Submitted by Deidre Purdy
We created The Sound & Light Project to fundraise,repair, replace and upgrade the sound and light systems for the Calhoun County M/HS School auditorium.
In August 2021, a lightning strike blasted the sound & light systems in the auditorium. For a few days some sidelights played a show of their own before they too blinked out.
The only theater space in this very rural central West Virginia county, the auditorium is beautiful, built as part of the new school building that opened in 1998. Before this act of God (as the insurance company found when it denied the school’s claim), the auditorium was the gathering place for school assemblies, professional development, and continuing education. It was the showcase for school drama, percussion, band and chorus. It was always open to the community, without charge, for the Wood Festival, music school recitals, and even funerals.
Now the house lights are one floor lamp by the door to keep people from stumbling as they enter the darkness. (Picture below) The school music department has jerry-rigged some hanging speakers and brought one bank of stage lights back to life. Hand mics with a bad bass buzz provide audio.
In 2022 the school levy call included repair and replacement of the auditorium sound and light systems. The levy failed by 37 votes. The darkness left by the levy failure prompted this project.
The audiovisual needs are being determined working with school personnel, the community, and students. We plan to involve students in webpage development, sound booth construction and other phases of the project.
HELP BRING BACK SOUND & LIGHT
Make donations at our Go Fund Me site on our Facebook Page THE SOUND & LIGHT PROJECT. Or send checks to: Sound & Light Project, 407 Jarvis Rd., Chloe, WV 25235. We will inform you when our 501(c)(3) application is approved and your donations will be tax deductible.
How else can you help? Spread the word and encourage friends and family to donate. Become a friend of the project on the Sound & Light Project Facebook page so we’ll know we can call on you when we need you.
