David Milburn – DreamersAndGiants.com

Overwhelmed and Grateful

In just one week, I have attended four events that have left me overwhelmed and grateful. Each of these events celebrated people who have spent over 30 years doing amazing acts of service and in each case they have inspired, challenged, supported, and loved students at West Virginia Wesleyan College.

1 concert (retirement celebration) for Dr. Melody Meadows (Sunday, April 19)
1 funeral for Marvin Wesley Culpepper (Wednesday, April 22)
1 retirement for Alisa Mauk Lively Suttle (Friday, April 24)
1 memorial dedication for Dr. David Allen Milburn (Saturday, April 25)

There were two events in celebration of Melody Meadows on the occasion of her retirement after 31 years. The first one included video greetings from former students and some great music. The second one was a beautiful concert featuring 56 current and former choir members and colleagues.

Melody (Mel) taught generations of students, many of whom are now professional singers and church musicians. She also played for countless campus convocations and events, served in administrative roles from 2013-2017, and shared her talents beyond the campus. She has served as the organist at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church in Elkins. On many occasions she has accompanied musical groups on tours. I had the wonderful experience, for example, of traveling through Scotland in 2000 and enjoying her music and her support of a fantastic children’s choir (Chanticleer). There have been other tours as well!

Assistant Professor of Music 1995-2000
Associate Professor of Music 2000-2005
Professor of Music 2005-2026
Director of the School of Fine Arts and Humanities 2013-2014
Associate Dean of the College 2014-2015
Associate Dean for Teaching and Learning 2015-2017

Marvin Culpepper’s funeral celebrated his life. He was connected with WVWC for all of his 96 years. When his father, Ross Culpepper, graduated in the class of 1930, they could not find a babysitter and so Ross carried him in the procession. Ross was named the President of the Alumni Council in 1954, and received an Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree in 1950.

His mother, Olive Culpepper, Class of 1933, was a Trustee from 1956-1983 and Trustee Emerita from 1938-1994. For decades she served as the Chairperson of the Dorothy Lee Scholarship Fund for International Students. She was Alumnae of the year in 1967 and was awarded an honorary doctor of law degree in 1972.

Ross and Olive were tireless advocates for students, and gave generously to the school, including scholarships and books to the library. Their dedication to West Virginia Wesleyan College passed directly to Marvin.

Marvin (Class of 1951) and his wife, Elaine Karnes Culpepper (Class of 1954), carried on the tradition of support for their alma mater. Their gifts have been generous and have supported all areas of the school – athletics, performing arts, scholarships, and the library. You will see the Culpepper name on athletic fields and courtside seating in Rockefeller, and you will see the name on the Culpepper Auditorium in the Performing Arts Center. What you may not see is the tens of thousands of books (mainly Civil War, World War II, and Holocaust) that are in our library. As library director I would get a phone call several times each year saying when he was coming, and then helping him to unload the trunk of his car before sitting with him over a cup of coffee to share WVWC stories. He and Elaine each received the Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree in 2006.

His support of the students in ways seen and unseen has changed countless lives.

For 39 years Alisa Mauk Lively has changed lives. Now her life will be changing! A year ago she got married, and is now Alisa Mauk Suttle. She will be retiring and enjoying a well-deserved change of pace.
Her title and responsibilities have changed through the years, but they were always the same in one important way: they (and she) are always Student Centered.

Director of Housing and Conferences 1987-1990
Director of Housing and Summer Conferences 1990-1992
Director of Student Activities and Summer Conferences 1992-1996
Director of Campus Activities and Summer Conferences 1996-2006
Director of Campus Activities, Summer Conferences and Recreation 2006-2008
Director of Campus Life 2008-2021
Dean of Students and Director of Campus Life 2021-2026

(2008-2018) Chairperson of College Staff Assembly
(2010) Extra Mile Award
(2016-2017) Chair of Staff Council

Her work has been behind the scenes for many, but right in the middle of everything for others. Since 1987, anyone who has ever lived in a dorm on campus, attended a concert, gone to Big Bingo or Late Night Breakfast, and other things way too many to list has been impacted by Alisa’s work. She inspired countless students, organized all manner of events and programs, and has been involved with student government and with any disciplinary actions that have had to be addressed. She has been a friend, a mentor, and a confidant for thousands of students. Many of those students came to celebrate on Friday evening and gave her a proper roasting.

She has also been impactful well beyond campus. Buckhannon and Upshur County have been high on her list of priorities. Things such as: Chamber of Commerce, Colonial Arts Center Board of Directors, Police Service Commission, Special Olympics of West Virginia, American Red Cross, Create Buckhannon, Habitat for Humanity, Strawberry Festival Board, Upshur County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Mission Trip Volunteer.

