Fairmont Senior High School

The Pride Of

Fairmont, WV

The Polar Bear Band will have two final performances for the year - the annual Christmas Concert on Dec. 11 at 7:00 pm, and the Fairmont Christmas Parade on Dec. 13 at 1:00 pm. (As always, you can view all rehearsals and performance dates on the Online Calendar.) Note: there are two after-school rehearsals the week of the concert.

Make plans to see Scrooge The Musical, being presented by FSU Town and Gown Theater. Shows are Nov. 21-22 and Dec. 4-6 at 7:30 pm, with 2:00 matinees on Nov. 23 and Dec. 7. Shows are in FSU's Wallman Hall Theater, and tickets are available through the box office at 367-4240.

Congratulations to the Polar Bear Band on a great performance at the TOB Chapter 8 Championship in Bridgeport on Nov. 1. The band earned a season-high score of 85.35, placing 2nd in group 3. (This was also the second-highest TOB score for the Polar Bear Band in its history.) Caption awards included high general effect, high drum major and high auxiliary. Congratulations on a great season!

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.
View the Online Calendar -

Download the list of 2008 Fall Performances

The 2008 Competition Show is:

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.
The show is presented in three movements. The first movement, “Shades of Shenandoah for Mrs. Bixby” is a musical reflection of the Civil War (through the tune “Shenandoah”) and the great president Abraham Lincoln. The widow Mrs. Bixby received a letter from Abraham Lincoln on the loss of her sons in the Civil War. The tenderness with which President Lincoln expressed his sorrow is heard in the solemnity of the music, reaching out to comfort those who have experienced the loss of a loved one in service to their country. A subtle patriotic essence permeates this lovely piece, sad but full of hope for a better tomorrow. Click Here to read the full Mrs. Bixby letter.
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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