Musicians and singers of all ages and skill levels are welcome to join community jam sessions that are being offered at the Village Library of Morgantown.

Led by private music teacher Virginia Thorpe, the group will meet from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on the first Thursday of every month, with the exception of this month when the jam session will take place on Jan. 9.

The first jam session, described by Thorpe as "a musical melting pot," was held on Dec. 5, 2024, and it featured Christmas music. Among those in attendance were Thorpe's music students.

"I did an adult guitar class at the Village Library on Thursday nights, and this was the culmination. I had 14 participants in the adult guitar class, and a lot of them came and will continue to come to the jam sessions," Thorpe said. "People in my (other music) classes also invited people, so it spread beyond (the guitar class)."

The December session not only attracted people playing guitars, but other instruments as well, including an accordion. "We had five violins and a recorder - all kinds of instruments," Thorpe reported. "(We had attendees ranging from) age 4 to 70-something."

She added that those who do not play an instrument may attend the jam sessions to sing and that percussion instruments will be available for younger attendees.

During each session, sheet music will be provided. "It will be chord charts, (with) the lyrics and the chord written above (them)," explained Thorpe. "Melody instruments will play by ear, and I will help them with that. If there is a song they don't know how to play, they can just sing."

Thorpe noted that musicians sit in a circle in the library's community room, and everyone has an opportunity to choose a song for the group to play. "It's a circle jam in that the book (of songs) will go around, and people can take turns picking what song," she said. "Everyone will get at least one song they want, enjoy or know. If you don't know the song, you can play the chords."

She said the musicians can be of any skill level. "A slow jam is for all levels. You don't have to be an advanced or even an intermediate musician," Thorpe stated. "It is (songs) I have picked that have simple music. It is geared toward beginners, but intermediate and advanced musicians can join and be challenged and up it a level."

While the jam sessions are free, there will be suggested donations per individual or family to benefit the library. The Village Library is located at 207 N. Walnut St., Morgantown. For more information about the jam sessions or the next adult guitar workshop at the library, contact Thorpe at ginny@ginnymusic.com.