The Cherokee Bluff Band Journey: From Foundation to Legacy
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 in 6th-12th grades.
Since our opening, the Cherokee Bluff Band program has been built on a deep belief: culture takes time. But we've also learned that before you can build a culture of excellence, you must first create commitment - and before commitment, you need community.
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 in 6th-12th grades.
Since our opening, the Cherokee Bluff Band program has been built on a deep belief: culture takes time. But we've also learned that before you can build a culture of excellence, you must first create commitment - and before commitment, you need community.
Laying the Foundation (2018-2021)
When our program began, we were starting from scratch. At our very first band camp, we had only 32 students - winds, percussion, and color guard combined. These students were incredibly young: mostly freshmen and sophomores, a handful of juniors, and just one lone senior. They came from all different schools, each with their own experiences, skill levels, and expectations.
To be completely honest, we lacked many fundamental skills, but what we lacked in polish, we made up for in potential - and in heart. We knew that the first priority wasn't just about making music; we mainly focused on what mattered most - creating an environment where every student felt seen, heard, valued, and loved. It wasn't about the notes we played; it was about how we treated each other, how we grew together, and how we laid the groundwork for what this program could one day become. Building a Band Family was our first priority. Those early years were filled with meaningful growth, as we laid a strong foundation of trust, care, and shared purpose.
During these formative years, our mantra was Band Family. We were building bonds that would shape the character of our program. But even as we took those steps forward, we were hit with one of the most disruptive events in modern history: the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact on our students - and on our momentum - was profound. We had to rethink everything. Rehearsals were limited. Performances were canceled or restructured. And families were understandably cautious, especially with wind instruments being considered high-risk in indoor environments.
We lost many students - not just to illness, but to burnout, anxiety, and uncertainty. The middle school program struggled as students and families questioned what success even looked like in this "new normal." And yet, amidst the hardship, we found something else: resilience. We learned how to adapt, and we created safe ways to make music together. Most importantly, we never let go of each other.
Those early years weren't just about playing scales or marching drills. They were about setting the tone for who we are: a family that shows up, supports each other, and finds joy and meaning in the journey.
To be completely honest, we lacked many fundamental skills, but what we lacked in polish, we made up for in potential - and in heart. We knew that the first priority wasn't just about making music; we mainly focused on what mattered most - creating an environment where every student felt seen, heard, valued, and loved. It wasn't about the notes we played; it was about how we treated each other, how we grew together, and how we laid the groundwork for what this program could one day become. Building a Band Family was our first priority. Those early years were filled with meaningful growth, as we laid a strong foundation of trust, care, and shared purpose.
During these formative years, our mantra was Band Family. We were building bonds that would shape the character of our program. But even as we took those steps forward, we were hit with one of the most disruptive events in modern history: the COVID-19 pandemic.
The impact on our students - and on our momentum - was profound. We had to rethink everything. Rehearsals were limited. Performances were canceled or restructured. And families were understandably cautious, especially with wind instruments being considered high-risk in indoor environments.
We lost many students - not just to illness, but to burnout, anxiety, and uncertainty. The middle school program struggled as students and families questioned what success even looked like in this "new normal." And yet, amidst the hardship, we found something else: resilience. We learned how to adapt, and we created safe ways to make music together. Most importantly, we never let go of each other.
Those early years weren't just about playing scales or marching drills. They were about setting the tone for who we are: a family that shows up, supports each other, and finds joy and meaning in the journey.
Shifting to Commitment (2021-2024)
By the fall of 2021, we had built a strong sense of community, but we knew that community alone was not enough. If we wanted to elevate our program, we needed a stronger sense of purpose, and a special milestone occurred: those wide-eyed freshmen from the opening day had grown into seniors. They were now the Class of 2022, and with them, the program was ready to take the next step: commitment.
Up to this point we had worked tirelessly to build community, and that work had paid off. The band was small, but very strong. Students genuinely loved spending time with each other. They stayed long after rehearsals were over just to hang out, and there was a clear sense of pride and belonging. We had become a Band Family - a group built on shared experiences, trust, and care. But as strong as our family bond was, we knew it was time to grow in a new direction. Community had carried us through, but to move to the next level of commitment, it wasn't enough to simply enjoy being together - we needed to define what it meant to truly invest in ourselves, in each other, and in the program's future.
