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At one time Calhoun County High School had over 100 members in the Red Devil
Marching Band. That number has dwindled to about 25. New Band Director Harry Beall
says he is enthused about his group of musicians and is looking forward to working
with them. Band Camp is continuing through next week.
Teacher and band booster Bob Bonar spoke to the Calhoun Board of Education
Monday evening, expressing concern for the reduction in supplement to be paid new
band director Harry Beall. Beall is to receive $3000, $1000 less than retired band
director Jack Downs. Bonar said he understood the band had been funded for all the
home games and one away game, but expressed concern the band might not travel to
other special events.
Superintendent Ron Blankenship said Bonar had made the wrong assumption. "The
band can go to all the events they want," if the Band Boosters continue to fund the
activities. Administrator Greg Cartwright said the additional $1000 was being
withheld, and it could possibly be available later in the year.
Bonar said he was speaking for some of the band parents, and expressed concern the
band would not be following the football team this year. "We just did not understand
why the deal was different for Harry Beall this year," he said.
Meanwhile Band Director Beall announced his members have elected to participate in
the following activities: Sept. 29, Molasses Festival; Oct. 6, Mountain State Forest
Festival at Elkins; Oct. 13, Capital City Classic Marching Band Festival at Charleston;
October 20, Governor's Cup Marching Band competition in Summersville. Beall says
the Band Boosters have tentatively agreed to pay for the bus and driver for all out of
county events, provided funds are available.
Beall said he is pleased the Board of Education has arranged the scheduling for
grades 6-8 to insure students who want to play an instrument can do so. "This can
insure there will be a new group of students wanting to join the band," he said.
Beall says he believes the Board of Education "has shown great interest in bringing
the band back to thriving status."
Members of the CHS Red Devil Marching Band, Band Director, Harry Beall; Drum Major,
Matthew Bonar; Band Camp Assistant Director, Chris Fox and Majorette Coach, Patti
Haught,
Brandon Sampson, Dustin Wagoner, William Weaver, Shane Yeager, James Bailey,
Kelly Badgett, Megan McKinstry, Brandon Fox, Nikki Church, Barbara Shock, Christy
White, Holly Burch, Susan Sullivan, Travis Tanner, Darris Hupp, Brian Morgan, Kelly
Brown, Samantha Parsons, Melissa Richards, Amanda Richards, Jenny Shock, Cynthia
Wildfire, Debbie White, J. J. Bremar (helper), Heather Weaver, Casey Westfall and
Rebecca Swisher.
The Band Boosters meet on the first Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the band
room at CM/HS. Band Booster information can be obtained by contacting Jerry Fox,
president of the group at 354-6395. Questions concerning the band can be directed to
Harry Beall at 354-6649 or e-mail hbeall@yahoo.com
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