Our History...

t all started with an abiding love of music, a deep sense of civic pride and responsibility, and a recognition of the value of music and musical expression in people's lives. As a relatively new resident of Cherokee County and member of the Music Committee of the recently formed Cherokee County Cultural Arts Council (1987), Genevieve Miller realized that the singers and musicians of the county needed an outlet for their abilities and interests. She made contact with two talented musicians who were well-known and respected in the area and were experienced in conducting and in musical educations, Judith R. MacMillan and Donald Stafford. The result, after much time, work, and skill invested, was the Cherokee Community Chorale.

Christmas selections from Handel's "Messiah" were featured at the fledgling Chorale's first concert, December 5, 1988, directed by Dr. Stafford and accompanied by members of the Atlanta Symphony. This beautiful music was so well received and was so meaningful to the members of the Chorale that it has become traditional for the Chorale to perform this work at Christmas at least every other year. The concert also included a set of traditional Christmas carols sung by the Chorale, a group of numbers by the Cherokee Concert Band directed by Harold Sharp, and a suite performed by the string quartet from the Atlanta Symphony. The Cherokee Chorale performed its first concert at the First Baptist Church, Canton. The members wore white blouses and shirts, black skirts and trousers, and red ties. Ticket prices were $4 for adults and $2 for children.

In the Spring, the Chorale presented "An Evening of American Music" featuring selections by George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, and Scott Joplin, and directed by Judye MacMillan. This lighter program was performed at the old Canton High School Auditorium on April 10, 1989 and again at a dinner concert at the Gordy Center, Reinhardt College on April 11.



The Founders

Genevieve Miller
- Founder
"Gen," as the Chorale members fondly called her, graduated from Ohio State in 1937 with a degree in Music Education. After her marriage to chemical engineer Robert Miller, the couple moved to Atlanta, where she sang in the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw, taught piano, and directed the choir at Trinity Presbyterian Church. A move to Cherokee County in 1980 led to Gen's involvement in volunteer work with public school music and environmental issues. Then came the Chorale.
Judye MacMillan
- Founder
Judye MacMillan held music degrees from Carson-Newman College and Georgia State University, did graduate work in conducting at at Cincinnati Conservatory of Music, and studies in England, Italy, Germany, Austria, and France. From 1974 until her death in 2007 she served at Reinhardt College as Chairperson of the Music Department, Director of Choral Activities, and conductor of groups that have performed in New York, Washington, and Moscow. She was musical director for Camp Crestridge for Girls in North Carolina for 25 years.
Donald Stafford
- Founder & Artistic Director

Don Stafford earned music degrees at Shorter College and the University of Michigan and in 1985 he received a PhD in music from Florida State University. Since 1971, when he became choral music director at Cherokee High School, he has served as Director of Music at the First Baptist Church and later at the First United Methodist Church, both of Canton, and currently as Director of Choral Music at North Hall High Scohol in Gainesville. He has performed with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus under the direction of Robert Shaw.