The Fellowship Bible Church Youth Orchestra members who made it into West Virginia Middle School All State Orchestra are: Cambria Kemp, seventh grade, concertmaster; Audrey Kirkland; Julia Lee; Natania Henson; Rita Guirguis; Joseph Donnelly; Ambrya Gilbertson; Hannah Beall; Annalisa Johnson; Mateo Zavala; Haydn Kemp; Ya’el Henson; Amelie Crawford, eighth grade, principal bass; and Zion Miles. The West Virginia High School All State Orchestra participants from the Fellowship Bible Church Youth Orchestra are: Abigail Beall; Diego Zavala; Grace Donnelly; Violet Colon; Eve Mckelvey; Isabell Kirkland; Alex York; Addisyn Kirkland; and Luke Livengood. Courtesy photo

SHEPHERDSTOWN — At the end of this month, 23 local middle and high school students will be traveling to Charleston, after being selected to join the West Virginia All State Orchestra.

The students are all members of the Fellowship Bible Church Youth Orchestra, a 15-year-old not-for-profit organization that offers free stringed instrument instruction to children of all musical experience levels. The orchestra, based out of Fellowship Bible Church (FBC) in Shenandoah Junction, is directed by Charles Town resident Hector Zavala, who also leads a free orchestra for adults. Participation in either orchestra is open to anyone interested in developing their musical talents.

“Our mission is to develop string students, with the purpose of helping their own local church congregation to praise the Lord through music,” Zavala, who is the music director at FBC, said.

According to Zavala, two students from his orchestra initially auditioned and made it into the West Virginia All State Orchestra six years ago. In the years since then, the number of participating students has grown exponentially.

“Last year, we sent 13 students from FBC and this year . . . a total of 24 FBC string students will be participating,” Zavala said. “Fourteen will be in the middle school orchestra and nine will be in the high school orchestra.”

The 14 students who made it into the West Virginia Middle School All State Orchestra are: Cambria Kemp, who is in the seventh grade and was named concertmaster; Audrey Kirkland; Julia Lee; Natania Henson; Rita Guirguis; Joseph Donnelly; Ambrya Gilbertson; Hannah Beall; Annalisa Johnson; Mateo Zavala; Haydn Kemp; Ya’el Henson; Amelie Crawford, who is in the eighth grade at Faith Christian Academy and was named principal bass; and Zion Miles.

The nine students who made it into the West Virginia High School All State Orchestra are: Abigail Beall; Diego Zavala; Grace Donnelly; Violet Colon; Eve Mckelvey; Isabell Kirkland; Alex York; Addisyn Kirkland; and Luke Livengood.

The Fellowship Bible Church Youth Orchestra currently has 70 members, of which 27 auditioned for placement in the West Virginia All State Orchestra in Bridgeport on Jan. 6.

“They all received the materials in October 2023 to prepare for the auditions. All of the public, private and homeschool students around the state are welcome to audition,” Zavala said, noting the audition process can be somewhat challenging. “They need to prepare scales, one etude and three of the pieces of music that they will perform in the concert, during the audition.”

After making it into the orchestra, students are expected to refine their knowledge of the pieces being performed in their respective orchestra concerts. The students then travel up with their teachers and parents for two days of rehearsal together in Charleston, culminating in final concerts, which are open to the public.

The overall experience has proven to be beneficial to many of his students’ growth, both musically and interpersonally.

“It is a great experience for them to play in a big orchestra, learn challenging music in a short timeframe, learn under different conductors and play with other students from around the state who share their skill and passion for music,” Zavala said. “They make new friends and push themselves to higher levels, musically, because they are playing with the best string players in the state.”

Zavala is a member of the West Virginia Music Educators Association, and previously taught music in the public school system.

Those interested in joining the Fellowship Bible Church Youth Orchestra can learn more by calling FBC during normal business hours at 304-728-3700.