Future Cherokee Bluff High School students participating in the marching band or in band class now know they will be led by East Hall High School's J. Craig Cantrell.
"While I am both excited and humbled to be given the opportunity to launch the band program at Cherokee Bluff, the truly hard part was delivering the news to the kids at East Hall, whom I absolutely adore," Cantrell told his students in class on Tuesday. "It is very bittersweet."
Cantrell joined East Hall in 2003 and currently administers all aspects of the music department and as chairman of the department of Fine Arts as the Director of Bands. He also conducts all of the instrumental music ensembles, including the Viking Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Percussion Ensemble, and other wind chamber groups. Additionally, he teaches courses in AP Music Theory and Musicianship.
Cantrell may be most well known for his work with the East Hall Viking Marching Band, leading them to numerous class championships and recognition at various marching contests throughout the state. Most recently, the marching band took first place in all captions at the Blue Ridge March Band Invitational.
Cantrell has been recognized as 2007 Teacher of the Year at East Hall High, Star Teacher in 2011, 2013 and 2014, as well as Who's Who Among American Teachers multiple times. He is an alumnus of Truett-McConnell College and Kennesaw State University.
In his free time, he is active in several professional organizations, such as the National Association for Music Education, Georgia Music Educators Association, Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and the National Band Association. He performs and serves as chairman of the board of directors for Northwinds Symphonic Band and also conducts the Gainesville Parks and Recreation Summer Community Theater Orchestra. He currently serves as vice chair of GMEA District Fourteen, and has served as District Chair and member the Band Council for the GMEA District Nine.
He lives in Gainesville with his wife, Michelle, and stepchildren Tyler and Julia.
Friday
April 19th, 2024
5:53AM
