WEST LIBERTY, W.Va., May 25, 2022 — West Liberty University rising senior Madison Bolyard, received the Region V scholarship from Alpha Chi National College Honor Society recently after competing in a rigorous national competition in Austin, Texas.

Bolyard is from Jane Lew, W.Va. and is a double major in Music Education and Voice Performance.

The award was given in recognition of her paper titled, “An Analysis of Auch Kleine Dinge (Even Little Things) by Hugo Wolf.” Bolyard’s paper provides her theoretical analysis of this song in classical music.

“Her region V scholarship was based on the paper she turned in for her theory class, she then submitted it as a competition paper and won. We are so proud of her, she is really talented and did a fine job with this higher-level song,” said Dr. Linda Cowan, professor of voice and chairperson of the Department of Music and Theater.

“When she did the presentation, she was impressive to many in the audience because she had already recorded herself singing the song. Madison used this very well to illustrate the song and her analysis.”

The Alpha Chi competition is an annual event that attracts students from all over the country as they compete for scholarship awards.

Bolyard received a $500 award for her successful competition and will begin her student teaching in the fall.

Students have several performance options at WLU, including the Hilltop Opera, the University Singers, the Wind Symphony, the Community Choir, the Percussion Ensemble, the Choral Scholars, the Marching Hilltoppers, the African Drum and Dance Ensemble, the University Band, the Steel Band, and the Electronic Music Ensemble.

The Division of Music at West Liberty University offers undergraduate degrees in music education, music performance, and music technology. It also offers a minor in music.

For complete information, please contact music@westliberty.edu or the Department of Music and Theater Office at 304-336-8006.