‘Orchestra of the Hills’ to Perform Flood Relief Concert July 30 in Charleston

A free orchestra and choir performance to benefit high school music departments in West Virginia impacted by June’s flooding will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 30, at Haddad Riverfront Park in Charleston.
“Orchestra of the Hills,” sponsored by West Virginia State University (WVSU) and the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra (WVSO), will feature more than 100 instrumentalists and vocalists who are volunteering their talents in support of the flood relief effort. The performers, some from as far away as Arkansas, hail from a variety of professional and community music groups.
“We have been overwhelmed by the amount of support we have received and by the talents of the performers who are joining together to present ‘Orchestra of the Hills,’” said Dr. Scott Woodard, WVSU’s director of bands and instrumental music. “Each musician who has joined to form this unique orchestra understands how music can enrich people’s lives. Our collective goal is to make sure the students affected by June’s flooding have the opportunity to continue to pursue their passion for music.”
Woodard will serve as the conductor of the “Orchestra of the Hills.” In addition, Phil Washington, WVSU instructor of guitar and West Virginia Lottery on-air talent, will serve as the show’s master of ceremonies. During the performance, Highland Hospital Director of Marketing and Communications Jim Strawn will emcee a conductor auction, allowing for an audience member to bid on the opportunity to conduct the orchestra during a performance of “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
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.
Donations will be collected onsite during the July 30 performance to go toward the impacted high school music programs. In addition, donations are being accepted online at https://connect.wvstateu.edu/orchestraofthehills.
“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.  For more information, contact James Shamblin at (304) 766-3192 or jshamblin3@wvstateu.edu.