Fairmont Senior High School
The Pride Of
Fairmont, WV
The 1st Annual Steelband Luau was a great success! Lots of people came out and enjoyed some great music, food and fun. Thanks to everyone who was a part of this new event. To see a recent performance of the steel band CLICK HERE
The FSHS Steel Band performing at the Three Rivers Festival - 5/23/09
CONGRATULATIONS to the concert band on a fine performance at the WVSSAC Region 10 Band Festival on May 1 in Bridgeport. The band performed two Grade 5 pieces: Fanfare and Intermezzo by Robert Sheldon and In All Its Glory by James Swearingen. The band received straight "I" ratings from all three judges, for a perfect rating of "Superior".
CONGRATULATIONS to the Steel Drum Ensemble on being selected to perform as an Honors Ensemble at the 2009 WVMEA State Conference. The ensemble received a Superior rating at the Region VII Solo and Ensemble Festival at FSU On Feb. 7, and then were nominated to submit an audition for the State Honors Recital. The committee selected the FSHS Steel Drum Ensemble as one of only twelve soloists or ensembles statewide to perform at the state conference as an honors group. The steel band performed on the recital March 12 in WVU's Creative Arts Center.
CONGRATULATIONS to the following band members who are members of the 2009 WVU Honors Band: Michael Robinson, Nina Sabak, Stefanie Webb, Clayton Dunn, Derek Squires, Nicolette Rueger and Graham Parks. This year's WVU Honors Band featured guest conductors Ken Ozzello - Director of Bands at the University of Alabama, Jay Dawson - renowned composer, arranger, and president of Arrangers' Publishing Co., and Larry Jackson - Director of Bands at Allegany High School. Our band members performed with top band students from seven states in concert at WVU's Creative Arts Center on Feb. 14.
CONGRATULATIONS to Leah Nestor, who was selected to be a member of the 2009 WV All State Band. This is the third year that Leah has made All State Band, and is the only Marion County band student to make the All State Band this year - we are all very proud of her for receiving this highest honor!
The Polar Bear Band performs Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten at the FSHS Band Spectacular on Sept. 13
The Polar Bear Band performs The Blues Brothers at the Band Spectacular
CLICK HERE for current TOB scores, stats and info.
The Polar Bear Band was featured in another story on WBOY-TV recently. 
CLICK HERE to view the video.
Heroes Fallen, Not Forgotten, composed by Key Poulan, is a salute to those in the military who have given their lives in service to their country, and to those who got caught up in the midst of tragedy due to the actions of others, such as assassinated presidents and civil rights legends. This show will be different from usual in that narration and historical sound clips will be played over loud speakers during the performance, along with some visual effects.
Click Here to hear the first movement.
The second movement, "Wars, Politics, Homeland Tragedies" covers dark moments in American history. It starts in rousing fashion during World War I with hints of “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “It's a Long Way to Tipperary,” followed by a musical interpretation of the famed photo of the raising of the flag by the Marines on Iwo Jimo. The piece turns solemn with musical images of President Kennedy and Dr. Martin Luther King. The sounds of helicopters overhead signify the country’s involvement in the Viet Nam conflict. The movement climaxes with motifs representing mass tragedy visited upon American soil in the form of the Oklahoma City bombing and the destruction of the World Trade Center. As the 9/11 fireball fades to black, a short moment of silence is followed by “Amazing Grace,” with an overlay of “Taps” floating on top.
Click Here to hear the second movement.
The third movment, “Let Freedom Ring” lets us know that in spite of all of the bad things that have happened during the history of the United States, our country will continue to live on. A number of works are intertwined to conclude the show, including “America” (“My Country 'Tis of Thee”), “The Star Spangled Banner,” “Yankee Doodle,” “You're a Grand Old Flag,” “Shaker Song,” the Iwo Jima segment from Movement. 2,” and “America, America!” The ending is powerful and appropriately patriotic, lifting up our optimism despite the tragic events that have tainted our past.
Click Here to hear the third movment.
This year, for the first time the Polar Bear Band will be doing a second halftime show. This show will be performed at most of the football games, either for a pregame or a halftime performance. The 2008 "football" show is:
The Blues Brothers!
Of course, this is a much more lighthearted and fun show, and will include such Blues Brothers favorites as "I Can't Turn You Loose", "Soul Man", "Flip, Flop and Fly", "Soul Finger", and "Think".
The Polar Bear Band had 8 representatives in the 2008 WVU Honors Band. Jessica Linger, Veronica Loss, Leah Nestor, Clayton Dunn, Jennifer Adams, Chelsea Gallagher, Kummih Govine, and Johnny Long were invited to be a part of this year's WVU Honors Band, which performed in concert on Feb. 16 at WVU's Creative Arts Center. Congratulations to all these band members on this honor!
CONGRATULATIONS to Leah Nestor and Andrew Bonasso, Polar Bear Band members who were selected for 2008 WV All State honors! Leah was selected for clarinet in the All State Band, and this is her second year for this outstanding honor. Andrew was selected for percussion in the All State Orchestra. We're very proud of their accomplishment! Leah and Andrew hold the honor of being the only band members from Marion County in this year's All State Band and Orchestra. Congrats!
Senior band members and Mr. Dunn pose with trophies from the TOB Championship
2007-08 Polar Bear Marching Band
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