Contact: Kimberly Osborne (304) 766-3363 kosborne@wvstateu.edu

INSTITUTE, W.Va. – Area orchestra and choir members are being sought to participate in “Orchestra of the Hills,” an upcoming performance to benefit high school music departments in West Virginia that were impacted by the June 23 flooding.

Sponsored by West Virginia State University (WVSU) and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO), the “Orchestra of the Hills” will perform Saturday, July 30, at 4:30 p.m. at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston.

“Among those impacted by the June flooding are school music programs very much like those where many musicians get their start,” said Dr. Scott Woodard, WVSU’s director of bands and instrumental music. “In the spirit of Georg Solti’s World Orchestra for Peace, we are forming this community orchestra to raise funds to support music programs impacted by the recent flooding.”

High school music departments deeply affected by the June 23 flooding were Herbert Hoover High School in Kanawha County, Richwood High School in Nicholas County, and Greenbrier East High School in Greenbrier County.

“Orchestra of the Hills” will rehearse at WVSU July 29 and July 30. Participation is strictly voluntary as the union and community musicians unite in support of high school music programs. Woodard will conduct the program.

Area choirs and vocalists are encouraged to participate, with an additional choir-only rehearsal on July 28. Instrumental and vocal musicians should RSVP to James Shamblin before July 20, 2016, at (304) 766-3192 or .

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