The OG Choir was invited to sing on Monday at the Chester branch of Hancock County Savings Bank to provide some holiday cheer for the employees and customers who visited the bank. Everyone enjoyed the carols the choir shared.

Congratulations to Kaylee Culbreth, Alex Marchese and Madelyn Thompson on earning a chair in the 2025 WV All State Band! 

These students auditioned individually, competing against hundreds of other high school students across the state of WV. Only students with the highest scores were selected to be All State Musicians. They will practice for 3 days in Charleston before performing a concert as part of the WV Music Educators Association Conference in March.

Congratulations to all of you! OG is proud of your accomplishments!

The OG Band marched in their final Christmas parade for the year at New Cumberland where they accompanied the choir at the end of the parade for a Christmas carol sing-a-long. Following the sing-a-long, everyone enjoyed treats, presents and visits with Santa Claus. The band has represented OG well in each community Christmas parade this year. (12/14/2024)

OG band played well in the sunshine of the Chester Christmas parade on Saturday! (12/7/2024)

They have one more parade next week in New Cumberland where they will accompany the choir at the end for a Christmas carol sing-along before treats and hot chocolate will be served.

On Friday, December 6, several Oak Glen Students traveled to Charleston to compete through audition against several hundred other high school musicians in West Virginia. They had to play in front of a judge to earn scores in several different categories. Scores will be reported next week. Students remain hopeful to earn a spot in the WV All State Band for 2025.

The students were Emily Allen, Kaylee Culbreth, Adyson Parsons, Madelyn Thompson, Alex Marchese and Lili Hughes.

Good Luck!

The Oak Glen Marching Band braved below freezing temperatures to march in the annual Weirton Christmas parade on Saturday. Go bears!

Oak Glen Band students continue to represent! On Thursday, November 21, 2024, Alex Marchese performed a stirring concert as a member of the West Liberty University Concert Band. He joined OG graduates and WLU students Lydia DiBiagio and Shea Wimberly.

Congratulations to Ella Paras on her acceptance into the newly formed Wheeling Symphony Orchestra Community Choir! 

The 60-voice choir is a new addition to the WSO programming in celebration of its 95th season with members aged 16 through adult from the tri-state area. All members had to complete an application and audition to earn membership in the choir. The WSO Choir will sing two works with the orchestra: a new work from Wheeling composer Dr. Matthew Harder and Maurice Ravel's "Daphnis & Chloe, Suite No. 2" in celebration of the 150th anniversary of Ravel's birth.

The concert will be at the Capitol Theatre in Wheeling on May 15, 2025. Tickets may be purchased online at https://wheelingsymphony.com/concerts-and-events/

Congratulations Ella, we are so proud of you!

Last weekend was yet another busy weekend for the Oak Glen Band. On Saturday, September 28, the band kicked off Riverfest in New Cumberland. They marched down River Avenue to play the opening ceremony of the New Cumberland Fall Riverfest. Starting with the National Anthem, they performed for about half an hour, playing various musical selections including the fight song and this year's halftime music. OG Graduates Jennifer DiLullo and Alana Adkins (WVU Band member) came back to visit and hear their high school band play.

Following the performance at Riverfest, the students returned to the school for a little fun and bonding time before the game. Roma's donated pizzas for lunch and the students had fun attempting to break the pinata and spending time together.

Finally, the band played and cheered with the cheerleaders from the stands at the game against Berkley Springs. Following the halftime show, since the visitors did not bring their band, OG continued to entertain the crowd for the remaining halftime by playing tunes directly in front of the stands for the fans in attendance.

Senior Night Friday, September 13th, 2024

Congratulations to all of the seniors and their families! It was great to have Senior Night 2024!

It was a busy weekend for the Oak Glen Band. On Friday, they had both Senior Night and 8th grade night. Everyone had lots of fun celebrating our seniors and welcoming future freshmen to the band. The 8th grade band members played the National Anthem, Alma Mater and Fight Song with the High School band on the field. Then they stayed in the stands and played with the HS. Part of the evening celebrated the annual light saber battle between the tubas who made light saber sounds with their instruments while "battling." This year's winner was Alex Marchese.

Saturday the band went to Edison to participate in their annual band show, Tearin' Up the Turf. The band represented Oak Glen with pride, putting on a wonderful show. The seniors accepted the award for the evening.

It's the end of the school year and the music department continues to be busy!

On Monday, May 20, the band was privileged to have a visit by the composer and arranger of one of the pieces they were playing for the spring concert. Mr. Joseph Lancia (composer) and Mr. John Gates (arranger) spent the entire class period rehearsing with the students, explaining the inspiration for the music and the title of the piece, discussing their process of composing and arranging, and giving the students insight and instruction on their music. Everyone had a good time and learned a lot. What a privilege it was to have the creators of the music spend time with the band!

On Thursday, the band and choir had their annual spring concert. Both ensembles gave amazing performances to close out the year and featured several soloists - Madelyn Thompson (clarinet), Donald Vantilburg (flute), Savannah Dulaney (flute), Michaela Shaw (Alto Saxophone) and Jaylen Barbe (trumpet). Composer Joseph Lancia attended the concert. The Oak Glen Recorder Ensemble also performed beautifully, marking the final performance of two of its original members, Alana Adkins and Savannah Dulaney.  Two soloists who were unable to perform at the regional Solo & Ensemble Festival in January due to a weather cancellation of the event were also featured - Ella Paras (soprano) and Tessa Snider (marimba). All State Musicians in attendance were recognized as well. They are Ella Paras (soprano), Alexa Shaw (alto), Emily Allen (contralto clarinet), Alex Marchese (tuba), and Madelyn Thompson (clarinet). The concert concluded with a combined performance of the high school and current 8th grade (incoming Freshmen) band members, featuring soloists Clayton Heizler (clarinet) and Catelyn Argent (flute).

