ALERT (03/07/2024): Due to a lightning strike, WVPB TV will be off the air in the Bethany/Wheeling area until new parts arrive. Thank you for your patience.
Harpers Ferry is a historic West Virginia city and international tourist hub. But four years ago the national park and surrounding town were devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
We’re living in some strange times and perhaps one of the more troubling things is the lack of LIVE music. Live music must go on, and one of the best ways to do that is through the radio. Good ole, socially distant radio. That’s why WVPB is putting out a call for performers for our Classical Music show that runs from 12-2 PM each weekday afternoon. We want to hear from any soloist or ensemble who might be interested in performing live on the show. We need to limit it to groups of four (4) or less in order to maintain social distancing guidelines.
What do I need to do to submit?
Fill out the form at the bottom of the page. We’ll ask you for your ensemble name (if applicable), number of members (limit 4), instrumentation, and some sort of audio or video of a live performance. You can send that as a YouTube, Facebook, or SoundCloud link (or others), or attach an mp3. Let us know what the title of the song or piece is and any other information you’d like.
Who can submit?
Any soloist or group who is a performer of music in the “Classical vein”.
What in the world do you mean by music in the “Classical vein”?
This is basically any one or group who performs instrumental music that is generally written out with musical notation by a composer. Of course, there may be exceptions to these rules because Classical is an incredibly loosely-defined genre, and composed music from all cultures will be considered.
What happens if I’m selected?
If your group meets the quality standards and ensemble criteria, we will reach out to you about your availability on the show.
Available performance slots are between12 and 2 PM Tuesdays through Thursdays each week. We broadcast from our studios at 600 Capitol Street Charleston, WV 25301.
Hey, aren’t we in a pandemic??
WVPB maintains the highest levels of cleanliness in our studios, and, our studios are large enough to hold groups of up to four while maintaining social distancing guidelines as directed by the CDC. Masks will be needed upon entering and exiting the building and can be removed in the studio during performance as long as social distancing is maintained.
Why are you doing this?
I can’t stress this enough. WE NEED LIVE MUSIC AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!
Matt Jackfert is known to many of our listeners as our beloved classical music and news host. But in his off time, the Charleston native is also an accomplished musician, composer and arranger. This holiday season an arrangement of his will be performed at Carnegie Hall.
On March 9, 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed a bill creating the Appalachian Regional Commission, known as the ARC. The agency’s goal was to bring impoverished areas of Appalachia into the mainstream American economy. While the ARC serves parts of 13 states, West Virginia is the only one that lies entirely within the boundaries of Appalachia.