A 1959 graduate with a degree in saxophone performance, Morgantown native Jack Sharretts credits the educational foundation he received at West Virginia University for his successful career with the Department of Defense. He plans to give back to WVU with an estate gift to the School of Music.

Sharretts received a Board of Governors Scholarship to attend WVU and was the first student to graduate with a saxophone degree. Sharretts took more than 190 hours of course credits in a variety of subjects throughout the university before graduating. 

Pianist Thomas Pandolfi will visit the West Virginia University School of Music Nov. 4-5. His performance and masterclass will be open to the public. 

Pandolfi’s visit is part of the West Virginia Music Teachers Association Conference hosted this year by WVU. 

The West Virginia University Symphony Orchestra will perform an intimate concert on Friday, Sept. 30 at WVU’s Canady Creative Arts Center.

The concert, which begins at 7:30 p.m., opens with John Beall’s deeply personal “New Testament Songs.” Beall is a professor emeritus of composition in WVU’s School of Music. WVU Professor of Voice Hope Koehler will accompany WVUSO.

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts will host an Arts Entrepreneurship Festival on Saturday, Oct. 22.

This multi-faceted event will include performances, exhibitions, lectures and a pitch competition, which students can compete in for $5,000 in prizes.

The West Virginia University School of Music welcomes four new members to the faculty this school year.

"Our new faculty members are leaders in their fields, bringing depth, creativity, and diversity of ideas to our School,” said Sandy Schwartz, interim director. “I look forward to seeing our students grow professionally with the mentorship of our new faculty. They will strengthen the School of Music's commitment to excellence in teaching and research/creative activity.”

Mikylah Myers has been named Associate Dean of Artistic and Scholarly Achievement at the West Virginia University College of Creative Arts.

Myers has filled the role of Assistant Dean of Student Artistic Achievement for the last three years and has been a WVU faculty member since 2007.

The West Virginia University College of Creative Arts purchased 11 new Steinway pianos recently thanks to a generous planned gift by Rich and Deborah Harrison. The Harrison’s planned gift supports the College’s All-Steinway Campaign.

Harrison grew up in Clarksburg and received a BA in Political Science from Salem College and a BS in Business Administration from WVU in 1972. He served in the United States Navy and later worked as a human resource manager for Advanced Ceramics for 27 years before retiring in 2001. Harrison passed away in November 2019.

A fierce advocate for the arts, alumna and Visiting Committee member Jennifer Dorre has funded a scholarship to support students in the West Virginia University School of Music.

A Dover, Delaware native, Dorre graduated from WVU in 1998. She then moved to New York City and began her career in fashion and retail, which has included roles at popular fashion brands Victoria’s Secret, David Yurman, Blue Nile, Sears and more.