Friday, May 17 band members were honored at the year-end band banquet. Marching band members were honored with a medal for their participation in marching performances throughout the year. Many students also earned their letter through a high level of dedication and performance all year. The members of the Recorder Ensemble were also recognized with certificates. Special recognitions were:
Most Outstanding Freshman - Jaylen Barbe
Most Outstanding Sophomore - Kaylee Culbreth
Most Outstanding Junior - Madelyn Thompson
Most Outstanding Senior - Savannah Dulaney
Esprit de Corps - Alex Marchese
Most Improved Section - Alto Saxophone (Michaela Shaw and Jamison Thompson)
Most Improved Person - Jamison Thompson
Director's Award - Alana Adkins
OGHS Band Booster Scholarship - Alana Adkins

On Monday, May 27, choir member Layne Smith will sing the National Anthem at the Chester American Legion and Locust Hill Cemetery, starting at 10 AM. Also on Monday, the band will march in the New Cumberland Memorial Day Parade at 1 PM.

During the last week of school, the band will begin preparing music for the halftime show in the fall while the choir starts preparing music for non-concert performances for the start of the 2024 school year.

Congratulations to all graduating senior members of the chorus and band who have dedicated four years of their time and talents to the music classes and ensembles at OGHS - Alana Adkins, Savannah Dulaney, Geraldine Shafer, Michaela Shaw, and Tessa Snider.

2024 Choir Members
Katelyn Barnhart, Victoria Oliveros, Ella Paras, Geraldine Shafer, Alexa Shaw, Dillon Springer, Layne Smith, Tessa Snider, Gavin Swiger, Bonnie Webber

2023-24 Band Members
Alana Adkins, Jaylen Barbe, Jeannine Cain, Kaylee Culbreth, Corbin Deremer, Savannah Dulaney, Christian Francis, Lyndon Graf, Nate Groetzinger, Lilianna Hughes, Alex Marchese, Conner McElroy, Thomas Moore, Adyson Parsons, Michaela Shaw, Tessa Snider, Tori Snider, Jamison Thompson, Madelyn Thompson, Donald Vantilburg, Lizanna Wimberley, Noah Wright

Congratulations to Alex Marchese on an excellent performance with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall on Tuesday night! This year's Student Side-by-Side with the PSO included students from 30 high schools across southwestern Pennsylvania and two schools in West Virginia. Additionally, Alex was selected to share in an on-stage interview with the Conductor of the PSO during the concert. Alex represented Oak Glen with distinction. Way to go Alex! We are so proud of you!

The WV All-State Band and WV All-State Chorus presented spectacular performances on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024 on the Clay Center stage in Charleston. After two days of intense rehearsals, both ensembles performed challenging works including collegiate-level music, rousing the crowds to standing ovations. Students Alex Marchese (tuba), Madelyn Thompson (clarinet), Ella Paras (soprano 1), and Alexa Shaw (Alto 1) represented Oak Glen High School and Hancock County with distinction!

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Alexa Shaw, Alex Marchese, Madalyn Thompson, Ella Parras

They will be performing at the WV Music Educators Conference in Charleston on Saturday, March 2nd, 2024.

Congratulations to Alex Marchese for being selected as a member of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s Side-by-Side program! This program allows high school students to rehearse and perform alongside members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra who play their instruments. These students are selected through a competitive application process and receive individual coaching from the PSO musicians, participate in full orchestra rehearsals, and work with other student musicians from various other school districts. The students will perform a free concert on April 9 with the full orchestra on the Heinz Hall stage. Tickets are required (general seating). Contact the box office for tickets at 412-392-4900.

Congratulations to Alex Marchese, Savannah Dulaney, and Madelyn Thompson for an amazing performance at this year's Region I Honor Band!

All State Band hopefuls Kaylee Culbreth, Savannah Dulaney, Madelyn Thompson, and Alex Marchese auditioned along with hundreds of other WV students in Charleston today working to earn a chair in the WV All-State Band.

We're proud of our outstanding Oak Glen Students!

Congratulations to Savannah Dulaney on her performance with the West Liberty University Band on Wednesday night! She joined Oak Glen alums Lydia Dibiagio and Shea Wimberley for an amazing concert!

Edison Band Show "Tearin' Up the Turf XVIII

Savannah Dulaney, Alana Adkins, Tessa Snider, Michaela Shaw

Alana Adkins: Flute

Jaylen Barbe: Trumpet

Jeannine Cain: Clarinet

Kaylee Culbreth: Contralto Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet

Corbin Deremer: Contralto Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone

Savannah Dulaney: Flute

Christian Francis: Percussion

Lyndon Graf: Percussion

Nate Groetzinger: Trumpet

Lilianna Hughes: Flute

Alex Marchese: Tuba, Sousaphone

Conner McElroy: Percussion

Thomas Moore: Trombone

Adyson Parsons: Flute

Michaela Shaw: Alto Saxophone

Tessa Snider: Percussion

Tori Snider: Trombone

Jamison Thompson: Alto Saxophone

Madelyn Thompson: Clarinet

Donald Vantilburg: Flute

Lizanna Wimberley: Percussion

Noah Wright: Percussion

Alexa Shaw: Aide