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The
Cherokee Nation's Cherokee National Youth Choir won the award
for Best Pop Recording during the 17th annual Native American
Music Awards Oct. 14.
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Tahlequah, OK The Cherokee National Youth Choir's album
"Celebration" was named Best Pop Recording during the 17th annual
Native American Music Awards held Saturday, Oct. 14.
This year's award marks the fifth honor referred to as
a NAMMY the Cherokee National Youth Choir has garnered since
the choir's inception in 2000. The youth choir was also nominated
for Group of the Year and Record of the Year for its latest album.
"We were so excited to win Best Pop Recording at the Native
American Music Awards," Cherokee National Youth Choir Director Mary
Kay Henderson said. "Our CD, 'Celebration,' is a collection of Motown
music and has been a fun way to encourage our young people to learn
our language. Language teacher and choir coordinator Kathy Sierra
and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for
the Cherokee National Youth Choir."
The "Celebration" record is a combination of the 2017 Cherokee
National Youth Choir and its soloists and members of the 2006 youth
choir. Songs on the "Celebration" album include "Ain't No Mountain
High Enough," "Celebration," "Lean On Me," "My Girl," "Respect,"
"My Guy," "Stand By Me" and "We Are Family." Sierra translated the
lyrics from English to Cherokee for the recording.
"The Cherokee Nation Youth Choir has proven time and time again
to be excellent cultural ambassadors for our tribal government and
our people," Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker said.
"We are so proud of them for bringing home another NAMMY honor.
The accomplishments of these young people should be celebrated,
as they are learning and utilizing the Cherokee language. Additionally,
they have volunteered their time and talents to be part of the youth
choir, which is an opportunity to grow their leadership skills.
Congratulations to everyone involved with this wonderful achievement."
The Cherokee National Youth Choir has perofrmed dozens of songs
in the Cherokee language in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and
at venues across the country, including the Oklahoma State Capitol.
The choir also previously performed with such legendary artists
as Foreigner, Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Roy Clark, Kenny Rogers
and the Oak Ridge Boys.
The choir is made up of 30-40 young Cherokees from northeastern
Oklahoma communities. Members are middle and high school youth in
grades 6-12. The students compete in rigorous auditions every year
for inclusion in the group.
The Cherokee National Youth Choir's newest album, "Just Jesus,"
as well as past albums will be available for purchase later this
year at Cherokee Nation Gift Shop locations and online at www.CherokeeGiftShop.com.
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