A group of citizens created The Sound & Light Project to fundraise and repair, replace and upgrade the sound and light systems for the Calhoun County Middle/High School auditorium.
In August 2021, a lightning strike blasted the M/HS auditorium sound & light systems For a few days some sidelights played a show of their own before they too blinked out.
The auditorium is 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 has always been 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. 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 money for repair and replacement of the auditorium sound and light systems. The levy failed by 37 votes. The dark auditorium left by the levy failure prompted us to start this project.
. The auditorium’s audiovisual needs are being determined working with school personnel, community members, and students. We plan to involve students in webpage development, sound booth construction and other phases of the project.
PLEASE HELP US BRING BACK SOUND & LIGHT TO THE COUNTY’S PREMIER SHOWCASE AND MEETING CENTER
GO FUND ME PAGE LINK:
*Although the Go Fund me page reports only $5,385 collected toward their goal, that would only be the amount collected on the Go Fund Me Page. The group has raised $40,000 according to the amount reported at the last Calhoun County Commission meeting. When making contributions to the very worthy cause, please keep in mind that a Go Fund Me page keeps a very small percentage of the money donated. A direct contribution through the organization would allow 100% to go to the project.
