Article published in The Journal on July 1, 2026, link to full article here.
Friends of Music donated a $469 grant to Mountain Ridge Middle School for the purchase of choral sheet music.
Music teacher, Samantha Albright, said “The purchase of this sheet music allows us to have new songs for the annual Spring Concert. There are currently 120 members in the 6th 7th, and 8th grade choirs. The music will remain a part of the library and be used for many years to come.”
The donation is part of a Friend’s grant program to support music education in Berkeley and Jefferson County public schools. The grants typically involve instruments and music supplies not covered by regular school budgets. The grants are awarded annually based on applications submitted by music teachers. Friends of Music appreciates receiving generous support from Ecolab and the Nora Roberts Foundation for this program.
The Friends of Music organization is a Shepherdstown-based, non-profit organization founded in 1999 to promote musical excellence. It supports Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra, the only professional classical music orchestra in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia, and one of only three such orchestras in the state. Full information about Friends of Music is available at www.friendswv.org.