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Bluefield College will host a Music Showcase, Friday and Saturday, February 15-16, designed to tout the school’s music program to prospective students.

Chris Shoemaker

February 1, 2013

The promotional event for students considering a college major or extracurricular activity in music will expose participants to the full experience of being involved in music at Bluefield College through actual class attendance, interaction with current students and faculty, campus tours, and a performance by current BC music students.

“Participants will have the opportunity to sit in on classes, meet individually with faculty members, and audition for music scholarships,” said BC’s Mark Hipes, director of traditional admissions. “We are the premier music program in southwest Virginia, and we encourage prospective students to come and see for yourself.”

The Music Showcase will feature a performance by the BC Jazz Band, along with sessions for families to meet with admissions and financial aid counselors. Prospective students may also choose to stay overnight in a BC residence hall with a current music student to experience even more of the campus life at Bluefield College.

“This Music Showcase is the best possible event for any aspiring music student,” said Hipes. “If you are a student with the desire to major in music performance, church music, instrumental or vocal music education, or if you’re a student who plans on majoring in some other subject, but you’d still like to participate in one of our nine music ensembles, including our new Athletic Band, then this event is for you.”

Registration for the event will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, February 15 in Harman Chapel, followed by classes in music history, performing arts, and music theory. The Friday morning session will also include campus tours, a visit to the BC Campus Store, and meeting opportunities with professors and admissions and financial aid counselors.

Prospective students arriving later may also register at noon on Friday in Harman Chapel. The afternoon schedule on Friday will include lunch, a class in music literature, rehearsals for BC’s student voice ensemble Variations and Concert Band, and scholarship auditions for prospective students. Additional opportunities for campus tours and sessions with professors and admissions and financial aid counselors will also be available Friday afternoon.

The Friday schedule will conclude with dinner and a “Java and Jazz” event featuring the BC Jazz Band and Starbucks Coffee selections in the Quick Shott Café. Visitingstudents may also choose to spend the night in a BC residence hall with a current music student.

“This event is designed for flexibility with two registration periods for students who wish to participate in as few or as many events and sessions they want,” said BC’s Bryant Moxley, head of the Department of Music. “If you are considering a college major in music or want to be involved in music while a student, then you don’t want to miss this Music Showcase.”

The Bluefield College Department of Music is well known for its quality instruction and performance and its music ministry at home and abroad. Some of the department’s recent distinctions include musical performances in New York at Carnegie Hall in 2006 and 2008, the Lincoln Center in 2011, and the historic Bruton Parish Episcopal Church in Colonial Williamsburg in 2012; the creation of an instrumental music program in 2008 and an athletic band in 2012; music mission trips to Italy in 2009 and Austria and the Czech Republic in 2010; and the development of a partnership for international study with the Asian Christian College of Music in India in 2011.

“The Music Showcase will not only be a great opportunity to discover the Bluefield College community of musicians, but also a chance for students to better understandwhat it means to pursue a major in music and to discern the path God has forthem,” said Moxley. “Our caring faculty and staff are here to help students discover their fullest potential as a student, performer and leader.”

Family members are welcome and encouraged to attend the various performances and presentations of the Music Showcase with prospective students. The cost is $25 per student and includes all meals and performances, the overnight stay (if selected), and a BC music CD. The first 25 students to register will be granted a registration fee waiver. To register online, visit www.bluefield.edu/musicshowcase. For more information, contact Moxley by e-mail at or by phone at 276.326.4248.

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