Story by Sophia Wassick
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The WVU College of Creative Arts and Media will be hosting the Morgantown Municipal Band Independence Day Concert to honor and celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. This event will take place on Saturday at at 11:00 a.m. inside of the Canady Creative Arts Center.
“It’s been an annual tradition,” John Hendricks, professor emeritus in the WVU School of Music, said. “We are so fortunate to have a lot of people come out for this evening. We are hoping to have an even bigger crowd this year, as it’s the 250th birthday of our country.”
The performance, which has taken place on the lawn of the college, is being moved inside because of the heat.
Hendricks said this run of the annual concert began in 1990.
“Thirty-five years,” Hendricks said. “Been going since 1990. People are doing the math, they realize that doesn’t quite add up because we had to take the year off for COVID, so it would’ve been the 36th, but one minus makes it the 35th. We’re just glad to be doing it again.”
Hendricks has prepared a lineup of patriotic and American music for those in attendance to enjoy and even sing along to.
“I’ve tried to formulate a program that features just about every favorite patriotic selection that there is, including ‘America the Beautiful’, ‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’, ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’, ‘You’re a Grand Old Flag'”, Hendricks said. “Just a lot of things like that.”
In addition to patriotic music, former WAJR news anchor, WVU Foundation Associate Vice President of Communications Bill Nevin, will be in attendance to do live narration at the event.
“We’re just thrilled to have him because so many people know Bill from so many different ways, from being the announcer for the football games, for the WVU matching band, and basketball,” Hendricks added. “Bill announces quite a bit and we’re just thrilled that he’s available to do this for us this year.”
The concert is usually set to take place outdoors but has been moved indoors this year due to inclement weather conditions.
“With the weather the way it is, we want to be mindful of our audience participants, as well as the players, themselves,” Hendricks stated. “We decided with an air conditioning theater right in the building, let’s take advantage of it.”
The event is free. Parking will be available and accessible in the lots in front of the Canady Creative Arts Center.
“We just want people to come out and just enjoy the concert,” Hendricks said.