2023 WVMEA
HONOR ENSEMBLE
WVMEA Honor Ensemble Applications are now OPEN for the 2023 WVMEA Annual In-Service Conference to be held MARCH 2-4, 2023 at the Charleston Coliseum and Convention Center in Charleston, WV. The submission deadline has expired. Check back later in the year for 2024 details.
To apply, the music director must be a current, active member of NAfME at the time of submission and at the time of the conference; ensembles may not appear on the WVMEA Conference program in successive programs; ensembles may submit recordings for either traditional honor ensemble or X honor ensemble, but not both; middle and high school ensembles are encouraged to submit a recording; total number of members in the ensemble must be 19 or more.
A completed honor ensemble application must include all of the following components:
To apply, the music director must be a current, active member of NAfME at the time of submission and at the time of the conference; ensembles may not appear on the WVMEA Conference program in successive programs; ensembles may submit recordings for either traditional honor ensemble or X honor ensemble, but not both; middle and high school ensembles are encouraged to submit a recording; total number of members in the ensemble must be 19 or more.
A completed honor ensemble application must include all of the following components:
- A completed application. (click link below)
- Links to 3 recordings. (submitted on the application form)
- A copy of a recent concert program and a list of potential repertoire to be performed if selected. Repertoire for the honor ensemble performance at the conference must be approved by the executive board. (submitted on the form)
- A 50-word professional biography and an electronic headshot of the director to be included in the conference program if selected. (submitted on the form)
- An application fee, payable by credit card. The application fee is used to supplement the WVMEA scholarship fund. A receipt will be sent via email upon submission of this form.
2023 Submission Deadline has expired. Questions may be submitted via email to Honor Ensemble Chair Jamie Hasley at jhasley@k12.wv.us.
Please read the full listing of application information thoroughly at the link above before submitting an application.
Please read the full listing of application information thoroughly at the link above before submitting an application.
2023 Honor Ensembles
Blennerhassett Middle School Band
Directed by William Cosby
Graduating with degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from A-B College and BGSU, William Cosby is an active performer and professional music educator in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Mr. Cosby is currently in his 15th year of teaching and his 8th year as the Director of Bands at Blennerhassett Middle Schools in Parkersburg. Continuing a tradition of excellence at BMS, Mr. Cosby’s ensembles have received superior ratings throughout his tenure there, even being named a WVMEA State Honor Band in 2020. In addition to his scholastic duties, Mr. Cosby also serves as the State Solo and Ensemble Chair as well as the Music Coordinator for the WVDE Arts Alive showcase.
Graduating with degrees in Music Education and Trumpet Performance from A-B College and BGSU, William Cosby is an active performer and professional music educator in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Mr. Cosby is currently in his 15th year of teaching and his 8th year as the Director of Bands at Blennerhassett Middle Schools in Parkersburg. Continuing a tradition of excellence at BMS, Mr. Cosby’s ensembles have received superior ratings throughout his tenure there, even being named a WVMEA State Honor Band in 2020. In addition to his scholastic duties, Mr. Cosby also serves as the State Solo and Ensemble Chair as well as the Music Coordinator for the WVDE Arts Alive showcase.
George Washington High School Band
Directed by Mark Hardman
Mark Hardman is in his twenty-sixth year as Director of Bands at George Washington High School, where he conducts the concert band, directs the marching band, and teaches private lessons and chamber ensembles. He also teaches AP music theory and music appreciation. In addition he serves as lead teacher of instrumental music for Kanawha County Schools. Before his tenure at GW, Mr. Hardman was assistant professor of music and director of bands at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV. He also served as band and choir director at Philip Barbour High School. Mr. Hardman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Music degree in applied conducting from West Virginia University. While at WVU, he served on the teaching staff of the Mountaineer Marching Band, supervised student teachers in music education, and studied conducting with Lawrence Christianson and Don Wilcox. Mr. Hardman is a member of NAfME, WVMEA, Phi Beta Mu, the WV Bandmasters Association, and the Nation Band Association. He is currently the WV State representative of the NBA. He is past president of the WV Bandmasters and is past president of the Tau chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Hardman has been recognized as Bandmaster of the Year by the WV Bandmasters Association and Music Teacher of the Year in West Virginia by the National Federation of High Schools. Mr. Hardman was inducted into the WV Music Teachers Hall of Fame in 2022. Under his leadership, GW concert bands and jazz ensembles have made numerous appearances at WVMEA Conferences as Honor Finalist ensembles. Mr. Hardman has conducted numerous all-county and honor bands in WV and surrounding states and has served as an adjudicator for concert band, marching band, and solo & ensemble festivals. He remains active in those capacities but is primarily dedicated to serving the students at GW.
Mark Hardman is in his twenty-sixth year as Director of Bands at George Washington High School, where he conducts the concert band, directs the marching band, and teaches private lessons and chamber ensembles. He also teaches AP music theory and music appreciation. In addition he serves as lead teacher of instrumental music for Kanawha County Schools. Before his tenure at GW, Mr. Hardman was assistant professor of music and director of bands at Alderson-Broaddus College in Philippi, WV. He also served as band and choir director at Philip Barbour High School. Mr. Hardman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in music education and a Master of Music degree in applied conducting from West Virginia University. While at WVU, he served on the teaching staff of the Mountaineer Marching Band, supervised student teachers in music education, and studied conducting with Lawrence Christianson and Don Wilcox. Mr. Hardman is a member of NAfME, WVMEA, Phi Beta Mu, the WV Bandmasters Association, and the Nation Band Association. He is currently the WV State representative of the NBA. He is past president of the WV Bandmasters and is past president of the Tau chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Mr. Hardman has been recognized as Bandmaster of the Year by the WV Bandmasters Association and Music Teacher of the Year in West Virginia by the National Federation of High Schools. Mr. Hardman was inducted into the WV Music Teachers Hall of Fame in 2022. Under his leadership, GW concert bands and jazz ensembles have made numerous appearances at WVMEA Conferences as Honor Finalist ensembles. Mr. Hardman has conducted numerous all-county and honor bands in WV and surrounding states and has served as an adjudicator for concert band, marching band, and solo & ensemble festivals. He remains active in those capacities but is primarily dedicated to serving the students at GW.
Parkersburg High School Choir
Directed by Joshua Dubs
Joshua Dubs is the Director of the Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir, Chamber Choir, and Freshman Choir. In addition to these ensembles, he facilitates a Men's and Women's Ensemble and teaches piano classes. In addition to his choral work, he is the accompanist for his church, and father to three children.
Joshua Dubs is the Director of the Parkersburg High School A Cappella Choir, Chamber Choir, and Freshman Choir. In addition to these ensembles, he facilitates a Men's and Women's Ensemble and teaches piano classes. In addition to his choral work, he is the accompanist for his church, and father to three children.
University High School Orchestra
Directed by Corey Orban
Corey Orban has served as the Orchestra Director at University High School since 2018. He co-founded the University High Symphony Orchestra in 2019 to provide instrumental music students the opportunity to study and perform orchestral masterworks from various historical periods and cultures. The orchestra has previously received WVMEA Honor Ensemble recognition in 2020. Mr. Orban is a member of NAfME and the Vic Firth Education Team.
Corey Orban has served as the Orchestra Director at University High School since 2018. He co-founded the University High Symphony Orchestra in 2019 to provide instrumental music students the opportunity to study and perform orchestral masterworks from various historical periods and cultures. The orchestra has previously received WVMEA Honor Ensemble recognition in 2020. Mr. Orban is a member of NAfME and the Vic Firth Education Team.
