS!

Marching Bears take 1st place in class 1-a at bowdon invitational - Sat. Sept. 28, 2019

On Saturday, September 28, 2019, the Cherokee Bluff High School Marching Bears took to the competition field for the first time in school history. We traveled to Bowdon High School (Bowdon, GA) to compete in the Bowdon Invitational, a event that featured 9 high school bands from around the state.

The students had an outstanding performance:
Drum Major (Superior; 1st in Class)
Percussion (Excellent; 2nd in Class)
Guard (Excellent; 3rd in Class)
Band (Superior; 1st in Class)
Bowdon Invitational Class A Champions 2019
GO BEARS!

This is a huge milestone for our young program, especially with it being our first time on the competition field. We are absolutely thrilled with the results and cannot express how very proud we are of the hard work of our students, leaders, and staff have put in so far this year. The tradition of excellence that we have established here at Cherokee Bluff is a testament to the commitment of the students and their collective desire to be the very best they can be. That is the true accomplishment.

CBMS PEP BAND First Performance in School History - Tues. Sept. 10, 2019

The Cherokee Bluff Middle School Pep Band made its debut performance at the EHMS vs. CBMS Football Game on Tues. Sept. 10, 2019. The Pep Band, composed of 7th and 8th grade musicians, was created to perform for select CBMS sporting events, pep rallies, and community happenings. This group is perfect for the student musician who enjoys performing fun Rock/R&B/Pop tunes in a fun environment. They all had a blast cheering on our Middle School Football team to victory!
GO BEARS!

Cherokee Bluff Goes Gold for and Wins! - Fri. sept. 7, 2019

Not only did our Bears earn a victory of 37-3 (first win in school history) over the Johnson Knights, but our Bear Nation was dared to be the first school to raise and donate $10,000. We beat that by raising an amazing $15,000 for CURE of Atlanta (an organization devoted to finding research and support for children with childhood cancer.
Our Marching Bears wore "Gold Out" T-shirts in support of the cause and performed an outstanding halftime performance. Pictured (right) are members of the Marching Bears who helped to contribute to the effort.
Way to go Bears!

Students Complete 2nd annual Marching Bears Camp - Fri. July 26, 2019

The past two weeks have been really intense for our young Marching Bears, as they have been working hard in preparation for the upcoming season full of football games, marching competitions, parades, and various community events. This year's production is inspired by the poetry of Shel Silverstein's "Where the Sidewalk Ends" and features music from Aerosmith, Lindsey Stirling, John Lennon, Aaron Copland, and Judy Garland.
The students continue to grow and work towards a new identity. We are very proud to be Cherokee Bluff Bears!
GO BEARS!

2nd Annual Marching Bears Camp: July 22-26, 2019

FIRST ANNUAL "POPS AT THE BLUFFS" CONCERT - Fri. May 10, 2019

Congratulations to all band students for outstanding performances at the first annual "Pops At The Bluffs"! It was a wonderful evening filled with great music and fellowship as a Bear Nation. The students were so excited to play for such large audiences. They may not always tell you, but they love seeing their family, friends, and teachers there to support them. We are so proud of all the students for their hard work this year. The future looks very bright for our band program at Cherokee Bluff.
GO BEARS!

District 14 First Year Honor Band

Congratulations to the CBMS 6th Grade Band students that were selected to participate in the GMEA District 14 First Year Honor Band on Saturday, May 4, 2019. We are so very proud of these students who represented our school well. The students who participated were: Julia Caron (Flute), Anna Kate Kelly (Clarinet), Brinleigh Waxter (Clarinet), matthew Bratnichenko (Saxophone), Bradley Monk (Trumpet), Avery Wargo (Horn), Hayden Portillo (Trombone), Hugh Loggins (Tuba), and Jeff Hewette (Percussion).

