The musicians of Pocahontas County’s Hammons family continue to influence musicians to this day. All ages are invited to perform in the celebration. The Hammons Family  had a pervasive and enduring effect on West Virginia’s regional mountain music. Though they have passed on, their influence is alive to be celebrated.

Performers will not be judged, but will receive a gift from the Opera House. Registration is free and will be available in advance using the form below, or by calling B.J. Gudmundsson at (304) 799-3989. Musician registration on September 24 begins at 5:30 p.m. So practice together with some friends, and sign up to celebrate Pocahontas County’s rich musical tradition at the Hammons Musical Heritage Celebration!

Guidelines

1. All instruments played should be acoustic.
2. Each participant/group should play/sing two tunes.
3. Participants may be one or more musicians.

Register

The 2011 Loren Buzzard Memorial Scholarship Concert will be held at the Pocahontas County Opera House in Marlinton Saturday, July 2, starting at 7 PM. Patrick O’Flaherty will open the show, which will feature a variety of talented local musicians including teenage pop singer Erica Rebinski. The 2011 scholarship winner, Kelsea Lane, will also sing, and 2010 winner Mark Egan will run the sound system.

Mark used his scholarship to study music production at the University of Memphis; Kelsea will be an attend Davis & Elkins College to become an elementary school music teacher. 2011 runner up Adam Fuller will attend Glenville State College where he plans to major either in Communications or English. And to work at the campus radio station.

Admission will be $7 with children under 12 admitted free. People wanting to make a donation to the scholarship fund can send checks to Buzzard Scholarship, Pocahontas County High School, Dunmore WV 24934 or bring their donation to the concert.

For more information, contact Gibbs Kinderman, 304-799-6004, gibbskinderman@frontiernet.net

All ages are invited to perform in the celebration. There will be both traditional and neo-traditional categories with a youth and adult division in each. Performers will not be judged, but will receive a gift from the Opera House. There’s no fee to participate.

The Hammons Family carried on ancient traditions of fiddling, banjo playing, ballad singing and story telling at their remote mountain home in Pocahontas County. They had a pervasive and enduring effect on West Virginia’s regional mountain music. Though they have passed on, their influence is alive to be celebrated.

Read the guildelines and register below. Registration will also be available the day of the event at the Opera House. So practice together with some friends, and sign up to celebrate Pocahontas County’s rich musical tradition at the Hammons Musical Heritage Celebration!

Guidelines

1. All instruments played should be acoustic.
2. Each participant/group should play/sing two tunes.
3. Participants may be one or more musicians.
4. “Traditional” music means playing/singing in the old-time style.
5. “Neo-traditional” music means playing/singing music that combines elements of the traditional
   old-time style with alternative techniques and various musical styles.

Register

A charming and intimate theater, the Opera House has the capacity of approximately 250. The Opera House is rented on a daily basis. Rental rates are $200 per day for private or business rentals and $100 per day for non-profit groups. An additional $50.00 deposit is also required and will be refunded if building is left in good order.

These rental rates and fees only cover use of the building. Any costs associated with rental of additional sound, lighting or other production equipment, staff, concessions, artists’ requirements, etc. are the sole responsibility of the lessee unless specifically addressed in the rental agreement.

For rental inquiries, e-mail rentals_at_pocahontasoperahouse.org. Please include your contact information, as well as the date(s) you are interested in renting the Opera House.

Please review the rental agreement that must be signed.

Getting to the Opera House