Last, but certainly not least, this week included a dedication. We gathered to remember and celebrate the contributions of a man who created opportunities, challenged and supported students, and who impacted WVWC in a major way. Click here to read the remarks of Don Olah, Class of 1978, organizer of the dedication event.
Assistant Professor of Music 1966-1972
Associate Professor of Music 1972-1982
Professor of Music 1982-2004
Professor of Music, Emeritus 2004-2013

From very early in his time at Wesleyan, he fought to get a Jazz program started. In those days, this was a controversial thing! At the time it was not something that was supported by the chair of the department, and he was ordered not to have such a thing. In fact, they had to practice in secret. If they had been discovered, he could have been fired.

The group did eventually gain acceptance on campus, but his courage did not stop there.

He led numerous Goodwill Ambassador trips to Europe playing jazz in Poland, Romania, Estonia, Bulgaria, Hungary, Austria, Latvia, Finland, and the Soviet Union at a time when jazz music was banned in those places. He is reported to have played a role in helping people to defect, and to bring books into the country that helped inspire the fall of the Iron Curtain. Click here to read more about that history.

My own family has a great connection with Dr. Milburn as my brother-in-law and my son both were encouraged, challenged, and supported by him. His students from those 38 years have gone on to do many amazing things.

The Jazz baton has been passed directly from Dr. Milburn to Dr. James Moore to Adam Loudin. Each day as he enters the office Adam can feel the legacy.

Any one of these events would have been powerful. All of them happening within one week was truly overwhelming. Four people with an impact on thousands. These four people are part of a long line of such people, and have inspired more to come in the future.

Very grateful.

Jazz Legacy and Echoes

November 16, 2019

What would cause more than 30 people to travel from seven states (and one even from as far away as Malaysia) to Buckhannon, WV to play jazz in the middle of November? There is only one answer to that question.

From 1966-2004. David Milburn taught at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Hundreds of students were challenged and inspired by him. Many of them became musicians and educators, some found their callings in medicine, banking, law, business, and a multitude of other professions. There are even several Wesleyan Jazz Sweetheart couples!

These students considered themselves part of the Milburn family and stayed in touch with his wife and daughters throughout the years. It was this sense of family that brought these people together. That, and the fact that they had shared so many incredible experiences together.

So how did it all begin?? It was all a product of the times, and of something much bigger.

The 1950s

The world was in a mess. The Cold War was raging around the world, The Civil Rights Movement was dominating the news in America. Into that mix came Jazz Music right in the middle of it all.

Louis Armstrong and his wife Bettmann/Getty Images

Time Magazine ran a story in the December 22, 2017 issue which puts all of this into perspective. The article, by Billy Perrigo, is titled How the U.S. Used Jazz as a Cold War Secret Weapon.

The music of jazz, which was structured around improvisation within a set of commonly agreed-upon boundaries, was a perfect metaphor for America in the eyes of the State Department. Here was a music of democracy and freedom. What the bands looked like was important too. “The racism and violence within the U.S. was getting international exposure,” says Von Eschen. “For President Eisenhower and his Secretary of State, John Foster Dulles, this was a great embarrassment.” By sending bands comprised of black and white musicians to play together around the world, the State Department could engineer an image of racial harmony to offset the bad press about racism at home.

1956 – State Department sent Dizzy Gillespie as a Jazz Ambassador
1957 – State Department sent Benny Goodman on a tour to the Far East
1958 – Dave Brubeck toured Eastern Europe, Middle East, Southern Asia as an Ambassador. He championed racial integration and equality at home and abroad

Meanwhile, at Wesleyan

Music faculty at Wesleyan tended to focus more on more orthodox forms of serious music. Ensembles consisted basically of Orchestra, Choirs, and Chamber Ensembles. Vocal instruction was offered and piano, organ, and violin were stressed as well as other orchestral instruments. Faculty included such greats as Calvin Buell Agey, Robert Shafer, Irma Helen Hopkins, Bobby Loftis, and Owen West.

There was an emphasis on music theory, composition, orchestration, and form analysis. In other words, there were strict rules when it came to music.

The 1960s

The Cold War was in full force.

