Student Organizations

Mon Hills Music Group

Mon Hills Records and Go 1st Records are independent record labels in conjunction with Mon Hills Music Group which is a professional component of the School of Music's music industry program. The label is operated by the students from across the university with guidance from WVU's music industry program director, professor Darko Velichkovski, and assistant director, Joshua Swiger. Mon Hills Music Group strives to give students a wide variety of experiences in the music industry, from publishing to audio engineering.

S.C.O.R.E.

S.C.O.R.E. (Student Composers Organized to Realize Excellence) is the West Virginia University chapter of the Society of Composers, Inc. (SCI), a national organization for professional composers. Many, but not all, members of the national organization are associated with academia, a fact mirrored in the WVU S.C.O.R.E. chapter that is comprised of majors and non-majors. S.C.O.R.E. members receive online publications from SCI that detail opportunities for composition contests, commissions, various national and international conferences, and a listserv/forum for discussion of compositional issues. S.C.O.R.E. sponsors concerts of new music at WVU’s Creative Arts Center and visits to Heinz Hall for the concerts of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Funds generated by member dues provide for recording session and other benefits. The chapter is an accredited student organization with WVU Student Affairs, elects its own officers, and is sponsored by Dr. David Taddie.

West Virginia Low Brass Club

WVLB (West Virginia Low Brass) is a recognized student organization that includes all music majors whose primary instrument is the trombone, euphonium or tuba. In a typical year the combined trombone/euphonium/tuba studios are comprised of 25 to 30 students. WVLB is also open to other students who actively pursue their musical interest while at WVU.

Horn Club

The activities of the WVU Horn Ensembles are supported by a recognized University student organization, the Horn Club of West Virginia University. The purpose of the organization is, according to its constitution, “to strengthen and promote the WVU Horn Ensembles and, in accordance with the aims and purposes of the International Horn Society, promote ‘knowledge about the Horn and its literature,’ and ‘promote communication among its players.’” The membership of the WVU Horn Club is open to hornists who are or who will become members of the International Horn Society and who participate in the WVU Horn Ensembles. The voting membership is limited to the club members who are WVU students.

The WVU Horn Ensembles have been presented at International Horn Workshops at the Eastman School of Music, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Western Michigan University, Florida State University, and in Ghent, Belgium as well as regional workshops at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga and Virginia Tech. In 1995, WVU hosted a Southeast Horn Workshop that attracted more than 350 participants and featured Barry Tuckwell, Gail Williams, the American Horn Quartet, and many other artists, clinicians, and exhibitors. In 2021, WVU will host the Northeast Horn Workshop. In addition to participating in professional conferences, the Horn Ensemble also give community service and other “outreach” performances.

Jazz Club

The purpose of the WVU JAZZ CLUB is to strengthen and promote the WVU Jazz Area, promote knowledge about jazz, and promote communication among its performers and enthusiasts.

Membership is open to all jazz enthusiasts. The voting membership of this organization shall be limited to WVU students who are active in the WVU Jazz Ensembles.

Mountaineer Musicological Community

The Mountaineer Musicological Community (MMC) is a student organization at WVU that exists to create an environment fostering student discussion of topics in musicology and ethnomusicology. Bimonthly meetings are academic, as well as social, in nature. The MMC also hosts thesis and student presentation workshops, sponsors public symposia connecting graduate students across campus, assists with coordinating WVU hosting meetings of the Allegheny Chapter of the AMS, and organizes musicological activities outside of classes and surrounding visits by scholars to campus.

Any and all are welcome to attend events and participate in the organization. For more details, visit: http://www.music.wvu.edu/musicology/mmc

American String Teachers Association

ASTA is a nonprofit organization whose membership ranges from college students and student teachers to award-winning artists. Not only does American String Teachers Association advocate for string instrument study at all age and proficiency levels, but the organization also provides access, teaching resources, a career center, professional education, local and national events, and even insurance programs for our beloved string instruments. In partnership with National ASTA, the mission of WVU student chapter of ASTA is to provide support, pedagogical resources, career guidance, and communication; to arrange events, services, and benefits for West Virginia string educators and students; and to serve, influence, and enhance the visibility and image of string education throughout the state. Please feel free to visit the following websites for more information on upcoming events, application forms, and news--

wv-asta.weebly.com and astastrings.org.

