West Virginia Symphony Orchestra Announces 2024 Vaughan Fellows

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/5/2024) – Three high school juniors have been selected to serve as the 2024 Student Symphonic Fellows for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (WVSO) Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program.

D.J. Austin, from Huntington High School, Kaileigh Murphy, from Cabell Midland High School, and Roslyn Skinner, from Lewis County High School were chosen as the 2024 Vaughan Fellows following an interview and audition process in January. These students will build upon their knowledge and mastery of music by sitting on stage alongside WVSO musicians during rehearsals and will conduct personal research about the music the WVSO performs. They will also meet Music Director Maurice Cohn, guest conductors, and renowned guest artists during the second half of the Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series.

Austin, Murphy, and Skinner were three of eight fellowship finalists from across the state. To be an eligible finalist, applicants completed an application that included a personal essay explaining their interest in the program as well as their professional and academic goals and submitted at least two letters of recommendation.

D.J. Austin, trombone, is an active member in Huntington High School’s music programs including concert band, jazz band, marching and show band, and pit orchestra. Austin is also a member of the West Virginia Youth Symphony. He has performed in various honors ensembles including Ohio State Honors Band, All-County, All-Area, and WV All-State Band, where he placed second chair in 2023 and will perform as the principal trombonist for the 2024 ensemble.

Kaileigh Murphy, violin, performs in Cabell Midland High School’s orchestra, string quartet and Collegium Musicum (choir). Outside of school, she plays with the Marshall University Orchestra and for two different churches. In 2023, Murphy was selected to attend the Governor's School for the Arts in the instrumental music discipline, where she spent three weeks engaging with other young artists in the state.

Roslyn Skinner, flute, performs in Lewis County High School’s concert, marching, and jazz bands, wind ensemble, and is also a member of the percussion ensemble. She has played in various honor groups in West Virginia, including WVU Honors Band, Marshall University Honors Band, and North Central WV Honors Band, and has successfully auditioned into the WV All-State Orchestra and Band on flute and piccolo.

Other finalists for the fellowship were Ellie Hoblitzell, a sophomore at Charleston Catholic High School, Caleb Messer, a senior at Scott High School, Julian Finn Smith, a freshman from Princeton, Liam Toney, a freshman from Charleston, and Judah Waller, a junior Huntington High School.

Sponsored by Dr. Andrew and Amy Vaughan of Charleston, this fellowship program began in 2002 to develop and encourage West Virginia high-school students to pursue careers as professional musicians, educators, composers or conductors.

This monitored and time-intensive training program for serious music students remains a unique program among orchestras throughout North America.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical and pops concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 85th season, the WVSO is a proud member of the community and enriches the region by providing affordable, high-quality concerts, collaborations with West Virginia arts organizations and a nationally award-winning education program.

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