- Construction began on the Berlin Wall (1961)
- Cuban Missile Crisis – world on the brink of nuclear war (1962)
- First U.S. combat troops arrived in South Vietnam (1965)
- Prague Spring Uprising crushed by the Warsaw Pact (an organization of communist states in Central and Eastern Europe) (1968)

The 1960s also was a busy time in the Civil Rights Movement with protests, marches, assasinations and the signing of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

In 1962, Dave Brubeck, and wife Iola, wrote a musical called “The Real Ambassadors for Louis Armstrong (a musical commentary on race relations in America). The State Department cultural diplomacy tours of the 1950s were often at odds with the Civil Rights issues at home. This musical was intended to address the difficulties of these contradictions in message.

Meanwhile at Wesleyan

Milburn, David (Hiner Photo) — David A. Milburn

In 1966 a new faculty member was hired in the Music Department.

David Milburn, as it turns out, was about to cause a major shift in the departmental approach to music. Having had exposure to the great jazz legends, he was probaby a bit frustrated with this description of the Instrumental Ensemble Course in the 1968-69 catalog:

In 1969, he requested to form a Jazz Ensemble. Dr. Agey refused on the basis that jazz was not serious music and had no place in the department. He said that it could not meet in Loar Hall. So, David Milburn, the rebel, started the group and met off campus or in the SCOW (Student Center of Wesleyan). With no budgetary support, the band members literally sat around listening to records and writing out their own parts by hand. Click here to read his recollection of that period of time. He recalls that:

We had to practice ‘secretly’ off campus and occasionally we were allowed to practice in the ‘Scow’ as long as the music department didnt hear about it. After the first year we were finally accepted by the music department but we had to use the name “Modern American Music Ensemble,” but at least we were acknowledged as a legitimate organization and they allowed us to practice on campus and even use Loar Hall to practice in.

The group quickly gained popularity with audiences and musicians alike. They learned improvisation and composing and to arrange compositions. They began to live by musical rules that went beyond the strict rules of days gone by.

By 1973, a mere four years later, the West Virginia Wesleyan Jazz Ensemble participated in the first of what would be 10 Friendship Ambassador Tours to Eastern Europe, playing the music of freedom and democracy to audiences living under Communist Rule. They became part of that Cold War Secret Weapon of cutural diplomacy.

1973 (July) Romania
1974 (August 6-30) Poland
1979 (May)Romania
1983 (Summer) Russia and Romania
1987 Hungary and Austria
1992 (Spring) Russia, Romania, and the Ukraine
1996 (May) The Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Romania
1997 Romania
2001 Finland, Estonia, and Russia
2004 (May) Bulgaria, Romania, and The Czech Republic

A documentary, The Jazz Ambassadors, was made in 2018. It was directed by Hugo Berkeley and stars Leslie Odom, Jr. It is currently available free on Amazon Prime. In it we see how The Cold War, The Civil Rights Movement, and Jazz collided.

David Milburn and the WVWC Jazz Ensemble took an active role in the cultural diplomacy of the times. Truly, this was a remarkable set of circumstances and a talented group of people. This rich legacy adds to the close-knit family feeling among the WVWC Jazz “Oldtimers.”

An Era Comes to a Close

As the final Milburn-led European trip came to a close in the summer of 2004, the band found itself performing in a theater in one of the largest cities in Bulgaria. On that particular evening, the concert stage was shared with a local jazz band. That group performed first, followed by WVWC.

At the end of the concert, Wesleyan welcomed the local Bulgarian jazz group to share the stage to perform the final song together as one “super-group.” While the vast majority of musicians from both groups were unable to communicate with each other through the language barrier, everyone was able to immediately bond through the one true universal language—music. The performance of that final song was a literal expression of everything the Wesleyan jazz group had come to represent in Eastern Europe over 30 years and 10 visits: bridging cultural divides, and bringing humanity closer together through music.

Following Dr. Milburn’s retirement in 2004, and with the different times in which we live today, the group is doing a few different things. For a couple of years, the program was led by David Wright, but in 2006, James Moore arrived at Wesleyan bringing with him his own hopes and dreams for the program. Jazz at WVWC is alive, well, and thriving.

That group has a story all of its own for another day, but suffice it to say that David Milburn would be excited to see the Legacy being carried forward.

Family Reunion!! (At least some of the family. There are hundreds more who were there in spirit as well)

A highlight of the evening was when the band played Hey Jude, and the audience which filled the Culpepper Auditorium joined in singing Hey Slide (Doc’s other nickname).

Special thanks to Jim Watson for getting the whole thing going and giving everyone the chance to create a wonderful tribute to our mentor and friend. And to Neil Randolph who stepped in to pull all of the musicians together and get them ready to swing.

The Band is Coming!

