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What’s New With Pocahontas Music |
| For the 2009-2010 school year all Hillsboro elementary School students were treated to after school music opportunites three days a week. Students explored guitar, keyboards, handbells and vocals. |
| On May 29th, 2009 the Pearl Buck House in Hillsboro, WV was host to a performance that was the result of a workshop with the wonderful duo of Adam DeGraff and Lynn Wright, collectively known as Pianafiddle. Hillsboro Elementary 3rd, 4th and 5th graders joined them onstage for a rousing rendition of "Hit the Road, Jack" on keyboard and vocals. |
| This has been an exciting year for Pocahontas Music and Hillsboro’s 3rd, 4th and 5th graders! Right after the Christmas break we started studying guitar. With support from private donations and the Pocahontas County Arts Council, we were able to purchase 11 new guitars. Along with the guitars already in the music room, we now have enough to provide a guitar for every student in class. |
| At the end of January we began a 14-week workshop entitled "Origins of Appalachian Music" thanks to support from the West Virginia Humanities Council, Pocahontas County Dramas, Fairs and Festivals, Pocahontas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Pocahontas County Free Libraries, Pearl S. Buck Birthplace and private donations. |
| The workshop focuses on exploring our roots here in Pocahontas County, learning about how the area was settled, about logging and the railroad, and the students’ own personal experiences and family history; writing songs and poems; and developing some basic guitar skills. The students have been working hard, learning a lot and having some fun along the long way. The workshop has already been covered by local newspapers and radio stations, and WV public radio will be doing a story on it soon. |
| Leading the workshop is Charleston, WV’s Kate Long - journalist, writer, singer, musician, songwriter, story teller and workshop leader. She has visited the classes numerous times, working with the students on turning their newfound knowledge into songs. She told us from the start that everyone can write songs, and then she proved it to us! |
| Robin Kessinger of St. Albans, WV, has been in several times to teach us about playing guitar. Winner of the National Flatpicking Championship and numerous State Championships, he comes from a background rich in musical heritage and has dedicated much of his life to passing on his love of Appalachia to others and helping to preserve its music. |
| Kirk Judd from Morgantown, WV, known internationally for his performance work combining poetry and old time music, visited for two days and shared with us poems about Pocahontas County and Appalachia by himself and others. He taught us that poetry is in the voice, not on the page. During his visit each class created a group poem based on their own experiences. They will recite their poems with Robin playing guitar in the background. |
| We also had numerous guests visit the class. Mike Smith, Superintendent of Droop Mountain Battlefield State Park gave a presentation about the Civil War battle that took place on Droop. Jaynell Graham of Buckeye told us about living and working on the farm that her ancestors have farmed for nine generations, since 1764. Alan Dutchess and Terry Richardson came in and played some great tunes on guitar, banjo, mandolin and fiddle. Maria Busick paid a visit and sang songs, recited poems and played a lap dulcimer. The Hefner Family visited with Elma, Julia and Melissa decked out in Civil War era dresses and singing songs from that time, backed up by Bill on guitar. |
| The workshop will culminate in a free performance at 6pm on May 8th at the Pearl S. Buck Birthplace in Hillsboro. The students will be showing off their skills on guitar and sharing the songs and poems they’ve been so hard at work on. Kate, Robin and Kirk will be there, and we’ll have our guest performers there as well. Congressman Nick Rahall has accepted our invitation and the event will be covered by newspapers, radio and television. |
| So come join us for this FREE event and see what the excitement is all about! And while you’re there, please consider supporting us by purchasing one of our custom Pocahontas Music T-shirts that will be available at the show. |
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