Monongah Middle hits high note

Monongah Middle School received a Superior rating, the highest possible, at the Regional 10 Band Festival Wednesday, March 29 in Bridgeport. 50 bands competed.

Middle schools performing were Washington Irving, East Fairmont, Fairview, Taylor County, West Preston, Central Preston, South Harrison, Lincoln, Mountaineer (Monongalia), Mountaineer (Harrison), East Preston, Mannington, Rivesville, Trinity Christian,  Barrackville, Bruceton, Clay-Battelle, West Fairmont, Aurora, Rowlesburg, Westwood, Suncrest, St. Francis and South.

Top ratings is in the blood for Monongah. For years Monongah High got the top rating at the state band festivals.

Barry Vingle, of Monongah’s musical Vingle family, was one of the judges.

The other judges were Cynthia Smith, who was a band director in Morgantown, Williamstown, Blennerhassett Middle School and Tyler Consolidated High School; John Sullivan, a band director at Barrackville High School and Miller and West Fairmont middle schools; David Burton, who has 40 years in music and education; John Christian, West Virginia Band Director of the Year in 1998 while at Bridgeport High; and Earl McConnell, former Fairmont East and Grafton High band director.

Vingle is former West Virginia Jazz Festival president, is a member of the National Education Association, the West Virginia Bandmasters Association and the West Virginia Music Educators Association.

He was named West Virginia Band Director of the Year in 1995 and was inducted into the West Virginia Music Educators Hall of Fame.

He was director at both Mannington and Fairmont West.

Other judges were Cynthia Smith, John Sullivan, David Burton, John Christian and Earl McConnell.