12/7/01
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History will present the Charleston Metropolitan Band in concert at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 15, at the Cultural Center, State Capitol Complex, Charleston. The program, which is free and open to the public, is the Division’s final performance of the holiday season.
The Charleston Metropolitan Band (CMB) has performed at many functions in and around the Charleston area including the Sternwheel Regatta parade, the Christmas parade, Veterans Day parade, The Pinch Reunion, the July 4th concerts at The Greenbrier Resort and the Milton Pumpkin Festival among others. Al Frey serves as director of the CMB. He is the former band director at East Bank and Stonewall Jackson High Schools and has been with the band since its inception. Currently Frey is executive secretary for the West Virginia Music Educators Association.
The CMB is an all-volunteer organization co-sponsored by the City of Charleston and Local 136 of the American Federation of Musicians. Members come from a variety of occupations and range in age from high school seniors to retired professionals. The band welcomes new members and guests to its rehearsals. For more information about the CMB, contact Local 136 of the American Federation of Musicians at (304) 346-9693.
In addition to the concert, visitors can participate in free children’s activities in the Great Hall of the Cultural Center from noon to 5 p.m. Kids can make holiday greeting cards and seasonal ornaments while supplies last. They also can view the “Choo Choo . . . Trains!” display by the Island Creek Model Railroad Club of Logan. The trains will remain in the Great Hall through Sunday, Dec. 16.
The Cultural Center is decorated for the holidays courtesy of the Kanawha Garden Council of the West Virginia Garden Clubs. For more information about the Charleston Metropolitan Band concert or holiday activities at the Cultural Center, call (304) 558-0162.
The West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, an agency of the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History, brings together the state’s past, present and future through programs and services in the areas of archives and history, the arts, historic preservation and museums. The Cultural Center is West Virginia’s official showcase for the arts. Visit the Division’s website at www.wvculture.org for more information about programs of the Division. The Department of Arts, Culture and History is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
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