ISSUED: 14 April 2026
MEDIA CONTACT: Hans Fogle
SHEPHERDSTOWN, WV — On Saturday, April 11, 2026, the Shepherd University School of Music hosted its 10th Annual Musical Showcase for Scholarships, an evening celebrating live music, artistic excellence, and community impact.
The event featured dynamic performances by both Shepherd University alumni and current students, highlighting the depth of talent within the program.
This year’s showcase raised over $43,000 in scholarship funds to support music students in their education and artistic ambitions.
Susan Mills, who co-chairs the Shepherd Musical Showcase, said she enjoys knowing how much her tireless efforts to ensure the event’s success help the music department attract talented students.
“As we know, there are many important charities in the Shepherdstown area, but helping a student through a scholarship is life-changing,” said Mills. “It can mean the difference in what school a student chooses to go to, and it can help a student start a career without crushing student debt.”
The annual event was founded a decade ago by the late Dr. Scott Beard, provost and professor of music at Shepherd, alongside his partner, Alan Gibson.
Created to expand access to higher education in music, the showcase has become a cornerstone tradition for the University. Since its inception, the event has raised $390,000, directly benefiting students and continuing Dr. Beard’s enduring legacy of advocacy, mentorship, and passion for the arts.
Dr. Marcia Brand, Shepherd Musical Showcase co-chair, poignantly remembers when the idea of the musical showcase was first presented to her.
“Ten years ago, Alan Gibson stopped me at Sunday’s farmers market and asked me if I would be interested in working with him to create a scholarship program for Shepherd’s Music students,” shares Brand. “Ten years later, we’ve been incredibly successful in the amount of money we have raised for scholarships and the extraordinary showcases we have sponsored. It has been a privilege to collaborate with the University and the community in this wonderful work.”
Dr. Kelly Hart, Shepherd’s Vice President of Development and Annual Giving, was a key player in this year’s program, which has always relied on the generosity of donors and the community.
Alan Gibson, Shepherd Musical Showcase founder, committee member, and program emcee, said those supporters have helped countless students follow their passions, refine their artistry, and share their music with the world.
“I’m confident Scott Beard would be as grateful as I for the outpouring of support for our Musical Showcase scholarship fundraising efforts over the past ten years,” notes Gibson. “Donors like seeing the results of their gifts, and year after year, we’ve brought back music students who have shown them how scholarships at Shepherd enabled them to create successful careers.”
The 2026 concert featured inspiring performances that reminded the community of the extraordinary power of the arts to bring people together.
Among this year’s performers was Shepherd alumna and scholarship recipient Korinne Myers ‘22. Prior to the event, Myers expressed her excitement to return to her alma mater for this coveted event.
“I’m thrilled to return to Shepherd University this weekend for the Musical Showcase for Scholarships. It’s a joy to collaborate with fellow alumni and faculty in support of student scholarships and to reconnect with a community that has meant so much to me,” shares Myers. “I’ve experienced firsthand the impact of our community’s generosity. I look forward to expressing my gratitude and sharing how my career has developed since graduation. It’s an honor to be part of an event that helps empower current and future students to pursue musical and academic excellence.”
Scholarships are essential for attracting and supporting talented students who may not otherwise have access to a world-class music education. Support from the community helps ensure that Shepherd University remains a place where creativity thrives, and opportunities are within reach.
“Events like the Musical Showcase are more than performances – they are powerful investments in our students’ futures. Each note played and each voice lifted helps create opportunities for scholarships, ensuring that talented and dedicated students can continue to pursue their education and artistic passions,” says Shepherd President Dr. Mary J.C. Hendrix. “The showcase not only celebrates creativity and excellence but also strengthens our shared commitment to making higher education accessible and transformative for all. I am deeply grateful to our hardworking volunteers and staff for all their efforts to ensure a highly successful outcome.”
Committed to fostering creative, artistic, and professional growth, Shepherd prepares students to become versatile musicians, innovative practitioners, critical thinkers, and community-engaged leaders.
Through a highly personalized, student-centered approach, students gain a diverse range of musical and educational experiences.
The Shepherd University School of Music offers a Bachelor of Music Education (B.M.E.) with vocal and instrumental emphasis, as well as a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Music with concentrations in composition, performance, and general music.
The program equips students for careers in music while encouraging inquiry, self-discovery, and artistic expression.
Emphasizing meaningful music-making, community engagement, and a global understanding of the musical experience, the School of Music also advances the mission and visibility of Shepherd University’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences through dynamic artistic activity.
To find out more about Shepherd University’s School of Music or how you can apply to experience one of its more than 80 academic programs, visit www.shepherd.edu/apply.
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