Welcome Parents & Students!
My mission is to utilize students' individual gifts and talents in conjunction with our individual, small group, and full ensemble rehearsals. Through a diversity of interactive learning structures and various authentic assessments, students are encouraged to explore their own creativity and imaginations while demonstrating mastery of the Georgia Performance Standards for Band. Ultimately, I seek to foster a positive classroom environment that promotes freedom of thought and self-expression. I remain resolute that each student feels challenged and respected. This educational journey continues to empower me to develop more ways to support my students as they find and develop their passions and talents to become life-long learners, communicators, problem solvers, and confident, productive citizens. Especially now, in this ever-changing digital world, students need guidance to determine their place as positive, responsible, and meaningful contributors. It is an honor to serve the students and community at Cherokee Bluff. GO BEARS!
This Week in Band
MONDAY |
GMEA Band Directors Meeting (7:00pm) |
TUESDAY |
Mandatory 8th-Grade / High School Band Rehearsal (3:45pm-6:00pm) Color Guard Rehearsal (6:00pm - 8:00pm) |
WEDNESDAY |
No After School Activities |
THURSDAY |
Bear Jazz Ensemble (3:45pm-5:30pm) |
FRIDAY |
"POPS AT THE BLUFF CONCERT" 7:00pm 6th/7th Grade Performance 8:00pm 8th/HS Band Performance |
SATURDAY |
No Activities This Weekend! Enjoy Your Weekend!! |
This is our last week for this unit ("Pops At The Bluff 2021"). All classes are refining our performance goals in preparation for Friday night's performance. Parents: please make sure that your child is continuing to practice their "Goals & Objectives" for this week. Please contact Mr. Cantrell if you have any questions. We look forward to presenting you our concert on Friday evening. GO BEARS!! |
About Me
J. Craig Cantrell is a dedicated and visionary educational leader with more than 20 years of experience in public education, recognized for his commitment to instructional excellence, teacher empowerment, and strategic school improvement. As the founding Director of Bands and Fine Arts Department Chair at Cherokee Bluff High School in Flowery Branch, Georgia, Mr. Cantrell has built award-winning programs from the ground up—while also serving as a key leader on the School Leadership and School Improvement Teams. His work has helped shape a culture of academic rigor, creativity, and student-centered learning across the school community.
Mr. Cantrell currently serves as an Instrumental Music Lead Teacher for Hall County Schools, where he provides district-wide instructional coaching, supports curriculum alignment, and leads professional learning initiatives that promote teacher leadership and equity in Fine Arts and beyond. He is passionate about helping teachers become change agents in their buildings and about creating systems where students and staff thrive together.
A two-time Teacher of the Year (East Hall, 2007; Cherokee Bluff, 2018) and three-time STAR Teacher, Mr. Cantrell has also received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association on three occasions and was honored with early membership in Who's Who Among American Teachers and Who's Who in America. His leadership in instructional practice, student engagement, and school culture has positioned him as a sought-after speaker and clinician on topics such as teacher leadership, program development, and building communities of trust.
Throughout his career, he has effectively supervised and evaluated staff, managed complex budgets and facility resources, and developed programs aligned with school and district improvement goals. His experience in both classroom instruction and leadership roles has given him a deep understanding of how to support student success through curriculum design, assessment strategies, and data-informed decision-making.
In addition to his educational leadership responsibilities, Mr. Cantrell remains an active advocate for the Arts and student expression. He conducts multiple instrumental ensembles, teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory and Musicianship, and continues to perform with the Northwinds Symphonic Band, where he serves as Artistic Director and Conductor. His ensembles have performed at prestigious regional and national events, including the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, University of Georgia January Music Festival ("JanFest"), University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic, and the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University, with national appearances in Washington, D.C., New York, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
Mr. Cantrell holds degrees from Kennesaw State University (Music Education), Thomas University (Teacher Leadership and Educational Leadership) and is completing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He has also recently completed the Hall County Growing Administrative Leaders program. His leadership philosophy is rooted in service, curiosity, and accountability—believing that every student deserves a champion and every teacher deserves a leader who listens, inspires, and leads by example.
He currently serves the Georgia Music Educators Association in various roles and resides in Flowery Branch, Georgia, with his wife, Michelle, and children, Tyler and Julia.
Mr. Cantrell currently serves as an Instrumental Music Lead Teacher for Hall County Schools, where he provides district-wide instructional coaching, supports curriculum alignment, and leads professional learning initiatives that promote teacher leadership and equity in Fine Arts and beyond. He is passionate about helping teachers become change agents in their buildings and about creating systems where students and staff thrive together.
A two-time Teacher of the Year (East Hall, 2007; Cherokee Bluff, 2018) and three-time STAR Teacher, Mr. Cantrell has also received the Citation of Excellence from the National Band Association on three occasions and was honored with early membership in Who's Who Among American Teachers and Who's Who in America. His leadership in instructional practice, student engagement, and school culture has positioned him as a sought-after speaker and clinician on topics such as teacher leadership, program development, and building communities of trust.
Throughout his career, he has effectively supervised and evaluated staff, managed complex budgets and facility resources, and developed programs aligned with school and district improvement goals. His experience in both classroom instruction and leadership roles has given him a deep understanding of how to support student success through curriculum design, assessment strategies, and data-informed decision-making.
In addition to his educational leadership responsibilities, Mr. Cantrell remains an active advocate for the Arts and student expression. He conducts multiple instrumental ensembles, teaches Advanced Placement Music Theory and Musicianship, and continues to perform with the Northwinds Symphonic Band, where he serves as Artistic Director and Conductor. His ensembles have performed at prestigious regional and national events, including the Georgia Music Educators Association In-Service Conference, University of Georgia January Music Festival ("JanFest"), University of Alabama Honor Band Clinic, and the Southeastern United States Concert Band Clinic at Troy University, with national appearances in Washington, D.C., New York, Dallas, and Philadelphia.
Mr. Cantrell holds degrees from Kennesaw State University (Music Education), Thomas University (Teacher Leadership and Educational Leadership) and is completing an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He has also recently completed the Hall County Growing Administrative Leaders program. His leadership philosophy is rooted in service, curiosity, and accountability—believing that every student deserves a champion and every teacher deserves a leader who listens, inspires, and leads by example.
He currently serves the Georgia Music Educators Association in various roles and resides in Flowery Branch, Georgia, with his wife, Michelle, and children, Tyler and Julia.
Contact Mr. Cantrell
Cherokee Bluff Band
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For additional information, please go to the CHEROKEE BLUFF BANDS website for all sorts of information about the band program at Cherokee Bluff. Again, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. GO BEARS!
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J. Craig Cantrell
Fine Arts Chair - Director of Bands
Cherokee Bluff High School
6300 Spout Springs Road
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
(770-967-0080
Fine Arts Chair - Director of Bands
Cherokee Bluff High School
6300 Spout Springs Road
Flowery Branch, GA 30542
(770-967-0080