WV Symphony announces James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship for Parkersburg-Area Students

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/28/19) – Instrumental students in Wood and surrounding counties are invited to apply for a locally-based scholarship that offers private music lessons with a West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) musician, invitations to WVSO rehearsals and personal interactions with Music Director Lawrence Loh.

Students in grades 8 through 11 in Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Wirt and Wood counties are encouraged to apply online at wvsymphony.org/education. The deadline to apply is April 5, and auditions will be held Friday, May 3 in Parkersburg. Scholarship activities for the chosen student take place throughout the 2019-2020 school year. 

The Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship Fund honors the late James Dunphy (1930-2011), a lifelong devotee of and advocate for classical music who lived in Parkersburg for nearly 40 years. Dr. Dunphy worked as a research scientist for DuPont and studied music as a passion and hobby. 

The scholarship fund that Dunphy’s family established also supports visits by Loh to instruct students in the Wood County Strings Program, and additional educational presentations in Wood County schools.

For more information, contact Betty King at bking@wvsymphony.org.

The WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 79th 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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West Virginia Symphony Orchestra presents Tony DeSare: Sinatra & Beyond

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (2/05/19) – The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO) hosts crooner, Tony DeSare this coming weekend, February 9-11 in Charleston, Parkersburg, and Fairmont.  

DeSare and his band will join Music Director Lawrence Loh and the Symphony for a night filled with old-school Sinatra classics like Fly Me to the Moon, The Summer Wind, Luck Be a Lady, My Way, and many more.

“We are so excited to bring Tony and his Sinatra-style music to Charleston just in time for Valentine’s Day,” said Amanda McDonald, Marketing Director for the Symphony. “It will be a perfect date night for couple’s of all ages!”

Downbeat magazine named DeSare a Rising Star Male Vocalist and critics have called DeSare “two parts Frank Sinatra and one part Billy Joel”. DeSare has three top ten Billboard jazz albums under his belt and has been featured on the CBS Early Show, NPR, A Prairie Home Companion, the Today Show and his music has been posted by social media celebrity juggernaut, George Takei

Tickets for the Clay Center concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 9, start at $17 and are available at wvsymphony.org or by calling 304.561.3570. The ZMM Architects and Engineers Pops Series concert is made possible by the generous support of our concert sponsor United Bank.

Tickets for the Parkersburg concert, which begins at 3 p.m. at Blennerhassett School on Feb. 10 are $22 for adults or $10 for students, and are available at wvsop.org or by calling 304.485.4200.

The Fairmont performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 11 at Colebank Hall at Fairmont State University (FSU). Tickets for reserved seating cost $30; general-admission tickets are $20; and children and students pay $5. To order tickets, visit wvsymphony.org or call 304.367.4240.

The West Virginia Symphony Orchestra is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 79th 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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WV Symphony announces 2019 Vaughan Fellow

CHARLESTON, W.VA. (1/25/19) – Ethan Hupp from Ravenswood was named the 2019 Student Symphonic Fellow for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s (WVSO) Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellowship Program. He was chosen after an audition and interview process held on January 11 at the Clay Center.

Hupp, a junior, plays the French horn at Ravenswood High School and was also named the 2018 WVSO Dunphy Scholar. In addition to that honor, Hupp has been a member of the WV All-State Band, All-State Honor Choir, and All-State Chamber Choir.

The committee awarded honorable mentions to Ashley Elswick, a senior clarinetist from Riverside High School and Johni Alexander, a senior flutist from Buffalo High School. Elswick was a multi-year participant in All-County and All-State bands while at Riverside High School; Alexander is a member of Buffalo High School Concert and Marching bands and served as field commander this year.

Hupp will build upon his knowledge and mastery of music by sitting on stage alongside WVSO musicians during rehearsals. He will also meet renowned guest artists during the second half of the Elliot Foundation Symphonic Series and City National Ban Casual Classics Series and will conduct personal research about the music the WVSO performs.

Sponsored by Dr. Andrew and Amy Vaughan, 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 WVSO is West Virginia’s premier performing arts organization, presenting classical, pops, family and chamber-music concerts annually throughout the Mountain State. Currently in its 79th 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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