Copyright © 2003 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Tahlequah, Oklahoma - The Cherokee Heritage Center Choir and the Ga Du Gi Boogie Band performed Tuesday, June 24, at the Amadeus Piano Festival in Tully Hall at Tulsa University.

The Amadeus Piano Festival is a Tulsa-based, non-profit organization committed to providing music students, and music lovers of all ages, with the opportunity to explore music. The annual festival gives students the opportunity to exchange ideas, visions, goals and dreams.

As part of this year’s festival, the Cherokee Heritage Center’s choir was asked to perform a cultural presentation for students and community members. The presentation included music, stories and a brief education on some Cherokee culture and traditions. The choir sang numerous hymns in Cherokee and gave a brief description of what each song represents.

In addition to the acappella Cherokee Heritage Center Choir, the Ga Du Gi Boogie Band sang many songs, and played instruments, giving audience members a more modern look at Cherokee culture.

These two musical groups stem from the Cherokee Heritage Center, a living museum that strives to promote and preserve Cherokee history and culture. Each year the Cherokee Heritage Center provides numerous festivals and events to educate the public in an entertaining and interesting way. Taking part in other festivals, such as the Amadeus Piano Festival, is another way to represent Cherokee culture and teach others about it.

The Cherokee Heritage Center Choir included members Eli NoFire, Tonia Hogner Weavel, Becky Adair and Debbie Duvall. The Ga Du Gi Boogie Band included members Kathleen McCay on guitar, James Young on harmonica, and Debbie Duvall on percussion. In addition to singing, NoFire entertained the audience with Cherokee stories and jokes.

For more information on the Cherokee Heritage Center’s numerous events please call 918-456-6007, toll free 888-999-6007 or visit the CHC web site.