Cherokee Bluff at The Gwinnett Stripers Game - Tues. April 16, 2019

The Cherokee Bluff HS Band and 8th Grade Band was invited to perform the National Anthem at the Gwinnett Stripers game on Tuesday, April 16, 2019. The students had an amazing combined performance and enjoyed a wonderful night of fellowship at the ball game. We are hoping that this will be a tradition for the program in the years to come. Congratulations Bear Band!

Winterguard Completes First Season At SAPA CHampionships - Chattanooga, TN

Congratulations to the Cherokee Bluff Winterguard on a fantastic inaugural season. The students have done an outstanding job on their program entitled "Float On." Through several rehearsals and camps through the season, the students put together an wonderful production and competed in several competitions through SAPA (Southern Association for Performance Arts) - including competitions at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe HS, River Ridge HS, East Coweta HS, Etowah HS, and Mill Creek HS. The students competed on March 30, 2019 at the SAPA Championships in UTC McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN. The Cherokee Bluff Winterguard finished 5th in Scholastic Novice Class Garnet Division. Thank you all for an amazing first season of Winterguard at Cherokee Bluff.
Winterguard members include: Katelyn Gomez, Jennifer Gonzalez, Jessica Morell, Claire Cole, Ashley Majewski, Jasmine Welton, Kylie Boullon, Rebekah Powers, and Viridiana Guerrero.

Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) "Festival" 2019

Congratulations Bear Bands!
The Cherokee Bluff Band program participated in the Georgia Music Educators Association Large Group Performance Evaluation, held Thursday, March 14, at Habersham Central High School. Both the Middle School Festival Band and High School Concert Band each earned straight superior ratings in both stage performance and sight-reading! We are very proud of our entire band program and students for the practice and many after school rehearsals they put in leading up to these performances. Attaining a superior rating is a incredible confirmation on the hard work put into preparing the music.
A band's final rating score is based on several components, as each group prepared three selections to perform on stage for the judges, who evaluate each performance using a variety of criteria. Next, each band and its director have a timed session to sight-read and then play an unfamiliar piece.
We have truly dedicated so many hours, both as individuals and as a group, to sculpt our musicianship. Nothing can replace diligence and dedication, and it is truly an honor to begin our band programs with in the first year and earn this distinction. We now can utilize the feedback from our adjudicators assessment to gain a number of checks that range in full from the quality of skills of each member to the overall health of the Cherokee Bluff Band Program. LGPE to us is our statewide testing or perhaps our championship.

GMEA All-State Band 2019 - Athens, GA (The Classic Center)

Four Cherokee Bluff students were selected for the Georgia All-State Band for 2019. Each year, thousands of students from across Georgia endure two rigorous auditions, one in December and a second in January, for an opportunity to earn a spot in the Georgia Music Educators All-State Band. This is a tremendous honor and accomplishment for these talented musicians.
These students gathered in Athens, GA on the evening of Thursday, February 28 to prepare for a full day Friday of rehearsals and instruction from 9:00am to 9:30pm. Concerts for the different divisions began on Saturday, March 2 in the Concert Theatre of the Classic Center and ran throughout the day.
To earn a spot in the GMEA All-State Band, the young musicians are required to play lyrical and technical etudes and sight-read for a panel of selected judges. We are so very proud of these students. Please help us congratulation:
Will Sweet (8th) (Trumpet)
Nick Jackovatz (8th) (Horn)
Emilie Mathe (Fr.) (Saxophone)
Jared Alexandrian (So.) (Trumpet)

GMEA District 14 High School Honor Band - Gainesville, GA (Riverside Military Academy)

Cherokee Bluff High School had four students selected to perform in the GMEA District 14 High School Honor Band. On Friday, February 15, 2019 these students traveled to spend the weekend at Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, GA to participate in the Honor Band. These students represented the Cherokee Bluff community very well and, after only one day of rehearsal, performed in concert with other schools from around the district. The GMEA District 14 has both public and private schools represented from Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Hall, Banks, Franklin, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Walton, Oconee, Clarke Co.-Athens, and Oglethorpe Counties. It is a tremendous honor to be selected to participate in this honor band, as our District has some very fine band programs. We are so very proud of these students and look forward to the next great individual accomplishment that helps improve the overall band program.
Please help us congratulate:
Emilie Mathe (Fr.) (Saxophone)
Anan Rahman (Fr.) (Trumpet)
Jared Alexandrian (So.) (Trumpet)
David Guerrero (So.) (Tuba)

