Friends of Music Presents its 2026-27 Season

Now celebrating its 26th year, Friends of Music promotes musical excellence and performance of chamber music in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle. We pursue this mission by sponsoring the all-professional Two Rivers Chamber Orchestra and smaller ensembles in a 5-concert season, and by boosting music education in public schools through the provision of mini-grants, scholarships, and a college-level internship. Our vision is a community where the lives of adults and children are enriched through music, which provides a common language for building connections and kinship. Heidi Johnston, the new president of the organization will be sharing features of the upcoming season.

Heidi brings a variety of talents to the Board as an independent business owner, freelance writer, and experienced volunteer. She has worked in real estate sales since 2014, honing her skills in customer service, marketing, negotiation, and problem solving. In the preceding decade, she wrote grant applications, newsletters, and feature stories for local nonprofits, municipal offices, and print media. As a grant writer, she secured more than $2 million for clients in arts & culture, social services, and animal welfare. Living in Ipswich, Massachusetts until 2019, she served for 9 years on the Town’s Planning Board, where she chaired monthly meetings, oversaw public hearings, enacted local zoning bylaws, and recommended policy changes. Heidi earned an MBA from the University of Massachusetts and a BS from Bates College in Maine. She holds fond memories of her childhood music lessons, marching band rehearsals, and orchestra performances.