Classical musicians on a mission to inspire stylistically and spiritually

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—With a compelling sound and energetic performances, the Annie Moses Band is on a mission to educate and inspire audiences—both stylistically and spiritually.

This Wolaver family act is made up of six siblings. Annie serves as the lead vocalist and violin player; Alex accompanies on vocals and violin; Benjamin plays the cello; Camille handles the harp and keyboard; Gretchen performs the violin and mandolin; and Jeremiah plays the classical and electric guitar. 

Their group name was chosen to honor their great-grandmother, Annie Moses, who paved the way for their musical heritage and spent long hours working in the Texas cotton fields. 

“Our namesake for the band lived all of her life in Texas and is buried in Chambersville, near McKinney,” Annie Wolaver said.

“She died at age 49 from cancer. Her daughter Jane, my grandmother, had an incredible gift as a singer and was determined that her children would have the musical education that was never available to her—being the daughter of a cotton-field worker. Each generation has taken music to the next level. Texas is a special place for us. We see that our legacy goes back to those cotton fields. My great-grandmother’s life laid a foundation that every generation has built upon.” 

Today, the Annie Moses Band travels around the world and entertains audiences with a blend of classical, jazz, folk and Celtic music. Because of their distinctive musical stylings, the group has been given opportunities to perform in a variety of settings, including prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, as well as North Korea—a nation generally closed to Christians from the West.

The songs on their debut album, Pilgrims & Prodigals, reflect on the theme of roaming and redemption. This 13-song album is packaged with a companion DVD, showcasing the Annie Moses Band performing the entire album in concert.

“The songs on this project center around the idea that everyone in the world falls into one of two categories,” Annie Wolaver said. “Either you are a pilgrim headed for home or the prodigal running away from home. The songs explore self-assessment of where you are on your journey.”

Desiring to assist and encourage young musicians, the Annie Moses Band teaches more than 200 students during the summer as part of their Fine Arts Academy in Nashville, Tenn.

“We have so many young children come up to us after concerts and are inspired to play instruments,” Annie Wolaver said. “That has been a catalyst for our fine arts summer camp. It’s an incredible program filled with people who want to invest in their children spiritually, as well as artistically. Hopefully, we can be trailblazers for young artists who are exploring different styles of music.”

Wherever the Annie Moses Band performs, they desire to shine the light and love of Christ with audiences.

“When my siblings and I started the Annie Moses Band, we began to explore stylistically and express the mission that the Lord placed on our family,” Annie Wolaver said. “It doesn’t matter where we play, the message remains the same. We also hope that our concerts will inspire people to reinvest in their own families. It is a complete joy to do what we love—with the people we love most.”