The West Virginia Governor's School for the Arts Instrumental Music program allows advanced young instrumentalists to experience what it takes to be a contemporary musical artist.  Through an integrated curriculum of music theory, history, composition, and performance, students are given opportunities to generate a personal artistic vision, refine their musical ideas through collaboration, and develop instrumental technique according to the demands of original repertoire. The course is built upon an iterative creative process - students study masterworks by influential musicians, apply observed concepts to create new pieces, and share their work in daily performances. Large ensemble and chamber music experiences emphasize stylistic versatility and efficient assimilation of diverse techniques, while workshops in arranging/composition, audio recording, and digital media production support creative expression, instrumental technique, & collaborative rehearsal/performance skills in smaller contemporary formats. The course fosters an understanding of music as both a personal and communal art form, encouraging students to take ownership of their music-learning   and make purposeful choices about how they engage with their communities through musical work. Students complete the program with a portfolio of recorded performances that reflect both individual growth and shared artistic achievement.