Cabell Midland High School’s Renaissance-style costumed ensemble, the Collegium musicum, is preparing for a leadership transition as longtime director Ed Harkless retires from his 41-year career in the Cabell County School System. Christa Navy, an alumna of both Cabell Midland High School and Marshall University, will take over the ensemble starting with the 2025-2026 school year.
History and Legacy of the Collegium musicum
The ensemble was originally founded by Ed Harkless as a before-school group at Barboursville High School before moving to Cabell Midland High School when it opened in 1994. Harkless built a career in the Cabell County School System that included teaching assignments at Meigs Local Schools in Ohio from 1979 to 1984, Barboursville Junior High from 1984 to 1989, and Barboursville High from 1989 to 1994. In recognition of the group’s annual performances at the Carolina Renaissance Festival, Harkless was knighted in 2014.
Students in grades 9 through 12 participate in the ensemble after being selected through competitive auditions held each spring during scheduling for the upcoming academic year. The group presents up to 40 programs annually for local civic and community groups, alongside an extensive tradition of spring travel.
International and Domestic Performance Venues
Since the school’s opening in 1994, the Collegium musicum has traveled extensively each spring. Their performance schedule has featured notable domestic venues such as the Washington Cathedral in Washington, D.C., as well as performances in San Francisco and San Diego.
International tours have focused heavily on Ireland, beginning with their first tour in April 2006, where they performed at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin, Blarney Castle, and Knappogue Castle. Subsequent international itineraries included:
- April 2011: A return trip featuring a joint concert with organist Timothy Waugh at Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, alongside a performance at Bunratty Castle in Shannon.
- 2014: St. Patrick’s Day performances at Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin and Bunratty Castle.
- March 2016: A domestic tour to New York City.
- 2017 and 2018: Return tours to Ireland, followed by a domestic tour covering Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia in 2018.
- 2019: An additional spring tour to Ireland.
- March 2023: Post-pandemic international travel resumed with a concert at Christchurch Cathedral in Dublin, performances at St. Michan’s, a return to Bunratty Castle for the Medieval Banquet, and a performance for guests at Killarney Towers.
Locally, the ensemble is also known for presenting its Annual Christmas Madrigal Dinner during the second full weekend of December each year.
Recent Student Honors and Recognitions
Members of the Collegium musicum frequently earn placement in regional and state choral ensembles. Recent student achievements include:
- 2026 WV ACDA High School Honor Choir: Hannah Kotalic.
- 2025 WV Arts Alive: Mallorey Harris and Ariyanna Lewis, alongside a selected “Prepare Thyself Zion” duet. Hannah Vance was selected to perform the traditional closing of “My Home Among the Hills,” and the ensemble participated in a medley production number from The Greatest Showman.
- 2025 WV ACDA High School Honor Choir: Logan Harris, Hannah Kotalic, Tobias Sigmon, and Hannah Vance.
- 2025 WV All State Chorus: Hannah Vance, Tori Meade, Brookelynn Miller, Hannah Kotalic, Tobias Sigmon, Logan Harris, and Zachary Stovall.
- 2024 ACDA Southern SSAA Honor Choir (Louisville): Gracie Davis, Acashala Lewis, and Brookelynn Miller.
- 2024 WV All State Chorus: Hannah Vance, Madyson Kirtley, Acashala Lewis, Logan Harris, Andreas Adkins, and John Riffe.