Four students have been selected by a panel of West Virginia music professionals for nomination to attend an elite national music program on full scholarship. The Appalachian Education Initiative, serving as West Virginia’s Alliance for Arts Education, solicited auditions and applications on behalf of the Kennedy Center and National Symphony Orchestra and organized the selection process in West Virginia.
The National Symphony Orchestra usually selects one student musician from most states to attend the Summer Music Institute. Accepted students will attend on full scholarship, which includes transportation to and from Washington, DC, housing, food, and local transportation while attending the program.
The program was open to students ages 15-20, by recorded audition and application. Three music professionals from West Virginia listened to all of the auditions anonymously and selected four students for nomination. The panelists were: Betty King, Education Manager for the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Jeffrey Pappas, Chair of Music at Marshall University, and Maggie Snyder, Assistant Professor – Viola at West Virginia University. The three panelists selected the finalists based on the overall musicality as well as inclusion of specific musical elements in their pieces.
The students nominated for possible selection from West Virginia were: Elise Shen, 15, of Charleston. Elise plays the violin and attends George Washington High School. Hilary Hott, 18, of Augusta. Hilary plays violin and attends University of Iowa. Tristan Hott, 15, of Augusta. Tristan attends Hampshire High School and plays cello. Austin Seybert, 19, of Bridgeport. Austin plays trombone and attends Marshall University.
“There were many very talented musicians who applied,” said panelist Betty King, “however these four students really stood out. The National Symphony Orchestra has a good pool of candidates from West Virginia.” Students will be notified of the final selection by the end of March.
For more information, or to inquire about the program for future years, please contact Melanie Skeen Gregory at the Appalachian Education Initiative by email mskeen@aeiarts.org or by phone (304) 225-0101.
