ABOVE: Summer symphony participants rehearse for their upcoming performance, which will take place at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont.

FAIRMONT– Community members will perform in a summer symphony orchestra at 7 p.m. this Thursday evening at the Red Rock Center for the Arts in Fairmont. More than 30 musicians have been practicing twice a week for the last month in preparation of the free performance.

“It’s been a busy summer for everybody so we come when we can,” said Katie Hoaglund, Fairmont Area School’s orchestra teacher, who serves as director of the summer symphony.

Since starting in 2019, this will be the area’s third summer symphony after missing 2020 due to Covid. This year, the group has been practicing in the elementary school’s music room.

“Every year we grow a little bit. This is the biggest we’ve been,” Hoaglund said of this year’s numbers.

She said they have some members who started as students who are now coming back as graduates. There are also a number of adults and some families that are participating.

Kathleen Walker said she hadn’t played the trumpet since high school. Ten years later, summer symphony provided her the opportunity to play again and she acknowledged that she’s not the only one in that position.

“The idea of playing music in the summer not only keeps the students sharp, but gives adults an opportunity to play. For me it’s re-ignited my love of playing the trumpet,” Walker said.

She noted that it’s nice to see people of all ages come together and do something for the community.

People are free to bring their own instruments and while most do, Hoaglund said they do have instruments available for use, thanks to a grant from the Schmeeckle Foundation the district was given in 2018.

“It’s a real blessing,” Hoaglund said.

A slew of instruments are used in the summer symphony. Hoaglund said they have a full string section, wind instruments and Kate Kallenbach, the high school’s band teacher, on the piano.

They’ll be playing a little bit of everything, including pieces from “Mamma Mia,” “Top Gun,” traditional orchestra pieces like the wedding march and even some holiday music.

“We don’t meet in the winter time so we put some holiday classics on our summer list because it’s fun to play. It’s not seasonally appropriate, but we’ll do it anyway,” Hoaglund said with a laugh.

As for playing at the Red Rock, Hoaglund said, “as much as we’d love to take advantage of the warm summer, outside doesn’t work well for string instruments so the Red Rock is the perfect place to be.”

She further explained that as string instruments are mainly made of wood, they’re susceptible to changes in weather. Any rain or high humidity could affect the instruments in a big way.

The benefit of summer symphony is that it gives adults and students alike an opportunity to play together in an organized performance.

“It’s a great way to work together with people of all ages, skills and backgrounds. It’s a room full of people from the community who love to play music,” Hoaglund said.