WFDD Triad Arts Archive: The Governor\'s School of North Carolina

Triad Arts with David Ford

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The Governor\'s School of North Carolina

July 23, 2012

On July 14th the Governor’s School of North Carolina celebrated its 50th anniversary. The Governor’s School is a remarkable program where each summer many of Our State’s best and brightest students gather for the pure love of learning and the joy of creativity in a host of disciplines including the arts. This year, the Governor's School drama group did a traditional Twelfth Night performance one evening, changed gender roles, and performed it again the following afternoon. The Governor’s School orchestra performs only contemporary works by composers new to many at the school.

This year’s anniversary celebration almost never happened. Last year state funding for the program was cut. Leading the drive to raise the $760,000 to restore the school was Wake Forest University Department of Education professor Joseph Milner. He joins David today along with the man leading the charge to first establish the Governor's School 50 years ago: Renowned NC author and special assistant to Governor Terry Sanford from 1962-64, John Ehle. After signing up the Carnegie Corporation to fund half of the school for the first three years, Ehle approached James A. Gray in Winston-Salem who suggested the school be located in Salem, and a special meal to make it happen.