Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
MUSKOGEE, OKLAHOMA – The Cherokee National Youth Choir (CNYC) will be performing this month in Muskogee and Oklahoma City. The choir consists of 44 students in grades 7-12 who live in the 14-county jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation. The CNYC will perform in concert at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 22, at the Five Civilized Tribes Museum during its annual Art Under the Oaks Indian Market and Festival.
Cherokee National Youth Choir 
The choir, under the direction of Mary Kay Henderson, has made four CDs and has performed nationally, including an appearance at the White House late last year.
“These children show the strength of Cherokee culture by continuing to sing our songs that have survived for hundreds of years. We truly appreciate their talents, and it is good to see them get recognition on a national level,” said Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chad Smith.
April 16 marks the museum’s 40th anniversary of the founding of the Five Civilized Tribes Museum. The Cherokee National Youth Choir’s performance of traditional songs perfectly fits into the museum’s stated purpose, which is “to preserve the history, culture, and traditions of the Five Civilized Tribes.”
“This year we hope choir members can achieve more visibility in their communities, and we want them to perform in parades and at community events,” said Henderson.
“The Five Civilized Tribes Museum is delighted to have the Cherokee National Youth Choir as part of our celebration on April 22. This will be the first time the choir has performed at the museum, and everyone is looking forward to seeing them,” said Mary Robinson, the museum’s executive director.
The choir will also perform at the annual meeting of the Oklahoma Historical Society in Oklahoma City on Friday, April 28, at 7 p.m. at the new Oklahoma History Center, east of the Capitol Building at 2401 N. Laird Ave. The students were invited to perform at this year’s history meeting when a member of the historical society’s board heard the choir perform in Washington, D.C., earlier this year.
The 2006 Cherokee National Youth Choir consists of 44 students in grades 7-12 who live within the 14-county jurisdiction of the Cherokee Nation.
For more information on the choir or to request that a group of choir members perform at community events, contact Kathy Sierra, assistant, Cherokee National Youth Choir, phone: 918-453-5618.
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |