By Stephen Smoot
On May 15, a talented group of local young people will help to kick off the coming season of the theater traditionally known as Warner’s Drive-In, but has grown to offer so much more. This season will see full use of the new stage constructed for music, theater, and other live events.
That, however, is only the opening verse of a potentially beautiful opportunity for music to grow in front of the eyes of the community. Corrie Wagoner, who heads the music department of Pendleton County Middle/High School, has much bigger ambitions than a single show.
A singing troubadour once voiced that music has its own place in the soul. Science has confirmed that it also has its own place in the mind. Wagoner seeks to bring together the artistic and practical sides of music together to rebuild musical tradition in Pendleton County, a land steeped in folk music and art going back to the time of George Washington.
Some of the inspiration for this came, as Wagoner explained, from Dr. King Seeger on the Warner Board. He came to Wagoner and inquired, “What have you got?”
With less than 400 students and active and expanding athletic programs, the school has too few students to have a traditional band or chorus. Wagoner shared that Derek Lambert, when he arrived as principal of PCM/HS encouraged her to run with an idea of having students perform the “Star Spangled Banner” at football games.
“We’re trying to meet the kids where they are,” explained Wagoner. That involves figuring out both “what they can do” and “what they want to do.”
Musical opportunities had to be pared down to the scale of students who wanted to perform, whether with instruments or voices. Undeterred, Wagoner looked for any chance for students to perform music for the community.
In recent weeks, she put out a call for students who would want to form a rock band. A handful showed up to learn the stylings of Credence Clearwater Revival. Wagoner shared that “only two had ever heard of them, but they were all into it.”
Some of that had to wait on the weather and a full slate of performances were scheduled – but in December. Many will remember the relentless onslaught of snow that hit the area, canceling a number of events. These included performances at Pendleton Senior and Family Services and elsewhere.
“Those will be rescheduled to May,” Wagoner assured.
An invitation also came from Treasure Mountain Festival. Organizers looked to have separate stages for local and traveling acts. Students will have the opportunity to show their talent and figure out if public performances are part of their future.
Music does much to develop young minds. Similar to reading books, playing music develops neural pathways in the brain. Just as physical workouts make muscles and bones stronger, reading, performing music, and other mental tasks make the brain more powerful. “It’s good for all of it,” says Wagoner.
Additionally, learning music, performing it, then taking it to the public, in a sense, represents workforce training. Musical performers can earn money in the area on the fair and festival circuit. Communities of performers have emerged in the Potomac Highlands and also in North Central West Virginia from Clarksburg and Shinnston in Harrison County to Morgantown.
West Virginia has a strong tradition of music from 1920s country star “Blind” Alfred Reed to the current biggest selling jazz artist in the world, Landau Eugene Murphy from Logan. Only last month, Shinnston waitress Livy Spino earned advancement on American Idol.
It’s a great time to be a live musician in West Virginia.
Wagoner stated that “we need to encourage the community and parents to get involved” and also, to find any opportunity possible to perform. “We’re exploring all the nooks and crannies of the region,” she said.
