Fairfax Wind Symphony

The Fairfax Wind Symphony was formed in the fall of 1999 for the benefit of local music directors and teachers. Its’ primary focus is to read and prepare wind literature of all grade levels, and to explore contemporary rehearsal techniques and procedures. In addition to presenting numerous local concerts, the ensemble has been featured at ten VMEA In-service Conferences, presenting new music clinic-concerts, and the 2006 Mid-West Clinic. In February 2004, Colonel Arnald D. Gabriel accepted the position of Principal Guest Conductor and continues to make annual appearances with the Wind Symphony. Other guest artists have included Brian Bowman, Charles West, Moe Turrentine, Lance LaDuke, Dale Underwood, Carl Bly, Anthony Maiello, John Casagrande, Dennis Zeisler, Mark Camphouse, Jim Lunsford, Robert W. Smith, Don Lucas, Russell Penney, Mark Norman, Ed Fraedrich, Richard Crain, Roger Behrend, Carl “Jeff” Bianchi, Gary Green, Jim Cochran, George Etheridge, the Boston Brass, David Maslanka, and Velvet Brown. Stanley R. Schoonover Stanley R. Schoonover is in his 18th season conducting the Fairfax Wind Symphony. In 2009, he retired after thirty-two years of service in public school education. He served Fairfax County Public Schools for twenty-seven years, eleven as Music Supervisor, in addition to Director of Bands and Performing Arts Chairman at James W. Robinson, West Springfield and Mount Vernon High Schools for sixteen years, as well as Bangor (PA) High School for four years. Ensembles under his direction enjoyed nineteen years of consecutive Superior ratings and national and international recognition for their outstanding performances, including two Mid-West International Band and Orchestra Clinic appearances, three National Music Clinics, the National Concert Band Festival, the Mid-East Clinic, and twelve VMEA In-Service Conference appearances. Mr. Schoonover is the Founding Conductor of the Fairfax Wind Symphony@, and currently serves as Coordinator for the Music For All National Concert Band Festival. Schoonover received his B.Sc. Degree, cum laude, in Music Education from Gettysburg College, and a Master of Music degree from West Chester University. Postgraduate work includes study at the University of Virginia, George Mason University, and the University of Michigan. He has studied conducting with Robert Zellner, Kenneth Laudermilch, Arnald D. Gabriel, William D. Revelli, H. Robert Reynolds and Anthony Maiello. Mr. Schoonover serves as an active Past-President of the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association, is the recipient of multiple Citation of Excellence awards from the National Band Association, and is an elected member of the prestigious American Bandmasters Association. In 2006 he was recognized as the VMEA Outstanding School Administrator. Memberships include Phi Mu Alpha, Phi Beta Mu, Sigma Nu, NAME, the American School Band Directors Association, the East Stroudsburg Music Hall of Fame, and the National Band Association. Directing credits include American Music Abroad, the Virginia Ambassadors of Music, the National Capital “Cappies” Orchestra, and numerous District, Regional and All-State ensembles. He is in demand as a clinician, adjudicator, and conductor across the United States.