All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra to perform at West Virginia Wesleyan College on Sept. 28

BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – West Virginia Wesleyan College is pleased to announce an Evening of Jazz with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra as part of the Presidential Inauguration and Homecoming celebration. The concert takes place on Thursday, Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Center for the Performing Arts. Admission is free and the public is invited to attend.

Dr. James Moore, the College’s 20th president, will perform on trumpet with the Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra (PJO) as part of his inauguration week activities. He is a member of PJO and section leader for trumpets.

The Pittsburgh Jazz Orchestra was originally founded in 1975 by Dr. Nathan T. Davis, a world renowned jazz saxophonist and director of jazz studies at the University of Pittsburgh. The group was conceived as a vehicle for the celebration and furtherance of America’s original art form.

After several years, the ensemble disbanded, but was revived with Dr. Davis’ blessing by trumpeter Sean Jones in 2008. Jones assembled some of Pittsburgh’s finest young and veteran musicians and refocused the orchestra, which became the house ensemble of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center from 2008 through 2013. In addition to celebrating the music and arrangements of jazz music’s pivotal creators, the ensemble also features the music of one of its members, Mike Tomaro, lead-alto saxophonist and director of jazz studies at Duquesne University. Tomaro is widely considered one of the preeminent writers in jazz today.

Since its revival, PJO has recorded and performed with some of the most important musicians in the history of jazz, including Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Christian McBride, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Freddie Cole, Hubert Law, and Rufus Reid.

For this special inauguration concert, Dr. Moore has selected a program that will feature some of his favorite pieces from the PJO repertoire, and will include many of what he considers Mike Tomaro’s best arrangements. Moore has also commissioned a special piece of music to commemorate his inauguration and to celebrate the rich history of jazz at WVWC.

Admission to the concert is free and the public is invited to attend and enjoy this historic event at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Upshur County Sports Calendar

This week’s Upshur County sports calendar lists local middle, high school and college basketball, wrestling and swimming games and tournaments scheduled Jan. 5–11.

Basketball ‘Cats drop 78-72 home verdict to Wheeling

Wheeling held off a West Virginia Wesleyan rally to win 78–72 at the Rockefeller Center after the Bobcats erased a 23-point deficit but fell short in the final minutes.

Wesleyan women improve to 6-2 after 72-67 home win over Wheeling

West Virginia Wesleyan improved to 6-2 after outscoring Wheeling in the fourth and dominating the boards, winning 72-67 behind Emma Witt’s 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Help wanted: Buckhannon Waste Collection Department is hiring a full-time garbage truck collection helper

The City of Buckhannon Waste Collection Department is accepting applications through Jan. 23, 2026, for a full-time garbage truck collection helper.

Buckhannon City Council sends proposed vape shop ordinance to planning commission for analysis

The ordinance proposed by the Tobacco Prevention Coalition would bar new vape and smoke shops within 1,500 feet of schools, parks, churches, libraries and other protected areas. City council voted unanimously to send the measure to the planning commission for review.
walking healthy

Local groups announce that a new Mountaineer Mile wellness trail is coming to the Buckhannon Riverwalk

Officials say the new wellness trail in Buckhannon will expand local opportunities for health‑focused outdoor recreation. A ribbon-cutting for is set for noon Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026, at the Buckhannon Walk Trail, near the baseball field.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: January 6, 2026

The Upshur County Board of Education will hold a meeting on January 6, 2026, and this notice summarizes the agenda items to be discussed.

Buckhannon Colonial Arts Center Board Agenda: January 6, 2026

The Buckhannon Colonial Arts Center Board will hold a meeting on January 6, 2026, with the published agenda outlining items to be considered by the board.
Buckhannon River

Buckhannon River Watershed Association among recipients of state infrastructure grants

The Buckhannon River Watershed Association will receive a $5,000 Stream Partners Program grant as part of more than $15.4 million announced for water, sewer and conservation projects statewide. The funding supports river and watershed protection work.