Black Diamond Philharmonic Orchestra to be welcomed back to Fairmont State University March 23
Fairmont State University Community Arts welcomes back the Black Diamond Philharmonic Orchestra (BDP) on Thursday, March 23, at 7:30 p.m. in the Wallman Hall Theatre for their concert “Going Home” at Fairmont State University.
The Black Diamond Philharmonic was formed by Robert Heath II and Mark Wallace with the vision of providing high-quality professional musical performances to the greater Morgantown and Fairmont areas. The orchestra is comprised of professional musicians from North Central West Virginia, and it brings the region a musical ensemble that celebrates Appalachian heritage while taking its listeners on a journey across the globe. A new ensemble, the BDP is the only professional orchestra in North Central West Virginia.
“We are so excited to be presenting a program on the theme of "home" at Fairmont State!” says Robert Heath II, co-founder of the BPD. “With composers from Japan, China, Korea, and West Virginia, the audience has an unusual opportunity to 'hear' what home sounds like in these different countries. Growing up in the northern panhandle, I only knew about the big cities, like Tokyo, Beijing, and Seoul. After living in Japan for four years and traveling and performing all over Asia, I encountered places very similar to West Virginia, rural places rich with the beauty of nature. I hope the audience will feel connected with these far-off places and people through these soundscapes that ultimately show how beauty, nature, and family all help cultivate what feels like home regardless of where someone comes from.
The Black Diamond Philharmonic concert is a free event and is open to the public. Join us for an evening of live entertainment at Fairmont State in the Wallman Hall Theatre on the campus of Fairmont State on March 23 at 7:30 p.m.
“As the personnel manager, it is always astounding to me the wealth of talent we have in North-Central West Virginia with regards to musicians. As our ensemble continues to grow, I feel like we have been able to attract highly qualified musicians, which in turn allows us to give the community and outstanding musical product. It is always very exciting to me to see and ensemble start to come together when I start hiring, and I am very excited with our roster for our Going Home concert next week!”
Fairmont State’s Director of Bands, Dr. Alyssa Schwartz, is one of the performers on this concert. “BDP is very grateful to Fairmont State for sponsoring this concert and others, including our Pops concert in the Fall, which will feature music from Star Wars,” said Schwartz. “Our Star Wars concert, scheduled for Saturday, September 23rd at 7:30 pm on campus, will mark BDP’s first full orchestral performance on campus, and it promises to be a great show!”
For more information on the Black Diamond Philharmonic, visit www.blackdiamondphil.com. For more information on Community Arts at Fairmont State, visit Fairmont State Community Arts Facebook Page @FairmontStateCommunityArts and at fairmontstate.edu/collegeofliberalarts/community-arts.
For questions, contact:
Leigh Anne Riley
Director of Performing Arts Outreach & Development
Office: 304-333-3655
Community ArtsBlack Diamond PhilharmonicWallman Hall
