Andrea Billups, Author at West Virginia Public Broadcasting

How Do You Get To Carnegie Hall? Matt Jackfert And His Music Are Taking That Trip

Matt Jackfert is known to many of our listeners as our beloved classical music and also news host. But in his off time, the Charleston native is also an accomplished musician, composer and arranger. This holiday season he’s hitting a milestone in his musical life that most can only dream about.

Andrea Billups sat down to talk about his new work on a classic seasonal tune, “I Saw Three Ships.”

Billups: Tell us a little bit about “I Saw Three Ships.”

Classical Music host Matt Jackfert in the WVPB studios.

Jackfert: That’s the traditional Christmas carol that you hear. And what I’ve done is take that melody and transform it into something else. It is its own standalone, almost original piece that just takes that melody, and turns it into a symphonic arrangement that’s different from what you would normally hear.

Billups: How did you get started in classical music composing?

Jackfert: I didn’t really write until the end of high school. My band director loaned me his copy of the music software “Finale,” and I started just making up songs with it and just playing around and having fun. I went to college as a biology major for the first two years, and was just writing so much that I decided to give composition a shot as a major. So I switched my major in my sophomore year to music composition so I could be doing it all the time. Because that’s what I wanted to do. I was skipping biology homework to write pieces of music.

It just kept snowballing. Eventually, it was played by the ensembles at West Virginia University, and then won a reading with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. And from there I went to graduate school at the University of Texas at Austin and everything has just taken off since then.

Billups: So what is it like to know that other orchestras would take up your arrangements? How does it feel to listen to something like that?

Jackfert: It feels awesome. It’s great to be able to have your music played back to you when it’s not on a computer, by live musicians and the whole works. You spend so much time on it, and you’re not really sure exactly how it’s gonna sound. And then when it gets played back to you, and it sounds really good, it’s a really satisfying experience.

Some great orchestras have taken up this arrangement, including the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra. The West Virginia Symphony has played it, too. And the National Symphony and then now the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall.

Billups: Tell our audience who is going to play it this season.

Jackfert:

So it’s been picked up by three different orchestras this season. And the first is the National Symphony in Washington, D.C. They’re going to be playing it at the Kennedy Center. And then the New York Pops is going to be playing it at Carnegie Hall. And then there’s one more orchestra in Canada that’s going to be playing it — the National Arts Center Orchestra in Ottawa. They just recently picked it up, too. So the ships are sailing internationally now.

Billups: You mentioned your high school band director. Talk a little bit about how you got into music, and how that became important to you.

Jackfert: I hadn’t really planned on making music a big part of my life. I actually was in sixth grade, and I remember I asked my mom “Am I going to do band?” She’s like, “Yes, you’re doing band.” And so I ended up taking a trumpet and learning trumpet in sixth grade, and seventh grade. And then I eventually switched to tuba in eighth grade. And then ninth grade came around and the tuba was too big. I don’t feel like carrying that. So I switched to baritone. At George Washington High School, I started playing baritone, and euphonium, which was the Goldilocks instrument for me.

I still never really thought I would make music a big part of my life until I started writing it, my senior year, and then in undergrad, and then it just became a huge part of my life. It was just so satisfying to be able to create these new works on my own. The act of creation was so satisfying to me.

Billups: Our listeners hear you every day with classical programming, and we know folks are very devoted to that. How do you get a greater audience or even maybe a younger audience? You’re a young man. And you’re fascinated by this type of music. How do we cultivate that here in West Virginia?

Jackfert: It’s definitely not easy. What I like to do on my show is play more contemporary music. So it’s more relatable to the sounds of today. I also like to highlight different kinds of music, like film scores, for instance. A big part of my show is Film Score Friday where we break down soundtracks from different films. And I think people are really interested in that, because when you get a picture of classical music, it’s easier to understand and relate to, because a lot of times, for the lay listener, classical may be a little complex.

Billups: Anything else that you would share with us about this piece of music?

Jackfert: It’s been a really cool experience to be able to write something that’s has been picked up by a lot of different orchestras. And, you know, it’s been nice to be able to have conductors take these pieces up and spread them all across the country. I’m just really grateful for the opportunity that these conductors and orchestras have given me.

It’s a pretty rare experience to be able to be played in some of these amazing halls. So I’m looking forward to going up to Carnegie Hall and actually taking a listen to it.

Billups: So you’re actually going to go?

