Eastern Panhandle Neighborhood Initiative

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Martinsburg, WV
Eastern Panhandle Neighborhood Initiative

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EPNI strengthens the eastern panhandle of West Virginia by fostering belonging and collaboration for a brighter future.

10/28/2026

🌟🎶🌟Heads up Neighborhood Youth Band! We will not have rehearsal this evening (10/28/26) due to parent/teacher conferences! Keep using your practice app that Mr. Blom trolls on and we’ll see you next week!

10/22/2026

🌟🎶🌟 You know, sometimes it’s time to bring a classic tradition back into action! We’ve spent a lot of this semester focusing on being present with our students and making good, foundational memories with them. But now it’s time to introduce you to a young neighbor who truly inspires US! 😍

This week’s Good Neighbor Spotlight goes to the one, the only, Laurel G! Laurel is one of our hardworking 8th grade percussionists and a member of the Martinsburg South Middle School Band. Mr. Blom and Ms. Kozak chose Laurel because she ALWAYS shows up ready to learn. Even better, she loves helping her peers learn, too! We’re always impressed by her willingness to help others grow and the kindness she brings along with it!

🌟Why did you join Neighborhood Youth Band?
“Well, my mom works with Ms. Kozak at the Parks and Rec, and the first time I told her I was in band at school, she encouraged me to join EPNI… and didn’t really stop telling me how much I’d enjoy it till I did! It’s hard to say no to Ms. Kozak! 🥰”

🌟What is your favorite thing about yourself?
“My love and care for animals.”

🌟What is one thing you’d like to accomplish in life?
“I want to adopt a baby Rottweiler. They get such a bad reputation but they’re really just sweet knuckleheads.”

🌟What is something special about Neighborhood Youth Band that most people may not realize?
“Everyone is SO welcoming and nice. I love how everyone works together and helps each other. Mr. Blom is a good teacher… he encourages us even when we make mistakes.”

🌟What is a random fact you know and feel the entire world needs to know, too?
“There is no such thing as ‘dead ends.’ Your hair is already dead when it comes out of the follicle… dead ends are just damage… also! Curly hair follicles are oval while straight hair follicles are circular.”

Laurel, gosh, you are a treasure of a human being. We love getting to make music with you and your amazing random facts! Your enthusiasm, generosity, and determination make you a force to be reckoned with. We’re here to help you make the world a better place, and we have a feeling you’re going to do exactly that. 🥹

Thank you for being here with us, Laurel. We’re so lucky to have you! ♥️

10/11/2026

🌟🎻🌟 friendly reminder for our Orchestra crew! There will be no rehearsal Monday 10/12/26
Neighborhood BAND rehearsal is still a GO for Wednesday 10/14!

10/05/2026

🌟🎶🌟We’ve been having SO much fun the past few weeks!

Neighborhood Youth Band is back for the fall, and our very first Neighborhood Youth Orchestra season is officially underway! It has been so cool watching these kids make music, make friends, and grow together.

We were also SO proud to see so many of our Neighborhood Youth Band crew representing EPNI and their home schools at MaHS Step Up Night too! 🧡🖤

Thank you to our families, instructors, volunteers, and everyone who keeps supporting what we’re building. You guys keep us going. 🎺🎻

09/11/2026

🌟🎻🌟 New EPNI program, who dis? Neighborhood Youth Orchestra is who! 😎

Rehearsals start MONDAY, September 14! But good news… there’s still time to sign up!

Neighborhood Youth Orchestra is our newest FREE program for students in grades 4-12 who have some experience playing an instrument. We recommend around 6 months of experience, and then we’ll take it from there!

❣️ Mondays, 6:30–8:00 PM at Martinsburg North Middle School. Students from all across the Eastern Panhandle are welcome!

Not a Strings musician? Ah, no sweat… check out EPNI’s Neighborhood Youth Band for our wind instrument crew!

Registration link is in the comments. 👇
Let’s make some music, crew! 🎶🤩

09/10/2026

🌟🎶🌟 Neighborhood Youth Band Fall 2026 is here!

We are getting the crew back together starting Wednesday, September 16 at 6:30pm in the band room at Martinsburg North Middle School.

Neighborhood Youth Band is free and open to students in 4th through 12th grade. We recommend at least 6 months of playing experience, but mostly we just want kids who love music and want to make it with other people. 🥰

Don’t have an instrument? Don’t let that stop you. Reach out to us about Instruments4All because we may be able to help with that too.

We have missed our crew and cannot wait to see some familiar faces and meet some new ones this fall.

Registration link is in the comments. See you next Wednesday!

08/31/2026

🌟🎶 THE CONCERT IS ON! 🎶🌟

We are so excited to announce that our rescheduled concert will take place Tuesday, September 1 at 7:00 PM at the Apollo Civic Theatre!

Student Call Time: 6:30 PM
Concert Begins: 7:00 PM

Our crew has been working hard this summer, and we are SO stoked to finally have everyone together and hear them shine!

Come out, bring your friends, bring your neighbors, and help us celebrate these incredible young humans!

And if you (or someone you know!!) is interested in learning more about the Neighborhood Youth Band, Neighborhood Youth Orchestra, or any of our other EPNI programs, we would LOVE to have you join us! Our neighborhood is always welcoming new faces.

We can’t wait to see you Tuesday! 🫶🏻

08/28/2026

🚨🎶⛈️ Due to the Hedgesville High School vs. Martinsburg High School football game being rescheduled because of weather, we will unfortunately need to reschedule our concert originally planned for Friday, August 28. Our new date is currently TBD.

A sincere thank you to Corey Hamrick and Hedgesville High School Band for working with their students and allowing them the opportunity to miss one football game to come together and be part of this special community event.

Unfortunately, we would still be missing too many important members of our crew to truly hear everyone shine the way they deserve… together.

We are incredibly proud of all of our young musicians and look forward to sharing their hard work with our community soon!! 🌟🎶🌟

08/23/2026

🌟🎶 Neighbors, it’s finally here!!! The Neighborhood Youth Band Summer Session performance is THIS FRIDAY!

Join us Friday, August 28th at 7:00 PM at the Apollo Civic Theatre for a fun evening of music and community! Student call time is 6:30 PM.

Our Neighborhood Youth Band is ready to take the stage and show off everything they’ve been working on this summer. We’d love to fill the theatre with friendly faces cheering them on! ❤️

Free to attend! Donations are always appreciated and help us keep programs like this free for our neighborhood kids.

Bring a friend, grab a seat, and come celebrate with us! 🎶🌟

08/15/2026

🌟🎻🌟 Looking for a fun FREE learning opportunity for your kiddo this school year?

Eastern Panhandle Neighborhood Initiative is excited to present a new high-on-the-wishlist program: The Neighborhood Youth Orchestra!

📚 Grades 4- 12 (6 months of instrument experience recommended!)
📍 Martinsburg North Middle School
🗓️ Mondays 6:30–8:00 PM
Students from across the Eastern Panhandle are welcome!

Much like our Neighborhood Youth Band program, Neighborhood Youth Orchestra is all about giving students the opportunity to learn, play, perform, and make new friends from across our community.

Whether your student is already playing an instrument or is ready to grow their skills alongside other young musical neighbors, we’d love to have them join us!

Registration is OPEN NOW!

Registration link is in the comments. We can’t wait to make MORE music together! 🤩🥰

Address

51 Carnes Way
Martinsburg, WV
25403

Telephone

+13042684548

Website

http://epniwv.org/

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