2018-2019: The Inaugural Year
Cherokee Bluff Middle/High School opened its doors in August 2018 to relieve overcrowding at neighboring Flowery Branch and Johnson High Schools and to address the rapid growth in Southeast Hall County. The new schools opened together on the existing campus on Spout Springs Road, where Flowery Branch High School had operated since 2009. Flowery Branch relocated to its primary campus (where it originally opened in 2002), and shifted both Davis Middle and South Hall Middle to its original campuses. Cherokee Bluff was named after Cherokee Bluffs Park located off Blackjack Road in Flowery Branch, GA. On October 16, 2017, it was revealed that the school colors would be Purple, White and Silver, while the school mascot would be the Bears!
In January of 2018, newly hired principals Wes McGee and Robert Wilson appointed Craig Cantrell and Geoffrey Lonberger (band directors from a successful band program at East Hall) to lead the inception of the band program at Cherokee Bluff Middle/High School. This unique program consists of band students 6th-12th grades.
New and high standards were established for our inaugural year, which offered many opportunities and challenges. The Marching Bears began with only 27 members, and quickly established a high level of excellence with exciting shows each week of the football season, in addition to giving a "Standing Ovation" performance at the Hall County Marching Band Exhibition.
The Middle School Band had 5 students place in the Georgia Music Educators District 14 Honor Band and 4 High School Students place in the High School Honor Band. Cherokee Bluff had 4 students place in the prestigious Georgia All-State Band (2 middle school students and 2 high school students.
Both the High School Concert Band and Middle School Festival Band participated in the GMEA District XIV Large Group Performance Evaluation and both received "Unanimous Superior Ratings!" Additionally, the Cherokee Bluff Winterguard competed in the SAPA Circuit and placed 5th in the Scholastic Novice Garnet Division.
In May of 2019, the Cherokee Bluff Music Department (Band and Chorus) from both schools established the annual Pops At The Bluff concert. It was a wonderful evening filled with great music and fellowship as One Bear Nation. All choirs and bands performed to very large audiences in the high school gymnasium.
Through the hard work of all students, parents, administrators and directors, the Cherokee Bluff Band program will continue to grow and become one of the premier instrumental music programs in the state of Georgia.
In January of 2018, newly hired principals Wes McGee and Robert Wilson appointed Craig Cantrell and Geoffrey Lonberger (band directors from a successful band program at East Hall) to lead the inception of the band program at Cherokee Bluff Middle/High School. This unique program consists of band students 6th-12th grades.
New and high standards were established for our inaugural year, which offered many opportunities and challenges. The Marching Bears began with only 27 members, and quickly established a high level of excellence with exciting shows each week of the football season, in addition to giving a "Standing Ovation" performance at the Hall County Marching Band Exhibition.
The Middle School Band had 5 students place in the Georgia Music Educators District 14 Honor Band and 4 High School Students place in the High School Honor Band. Cherokee Bluff had 4 students place in the prestigious Georgia All-State Band (2 middle school students and 2 high school students.
Both the High School Concert Band and Middle School Festival Band participated in the GMEA District XIV Large Group Performance Evaluation and both received "Unanimous Superior Ratings!" Additionally, the Cherokee Bluff Winterguard competed in the SAPA Circuit and placed 5th in the Scholastic Novice Garnet Division.
In May of 2019, the Cherokee Bluff Music Department (Band and Chorus) from both schools established the annual Pops At The Bluff concert. It was a wonderful evening filled with great music and fellowship as One Bear Nation. All choirs and bands performed to very large audiences in the high school gymnasium.
Through the hard work of all students, parents, administrators and directors, the Cherokee Bluff Band program will continue to grow and become one of the premier instrumental music programs in the state of Georgia.
2019-2020: Year 2: A Tradition of Excellence Established
As we entered the 2nd year of the Cherokee Bluff Band, we saw a significant growth in participation, combining for almost 250 participating students (6th grade - 12th grade). Our Marching Bears, who grew to include batterie percussion and several new members, participated in their first "competitive" marching band season in Class A. On Saturday, September 28, the Marching Bears won 1st place Band at the Bowden Invitational (Bowdon, GA) and on Saturday, October 5, they captured 1st place Band at the Creekview Marching Classic (Canton, GA) with their show titled: "Where the Sidewalk Ends." This season also saw the first victory in school history for our Bears Football Team, as they engineered a stunning 37-7 win over Johnson on Friday, September 6, 2019. In addition, the Bears had two more wins to finish the year 3 wins / 7 loses, but absolutely thrilled our community every Friday night.
Our middle school band established the CBMS Pep Band and participated in several middle school football games - including the middle school championship game (in which our Bears were crowned Hall County Champions!). We believe the future is very bright for Friday nights at The Bluff!
Cherokee Bluff had a total of 15 middle school students awarded placement in the Georgia Music Educators District 14 Honor Band (most in Hall County) and 7 high school students make the High School Honor Band for the 2019-2020 school year.
The high school band established the Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble to compliment the already established Cherokee Bluff Concert Band, giving the high school band three performing groups. Both CBMS and CBHS celebrated Straight Superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE). As the CBMS Band continued to grow in numbers and quality, the high school band began playing more advanced music (as they played a Level V program at LGPE for 2020).
Unfortunately, March 13 was the last day of the traditional school day for students in Hall County and around the nation. Our lives changed dramatically, as a new virus (COVID-19 or "Coronavirus") emerged that was very contagious, fast moving, and deadly for many of those with additional medical conditions. Our country reacted by isolating a huge portion of our population in their homes. Schools shut down and went to online digital learning (Digital Learning Days) while several treasured spring events (Spring Sports, Concerts, Banquets, etc.) were canceled or transformed into virtual platforms. Cherokee Bluff was forced to amend our graduation services, as seniors were honored virtually and a very creative drive-in service.
Our middle school band established the CBMS Pep Band and participated in several middle school football games - including the middle school championship game (in which our Bears were crowned Hall County Champions!). We believe the future is very bright for Friday nights at The Bluff!
Cherokee Bluff had a total of 15 middle school students awarded placement in the Georgia Music Educators District 14 Honor Band (most in Hall County) and 7 high school students make the High School Honor Band for the 2019-2020 school year.
The high school band established the Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble to compliment the already established Cherokee Bluff Concert Band, giving the high school band three performing groups. Both CBMS and CBHS celebrated Straight Superior ratings at Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE). As the CBMS Band continued to grow in numbers and quality, the high school band began playing more advanced music (as they played a Level V program at LGPE for 2020).
Unfortunately, March 13 was the last day of the traditional school day for students in Hall County and around the nation. Our lives changed dramatically, as a new virus (COVID-19 or "Coronavirus") emerged that was very contagious, fast moving, and deadly for many of those with additional medical conditions. Our country reacted by isolating a huge portion of our population in their homes. Schools shut down and went to online digital learning (Digital Learning Days) while several treasured spring events (Spring Sports, Concerts, Banquets, etc.) were canceled or transformed into virtual platforms. Cherokee Bluff was forced to amend our graduation services, as seniors were honored virtually and a very creative drive-in service.
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GO BEARS! |