Kyle Jones poses with the horn section and conductor Robert Ambrose at the 2023 West Virginia Music Educators Association All State Band. (Photo Provided)

ST. MARYS — St. Marys High School senior Kyle Jones, 18, is passionate about music and plans to make a career out of it.

Jones has played horn for over eight years and participated in numerous activities as a result.

“I have been selected for the (West Virginia Music Educators Association) All-State Choir twice and the All-State Band three times. This year I was first chair horn of the band,” he said.

In order to participate in the All State Band or Choir, students must audition. Once selected, they will be invited for a three-day event taking place each March in Charleston, W.Va.

Jones and Payton Woodard, a Williamstown Middle/High School senior, were recently awarded a $1,500 scholarship named the Donna Campbell Award for Excellence by Artsbrigdge. The award was established in 2019 by Parkersburg native Luke Frazier in honor of his grandmother.

Jones poses with his accompanist, Nancy Weber, after performing at the West Virginia Music Educators Association State Solo and Ensemble Honor Recital. (Photo Provided)

“I am a past recipient of the Dr. James F. Dunphy Memorial Scholarship through the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra,” he said.

This scholarship was named after Parkersburg resident James Dunphy (1930-2011) who had a passion for classical music and educating young people. Recipients are in grades 8-11 and live in Calhoun, Jackson, Pleasants, Ritchie, Roane, Tyler, Wood and Wirt counties. Students are given private lessons from a West Virginia Symphony Orchestra member and are invited to orchestra rehearsals in order to interact with the musicians, directors and guest artists. Jones was the recipient in 2021.

Jones also challenges himself in the classroom, maintaining a 4.16 grade point average.

“I have taken college classes as well as (Advanced Placement) classes,” he said. “I took them because normal classes are not very challenging for me.”

This summer, Jones will attend the Renova Music Festival, an application-only orchestra for pre professional musicians from ages 18-25. The festival will take place in New Castle, Pa., from June 4-17.

St. Mary's High School Marching Banc competes in the 2022 West Virginia Marching Band INvitiational, held October 29, 2022 at University fo Charleston Stadium, Charleston, W.Va. (Photo Provided)

Jones will attend West Virginia University in the fall and major in Music Performance. He will study with Albert Houle, Assistant Professor of Horn and principal horn of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra.

“This degree is designed to prepare me for a career as a performing musician,” he said.

After college, Jones plans to attend a conservatory of music for his master’s in performance for his ultimate career goal.

“I want to win a position in a premier military band,” he said. “These bands are professional ensembles that play a variety of music for important leaders, diplomats, and the citizens of this country.”

The 2023 West Virginia Music Educators Association All State Band performs in Charleston, W.Va., in March. (Photo Provided)

Kyle Jones poses with his horn at Marshall University’s Honor Band in Huntington, W.Va. (Photo Provided)