Keetoowah Cherokee Youth Choir

The United KeetoowahCherokee Youth Choir will bereleasing their first CD this fall.The CD will feature ten Cherokeehymns sung in their native language.The 19 member KeetoowahCherokee Youth Choir is directedby Janice Ballou. Mrs. Ballouhas been the Music and Scienceteacher for the Kenwood SchoolDistrict for over 17 years. “TheKeetoowah Cherokee Youth Choirhas been a great reflection of ourtribal organization and it’s constituents,”stated Assistant ChiefCharles Locust.

The choir beganwith five members in 2006 andhas grown to a 19 member group,ages 11 to 17 years of age. “Fromthe time I first heard the choir, theyhave improved tremendously,”said Norman “Hominy” Littledave,UKB Tribal Community Coordinator.“I have been involvedin music and gospel singing mostof my life, listening to the choiryou can clearly hear their naturalKeetoowah Cherokee dialect.”

In September 2007 theYouth Choir performed as a featuredact at the Mt. Juliet PowwowBenefit Concert in Nashville,Tennessee. The choir has traveledthroughout the country performingat various events and celebrations.“Hominy and I have beenaround the choir since its beginning,their songs are sung so beautifully.Janice works well with thekids and is a great choir director.We have traveled with the choir asthey have performed throughoutthe country and they are a greatgroup of kids to be around.” statedBrenda Locust, Tribal CommunityCoordinator.

The United KeetoowahCherokee Youth Choir has performedat many tribal eventsand during the UKB AnnualKeetoowah Celebration. Theyhave recently been invited to performat this year’s Creek NationCelebration. “Keep the choir anddirector in your prayers so thathearts may be touched throughtheir songs,” added Littledave.

For more information orto request their appearance pleasecontact the UKB Tribal Communitydepartment at 918-431-1818,and ask for Brenda Locust or Norman“Hominy” Littledave.

Read the Release.