We met with those founding members and shared a new challenge: Legacy. We challenged those students to see that Legacy is like planting seeds in a garden that you might not ever personally see. They embraced that idea, and they began to mentor younger students, modeling discipline in rehearsals and setting the tone for what it meant to be part of the program. At the same time, our band boosters (CBBA) and community supporters expanded support to our middle schoolers. They recognized the value of long-term investment. Together, we created enrichment opportunities like Honor Band Prep Camps, LGPE workshops, and private lessons.
The results were immediate. Under the exceptional leadership of Mr. Geoffrey Lonberger at CBMS, combined with this increased support, the results were immediate. Our middle school students began earning more placements in the GMEA District 14 Honor Band than all of the other schools in Hall County combined. In many of those years, our middle school program ranked among the top three programs in the entire Northeast Georgia area for placing students in the Honor Band.
This middle school success had a direct and transformative effect on our high school band. As students progressed into ninth grade, they were arriving better prepared, more confident, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the program on day one. The ripple effects were undeniable. The high school concert band program was able to split into two concert ensembles: Concert Band and Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band began performing advanced Grade 5 and 6 repertoire at Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) and doing so with great success. The Marching Bears began earning class championships and consistently ranked among the top 3-5 bands overall at competitions. Our Color Guard program experienced major growth, both in membership and skill, and we expanded our musical offerings with the formation of the Cherokee Bluff "Swingphonic" Jazz Band.
Between the efforts of our students, staff, parents, and directors, a new chapter was written - one that moved us beyond family and into the heart of shared responsibility and legacy. These years weren't just about improvement; they were about putting down deeper roots. We had built a home. Now, we were building the future.
Up to this point we had worked tirelessly to build community, and that work had paid off. The band was small, but very strong. Students genuinely loved spending time with each other. They stayed long after rehearsals were over just to hang out, and there was a clear sense of pride and belonging. We had become a Band Family - a group built on shared experiences, trust, and care. But as strong as our family bond was, we knew it was time to grow in a new direction. Community had carried us through, but to move to the next level of commitment, it wasn't enough to simply enjoy being together - we needed to define what it meant to truly invest in ourselves, in each other, and in the program's future.
We met with those founding members and shared a new challenge: Legacy. We challenged those students to see that Legacy is like planting seeds in a garden that you might not ever personally see. They embraced that idea, and they began to mentor younger students, modeling discipline in rehearsals and setting the tone for what it meant to be part of the program. At the same time, our band boosters (CBBA) and community supporters expanded support to our middle schoolers. They recognized the value of long-term investment. Together, we created enrichment opportunities like Honor Band Prep Camps, LGPE workshops, and private lessons.
The results were immediate. Under the exceptional leadership of Mr. Geoffrey Lonberger at CBMS, combined with this increased support, the results were immediate. Our middle school students began earning more placements in the GMEA District 14 Honor Band than all of the other schools in Hall County combined. In many of those years, our middle school program ranked among the top three programs in the entire Northeast Georgia area for placing students in the Honor Band.
This middle school success had a direct and transformative effect on our high school band. As students progressed into ninth grade, they were arriving better prepared, more confident, and ready to contribute meaningfully to the program on day one. The ripple effects were undeniable. The high school concert band program was able to split into two concert ensembles: Concert Band and Symphonic Band. The Symphonic Band began performing advanced Grade 5 and 6 repertoire at Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE) and doing so with great success. The Marching Bears began earning class championships and consistently ranked among the top 3-5 bands overall at competitions. Our Color Guard program experienced major growth, both in membership and skill, and we expanded our musical offerings with the formation of the Cherokee Bluff "Swingphonic" Jazz Band.
Between the efforts of our students, staff, parents, and directors, a new chapter was written - one that moved us beyond family and into the heart of shared responsibility and legacy. These years weren't just about improvement; they were about putting down deeper roots. We had built a home. Now, we were building the future.
