By Leigh C. Merrifield
Believe it or not, this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Shinnston Community Band! What began as a small group of largely non-professional musicians has grown over the past three decades and still draws the talents of anywhere from 50 to 80 members.
Russ McIntyre, who was one of the band’s original members, currently serves as SCB’s President, and he noted that a few things have changed through the years. While the band began with mainly adult members, there are now several middle school and high school students who participate.
“We are so pleased to have these younger people join us,” McIntyre stated. “The young participants are seated right beside our more experienced musicians and we all seem to learn from one another. It is a nice blend.”
McIntyre also stated that unfortunately, many band students may graduate from high school and never pick up their instruments again, so their learned skills fall by the wayside.
“However,” he added, “getting involved with a community band is a great opportunity to unpack their instruments and pick up where they left off. I tell them it’s like riding a bike; it all comes back to you, and it typically becomes a magnificent experience for them again.”
Shinnston Community Band members range in age anywhere from teens to those over 80, but all have something in common – a passion for music! When the group originated, most members lived locally here in Shinnston, but McIntyre remarked that once word spread about the Shinnston Community Band, membership grew to include other musicians from outside Shinnston … throughout Harrison County as well as numerous other counties in North Central West Virginia.
“Many years ago when we first formed, there were just a few community bands around, but they have become more popular all over the state,” he said. “In fact, there is now an annual Community Band Festival that this year was held in Buckhannon on Saturday, May 2nd at Buckhannon-Upshur High School. We participated in this along with ten other community bands from across West Virginia. It is not a competition, just a celebration of music. We look forward to this festival since it gives us the chance to meet, support, and communicate with band members from other locales. Next year’s festival is already scheduled to be held in Charleston.”
Seasonal concerts have become regular performances for SCB. Annually, they bring their talents to Ferguson Memorial Park for Shinnston’s Independence Day ‘Concert in the Park’ and a Christmas concert, both in Shinnston and Clarksburg. They have also offered concerts in Salem and under the trees at the historic Waldomore as well as at the AMP in Clarksburg.
So … what are they considering that will be new? McIntyre said that due to the many requests they receive, they are contemplating establishing a smaller musical group (of just 15 to 20 musicians) for other events, which would include mostly members who reside locally and be more apt to be able to attend both rehearsals and smaller performances.
“We have had only one rehearsal thus far and we had a pretty good turnout of interested members show up, and it was a good mix of instruments,” he stated. “We have already committed to performing on May 16th for a celebration at Fort New Salem. We often get requests to participate in parades, but we are not a marching band. However, we might consider perhaps performing at the Greenspace in Shinnston for example, following a parade or a special holiday like Memorial Day. We just have to determine if members’ time schedules can accommodate additional rehearsals and commitments if we add this smaller group … and is it something we can maintain(?).”
How have they gathered such attention and interest?? One reason is that their repertoire includes more than just patriotic marches, but also a mix of a little jazz, Broadway tunes, etc. Another reason is that they never fail to draw a crowd. And McIntyre says something that has boosted their longevity truly boils down to being blessed with such great support in so many ways.
“We have had backing from all of the band directors in the county, directors who encourage their students to participate with us if they are interested. Harrison County Schools has helped us by allowing us to use Lincoln High School for our rehearsals. Dr. Travis Nestor, in his first year as band director at Lincoln, also permits us to use their equipment and supports our group. The City of Shinnston has also provided us with funding for lights and sound used during the Independence Day celebration; they also store and maintain the truck we use to haul our chairs, stands and equipment, etc. Lincoln High School Principal David Decker assists us with scheduling our rehearsals without conflicting with other school events. We have been blessed with so many individuals and contributors who have helped us in countless ways. And in addition to directing us, Mike Cale always tends to fulfill our band’s needs. We can never thank these folks enough! And I would be many remiss if I didn’t thank our band members for their time and faithfulness in contributing to keeping the arts alive. With all of this support, it is almost a guarantee that the Shinnston Community Band is here to stay!” McIntyre concluded.
As the City of Shinnston plans to recognize our country’s 250th anniversary this year in a big way, make plans to attend the celebration at Ferguson Memorial Park on July 1st. SCB is preparing special music for this festivity.
