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The Mollohan Family Charitable
Foundation awarded the Fairmont Senior High School Polar
Bear Band Boosters, Inc. a $5,000 to match $5,000 the group
had raised to purchase new timpani drums.
Based in Fairmont, the Polar
Bear Band is comprised of more than 100 student musicians
who have performed in such venues as Walt Disney World,
Music in the Mountains, the Morgantown Band Spectacular, the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City, Universal
Studios, The Orange Blossom Festival and Citrus Bowl Parade
in Orlando, Florida, and the Cherry Blossom Festival in
Washington, D.C, as well as various parades throughout the
state. The Polar Bear Band also hosts an annual fall band
spectacular and performs a halftime show at each football
game.
In addition to marching at
various events, the Polar Bear Concert Band and Symphonic
Band present special programs for the community, host
traditional Christmas and spring concerts, and also
participate in the school's commencement exercises. A jazz
ensemble, percussion ensemble, and steel drum band help
diversify the band’s umbrella of musical styles,
instruments, and musicianship. These groups have performed
in various schools throughout the area and with acclaimed
musicians from several universities.
The new timpani drums will
enable students to gain exposure to professional quality
instruments and replace the ones that had been in use. A.
Shawn Dunn, band director, said, “The drums we have now are
about 40 years old and are in bad shape. They’re really on
their last legs. These new drums will give the kids a chance
to play on new professional quality equipment. A lot of our
kids try out for all-state band and this will further help
them prepare with top quality instruments and, overall, will
make our band sound better. This will really offer a good
experience for the kids.”
The new timpani drums will be
dedicated at either the Christmas or spring band concert in
memory of long-time band booster Tina Kaiser. For more
information about the Fairmont Senior High School Polar Bear
Marching Band, please visit
http://www.polarbearband.org or call band director A.
Shawn Dunn at 304.363.6270 |
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