| By Drew Moody
Glenville State College's percussion ensemble, directed by John McKinney, has earned a
reputation for playing to sold out crowds at the Fine Arts Center. The two-night performance
series has become a much anticipated annual spring event.
Randall Reid-Smith, WV Commissioner of Culture and History, was in attendance Friday
night and surprised the crowd by making a short announcement near the end of the show.
"You're absolutely amazing," Reid-Smith told the group. "You literally take my breath away."
He invited the percussion ensemble to an all expense paid trip to play in Charleston next year.
Reid-Smith also made McKinney an official member of the WV Order of Arts and Letters
honoring his years of dedication and performance excellence.
Randall Reid-Smith praises GSC's percussion ensemble.
Director John McKinney is pictured in the background.
The commissioner was a professional opera singer for many years as well as professor at
the University of Michigan School of Music.
Reid said he'd never seen anything that made him so proud to be a West Virginian.
"This is West Virginia at its best."
The GSC Percussion Ensemble plays one of
its numbers as Hazer lights dance overhead.
A FLAWLESS PERFORMANCE
McKinney told the audience the group pretty much moved into the Fine Arts Auditorium
for 30 days preparing for the two-night performances.
Preparation included building the set.
McKinney, like other master's of their craft, spend their time praising others.
Last year, one music graduate, now employed as a teacher in southern West Virginia said,
"John McKinney not only taught me, but he taught me how to teach."
In retrospect he wondered if McKinney had become such an exceptional instructor he could
function on multiple levels and make it look easy? Or, if he was even aware he was doing it?
Not long ago, a staffer heard another graduate visiting with a current student ... urging him
to be attentive to McKinney. "He'll teach you about music, about life...he's a master carpenter ..."
The performance included being joined by the Glenville State College Bluegrass Band for one
number. Other selections included hits from ABBA and Led Zeppelin.
FUELING THE CREATIVE FIRES
McKinney revealed to the crowd what really fueled the creative fires of percussion ensemble.
He said a future book may be in the works, as he'd lost 10 pounds over the past 30-days.
The percussion ensemble's diet included:
Ten cases of water, 12 cases of coke, 24 cupcakes, 10.5 pounds of chocolate-covered oreo
balls, 40 pounds of chocolate and candy, 10 pounds of apples, 27 large pizzas, 70 breadsticks
and 26 cases of Mountain Dew.
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