RIVESVILLE, W.Va. — The Rivesville Middle School Band has received $40,000 as part of a grant from the VH1 Save the Music Foundation.
Musical instruments, music stands, books, and other equipment were given to the school as part of a partnership with VH1 and the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture, and History. The grant reception was celebrated with an honorary concert after the equipment was shipped to the Marion County middle school with the expectation that they would take full advantage of the musical tools this school year.
“It’s very exciting, this is a big boost for our band program here at Rivesville,” said Rivesville Middle School Band Director Josh Thorp. “When I came here four years ago, we hardly had any instruments, I had to borrow instruments from West Fairmont Middle and Fairmont Senior High School,” he said.
Over thirty-two brass and woodwind instruments were delivered to Rivesville Middle School to go along with the over forty music stands, several music books, and other types of equipment. Among the instruments delivered to the school are eight flutes, 11 clarinets, six trumpets, four trombones, and three alto saxophones. Thorp also added that they received a variety of percussion instruments that will be used by students.
“We got upgraded percussion equipment like a basic bell set, a basic bass drum, concert crash symbols, and a couple others,” said Thorp.
The hope for Thorp is that the Rivesville Middle School Band will use the new musical equipment to help bring more students into the program. After years of renting equipment from both West Fairmont Middle and Fairmont Senior High School, new instruments that will be exclusive to the school will also be exclusive to students who may not be able to afford one. The new donation will hopefully increase exposure to their program and increase exposure to the Rivesville Middle School Band as a feeder for Fairmont Senior High School.
“It’s really important to make those beginners feel a part of the band program very early, make them feel included,” said Thorp, on how the instruments will help bring in new students to the band. “They’re the future of the middle school band in the next couple of years, and maybe you’re looking at a future high school band member,” he said.
The celebratory concert performed by the Rivesville Middle School Band on Monday consisted of members in the eighth, seventh, and sixth grades. According to Thorp, this was aimed at showing the diverse members of the band and increasing exposure of what they do to other students. With new instruments and equipment, the Rivesville Middle School Band is well positioned to thrive heading into the future.
“Our program and West Fairmont Middle both feed into Fairmont Senior, and I think it’s going to really benefit not only the middle school band program at Rivesville,” said Thorp. “But (also) the Fairmont Senior High School Band program in the coming years.”