Our Community

The Cherokee Chorale is committed to the development of music in our community. In addition to our two main concerts each season, we also support local schools and organizations by including them in special performances, by assisting in the development of local choral groups, and by encouraging young students in furthering their vocal performance education. The Chorale is also a proud member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. 

Concerts Within and Outside of Our Community

The Chorale is vitally involved in community life in Cherokee County and North Georgia. In addition to the two regular concerts each year, the group frequently performs at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Georgia National Cemetery and has been included in Martin Luther King Day and Canton’s Veterans Day celebrations. In the past the Chorale performed at the 125th anniversary celebration and dedication of the new city hall in Ball Ground, at the Clayton County Schools Performing Arts Center with the Tara Winds, as well as the Bruton Church in Williamsburg, Virginia. We have performed on numerous occasions at Riverfest, at the Biltmore Estates “Candlelight Christmas”, and at a joint concert with the Korean Children’s Choir.

Our Local School Choirs

The Chorale invites local school choirs and independant groups to perform at many of its concerts. Recent concert guests have included:

• The Sequoyah High School Chorus, conducted by Josh Markham, Spring 2012
• The East Cobb New Horizons Wind Ensemble, conducted by George Broom, Spring 2012
• The Cherokee High School Chamber Singers, conducted by Brad Ellis, Spring 2015
• The Teasley Middle School Choir, conducted by Fred Forsh, Christmas 2016
• The Greater Atlanta Girls Choir, directed by Jenny Piancente, Spring 2016
• The Woodstock Middle School Choir, conducted by Justin Norton, Spring 2017
• The Creekview High School Camerata, conducted by Scott Martin, Spring, 2018 & March, 2023
• The Dean Rusk 8th Grade Mixed Chorus, conducted by Joseph Salter, December, 2019 & December, 2022
• The E.T. Booth Middle School Bel Canto, conducted by Laura Martin, December 2019
• The Sequoyah High School Singers, conducted by Josh Markham, December, 2020
• The Etowah Schola Cantorum, conducted by William Hall, December, 2020 & March, 2024
• Creekland Middle School Advanced Treble, conducted by Shelby Marielle Matthews, December 2021 & December 2023
• River Ridge High School Chorale, conducted by Dr. Allison Baccala and Mr. John Pawlenko, December 2021

Partners in Education and Scholarship Program

The Chorale is pleased to be Partners in Education with the Cherokee County Board of Education. By partnering with the local Board of Education, the Chorale is able to assist and strengthen middle and high school choirs, often by offering opportunities to perform with the Chorale. The group has provided funding to middle and high schools to assist with attendance at District and State Choral Clinics. Currently, the Chorale offers stipends to all the county’s six high schools and seven middle school choral programs (alternating years), in an effort to promote excellence in those programs.

Each year, the Chorale offers a $1,000 scholarship to a selected Cherokee County student who seeks to further his/her education in Vocal Performance or Choral Music Education. The scholarship, offered in honor of Dr. Don Stafford, one of the three Cherokee Chorale Founders and long-time conductors, is offered to a newly-matriculating first-year student to any Georgia college or university who has indicated an intention to pursue his/her continued education in vocal performance or a related field.