Wheeling Symphony Orchestra celebrates America at The Amp

Barbara Cain of Clarksburg was on hand with 15 family members and a few friends for the concert and fireworks.

“My husband works for the parks board, so we decided to get a pavilion, cook out, let the kids run around and have fun tonight,” Cain said.

She and her brood stayed at the pavilion during the concert so they could have the best possible view of the fireworks display afterwards.

“We really like coming to the park and enjoying everything. These concerts are awesome, and they give us all something to do as a family outside,” Cain said.

The Clarksburg Board of Park Commissioners Board has been making improvements to The Amp every year. This year, there is a brand new handicapped-accessible space on the right side of the amphitheater to go along with the original one on the other side of the bleachers. In addition, there have been electrical upgrades; Wi-Fi access is nearly complete; and the stage pavilion wood has been resealed, giving it a darker hue.

“We are pleased to welcome the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra this evening for a free concert,” said Clarksburg Superintendent of Parks John Cooper. “The Cultural Foundation of Harrison County is underwriting the cost of the concert so everyone who wants to come listen to an incredible orchestra can do so at no cost.

“This has become an annual event here at The Amp. Previously it was held at Frank Loria Field at City Park in Nutter Fort, but we were able to move to this location when we finished the initial construction of The Amp.”

Andy Walker, a member of the Cultural Foundation of Harrison County board, said the board is proud to be part of an Independence Day tradition.

“We are excited about offering this annual event to our community. It has really become a tradition for the Wheeling Orchestra to perform in Clarksburg on Fourth of July weekend,” Walker said.

He explained that the concerts are possible thanks to the generosity of the Barbara B. Highland Fund for the Arts.

“To be able to bring this caliber of excellence in music with the orchestra and for it to be a free event is really something special,” Walker said.

Eli Lambie of Moundsville was at The Amp with his band, The Mojo Gang, as special guest performers with the orchestra.

“To be able to perform in public again is a major breath of fresh air,” Lambie said. “The first year of COVID was really hard, and then the next year with restrictions, masks and testing was hard, but we were still happy to be able to perform. So now, with really no restrictions, it’s a joy to perform for people in a live setting.”

Betsy Delk, director of institutional advancement for the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra, explained that the orchestra has four gigs in West Virginia this month as part of its Celebrate America 2022 Tour. The orchestra played in Weirton on Friday evening; after Clarksburg, it will head to Canaan Valley Resort for a concert; and then return to Wheeling for the last tour stop on Monday.

“It’s fantastic to get back to ‘normal’ when it comes to community performances,” Delk said. “Because of the nimble size of our orchestra and the creativity of our conductor, we were able to do some things during COVID, like smaller concerts, and give the musicians some work. But now, to have everyone together, and not having to test and go through restrictions, feels like we’re getting back to where we were before COVID.”

Delk said she’s glad to be part of sharing the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra with people across the state of West Virginia.

“We love to come and share our music and our musicians’ talents with as many people as we can,” she said. “We hope that people enjoy our concerts and maybe come to Wheeling for some of our regular concerts.”