A Season of Achievement (2024-2025)
By the time we entered the 2024-2025 school year, something remarkable had happened - everything we had been building toward began to blossom. The seeds of community and commitment planted in those early years were now producing visible, meaningful results across every corner of the program. This was also the year that the Class of 2025 - the first group of students to begin their band journey in 6th grade during our founding year - rose to become seniors. These students (and their parents) had grown up with the program, and they witnessed the very beginning, endured its challenges, helped shape its values, and were now leading it forward. As a class, they represented the strongest senior class we have had seen - not just in skill, but in leadership, maturity, and dedication to our shared vision.
From the very start of the season, it was clear that their influence was everywhere. The tone they set created a ripple effect throughout the program. The students were unified, focused, and deeply proud of what they were a part of. They had experienced the evolution of the band firsthand, and now they were determined to leave it better than they found it. One of the most visible expressions of their leadership came in the Marching Bears season. At our first competition of the year, the band won 1st place in Class AAA, competing against strong programs from across the state. That alone was a major achievement, but by the end of the season, our band earned its first "Silver Division Champions," scoring higher than all other bands in Class A through AAA. This moment was more than just a trophy - it was a culmination of years of investment from students, staff, and families who had believed in the process.
Later in the Spring semester at the Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), all bands (Middle School, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band) earned Superior Ratings, reflecting the high musical standards we had worked so hard to establish. The Symphonic Band continued to perfom advanced Grade 5 and 6 literature with confidence, artistry, and maturity, earning praise from adjudicators and audience members alike. In addition, we were able to establish a new Winter Guard group to expand options for our students involved in Color Guard.
Our students also reached new heights individually, as several earned placement in the GMEA District 14 Honor Band (with the Middle School Band continuing to set the bar high among other schools in our district), and we celebrated multiple All-State Finalists across different instruments and disciplines. We had 4 All-State Musicians (Aiden Edward, euphonium; Bella Nwigwe, tuba; Paige McGill, horn; and Levi Selman, jazz percussion), and among them, Levi Selman stood out as one of the finest musicians to come through our program, as he earned spots in both the All-State Jazz Band and the All-American Band as a percussionist, an extraordinary honor that placed him among the most elite high school musicians in the nation.
Yet, as proud as we were of the award, what mattered most was the way our students program-wide carried themselves. They practiced with purpose, led with humility, and cared deeply for each other. They didn't just perform well - they modeled what it means to be committed, compassionate, and courageous. They mentored younger students, upheld the traditions of the program, and exemplified the values we had cultivated from the very beginning. It was more than a collection of achievements - it was a harvest.
As this magical year closed, we found ourselves standing in a moment of reflection - honoring the journey that brought us here while turning our gaze toward the future. Both the Class of 2022 and the Class of 2025 had led with distinction, modeling what it meant to invest in something greater than themselves. Their efforts weren't just about winning awards or earning individual honors - it was about building something lasting. But, as any great gardener knows, a harvest is not the end of the process - it's the beginning of the next cycle. With the strongest senior class in our history preparing to graduate, we knew the baton was being passed once again. A new generation of students would now be called to lead, to nurture, and to plant their own seeds.
From the very start of the season, it was clear that their influence was everywhere. The tone they set created a ripple effect throughout the program. The students were unified, focused, and deeply proud of what they were a part of. They had experienced the evolution of the band firsthand, and now they were determined to leave it better than they found it. One of the most visible expressions of their leadership came in the Marching Bears season. At our first competition of the year, the band won 1st place in Class AAA, competing against strong programs from across the state. That alone was a major achievement, but by the end of the season, our band earned its first "Silver Division Champions," scoring higher than all other bands in Class A through AAA. This moment was more than just a trophy - it was a culmination of years of investment from students, staff, and families who had believed in the process.
Later in the Spring semester at the Large Group Performance Evaluation (LGPE), all bands (Middle School, Concert Band, and Symphonic Band) earned Superior Ratings, reflecting the high musical standards we had worked so hard to establish. The Symphonic Band continued to perfom advanced Grade 5 and 6 literature with confidence, artistry, and maturity, earning praise from adjudicators and audience members alike. In addition, we were able to establish a new Winter Guard group to expand options for our students involved in Color Guard.