The Band is Coming! This statement marks the beginning of things. As a small child, I can remember the excitement of standing on the street corner waiting for a parade and the electricity that ran through the crowd as we heard the drums in the distance.

It is August, and a new year is about to begin at West Virginia Wesleyan College. And, next Saturday The Band is Coming! The 2018 WVWC Bobcat Band will be arriving to prepare their show (Music from the Incredibles). The drums will be beating, the sounds of music will fill the air, the flags will wave.

Marching band at WVWC has had an interesting history. Although instrumental music groups the early years of the college were generally more in the form of an Orchestra, the 1915 catalog does begin to include band as well (although not necesarily in marching form.)

College Band Murmurmontis 1915 — 1915 Murmurmontis

The 1912 band was organized by Flavius Fay Smith, from Fairmont, who graduated from WVWC in the class of 1916. Student organized. Student led. Student enthusiasm.

With the graduation of Fay Smith, the world in turmoil throughout World War I , and the Great Depression, the band had its ups and downs. The Orchestra kept going strong, as it was part of the curriculum.

In the October 3, 1934 issue of the Pharos, a letter to the editor indicates that there was still a desire and a need for a band.

The competent instructor mentioned in this article is actually C. Lawrence Kingsbury, WVWC Class of 1935, who was an Instructor in the Music Department. (He later went on to get his Ed.D. in Music from the University of Indiana and to become the Chairman of the Music Department there, and also at Marshall University.) Again, students past and present provide great leadership.

1940s

The 1940 Marching Band was led onto the field by Drum Major Ronald Sleeth, future president of the college, and Drum Majorette Gloria Harvey.

WVWC Drum Major and Drum Majorette, 1940

1950s

Maraching Band Murmurmontis 1950 — 1950 Homecoming Parade

The 1955 Band had a great time and added to school spirit under the direction of C. Buell Agey, according to the Murmurmontis.

1960

The 45 member band, under the direction of Assistant Professor Owen West presented four shows that year. Apparently Professor West loved to design and name shows.

Half-time in Blue
Salute to the 49th and 50th States
Around the World
Music, Music, Music

West, Owen Murmurmontis 1960 — Owen West

They had a busy schedule and high hopes.

Band Schedule 1960 Pharos Sept 27 — Pharos 09-27-1960

Band Marching 1965 Murmurmontis — 1965 Homecoming Parade

The Milburn Years 1970s through early 2000s

The 1966 arrival of David Milburn, known to his earlier students as Slide and later students as Doc, coincided with the growing popularity of Jazz Music. This was evident in the selections of music chosen for the marching band shows.

1968

Goin’ Out of My Head
Windy
Up, Up and Away

1969

Joshua
Swing Low
When the Saints Go Marching In

1970

Witchcraft
America

In 1970, the October 6th issue of the Pharos tells us that the band is limited due to uniforms. David Milburn says that the 60 member band could easily become a 100 member band if there were enough uniforms.

Even with the shortages of uniforms, the band grew and was very successful. In 1973, they were the Honor Band at the Mountain State Forest Festival. Their sound was described as “Tremendous.”

By 1975, the band was marching 80 people, dressed in a different type of uniform. This was followed by a band for the next few years who took the field sporting jeans and Polo Shirts.

The 1977 season featured songs that brought the crowds at football games to their feet:

Old Days (by Chicago)
Ease on Down the Road (from The Wiz)
Beethoven’s 5th “Rock Style”

The band was honored that year when President Ronald Sleeth (former Drum Major) came by and conducted the Wesleyan Fight Song in the Stands.

35 Year Marching Band Drought

Due to many factors, the band did not field a Marching Band again for many years. It was not due to a lack of interest on the part of students. The music program in general was very healthy and robust, especially in the area of Jazz and Choral Music. The band continued to sit in the stands at football games, although in fewer numbers.

And then came Logan Lindsey in 2014.

In 2014, the decision was made to revitalize the Marching Band. They started small that year, with 25 students, but have shown steady growth, enthusiasm, talent, and downright passion. This year they will field about 90. Yes, they are still in search of uniforms, but their sound is intense and electrifying. Their show is the music from the Incredibles. And I have NO doubt that the term will be fitting.

Here is a video from their Facebook Page, showing them as the honor band at the Fairmont Band Spectacular last fall. The crowd had just seen 18 excellent high school bands in fancy uniforms. They were tired, and probably all ready to head home. Probaby a 19th band was a bit of a stretch for their patience. But the WVWC Bobcat Marching Band did not disappoint!

