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WVU alumnus to participate in PBS specials Oct. 29

Luke Frazier

West Virginia University alumnus Luke Frazier will lead the American Pops Orchestra in back to back episodes of "One Voice: The Songs We Share” on PBS stations Oct. 29.

Frazier, who graduated from WVU’s School of Music in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in music performance, founded APO as his way of breathing new life into orchestral pops programming and inspiring new audiences to discover music.

"One Voice: The Songs We Share” celebrates uniquely American music that has transcended its original genre to find a place in people’s collective culture.

Cast of "One Voice: The Songs We Share" perform around a campfire

The “Country” episode is hosted by and stars Leslie Jordan, with additional performances by Travis Howard, Jake Blount, Nic Gareiss, Senora May and Claybourne Elder. It features music from early mountain traditions to the most modern country songs. From honky-tonk to country gospel, these songs were made famous by the likes of Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, June Carter Cash, Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn.

Luke Frazier Directs the American Pops Orchestra

The “American Roots” episode is hosted by and stars Frank Waln, with additional performances by Jacqueline Schwab, Mauricio Martinez, Asako Tamura and Amber Merritt. It celebrates the many indigenous and immigrant communities who have contributed to what we know as American music, incorporating Native American flute, Japanese folk song, hip hop, opera, a Mexican ballad and more.

Both episodes were filmed in West Virginia. “Country” was filmed at the Poorhouse Farm Park in Martinsburg and “American Roots” at the Marinoff Theatre at Shepherd University in Shepherdstown.

Luke Frazier directs the American Pops Orchestra with singer Senora May“It’s my belief that an orchestra is at heart, a service organization, and that the focus should not only be on providing high quality musical experiences, but also regularly representing all styles of music in their programming,” Frazier said. “In that vein, we seek to put a spotlight on the many types of music enjoyed across our country. In these next two episodes, you’ll hear the sounds of our earliest indigenous musicians, attend the opera, pull up a stool at the honky-tonk, sit by a campfire, go to church and so much more! All of this music is performed with the same orchestra – an orchestra that wants to share your story and shine a light on how all of our music brings us together.”

“Country” and “American Roots,” will be broadcast on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS Video App.