Professor Andrea Houde, Chapter Advisor

Kappa Kappa Psi

Kappa Kappa Psi is the national band fraternity which has chapters at various colleges and universities throughout the country. At WVU, our chapter is titled the Omicron chapter; it is a coed organization consisting of approximately 25-30 members. The organization, which celebrates it’s 82nd Anniversary in June of 2008, has a rich history of service to the bands and is steeped in tradition. Over the past years, Omicron has developed into one of the leading chapters in the entire country. Several times, our chapter has been selected as the top KKΨ; chapter in the Northeast District!

The primary purpose of KKΨ; is to provide service to the band program. Here at WVU, the Omicron chapter assists with many of the logistical matters concerning the bands, including helping with various tasks at band camp, assisting with uniform distribution, preparing the “Pride Press”, helping to organize and run hosted band festivals, organizing the year-end Band Banquet, and providing “Band Warehouse” – the only place to buy official WVU Band paraphernalia. The fraternity also sponsors three scholarships presented annually at the Band Banquet. Throughout the year, KKΨ; also organizes various social activities for all band members and assists the other bands at WVU (Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Basketball Pep Band) in many ways each year.

Membership in the fraternity is open to all interested members of any of the WVU Bands. Information concerning joining the brotherhood of KKΨ; can be obtained by contacting any active Brother of the Omicron Chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi or by contacting the WVU Band Office.

NAfME

National Association for Music Education (NAfME) is an educational organization that contributes resources for music educators and those who wish to become educators that are interested in all aspects of music education. NAfME participants meet once a month to discuss topics with guest speakers and faculty. Participants also go to WVMEA conference to meet other members across the state from other schools.

Music Teachers National Association WVU Student Chapter

Activities and Events for Local Students

District I of the West Virginia Music Teachers Association organizes annual events for solo and group performance, achievement, and fun for students of all ages. Students can earn certificates and trophies for participation in events such as Fall Festivals, Pedals & Bows & More, and Competitions for Special Achievement.

Our members are an integral part of the musical life of our community. We are private teachers, public school teachers, WVU artist faculty members, WVU Community Music Program faculty members, orchestra members, church musicians, performers, composers, and jazz musicians.

WVU Marching Band

The award-winning Mountaineer Marching Band enjoys the reputation as one of the largest and most active organizations on the WVU campus. The 340-member “Pride of West Virginia” has performed throughout the United States from nationally televised Bowl games to Presidential inaugurations and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Students in the band represent nearly every college and major course of study and excel in their studies with the vast majority in majors other than music. Members are able to manage the time demands while balancing their other academic responsibilities while performing at a high level and making great friends.

The esprit de corps of the band together with pageantry of their performances have made The Pride one of the most-recognized and respected ambassadors for WVU both on campus and throughout the state. All these features contribute to the success of the “Pride of West Virginia” and show why it is considered one of the premier collegiate marching bands in the nation

Sigma Alpha Iota

Sigma Alpha Iota (SAI) is an international music fraternity for women, and West Virginia University is home of the Kappa Lambda chapter. The Mission of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity is to encourage, nurture and support the art of music.

Sigma Alpha Iota is an organization that promotes interaction among those who share a commitment to music. Members of SAI are active in all areas of campus music and campus life, working closely with faculty, administration, campus and community groups, music professionals and patrons. Sigma Alpha Iota has long been recognized as a leader in the field of music and provides a lifetime of fraternity contact. Collegiate membership is available to women students in organized chapters at one of over 208 music schools throughout the United State. As of 2007, there were over 100,000 initiated members.

Sigma Alpha Iota proudly accepts the responsibilities and privileges of being a leader in the pursuit of music creation, performance and scholarship. For more information visit http://www.sigmaalphaiota.org