Ensembles and Stage Band Plan Concerts
The Fairmont State Wind Ensemble and the Stage Band, under the direction of Dr. Valarie
Huffman, and the Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Matt Schoonmaker, are
planning concerts for the fall semester.
The Stage Band will perform at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, in the Turley Center Ballroom
and will feature special guest artist Stephanie Adlington as featured vocalist. Adlington,
Adjunct Professor of Theatre and Music at FS, was most recently seen (and heard) in
the Town & Gown production of “Always, Patsy Cline” and frequently performs around
the North Central West Virginia area. The Stage Band will perform a wide variety of
jazz tunes from the World War II era to the present day. Selections will include standards
“Moonlight Serenade” and “In the Mood,” to more current tunes such as “Frankenstein”
and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” from “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.” Dancing during the
performance is encouraged, and admission is free to the public.
The Wind Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble will perform a joint holiday concert at
8 p.m. Dec. 6 in the Turley Center Ballroom. The Wind Ensemble will perform holiday
favorites such as “Sleigh Ride” and “A Christmas Festival,” among others. The Percussion
Ensemble, under the direction of Matt Schoonmaker, newly appointed Adjunct Professor
of Music and Assistant Director of Bands, will perform both traditional percussion
ensemble arrangements and African pieces. Schoonmaker joins the FS faculty from Glenville
State College where he was on faculty as Temporary Assistant Professor of Percussion
and Director of Bands. Admission to the concert is free and open to the public.
For more information regarding these concerts, contact Dr. Valarie Huffman at (304)
367-4206 or vhuffman@fairmontstate.edu.