GMEA DISTRICT 14 Middle School HONOR BAND - Toccoa, GA (Georgia Baptist Conference Center)

Cherokee Bluff Middle School had five students selected to perform in the GMEA District 14 Honor Band. On Friday, February 9, 2019 these students traveled to spend the weekend at the Georgia Baptist Conference Center in Toccoa, GA to participate in the Honor Band. These students represented the Cherokee Bluff community very well and, after only one day of rehearsal, performed in concert with other schools from around the district. The GMEA District 14 has both public and private schools represented from Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Hall, Banks, Franklin, Hart, Jackson, Madison, Elbert, Walton, Oconee, Clarke Co.-Athens, and Oglethorpe Counties. It is a tremendous honor to be selected to participate in this honor band, as our District has some very fine band programs. We are so very proud of these students and look forward to the next great individual accomplishment that help improve the overall band program.
Please help us congratulate:
Sarah Tuck (8th) (Flute)
Natalie Godina (8th) (Clarinet)
Will Sweet (8th) (Trumpet)
Nick Jackovatz (8th) (Horn)
Jacob Benjamin (8th) (Horn)

Congratulations! GMEA Middle School All-State Band 2019

On Saturday, January 12, 2019, Cherokee Bluff Middle School had 2 students audition for a spot in the Georgia Music Educators Association Middle School All-State Band. This is the most prestigious honor made up of only the top student musicians from across the state. With thousands of students auditioning, the audition process is the most rigorous and these students have been preparing for this since September. They have spent countless hours practicing after school and at home.
Please help us congratulate Will Sweet (8th)(Trumpet) and Nick Jackovatz (8th) (Horn).
This honor would be the equivalent of winning a state championship on their respective instrument. In only our first year in existence, this is a huge honor for these students and our program. We are extremely proud of both Will and Nick.
This honor comes just prior to last weekend where CBHS had two students represented in the All State Band.

Cherokee Bluff has more students in the All State Band than any other Hall County School. GO BEARS!

Congratulations! GMEA high school All-State Band 2019

On Saturday, January 5, 2019, Cherokee Bluff High School had 4 students audition for a spot in the Georgia Music Educators Association All-State Band. This is the most prestigious honor made up of only the top student musicians from across the state. With thousands of students auditioning, the audition process is the most rigorous and these students have been preparing for this since September. They have spent countless hours practicing after school and at home. Please help us congratulate Jared Alexandrian (So.)(Trumpet) and Emilie Mathé (Fr.) (Tenor Saxophone).
This honor would be the equivalent of winning a state championship on their respective instrument. In only our first year in existence, this is a huge honor for these students and our program. We are extremely proud of both Jared and Emilie.
GO BEARS!

CONGRATULATIONS! GMEA DISTRICT 14 High SCHOOL HONOR BAND

On Saturday, December 8, 2018, Cherokee Bluff High School had 8 students audition for a spot in the Georgia Music Educators Association District 14 Honor Band. This is kind of like an all-star team made up of the top band students in the northeast Georgia area. Over 40 schools sent students to audition and there were 700 students who auditioned. The audition process is very rigorous and these students have been preparing for this since September. They have spent countless hours practicing after school and at home. Please help us congratulate the following students for making the District 14 Honor Band:

Emilie Mathe (Fr.) – Tenor Saxophone
Jared Alexandrian (So.) - Trumpet
Anan Rahman (Fr.) – Trumpet
David Guerrero (So.) – Tuba

All of these students scored high enough to try out for the All-State Band in January. Making the All-State Band is like winning a state championship in athletics. We wish them well as they work toward accomplishing this goal. GO BEARS!

