High school students who excel in music often go on to be become high achievers and leaders in life.

In recognition of this, WVU is now offering a new summer academy for high school musicians who are currently leaders in their school music programs, and those who desire to become leaders in the future.

The Mountaineer Music Leadership Academy, to be held June 22-26 at the Creative Arts Center, offers high school instrumental and vocal students entering grades 10-12 the opportunity to learn leadership skills that will be valuable not only in music programs such as band and choir, but for any future endeavor they may pursue.

“All students attending, especially section leaders and drum majors, will be given increased musical skill and methods and materials for instructing and leading their peers,” said Academy Director Christopher Nichter.

“Our goal is to certify that every student attending leaves with a depth of knowledge and skill previously unknown to them that will provide greater enjoyment in the musical arts and a basis for lifetime accomplishment in leadership.

“Many of our alumni and friends have fond memories of the Fine Arts Music Camp that the WVU School of Music sponsored for 40 years, beginning in 1960,” Nichter said. “Students who attended those camps at WVU went on to have outstanding careers in teaching, performing and leading.

“I am certain that students attending this year’s academy will not go home without capturing some of the spirit and enthusiasm that characterized our music camp for so many years.”

Students attending The Mountaineer Music Leadership Academy will work daily with faculty and students from the WVU School of Music, “The Pride of West Virginia,” the Mountaineer Marching Band, and guest artists in a variety of settings ranging from indoor and outdoor classes, workshops, master classes, laboratory teaching groups, and performance situations.

The students will live in a WVU residence hall on the Evansdale Campus, located a short walk from the Creative Arts Center. Meals will be served in the residence hall and students will also enjoy one afternoon’s use of the pool at the nearby WVU Student Recreation Center in addition to other events intended to make Morgantown and WVU feel like home to these high-achieving young women and men.

“We want these students to enjoy living and working with others while taking part in a wide variety of experiences,” Nichter said. “This will be a music camp unlike any other – one specifically crafted to meet the needs of student musician-leaders, emphasis on LEADERS, in this region.”

“The anticipated 50 students attending this year’s inaugural academy will primarily come from West Virginia and the surrounding states. In order that we might embrace this diversity to the fullest, we are planning the daily schedule in such a way that students will have critical opportunities to regularly interact with and lead each other: they will make a significant investment in The Academy itself by successfully managing a number of individual and shared responsibilities delegated to them. It will most certainly not be a one sided or one dimensional learning experience.”

For more information about The Mountaineer Music Leadership Academy, and an on-line application, see the website at http://bit.ly/1HeVHZs, email Professor Nichter at Chris.Nichter@mail.wvu.edu, or call 304-293-3097.

Application forms, with payment in full, are due by June 8, 2015.

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

College of Creative Arts on the Web – http://www.ccarts.wvu.edu/
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