FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 10, 2007
For More Information: Annette Barnette
Public Relations and Marketing Director
Glenville State College
Glenville, West Virginia
(304) 462-4115

Glenville, WV -- “Absolutely breathtaking and a musical experience I will never forget.” That’s how Glenville State College Music Professor Lloyd Bone describes a recent trip to the Cincinnati Opera. Bone says he not only enjoyed Verdi’s grand masterpiece opera, Aida, but he also took three GSC students to the performance. What’s even better is the fact that through his connections, he was able to take them to this rare treat for free! “This was a rare treat because the Cincinnati Opera performed the full version of this massive opera. The full version is not often performed as it calls for massive personnel. This is considered one of the great operas and I have been waiting for over 15 years to see this amazing work in its full glory.”

Bone says the GSC students who went on the field trip to the opera with him were Brandi Horn of Louisa, Kentucky, Jessica Jones of Williamstown, West Virginia, and Jeremiah Smallridge of Buckhannon, West Virginia. They are all music education majors, and Jeremiah just graduated in May.

Horn said, "Aida is a grand masterwork and is considered a masterpiece in the opera genre. I have waited a very long time to finally see this amazing work performed in its complete form. Words do little to describe the sheer power and magnitude of this opera. It may be the greatest performance I've ever seen. I would have paid good money to see this performance, but the fact that we were able to see Aida for free just made the whole experience even more incredible!"

Bone says the Cincinnati Opera is the second oldest opera company in the country and is one of the finest in the country. The hall they perform in is one of the top five largest in the country, has been used for countless Grammy Award winning recordings and is a national registered historic landmark. Bone said, “Just seeing the hall is worth the trip. I really cannot describe in words how major of a learning opportunity and treat this was for our students. We are still giddy about it, to put it mildly!”