UVa-Wise student first recipient of local music scholarship

‘Papa Joe’ Smiddy to headline concert to benefit scholarship fund

UVa-Wise music education major Ben Harding (center) is the first recipient of the David R. Tipton Memorial Music Scholarship, established by Angela Tipton (left) in memory of her late husband, a local band director. Tipton and Harding are joined here by UVa-Wise Director of Bands and Music Education Rick Galyean.

A music education major at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise has been named the first recipient of the David R. Tipton Memorial Music Scholarship, which supports students pursuing careers as music educators in the vein of the fund’s namesake.

Senior Ben Harding received the scholarship, which is open to Wise County, Lee County and City of Norton students in college or high school who currently or plan to pursue a degree in music education with interest in instrumental music and plans to teach music upon graduation.

“Ben’s a nice, talented young man,” said Angela Tipton, who established the scholarship in memory of her late husband. “We’re glad to support his educational pursuits.”

The scholarship was established in honor of David Tipton, who taught as a band director in the U.S. Army and at Pennington Gap High School, Thomas Walker High School, Powell Valley High School and John I. Burton High School.

During his time at Powell Valley High School, Tipton led the band’s 1970 performance at the inauguration of Governor Linwood Holton. More recently, Tipton was the inspiration for band director Theodore Tipton, a central character in novelist and friend Adriana Trigiani’s “Big Stone Gap” series.

As a fundraiser for the scholarship fund, the David R. Tipton Memorial Scholarship Concert will be held Sunday, April 20, at the Goodloe Center at Mountain Empire Community College in Big Stone Gap.

UVa-Wise Chancellor Emeritus Joseph C. “Papa Joe” Smiddy and the Reedy Creek Band will perform at the concert. Smiddy was Tipton’s first band director. The Jerome Street Ramblers with Bud Stewart also will perform.

All proceeds will go toward the David R. Tipton Memorial Music Scholarship Fund.

Tickets are $25 per person, and admission includes a reception with heavy hors d’oeuvres at 4 p.m., followed by the concert at 5 p.m.

To purchase tickets, contact Rick Galyean at UVa-Wise at 276-328-0235 or rdg3y@uvawise.edu. Tickets also may be purchased by contacting Angela Tipton at 276-523-1653, Karen Roop at Powell Valley Primary School at 276-523-4900, Stan Wilson at John I. Burton High School at 276-679-2554, Vic’s Decorating in Norton at 276-679-1530, or The Post in Big Stone Gap at 276-679-1101.

Posted March 31, 2008