Concert Band Performs at NEGA Medical Center-Braselton

The Concert Band students did an incredible job on Thursday, December 6, 2018 in performing at the 4th annual Love Lights Tree Lighting Celebration. As we mentioned earlier, 100% of Love Light donations benefit Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center, which provides quality end-of-life care for patients within thirteen counties of North Georgia. As we spoke with students earlier, all of us have dealt with the loss of loved ones. The program was a wonderful opportunity for our students to serve the community – which is one of the cornerstones of our school and band program. We are so very proud of our kids! Special thanks to Mr. Jim Brown for securing a moving truck for our equipment and for Mrs. Elise Sommers for helping with chaperoning. Thanks to our wonderful band parent association (CBBA) for your outstanding support of these efforts – GO BEARS!

CONGRATULATIONS! GMEA District 14 Middle School Honor Band

On Saturday, December 1, 2018, Cherokee Bluff Middle School had 15 students audition for a spot in the Georgia Music Educators Association District 14 Honor Band. This is kind of like an all-star team made up of the top band students in the northeast Georgia area. Over 40 schools sent students to audition and there were 700 students who auditioned. The audition process is very rigorous and these students have been preparing for this since September. They have spent countless hours practicing with me after school and at home. Please help us congratulate the following students for making the District 14 Honor Band:

Sarah Tuck – Flute
Natalie Godina - Clarinet
Will Sweet – Trumpet
Nick Jackovatz – French Horn
Jacob Benjamin – French Horn

Two of these students scored high enough to try out for the All-State Band in January. Making the All-State Band is like winning a state championship in athletics. The two students that have the honor of auditioning are Will Sweet and Nick Jackovatz. We wish them well as they work toward accomplishing this goal.

University of North Georgia Brass Choir Participants

We had two students from our program participate in the University of North Georgia Brass Choir this semester. This is a superb partnership between the high schools in the area and the band program at UNG. Congratulations to Raul Sanchez and Ethan Edwards on an outstanding job. Here is a video of our very own Raul Sanchez conducting one of the choirs

The 8th Grade and High School Band Performs First Concert in School History!

The band program held its first concert in school history on Thursday, October 25, 2018 in the Cherokee Bluff Theater. It was an outstanding night of music making for our students and fellowship among our community. The concert featured tunes from Danny Elfman, Michael Markowski, Robert Sheldon, and Richard Saucedo. Prior to the concert, we had an awesome fundraiser dinner that was truly outstanding. Huge thanks to our lunch room manager, Mrs. Tara Fields, for your wonderful help and organization. Thank you to Mrs. Brianna Smull and Mrs. Kerry Caron on the wonderful organization of this pre-concert meal.

Congratulations Marching Bears! First Performance in School History

The Marching Bears made their debut on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Denmark High School. The group, only 38 members, did an outstanding job putting together a show entitled "Piano Man" - music from Billy Joel, Elton John, and Paul McCartney. GO BEARS!

Mr. Lonberger selected for International Bandmasters' Fraternity

Cherokee Bluff Middle School Band Director Geoffrey Lonberger has been selected for membership in the Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters' Fraternity.
Phi Beta Mu is a non-profit fraternity organized to recognize and honor outstanding band directors worldwide, to promote good fellowship among its members, and to encourage the building of better bands throughout the world. Members benefit from their participation in this networking opportunity for leading band directors.
To be accepted into the organization, applicants must be sponsored and participate in a thorough screening process. Members of Phi Beta Mu must have:
- Hold at lest five years of experience as a school band director.
- Presently (or has been) a conductor of a consistently superior performing band.
-Evidence of leadership contributions to the progress of the band profession.
-Character morally and ethically beyond reproach.
Lonberger said, "It's very humbling to be invited into a national fraternity such as Phi Beta Mu. I'm thankful for the honor, and it will certainly encourage me to continue working as hard as I can for the school and community that has given me so much."
Both Mr. Lonberger and Mr. Cantrell are members of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters' Fraternity. Congratulations Mr. Lonberger!