"the People's Paths!" Cherokee News Path - Auditions Being Held for 2007 CNYC Choir

***"Award-winning Cherokee National Youth Choir"***

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – The award-winning Cherokee National Youth Choir will be holding auditions for the 2007 choir on January 9, 2007 from 3:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. at the Cherokee Nation complex south of Tahlequah.

“I encourage all of Cherokee youth to audition for the youth choir. The Cherokee National Youth Choir and the Children’s Choir show the strength of Cherokee culture by continuing to sing our songs that have survived for hundreds of years,” said Chad Smith, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation.

One of the Cherokee Nation's most successful cultural programs, the choir has traveled around the country and has been the recipient of many national awards and honors, including singing in Washington, D.C., at the White House, the Kennedy Center and the Washington Cathedral. The choir has also recorded several CDs and won numerous awards at the Native American Music Awards.

"This year there will be several openings in the choir as some of our older students move on," said Mary Kay Henderson, choir director. "I know there is a lot of talent in the Cherokee Nation and I want to encourage everyone to attend the auditions. You don't have to speak Cherokee to be in the choir; we teach them the Cherokee songs."

"It's a wonderful experience for our young people," said Kathy Sierra, assistant choir director. "Last year's group had so many great experiences. It is hard work and they have to put in many hours of practice and they have to behave. I think it is worth it for them; they get to travel and meet famous people."

Younger students may also participate by becoming a member of the Cherokee Children’s Choir, which is open to Cherokee students in 3rd through 6th grades. The first meeting will be held on Monday, January 22 at the Cherokee Nation complex from 6:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. No audition is necessary.

Students in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to participate in the Cherokee National Youth Choir. Sixth-grade students who will be entering the 7th grade in the fall are also eligible to audition.

Choir hopefuls need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian, bring their Cherokee tribal citizenship card or their Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) card and they must be entering the 7th through the 12th grades to qualify. Applicants must also bring a letter of recommendation from a school official stating that they are a student in good standing and they must live within the Cherokee Nation's 14-county jurisdictional area.

Registration will be in the lobby and auditions will be conducted on a first come, first served basis. However, because of the overwhelming number of interested students, it is suggested that participants call in advance for an audition time.

For information about the auditions or the choir, please contact Mary Kay Henderson, phone: 918-931-1360 or Kathy Sierra, phone: 918-453-5618, or send e-mail to youthchoir@cherokee.org.