Ensemble enters its fifth season with a New York–themed program and a new home within the Fairmont Community Arts Corporation
The Fairmont Community Symphonic Band (FCSB) is now accepting video auditions for its Spring 2026 concert season — the ensemble’s fifth season and its first as part of the brand-new Fairmont Community Arts Corporation, a nonprofit community arts organization founded by Chris Moran and Dr. Alyssa Schwartz.
The ensemble, which has grown significantly in both size and audience reach since its founding, recently transitioned away from its partnership with Fairmont State University to expand its mission, programming, and community impact.
Auditions are open to advanced musicians of all ages on woodwind, brass, percussion, piano, harp, cello, and double bass.
A Shared Vision for High-Level Community Music-Making
“We are so fortunate to have a thriving community arts scene in our area,” said Co-Conductor and Co-Founder Chris Moran. “What sets this ensemble apart is that it’s intended for the most advanced players. We try to operate in a semi-professional way, giving community musicians the opportunity to play more difficult repertoire and experience the rehearsal and audition processes of professional ensembles.”
Dr. Schwartz echoed this mission, noting the ensemble’s dual commitment to musicians and audiences.
“We are both passionate about the value of high-quality musical arts,” she said. “We want to provide meaningful musical outlets for the community’s musicians and enhance music education, access, and enjoyment for our audiences.”
She added that this milestone fifth season feels deeply affirming: “It is so exciting to recognize that we’ve had four successful seasons — attracting high-level players and steadily growing our audiences. It affirms that all our hopes for how and why this is valuable are true.”
Building Arts Culture in North-Central West Virginia
Dr. Schwartz emphasized that the band is part of a broader effort to strengthen the region’s musical landscape.
“West Virginia is a state that could benefit from a stronger and more present arts culture,” she said. “People with musical training develop deeper understanding, fine motor skills, and improved cognitive function. We want to help musicians continue strengthening those qualities, while bringing top-notch performances to audiences who are largely underserved.”
She believes the ensemble can help reignite the public’s interest in live music.
“It’s our experience that many people become excited about attending concerts — or even picking up an old instrument — after hearing a high-quality performance. We believe that enthusiasm is dormant but waiting to be sparked.”
What Makes This Ensemble Unique
The band prides itself on its intergenerational membership, its fully voiced instrumentation, and its professional rehearsal ethos.
“It’s so cool to see an advanced high school student playing alongside a retired music professor,” Moran said. “There’s a natural exchange of knowledge and inspiration that benefits everyone.”
Moran added that the group is intentional about instrumentation: “We believe in honoring the scoring of the music, and we will always have a fully voiced ensemble. If we need to fill rare parts — oboe, bassoon, harp, etc. — we bring in guest artists, giving our musicians the opportunity to play in a complete sound world they may not have experienced before.”
Why the Ensemble Remains Audition-Based
Both conductors emphasized that auditions serve the artistic mission.
“There are three fundamental reasons auditions are important,” Moran explained. “They give musicians motivation to improve their seating from season to season, they allow us to balance the ensemble, and they keep the door open for new community members.”
Dr. Schwartz expanded on this:
“Keeping the ensemble audition-based is extremely important. It motivates regular members to keep practicing, and it opens the door for new talent. In this way, the ensemble remains both excellent and accessible.”
When reviewing submissions, Moran said they listen for “tone quality, intonation, articulation, phrasing, dynamics, and overall musicality.”
Dr. Schwartz added that the basics matter most: “It is amazing how difficult it is to truly play in tune and with a steady tempo and accurate rhythm. These are the foundations. Musical sensitivity and thoughtful phrasing are an added bonus.”
For musicians preparing their videos, Moran offered clear advice: “Spend time with the part, know how you want to play the excerpts, practice — and then relax.”
Spring 2026: New York State of Mind
The Spring 2026 season will celebrate music inspired by New York City.
“The Big Apple is such a landmark of great works,” Moran said. “We’ll feature Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, Gershwin’s An American in Paris, and John Williams’s Liberty Fanfare, just to name a few.”
The band will perform Saturday, April 18 at the Metropolitan Theatre in Morgantown and Sunday, April 19 at Fairmont Senior High School.
Moran praised the Metropolitan Theatre: “It’s an absolutely breathtaking venue — beautifully renovated, perfectly sized, acoustically ideal. We’re planning to use a large LED video wall to add breathtaking visuals.”
Dr. Schwartz noted the balance of venues: “We are excited to have a formal concert in a lovely theater, but educational outreach is very important to us. Performing at Fairmont Senior is exciting because we hope to inspire young musicians.”
A Collaboration That Works
“You and Chris have co-conducted for several seasons — what makes the partnership effective?” we asked.
“Chris is a fabulous collaborator,” Dr. Schwartz said. “The type of person everyone hopes to get for group projects. We bring complementary strengths to the organization, from business to the musical side of things.”
Season and Audition Details
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Video Submission Deadline: Sunday, December 28, 2025
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Selection Notifications: Friday, January 2, 2026
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Rehearsals: Mondays, January 12 – April 13, 2026 | 6:00–8:00 PM
Fairmont Senior High School Band Room -
Dress Rehearsal: Saturday, April 18, 2026 | 1:00–3:00 PM | Metropolitan Theatre
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Concerts:
“Participating in our ensemble is an incredibly enriching and rewarding experience,” said Moran. “We have a lot of fun, but we also take it seriously. Our rehearsals are structured and occasionally intense, and our musicians are expected to prepare outside of rehearsals. We believe in honoring the full instrumentation of a piece — and that gives our musicians the chance to perform with a truly complete, fully voiced ensemble.”
Interested in joining the ensemble? Click here to learn more.