GLENVILLE, W.Va. – The Glenville State College (GSC) Jazz Big Band and Jazz Combo were ready to hit the road and travel to South Carolina in May 2020. The groups were booked to play at the House of Blues and the World-Famous Blue Crab Festival in May of last year – unfortunately, COVID-19 had other plans. In October, the group was rescheduled for an appearance at the House of Blues and the Little River ShrimpFest, but again they were delayed due to the pandemic.

Now – a year later – the band has been able to make good on those planned performances.

The GSC Jazz Combo performed their Blues Brothers set to a crowd on the back deck at the Myrtle Beach House of Blues on Saturday, May 15. The following morning, the GSC Big Band performed on the main stage of the Little River Blue Crab Festival.

“Not only did the crowd enjoy themselves, but there was even a GSC graduate in the crowd, which made the performance even better,” said Jazz Band Director and Department of Fine Arts Chair, Dr. Jason Barr.

During their time in Myrtle Beach, the students got to tour backstage at the House of Blues and learn about its history in live music, the unique artwork there, and how the sound and lighting rigs are used in performance. The students also toured the campus of Coastal Carolina University where they learned about a master’s program in Music Technology.

“The trip we had was phenomenal,” said senior music education student Scott Barber. “Having the honor to share the House of Blues stage with the Jazz Combo was amazing! Dr. Barr really gave us the opportunity to show what we’ve been working on for two years and to be able to make music and memories with my friends while we were down there was a once in a lifetime experience.”