James H . Moore
President and Associate Professor of Music , West Virginia Wesleyan College
DAWN NOLAN TRACY A . TOLER PHOTOGRAPHY
Moore visits the Anne Kuchinka Amphitheater .
Music always played a significant role in the life of James Moore , president and associate professor of music at West Virginia Wesleyan College ( WVWC ).
“ My folks both have great taste , and there was always good music on at the house ,” the Westover , WV , native says . “ My dad is a nice tenor and was a good trumpet player in his day , so I gravitated to music in a big way as I got to be about 10 years old .”
On his first day of band in fifth grade , Moore realized his own talent . Despite playing his grandfather ’ s “ old , musty , silver horn from the 1920s ,” as he calls it , the director praised him in front of the class . It was then he knew he ’ d found his calling .
“ I was the best at something ,” Moore says . “ I walked out of there that day and told myself that I would play the trumpet for a living .”
Following in the footsteps of his mentor , Curtis Johnson , a jazz musician and professor , Moore planned to play professionally and teach others who wanted to do the same .
Moore earned a Master of Music in jazz studies from the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and a Ph . D . in music with a concentration in jazz studies from the University of Pittsburgh .
While completing his master ’ s degree , Moore received a call from Melody Meadows , WVWC ’ s music department chair , asking if he ’ d be interested in a faculty position .
“ I jumped at it , and I am still here ,” Moore says .
Starting as a junior faculty member in 2006 , Moore worked his way up to associate professor and music department chair . He transitioned to administration in 2017 , starting as vice president for academic affairs and now , president .
“ Jazz music , my teachers who guided me to it and my students who taught me how to teach it , are all the reasons that I ’ m here ,” Moore says . “ I ’ m the president of a college that has , since 1890 , produced leaders who serve . I get to be a part of that legacy .”
Moore credits his students as his motivation and greatest successes and Meadows for teaching him how to be a true educator and mentor .
“ I know that whatever success I ’ ve had as a college president is because of the confidence she instilled in me and the love that she taught me to have for this amazing college ,” he says .
In addition to serving WVWC , Moore is a member of the Upshur County
Development Authority and the Rotary Club of Buckhannon-Upshur , a lay member of the West Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church and a part of the Manchester Craftsmen ’ s Guild Youth Advisory Committee . He also sounds “ Taps ” at veterans ’ funerals throughout the region and adjudicates at music festivals and competitions regionally and nationally .
For Moore , the best way to give back is through music and education . His love for West Virginia also drives his involvement .
“ I try to ask what will make someone ’ s life better right here , in our backyard , and what skills or talents I can lend to that work ,” Moore explains . “ The impact that one can make in our state is tangible , and the people are the kindest you ’ ll find anywhere . I love the perseverance that our fellow West Virginians exude .”
Moore aims to continue improving his craft throughout the rest of his life .
“ I am not the musician I want to be yet ,” he explains . “ I don ’ t sound like the best version of myself . I ’ ll be chasing that until I ’ m gone .” •
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ?
superhero :
Batman
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Our dog , Leeza
tv show :
“ Veep ”
food :
German
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