Larry Hypes
Contributing Writer
CHRISTIANSBURG – Talented fingers of the future played merry melodies last Monday.
Traditional music, so much a part of the New River Valley, echoed merrily up down all around even to the majestic rafters of the Christiansburg Presbyterian Church last week as the next generation of players entertained a packed house in the semester-ending recital of the Montgomery Junior Appalachian Musicians.
A new semester will begin in January.
Nearly 100 guests enjoyed a varied program from the 28 youngsters in grades 4—8, playing a host of old-time favorites on guitar, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer and bass, along with a rhythmic session of mountain-style, flat-foot dancing.
“Our children here are becoming more proficient, more eager to join in group sessions, and have started to take part in public settings such as bluegrass festivals, outdoor jams and other areas in places from the Floyd Country store to the Galax Old-Time Fiddlers Convention and venues in North Carolina,” said MJAM Director Jason Dilg.
Tunes with each instrument area featured included “Bile them Cabbage Down,” followed by “Little Liza Jane,” then the classic “Wildwood Flower,” and “Shortening Bread,” with ‘Roscoe” next and an entire group pick-around in the favorite folk song, “John Henry.”
A “Virginia Reel” style set accompanied by the song “Soldier’s Joy” featured a group of children showcasing flat-foot style with Ginger Wagner calling the steps.
Finally, the performers and audience joined in a mountain-style rendition of “Jingle Bells” to officially ring in the holiday season.
“It is remarkable to see this beautiful old building (church) ring with beautiful old traditional music to brighten a cold winter’s night,” noted Craig Whetten, who has three children among the musicians.
Shannon Bell, who has two children in the group, added, “This program is wonderful for the community, giving the children a gift they can share for a lifetime, while playing instruments and making friends.”
The instructors for the semester sessions, which began in September and usually meet at the downtown Montgomery Museum of Art and History, were Wagner (banjo), Gina Dilg (fiddle, flat foot dancing), Craig Whetten (banjo), Tim Thornton (guitar, bass, dulcimer), Jason Dilg (mandolin) and Liza Thomas (Cultural Enrichment lessons).
Students from Blacksburg Middle School, Auburn Middle School, Christiansburg Middle School, Valley Classical School and home schoolers made up the ensemble, which meets on Mondays from 4 -6 p.m. at the museum.
Instructors including Ginger Wagner, Thornton, Gina Dilg, Jason Dilg (director), and Whetten, among others, and program advisors Charlotte McKee, Jean Haskell, Judy Ridinger, Stephen Boyle, Sherry Wyatt and Becky Novy were recognized.
A reception was held in the church fellowship hall following the program.
