Founded over ten years ago by Fine Arts Chair John McKinney and West Virginia native and well-known musician Buddy Griffin, Glenville State College proudly offers the world’s first four year bachelor of arts degree in Bluegrass Music. The Glenville State College Bluegrass Band was a natural outgrowth of the Glenville State College Bluegrass Music Certificate Program, initiated in the Fall of 2002. On August 3, 2007, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission approved the school's plan for the Four Year Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bluegrass Music. The unique degree program thrives on the philosophies of preserving traditional bluegrass music. Students are immersed with legendary bluegrass music from artists such as Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Reno & Smiley, The Stanley Brothers, Jimmy Martin, Jim & Jesse, and many others. Students have a wide variety of opportunities to learn about various facets of the music business, including how to run and set a sound system; great ways to market your band; organizational skills for a successful bluegrass band; stage performance skills; and much more! Notable performances by the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band include the Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree, one of the longest running live radio broadcasts on WSM Radio in Nashville. The band has also performed at the World’s Famous Station Inn, John A’s Restaurant, WWWVA Wheeling Jamboree, and The Grey Fox Bluegrass Festival. The group also performs and demonstrates at many schools, fairs, festivals, weddings, and special occasions throughout West Virginia. The bluegrass program is currently under the direction of Glenville graduate Mrs. Megan Darby. The bluegrass board of advisors includes a variety of legendary and respected musicians: retired Director Buddy Griffin; Jesse McReynolds; Mac Wiseman; Little Roy Lewis; Lance Leroy; Mac Samples; Dr. Ralph Stanley; and many others. The band consists of a core group of students who are enrolled in the certificate and/or degree programs, as well as other students who are invited or wish to participate in the group. Performance with the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band satisfies the students' ensemble requirements for the degree and certification. Both the bluegrass curriculum and the bluegrass band require auditions for admission.