The WVWC Band had already had a busy day. They had played pregame concerts, home football game halftime, and pep music in the stands for a home game in Buckhannon. Then they headed to Fairmont, watched (and cheered for) all of those bands, and still managed to be amazing.

The girl sitting in front of me that evening said that she was considering going to WVWC, but only “if the band was any good.” She watched and cheered and got very excited about this performance. Maybe she will be among those gathering for Band Camp next Saturday. I hope so!

I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!

The Band Is Coming!

Lindsey, Logan 2014 — Photo from Clarksburg Exponent-Telegram

Update 2022-03-04

Logan Lindsey left in 2019 to pursue his dream of performance music. During his time at WVWC, the band was invigorated and grew. New uniforms were purchased!

David Blon was appointed the Director of Athletic Bands in June of 2020, and led the group through the very difficult period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is an article about him from MyBuckhannon June 23, 2020. He was here until May 2021, when he left to join the band and orchestra faculty at Purdue University.

In July 2021, Scott M. Miller arrived at WVWC to serve as the Director of Athletic Bands. Here is an article about him from wvnews.com.

The music goes on!

Update: July 19, 2022

Ron Sleeth

Ronald Sleeth was the Drum Major for four seasons: 1939, 1940, 1941, and 1942.

Right after that, there is no record of a marching band in the Murmurmontis in 1943 and it was not published in 1944, 1945, or 1946 due to World War II.

WVWC Drum Major, 1942 with Drum Majorette, Gloria Harvey

While at WVWC, Ron Sleeth was active in many areas of campus, showing great leadership along the way. Among his accomplishments and activities Ron was President of his class in 1938, President of Playshop in 1942, sang in the choir, played intramural sports, and worked on the Pharos staff.

After his graduation, he went on to receive his Divinity Degree from Yale University in 1947. He served as a chaplain in the U.S. Navy from 1945-46, and came back to WVWC to teach Speech from 1946-48. He became an ordained Methodist Elder in 1947 before returning to academia to earn his masters and Ph.D. in Communication from Northwestern University. In 1976-77, he came back to WVWC once again to serve as the president of the college. Realizing that administration was not his passion, he stepped down after one year to go back to teaching and writing.

A true leader. Read more about him here.

After the war, various others served in student leadership capacity for a year or two, and under such titles a student director, drum major, and drum majorette. Each one had a different story about how they came to be chosen, different leadership styles, and different skills.

Jude Gore

Jude Gore was the Drum Major of the Bobcat Marching band for four seasons: 1974, 1975, 1976, and 1977. Right after that, the marching band ceased to exist for 34 years. There was an upswing (pun intended) in interest for the Jazz Band, and that truly was the passion of David Milburn, professor and director of bands. Concert band and pep bands continued, but marching band did not.

After his graduation, he went on to have a very successful career in Music Education, and kept right on leading students through music for decades to come.

In the fall of 1978, Ron Sleeth and Jude Gore teamed up to direct the band in the stands at a football game. A true meeting of the minds!

2014 — They’re Back!

In 2014, the Bobcat Marching Band returned. It had only 25 members, but they were mighty! Doubling by the second year, and with steady growth each year, they are now marching about 100 and share their vast amount of school spirit with all of us. Since their return, they have been led by Drum Majors Christen Shell (2014, 205, 2016) and Patrick Withers (2017, 2018). This year, Cassidy Hoffman has been tapped for this leadership position.

Band Camp 2019 with Drum Major Cassidy Hoffman

Drum Major 101

Each drum major

must earn and deserve the respect of those they lead
leads the band onto the field and keeps them all going in the right direction
keeps the band literally and figuratively on the same page
plays a crucial role in communication between band and band director
has the opportunity to facilitate change
needs to know music and marching drills inside and out – for all members

They are supportive, enthusiastic, prepared and professional.

They set a good example.

These are great life skills!!!

Here’s to a great year for the Bobcat Marching Band in 2019. Their new uniforms have been delayed in production, but hopes are to debut them later this season. And those who wear them will be taking the field under the leadership of Drum Major Cassidy Hoffman.

I think that Flavius Fay Smith who was from Fairmont, WV (and who organized the first WVWC band in 1912) was probably cheering somewhere in those stands at the Fairmont Band Spectacular as well!

The Band Is Coming!

P.S.

The band will once again be beating out the strains to “Here’s to Old Wesleyan.” If you are in the stands, why not sing (or at least clap) along!

Update on 2022-07-19:

Dr. Robert Palmer has joined the Bobcat Bands in July 2022!

Tag: David Milburn

Overwhelmed and Grateful

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