Registration Update

We have not yet reached our goal (100 enrolled students), but the Mountain State School of Gospel Music has reached out to places and have drawn students from areas that I didn't dream we would.  Most people wait until Monday and bring their application along with them, and don't worry about registering in advance... and that's perfectly fine.

This week, I had four boys (college age) to register for the music school.  They'll be making the drive from Ashland, Kentucky daily to attend the music school and to take piano lessons from Seth Gregory.  I talked with a man last week from Hickory, North Carolina who intends on driving to Dunbar, WV and staying in a hotel through Wednesday to attend MSSGM. 

For the past two years, and again this year, we have had students from Ohio.  It's exciting that people in other states recognize what a wonderful thing the Mountain State School of Gospel Music is, and are willing to make an effort and drive to Dunbar to hone their craft. 

So, registration is picking up.  I'm excited to see the final number - it's gonna be good.  I've heard and/or seen registered students from the following churches:
Dunbar Mountain Mission
Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist Church
Mt. Tabor Church of God
Bible Center
Fisher Memorial Church
Sunshine Freewill Baptist
Spring Fork Missionary Baptist Church
Raceland Christian (that's in Raceland, KY!)

And, there's probably a lot more churches that will be involved that I don't know about yet!  This is going to me soooo much fun!  We can't wait to see and sing with you!

Registration Update

Dunbar Mountain Mission: 21 Students Registered
Cobbs Creek Missionary Baptist: 10 Registered
Fisher Memorial Church: 2 Registered
Sunshine Freewill Baptist: 2 Registered
Mt. Tabor Church of God: 1 Registered
Bible Center Church: 1 Registered

Music School is Closer

We are drawing closer and closer to the first day of Music School.  Seth and Brianna are in town this week.  Seth is teaching at a music school at Canann Baptist Church in Charleston and Brianna is just visiting.  This is a busy month for us!

We have a wedding this weekend, that most of the MSSGM staff members are part of - in the bridal party.
Actually, every female staff member is involved in some way.  Maggie is the bride, I (Tori) am the Maid of Honor, Ashli Samples is the Matron of Honor, and Ashley Mahood and Katie Leaptrot are Bridsmaids.  Out of the male staff members, Brendon Leaptrot is the groom and Andrew Leaptrot is a Groomsman.   Trey Daugherty and Brianna will be providing the music.  It's going to be a wondeful celebration.   We'll have plenty of pictures at MSSGM 2011.
We're also busy preparing for MSSGM.  I have the cardboard shaped notes cut out and a coat of primer on them.  Well, except for "Mi"... My cut-out didn't look a thing like "Mi", so I've got to do that one again. (Thanks Curry Funeral Home for the cardboard!)  We've added more classes this year - one for Middle Schoolers and another Beginner's class in the evening.  Every year after MSSGM, the staff sits down and says, "Okay, what worked?  What didn't work? What do we need to change?"  We make a list and put it in a folder for the following year.  We also push people to register early so that we can see what age groups we'll have at the music school, and plan our classes accordingly. Some times our best laid plans are thrown out the window on Day One, when we actually see everybody who comes out to the music school, and we adjust to fit our students needs.

We can't wait to see you!