'Awesome' band

By Cindi Hersey
Times West Virginian

April 13, 2008 11:01 pm

— The Fairmont State University Jazz Ensemble will perform a free concert at 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, in the Turley Center. The jazz ensemble includes a 16-piece band directed by Dr. Valarie Huffman.
She has been directing the ensemble for approximately three years and is also a member of the band, playing the trombone, said fellow band member and music major John (JD) Reed.
Huffman is assistant professor of music/director of bands at Fairmont State University. She teaches courses in music education, and she also conducts the marching and concerts bands as well as many other responsibilities at the college.
Previously director at Kansas City Kansas Community College, Huffman also appeared in concert for the Oklahoma Music Educators Association. She also appeared in George W. Bush’s inaugural parade. She has a B.A. from FSU in music education, an M.M. in conducting and music education from Ohio University in Athens, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music.
“The 16-piece ensemble is made up of members ranging from freshman music education majors up to veterans in the music education program, such as myself,” said JD.
JD plays the saxophone in the jazz band and has been playing for 18 years. He will be graduating as a music education major from Fairmont State in December. He has also played the clarinet, trombone and trumpet in musicals, as well as the bass guitar in various bands. JD also used to be a part of the percussion ensemble and the wind symphony, previously known as the concert band. JD will be playing the baritone sax in the concert.
“The jazz band plays all sorts of music other than jazz,” said JD, “such as Latin, rock, funk and even classical pieces adapted for the jazz ensemble.”
JD also said Leigh Anne Bolyard is a vocalist in the band, and she will be singing for at least one of the pieces in the concert. She has sung for the ensemble for the past couple of years.
“The jazz ensemble exposes students to different genres of music than what they would normally be exposed to in a classically trained musical,” said JD. “It well rounds their music exposure and the school, and it also gives them
the opportunity to learn and experience improvisation.”
The concert will be in the ballroom of the Turley Center and is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Fairmont State University at 367-4125.

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