Andrew and Amy Vaughan Student Symphonic Fellowship

Three Young Musicians Selected as Fellows

Jacob Bumgarner, Pete Nichols, and Jonathan Shin have been selected as the Student Symphonic Fellows in the Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program through the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO).  These students were selected following interviews and auditions on Saturday, December 7, in Charleston, WV.

     Bumgarner, junior at South Charleston High School, studies piano and is active in competitions through the WVMTNA.  Bumgarner plays piano for his church and local community events. He is also a member of the Black Eagle soccer team.

     Nichols, junior and percussionist at Capital High School, plays in the Cougar marching, jazz and concert bands, and the percussion ensemble, as well as in the WV Youth Symphony.

    Shin, violinist from Capital High School, is a sophomore who is active on several Cougar sports teams. He plays principal viola in the West Virginia Youth Symphony, and participates in musical festivals and competitions throughout WV.

    Donald Forman and Haleigh Frail have been selected as a student interns in the program. Forman is a junior in the George Washington High School band where he plays clarinet. Additionally, he plays bassoon for the WV Youth Symphony.  Frail, sophomore at Capital High School, plays both clarinet and violin at school and in the WV Youth Symphony.

  As part of their Student Symphonic program activities, students sit on stage alongside WVSO musicians in different sections of the orchestra during rehearsals and meet renowned guest artists during the second half of the symphonic subscription series.  They conduct personal research about the music being performed by the WVSO.

   Sponsored by Dr. Andrew and Amy Vaughan for twelve consecutive years, this program continues to develop and encourage WV high school students in pursuing a career as professional musicians, educators, composers or conductors of the future. This monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music students remains a unique program among orchestras throughout North America.