West Virginia University newly formed WVU Bluegrass Band, which performs both traditional and contemporary bluegrass styles under the direction of music professor Travis Stimeling, will be heading to central West Virginia and the Eastern Panhandle during a tour of West Virginia March 11-13.

“We will be visiting five schools in Lewis, Upshur, Barbour and Morgan Counties, and also playing a gig at the Purple Fiddle in Thomas, West Virginia,” Dr. Stimeling said.

He said he hopes to take the band to all 55 West Virginia counties in the next few years.

“The WVU Bluegrass Band is primed to realize the University’s commitment to education and engagement in all corners of the Mountain State,” he said. “Just as I hope to teach others about this vibrant musical tradition, I also hope that these tours will allow our students to learn from traditional musicians around the state of West Virginia during our travels.”

Founded in the fall of 2014, the WVU Bluegrass Band is WVU’s only ensemble devoted exclusively to the performance of Appalachian music. The WVU music students in the band work to develop strong vocal, instrumental, and band leadership skills and get together weekly for an extended jam session in which less experienced musicians have the opportunity to learn from their more experienced colleagues.

Members of the WVU Bluegrass Band include: Hillary Kay, a native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan; John Posey, of Wheeling, West Virginia; Sophia Enriquez, of Batavia, Ohio; Judith Meyers, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Alex Talkowski, of Moon Township, Pennsylvania; and Alex Heflin, of La Crescenta, California.

The WVU Bluegrass Band recently signed with WVU’s independent, student-run record label, Mon Hills Records, and is currently recording an album at the WVU Creative Arts Center that will be released in the spring of 2015.

Travis Stimeling, assistant professor of music history in the WVU School of Music, is active as a bluegrass and old-time musician. A native of West Virginia, he holds a bachelor’s degree in music from West Virginia Wesleyan College, a master’s degree in music history from West Virginia University, and a doctorate in musicology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

His research focuses on the history of country music, recording practice, and the intersections of music and environmental issues.

Prior to joining the faculty of the WVU School of Music, he served as assistant professor of music and coordinator of musicology at Millikin University, where he founded and directed the Millikin University Big Bluegrass Band.

The WVU Bluegrass Band’s tour schedule during March 11-13 includes:

March 11: Robert L. Bland Middle School, Weston, West Virginia (morning); Buckhannon-Upshur High School, Buckhannon, West Virginia (afternoon)

March 12: Philippi Middle School, Philippi, West Virginia (morning); The Purple Fiddle, Thomas, West Virginia (evening)

March 13: Paw Paw Elementary School, Paw Paw, West Virginia (morning); Warm Springs Middle School, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia (afternoon).

For more information about the WVU Bluegrass Band or the tour, contact the College of Creative Arts at 304-293-4359.

-WVU-

CONTACT: Charlene Lattea, College of Creative Arts
304-293-4359, Charlene.Lattea@mail.wvu.edu

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