Our students also reached new heights individually, as several earned placement in the GMEA District 14 Honor Band (with the Middle School Band continuing to set the bar high among other schools in our district), and we celebrated multiple All-State Finalists across different instruments and disciplines. We had 4 All-State Musicians (Aiden Edward, euphonium; Bella Nwigwe, tuba; Paige McGill, horn; and Levi Selman, jazz percussion), and among them, Levi Selman stood out as one of the finest musicians to come through our program, as he earned spots in both the All-State Jazz Band and the All-American Band as a percussionist, an extraordinary honor that placed him among the most elite high school musicians in the nation.
Yet, as proud as we were of the award, what mattered most was the way our students program-wide carried themselves. They practiced with purpose, led with humility, and cared deeply for each other. They didn't just perform well - they modeled what it means to be committed, compassionate, and courageous. They mentored younger students, upheld the traditions of the program, and exemplified the values we had cultivated from the very beginning. It was more than a collection of achievements - it was a harvest.
As this magical year closed, we found ourselves standing in a moment of reflection - honoring the journey that brought us here while turning our gaze toward the future. Both the Class of 2022 and the Class of 2025 had led with distinction, modeling what it meant to invest in something greater than themselves. Their efforts weren't just about winning awards or earning individual honors - it was about building something lasting. But, as any great gardener knows, a harvest is not the end of the process - it's the beginning of the next cycle. With the strongest senior class in our history preparing to graduate, we knew the baton was being passed once again. A new generation of students would now be called to lead, to nurture, and to plant their own seeds.
Planting the Garden of Culture (2025-Beyond)
Now, as we begin the 2025-2026 school year, the Cherokee Bluff Band enters its 8th year - a significant milestone and an opportunity to reflect on how far we've come and, more importantly, where we're going. With nearly a decade behind us, we find ourselves in a place of both reflection and renewal. Our first group of students has now graduated, with their legacy deeply rooted in every corner of the band program; their leadership has left an unmistakable imprint on our culture. But as one chapter closes, another begins.
We now move into a season of intentional cultivation. Just as farmers return to the soil after a fruitful harvest, we too must prepare the ground again - this time with the wisdom of experience and the momentum of our past. The Cherokee Bluff Band has a strong community. We understand what commitment looks like. Now, we are ready to embrace a new focus: Culture-Building.
This idea - planting the garden - is both a metaphor and a mission. It's a reminder that excellence isn't something we achieve once and then preserve. It must be nurtured, refined, and passed on. That process begins with each of us - students, parents, staff, and directors - asking how we will contribute to the long-term health and success of this program.
In this new chapter, our vision for the Cherokee Bluff Band is rooted in several key goals:
We are no longer just a new program trying to find its identity. We are a thriving, student-centered organization with a proud past and a clear future. Our journey is far from over, and the most important work still lies ahead. Because the truth is, every day we come to rehearsal, we’re planting something: a note, a memory, a mindset, a legacy. And just like those who came before us, we may not always see the fruit of what we plant. But we believe, without a doubt, that the garden we tend today will bloom for generations to come.
We now move into a season of intentional cultivation. Just as farmers return to the soil after a fruitful harvest, we too must prepare the ground again - this time with the wisdom of experience and the momentum of our past. The Cherokee Bluff Band has a strong community. We understand what commitment looks like. Now, we are ready to embrace a new focus: Culture-Building.
This idea - planting the garden - is both a metaphor and a mission. It's a reminder that excellence isn't something we achieve once and then preserve. It must be nurtured, refined, and passed on. That process begins with each of us - students, parents, staff, and directors - asking how we will contribute to the long-term health and success of this program.
In this new chapter, our vision for the Cherokee Bluff Band is rooted in several key goals:
- To cultivate an environment where every student strives for their personal best, both musically and personally
- To foster a rehearsal culture that values discipline, growth, and artistic expression
- To strengthen the connection between musical excellence and character development
- To reinforce the idea that legacy is a shared responsibility, not just a result
We are no longer just a new program trying to find its identity. We are a thriving, student-centered organization with a proud past and a clear future. Our journey is far from over, and the most important work still lies ahead. Because the truth is, every day we come to rehearsal, we’re planting something: a note, a memory, a mindset, a legacy. And just like those who came before us, we may not always see the fruit of what we plant. But we believe, without a doubt, that the garden we tend today will bloom for generations to come.
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GO BEARS! |