Students will study with the National Symphony Orchestra

Morgantown WV (March 31, 2010) - Two West Virginia students have been selected to attend the elite summer music program of the Kennedy Center/National Symphony Orchestra's Summer Music Institute.  Keith Michael of Wheeling Park High School and James Worley, a home schooled student from Berkeley Springs, will have the opportunity to join student musicians from around the country for the month-long Summer Music Institute.  They are both violinists. In addition, Jarrett Hoffman of Morgantown High School, was selected an alternate.  Hoffman plays clarinet.

Michael and Worley were selected by the NSO from 13 West Virginia high school and college students who were nominated for the program by the Appalachian Education Initiative. "West Virginia is well-represented by these young musicians," said Lou Karas, executive director for the Appalachian Education Initiative, which is the West Virginia affiliate for the Kennedy Center Alliance for Arts Education Network, and the coordinator for West Virginia's applications.  "Normally, the goal is to have one student selected from each state, however a special exception is made each year for the state hosting a National Symphony Orchestra American Residency."

The institute will be June 28 through July 26.  Each student attends the institute on full scholarship for housing, food and local transportation in Washington, D.C.

"The students have a very full schedule," Karas said.  They will have private lessons taught by a member of the National Symphony Orchestra, chamber music coaching, master classes and seminars.  The students will attend selected rehearsals and performances of the National Symphony Orchestra and they will participate in the Summer Music Institute Orchestra and perform in the DC metropolitan area.

"We had more applicants than ever for this year's Institute," Karas said.  "I hope that we will see as many students applying next year for the annual program."