GRAGAN

WHEELING — The Thursday Music Club will start off its year with the September Membership Tea on Thursday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. at CharHouse on the Blvd.

Officers include President Judy Szymialis, Vice President Lynn Welsh, Secretary Teresa Podolski-Cybulski and Treasurer Mary Ann Mysliwiec.

The membership committee — Chairwoman Sandy Smith, Joyce DiMitro, Linda Hemphill and Betty Lane — will greet members and guests.

There is no charge but you must have a reservation. Call Emily Mayer at 304-232-1714 to make a reservation. The Thursday Music Club meets the first Thursday of the month and the yearly dues remain the same. New members are welcomed.

The 2021 Gretchen McKee Award Winner Emma Gragan will entertain members and guests and will be accompanied by Leslie Garrett from the West Liberty University Music Department.

Gragan is a sophomore music performance major with a double concentration in voice and flute. She previously appeared in Hilltop Opera’s production of Sweeney Todd as Johanna. She won first place in her category at the NATS Tri-States Chapter competition, and went on to place second in the NATS Eastern Region competition.

She will now go on to compete at the national level.

The club’s Program Committee — Chairwoman Anita Chops, Debbie Breiding, Joan Campbell, Betty Davis, Peggy Laing, Lane, Millard Neal, Geri Sloane, Teresa Podolski-Cybulski, Kathryn Wallington and Welsh — also has a wonderful line-up planned for 2021-22:

— Oct. 7, Curtis Johnson;

— Nov. 4, Bryan Sable;

— Dec. 2, Scott Wolodkin and the Steubenville Jazz Group;

— January, no meeting;

— Feb. 3, Eli Lambi;

— March 3, West Liberty University, Linda Cowan Youssef; and

— April 7, Thursday Music Club Chorus at Elm Grove Methodist Church.

Chops, director of the Thursday Music Club Chorus, plans on starting practice in October. Practice is every Wednesday at Elm Grove Methodist Church at 10 a.m. For more information call her at 304-551-1414. Breiding of West Liberty University is the accompanist.

Welsh, chairwoman of the Thursday Music Study Group, is hoping to begin in October. Plans are not complete at this time. For more information call her 304-277-4730.

Members Lee Hetzel and Sloane will be greeting members and guests at the Oct. 7 meeting.

Auditions for the youth will be on March 25-26 at Vance Memorial Presbyterian Church with the Recital on April 10.