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Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Area educators to perform free concert May 12 in Staunton as part of the Valley Wind Ensemble
Celebrating its 10th year, the Valley Wind Ensemble is planning a free concert May 12 at 7 p.m. at Staunton High School's John Lewis Auditorium. Stephen Bolstad, professor emeritus at James Madison University and the school's director of bands from 2007 until 2024, is the conductor of the Valley Wind Ensemble. Formed in 2015, the ensemble provides an outlet for music educators in the Shenandoah Valley as well as other invited musicians. "Our program is a very demanding and challenging program for the players," Bolstad said, "but it is also very audience friendly." More: A week of giving in the Shenandoah Valley: The Digest A list of music for this year's program along with comments from Bolstad: "Masque" (2001) - Kenneth Hesketh (British composer) "Technically very challenging for the players, but lots of fun to listen to." "With Heart and Voice" (2001) - David Gillingham"The piece is based on the familiar hymn tune 'Come, Christians, Join and Sing,' and Gillingham presents the melody in a wide variety of musical settings." "Lux Perpetua" (2020) - Frank Tichel"For anyone familiar with band music, Frank Ticheli is a well known name. The title of this piece translates to perpetual light. The piece was commissioned by the Baylor University Wind Ensemble in memory of two of their students who tragically died in an automobile accident. The piece has three sections with the outer sections being lyrical and reflective, and the middle section being triumphant and celebratory." "Carmina Burana" (1937) - Carl Orff (German composer)"Carmina Burana is Orff's most famous work, and this multi-movement piece is the biggest piece on our concert. Everyone will recognize several of its melodies because they have been borrowed in pop culture and TV commercials." Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County educators performing in the ensemble: Jonathan Wilson, Staunton High Charlie Nesmith, Shelburne Middle Matt Baraclaugh, Wilson Memorial High Tim DeSimone, Wilson Middle Austin Gilbert, Wilson Memorial High Sarah Maslock, Waynesboro High Justus Butler, Riverheads High Marshelle Moore, Riverheads Middle Sarah Zotian, Hugh K. Cassell Elementary Micthell Evans, Buffalo Gap Middle Jadelyn Talley, Buffalo Gap High Hunter Alen, Stuarts Draft Middle Alan Shull, Principal, Fort Defiance High Doug Lane, retired Staunton High More: Man headed to prison after striking up online relationship with Waynesboro teen — Patrick Hite is a reporter at The News Leader. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Connect with Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@ and on Instagram @hitepatrick. Subscribe to us at This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Valley Wind Ensemble performing May 12 at Staunton High School
Yahoo
17-02-2025
- Yahoo
Suspect in Wintergreen cop's slaying pleads guilty to murder
LOVINGSTON – A Maryland man who killed a Wintergreen police officer in a 2023 drug-fueled attack pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of second-degree murder in Nelson County Circuit Court, records show. Daniel A. Barmak, 24, of Owings Mills, Maryland, shot and killed 31-year-old Christopher Wagner II the night of June 16, 2023, with the officer's gun. Wagner lived in Stuarts Draft and worked for the Wintergreen Police Department. Barmak had been previously charged with aggravated murder of a law enforcement officer. Testimony at a preliminary hearing held in January 2024 showed that Barmak went to Wintergreen with two friends for a weekend. After snorting more than 20 lines of ketamine over a two-day period, Barmak — who also brought along a large bag of psychedelic mushrooms — became erratic the second night of the trip, according to testimony. Two witnesses told police Barmak ingested ketamine, mushrooms, alcohol and smoked marijuana. Toxicology testing for ketamine was positive, according to court records. More: Virginia Festival of the Book, Staunton City Council begins FY 2026 budget process: The Digest On June 16 while staying at on Arrowwood Lane in Wintergreen, Barmak and his two friends worked remotely before going to a local cider spot that afternoon, according to testimony. Afterward, they went on a hike. It was during the hike that Barmak began exhibiting strange behaviors. Testimony showed after arriving back at the vacation home that he attacked his friends, stabbing one in the back and biting his ear, and hitting the other man in the face with a log before they both escaped outside. After Wagner arrived at the scene, the police officer confronted Barmak behind the residence. Barmak became aggressive, resulting in Wagner using his Taser in an attempt to subdue him. Testimony showed the Taser had little impact. As Barmak and Wagner tussled, seconds later a gunshot rang out. Wagner was found with a gunshot wound to the head, an officer testified. Police later discovered Barmak completely nude and covered in blood and mud while crouched near a tree line. Subdued by a Wintergreen police officer and two Nelson County deputies who arrived at the scene, he was later spotted chewing gravel after being handcuffed. Barmak also violently hit his head on the ground multiple times. Taken to the hospital, a bullet was removed from Barmak's leg, court records show. Prior to his arrest, Barmak worked in the insurance industry and earned between $50,000 and $70,000 per year. Besides pleading guilty to second-degree murder, he also pleaded guilty to two charges of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. A two-day sentencing hearing in Nelson County Circuit Court is set to begin Sept. 29, court records show. More: Elderly Augusta County man loses $238,000 in scam Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@ You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter) This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Daniel Barmak pleads guilty to second-degree murder
