BUCKHANNON, West Virginia – The 2022 North Central West Virginia Honor Band is happening on the campus of West Virginia Wesleyan this weekend. More than 40 students from nine different high schools around the state arrived Thursday and will spend three days on campus, engaging in rehearsals, team-building activities, and several other events geared towards making the weekend truly unique.

This year’s guest conductor is Briana Blankenship, currently the Director of Athletic Bands at Indiana Wesleyan University in Marion, Indiana. Before moving to IWU, Blankenship was the Director of Bands at Capital High School in Charleston, West Virginia and Gilmer County High School in Glenville, West Virginia. She graduated from Marshall University with a Master in Trumpet Performance and Bachelor in Music Education. “I am so excited to be ‘back home’ in West Virginia to serve as this year’s guest conductor for the North Central West Virginia Honor Band. It is truly an honor to have the opportunity to return and work with some of the finest young musicians in the state,” Blankenship said.

This is the first time in four years the honor band has performed on campus.

“I feel immensely proud of our fantastic student assistants, the administration, and our visiting directors in their assistance with making this special event happen,” Robert Palmer, Director of Athletic Bands, said. “Anytime you have the opportunity to engage students and directors at this level is something to be celebrated, and I am beyond thrilled that we have revitalized this important event.”

The finale concert will take place Saturday, December 10 at 7 p.m. in the Virginia Thomas Law Performing Arts Center. Tickets are free.