The Seventh and Eighth Grade Chorus of Cherokee Bluff Middle School in Flowery Branch, GA, has been selected to perform at the prestigious 2025 Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) In-Service Conference. The performance is scheduled for Friday, January 31, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Athens First Baptist Church in Athens, Georgia.
This extraordinary accomplishment marks the first time in over thirty years that a group from Hall County or Gainesville City Schools has been invited to perform at this renowned event. Even more impressively, the Cherokee Bluff Middle School Chorus is the first choral group from the entire Northeast Georgia region—spanning more than 65 schools—to receive this honor. They are also one of only four middle school choruses in the state to be selected for this exceptional opportunity.
Non-auditioned ensemble
The students will present a powerful program titled Hope for Humanity: Building a Better Future. This moving performance will take the audience on a journey from childhood to the legacy we leave behind, focusing on the importance of personal growth and creating positive change within ourselves and our communities.
Formed in 2018, the Cherokee Bluff Seventh and Eighth Grade Chorus is a non-auditioned ensemble that brings together students with a shared passion for music and the arts. Under the leadership of Choral Director Emily Allison, the chorus has flourished over the past six years.
United by their motto, “Together in Music”, these talented young singers foster a culture of acceptance, empathy, and growth. Their commitment to excellence has led them to perform at various state and district events, including Honor Choruses and All-State Chorus.
Their upcoming GMEA performance is a testament to their belief that every student, when given the opportunity, can contribute to the creation of exceptional choral music.
Allison, a magna cum laude graduate of Piedmont College with both a Bachelor of Arts in Vocal Performance and a Master of Arts in Music Education, brings a wealth of experience and passion to the program. Allison talked about the selection process, “It is difficult. What makes me most proud is my students ask me to apply for them.” Allison didn’t want to get their hopes up and actually told them how hard it would be to get selected.
Belief in themselves
“What I love the most is, they believed in themselves and it paid off!”
Allison said it has come with a lot of work. “We’ve put in over 100 hours of practice.”
Over 90 students are going. “We did not select the top singers as often happens. Every student who joined our chorus is going. It shows high quality music can come from every singing voice coming together.”
Allison was recently named the 2024-2025 Teacher of the Year for Cherokee Bluff Middle School, a recognition that reflects her unwavering dedication to her students. Prior to joining Cherokee Bluff Middle School in 2020, Mrs. Allison was the Teacher of the Year at East Hall Middle School for the 2019-2020 school year. Beyond her teaching role, she serves as the children’s director at Jefferson First United Methodist Church and directs Lux, the professional Treble Chorus of Northeast Georgia.
Preview performance
In preparation for their GMEA performance, the Cherokee Bluff Middle School Chorus will host a special local concert in collaboration with Mill Creek High School on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. at Hamilton Mill United Methodist Church. This performance will give the community a preview of the inspiring program they will present at the conference.