Jackfert: I’ve bought the plane tickets. I’ve got the tickets to the hall, and I’m ready to go sit down in Carnegie Hall and listen to this piece.

Billups: Is that a big moment for your musical life especially?

Jackfert: Two years ago, I was at the Kennedy Center, and they were playing it with the National Symphony, and I thought “How can I improve? How can I get better? What’s the next step?” And I thought “What if I got to Carnegie Hall?” At that point I was like, “That’s never gonna happen.”

Here I am two years later and I bought plane tickets to go up to see my piece getting played at Carnegie Hall. So I guess anything’s possible.

Jackfert’s arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships” can be heard at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. on Dec. 10-11 with the National Symphony Orchestra. And on Dec. 17, when the New York Pops performs it at Carnegie Hall.

Roane General Hospital Gets An Expansion and A New Vision for Community Wellness

A community hospital in Spencer, West Virginia has received a multi-million-dollar facelift with an eye on changing the health culture of the region.

Roane General Hospital dedicated on Tuesday an expansion and renovation of its facilities. The hospital noted that the $28 million project that was “as much about promotion of good health as it is on health care.”

The updates encompass about 40,000 square feet of new space. The new Center for Health and Wellness is two stories. On top are 26 exam rooms, two waiting areas and eight nursing stations. Below, on the ground level, are new spaces for physical therapy, cardiac and pulmonary rehab, as well as rooms for fitness education and also classes. There’s also a new cafe with an eye on offering healthy food choices.

The hospital, which is the area’s largest private employer, is also offering a Prescription For Your Health program aimed at connecting patients and their primary care doctors with a wellness contract. That offering is free and includes a medical plan, an education plan — with nutrition education — and a medical fitness plan.

All of it circles the wagon on a new vision for the region and a focus on community health. “Prior to the expansion, we didn’t have the space or the vision for that,” said CEO Doug Bentz in a news release. “The vision came out of our goal of focusing on health and wellness, and it drove much of the redevelopment of the hospital.”

Artist-blacksmith Jeff Fetty created a new vase with flowers piece called “Rising Spirits” that is dedicated to hospital workers and those who have lost loved ones in the pandemic.

Other renovations in the project are focused on the front of the building, giving it a new look for visitors. That includes a sculpture created by artist-blacksmith Jeff Fetty. It features a large, colorful vase filled with flowers. Named “Rising Spirits,” the work honors hospital employees and those who have lost loved ones during the pandemic.

The project was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development as well as hospital contributions.

W.Va. Native and Intuit Board Chairman Brad D. Smith Named Marshall University's Next President

Marshall University has named Kenova, West Virginia, native and Intuit Board Chairman Brad D. Smith as its next president.

The announcement was made by the Board of Governors Thursday morning at a press conference held at the Marshall University Memorial Student Center in Huntington. Smith was selected unanimously by the board.

Smith will replace Jerome Gilbert, who announced in April that he was stepping down as Marshall’s president. Gilbert joined the school in January 2016 after serving as provost at Mississippi State University. His tenure at the university ends in December.

Smith, who will become Marshall’s 38th president, is a native of Kenova, West Virginia, and attended Ceredo-Kenova High School. He briefly studied at the U.S. Military Academy before returning to Marshall where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1986. He earned a master’s degree from Aquinas College in 1991.

In public forums with the candidates, Smith said his background growing up in West Virginia helped him to become successful in business. “What I think helps me in the situation is I am also a native of West Virginia, I am a graduate of our public education system in West Virginia, I’m a proud son of Marshall. None of those things qualify me to be president but they prepared me for a 36-year career that led large complex organizations through transformational change while preserving the core mission of that institution,” Smith said.

He has been a significant benefactor to Marshall, giving $25 million to its business school. Upon his departure as Intuit CEO in 2019, he returned to West Virginia to found the Wing 2 Wing Foundation and also founded along with his wife, Alys, the Ascend West Virginia program, which offers money for people to relocate to West Virginia to infuse the workforce with what Smith has described as “energetic” new talent. Smith currently serves as executive chairman of Intuit’s board of directors.

Smith’s selection was lauded by U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin. “Brad Smith is a proud West Virginian and accomplished businessman. He is the perfect person to lead Marshall University in this next chapter and to be a force in helping our entire state succeed and grow,” Manchin said in a statement. “As CEO, Brad led Intuit for 11 successful years and continues to serve as the executive chairman, representing West Virginia and Marshall University on a national stage for over a decade. Brad and his wife Alys have continued to give back to the Mountain State, through their efforts at Marshall and the Wing 2 Wing Foundation to spur entrepreneurship across the state. We are proud to welcome Brad and Alys home to Marshall University, and I look forward to working with him in the years to come.”

Other finalists for the Marshall president job included: Bernard Arulanandam, vice president for research, economic development, and knowledge enterprise, The University of Texas at San Antonio; Bret Danilowicz, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Florida Atlantic University; Robyn Hannigan, provost, Clarkson University; Kathy Johnson, executive vice chancellor and chief academic officer, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI).

Senate Passes Its Own Redistricting Map, Splitting 11 Counties

Senate lawmakers working in Charleston have finally voted to advance Senate Bill 3034, which shifts the make-up of West Virginia’s senatorial districts.

The vote Tuesday afternoon, during an ongoing special session, came after four days of oft-tense negotiations and several starts and stops. Senators voted 31-2 with one absent to send the bill to the House of Delegates.

Republican Sen. Charles Trump from Morgan County offered an amendment to the original bill, co-sponsored by Sens. Tom Takubo, Eric Tarr, Robert Karnes and Patricia Rucker.

Trump explained that this map is a synthesis between the original map and the amendments that were offered previously.

One goal with all of the maps was to keep counties together. This map splits 11 counties in total.

Sen. Richard D. Lindsay of Kanawha County and the state’s 8^th District rose to object to the latest version of the legislation because it splits his county three ways. “I believe this amendment is a disservice to the people of Kanawha County,” he said.

Trump said he was confident the new plan met the state’s constitutionality. He said it resolves major objections previously expressed by lawmakers.

Senate Bill 3034 now must work its way through the House of Delegates.

House Bill 301, which redraws the House of Delegates’ 100 single-member districts, has passed both the Senate and House and now heads to the governor for final approval.

House, Senate Make Progress As Redistricting Efforts Continue in Special Session

Lawmakers working in special session this week in Charleston made progress Wednesday on federal and state redistricting efforts.

The House of Delegates passed the third reading of H.B. 301, which divides the state of West Virginia into 100 single-member delegate districts. The final vote was 79 to 20 with one absent.

Democrats offered several amendments to the map proposed by the Republican-dominated redistricting committee, but each of the amendments were rejected along mostly party lines.

The House bill now goes to the Senate where it is expected to pass overwhelmingly.

The Senate passed a bill on third reading to accept a north-south configuration for new Congressional districts. The redraw, which divided the state from three into two Congressional districts, is due to population losses calculated in the most recent Census.

A new map has passed third reading in the W.Va. Senate that would divide the state into a north-south configuration for two seats on the U.S. House of Representatives. It keeps population in each district nearly equal.

Senate lawmakers voted 30-2 with two absent to accept what has been referred to as the Trump 8 map. This map is similar to a previously considered map, Trump 11, but shifts two counties. Ritchie County now moves into District 1 in the north, and Pendleton moves into District 2, which encompasses the southern half of the state.

Charles Trump, a Republican from Morgan County and the Senate Redistricting Committee chairman, said he’s confident this version passes state and federal constitutional muster.

“I think it reflects best in the way that the citizens of West Virginia, perhaps live, think, act,” Trump said from the Senate floor Wednesday afternoon.

On population, he added: “It’s very very close… The truth is this. In West Virginia you can’t get the absolute numerical equality unless you are willing to divide a county. Having these two districts be as close as they are in terms of population… I believe will satisfy any constitutional challenge that will come.”

Sternwheel Regatta Returning to Charleston in 2022

A beloved festival that honors its river tradition is returning to Charleston.

The Sternwheel Regatta, a large city-wide festival featuring a flotilla of paddle-wheel boats, will return to Charleston, West Virginia next year.

Charleston Mayor Amy Goodwin confirmed the announcement Friday at the city’s Live On The Levee performance in Charleston.

The regatta began in 1971 and grew into a 10-day festival that featured boats on the river, sternwheeler racing and plenty of music featuring national artists. Thousands of people ventured to Charleston’s levee on the Kanawha River to celebrate its tradition and the historic boats that were a part of its history.

The regatta’s last year was in 2009.

Goodwin said the popular festival will return over the 4th of July holiday weekend in 2022. She made the announcement alongside members of the Sternwheelers Association. She is seeking public input on the specifics of the regatta’s return.