East Fairmont High School
Busy Bee Band & Honeybees
The East Fairmont High School “Busy Bee Band & Honeybees” is the marching band name for the high school in Fairmont, West Virginia and is considered to be one of the best high school bands in the State of West Virginia. The unique name of the group was adopted in the summer of 1969, two years after Earl W. McConnell, Sr. had been employed as Band Director of East Fairmont High School. His wife, Millie McConnell, who taught English at EFHS, was the Choreographer of the majorettes, which were newly titled as “Honeybees,” along with the “Queen Bee” title taking place of Drum Major or Field Commander.
Seven years later, on July 1, 1976, Earl W. McConnell, Jr., after being Band Director at Grafton High School from 1973-1976, was employed as Assistant Band Director at EFHS. Mr. McConnell, Sr. then proposed the title of “Co-Directors” for the band which was the first “Father/Son” directorship in Marion County and possibly even in the state of West Virginia.
Twelve years later, Mr. McConnell, Sr., retired his position of 21 years at EFHS and the baton was passed to his son on July 1, 1988. Eight months later, January 20, 1989, Mr. McConnell Sr. would receive his greatest reward as he watched “his” Busy Bee Band & Honeybees march past the most famous address in America, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue - - “The White House”, for the prestigious Presidential Inaugural Parade for George H.W. Bush, 41st U.S. President. The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees were the sole representatives of the State of West Virginia, and their performance was televised world wide, reaching hundreds if millions of people.
Eleven years later, in 2001, following their appearance in the 2000 “Tournament of Roses Parade” in Pasadena, California, the BBB&H returned for their second Presidential Inaugural Parade, marching down Pennsylvania Avenue past the White House again for another Bush, that being George W., the 43rd U.S. President of the United States.
On June 30, 2010, Mr. McConnell Jr. stepped down as Director following a 34-year run, which also ended a 43-year span longevity with the name “McConnell” as Director of the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees. In 2019, Mr. McConnell, Jr. was named Director Emeritus of the Busy Bee Band.
On July 1, 2010, Marion County Schools turned over the reigns of the group to Mr. T.J. Bean, an alumnus of the band, who has continued to move the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees forward in his 14th year as Band Director. During his tenure, the band has made multiple trips to Disney World, the Bahamas, Washington DC and New York City among several regional and local parades and band festivals and was Honor Band at the World Association of Marching Show Bands World Championship in 2023.
Busy Bee Band Departs for Pittsburgh Performance
​The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees have loaded the buses and departed Fairmont for a busy day in Pittsburgh. First up is the Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade followed by a visit to the South Hills Village Mall for some food and relaxation borrow traveling to the Mt. Lebanon Festival of Bands. The group has a rich tradition of performing in the Pittsburgh area, including band festivals at Wilkinsburg, East Allegheny, North Hills, Thomas Jefferson, Bethel Park, Upper St. Clair, Montour, Ringgold and Peters Township, along with 24 halftime shows for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and numerous Pittsburgh Christmas and United Fund Parades.
This will mark the Busy Bee Band’s first performance in the Columbus Day Parade since 2016 and 11th overall since 1988. The group last performed at Mt. Lebanon in 1998. The Columbus Day parade begins at 11:00 am and the Band Festival is currently scheduled for 5:00 pm. To keep up with the latest on the Busy Bee Band, follow us on Facebook or Instagram! 2024 Field Show Season Highlights
Upcoming Schedule:
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Saturday, October 12, 11:00 a.m. - Pittsburgh Columbus Day Parade, Bloomfield, PA
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Saturday, October 12, 5:00 p.m. - Mt. Lebanon Band Festival (PIMBA Competition) at Mt. Lebanon
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Wednesday, October 16, 6:00 p.m. - East Fairmont Homecoming Parade, Morgantown Avenue
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Friday, October 18, 7:00 p.m. - East Fairmont vs. Liberty, East-West Stadium
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Friday, November 1, 7:00 p.m. - East Fairmont vs. Lewis County, Duvall-Rosier Field at Fairmont State University
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Friday, November 8, 7:00 p.m. - East Fairmont at Fairmont Senior, East-West Stadium
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Monday, November 11, 1:00 p.m. - Fairmont Veterans Day Parade, Downtown Fairmont
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Thursday, December 12, 6:30 p.m. - White Hall Christmas Parade, Middletown Commons
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Saturday, December 14, 5:00 p.m. - Fairmont Christmas Parade, Downtown Fairmont
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2024 Field Show Season Highlights
The Busy Bee Band and Honeybees of East Fairmont High School in Fairmont, West Virginia is a premier high school marching band, rich in history and tradition. The unique name of the group was adopted in the summer of 1969 and has continued to be well known and respected for 55 years. The band is currently over 120 members strong and is expected to grow to nearly 200 members within the next 2 years.
To maintain the band's rigorous performance schedule and traditional appearance, we are asking you to consider supporting the band by making a monetary donation to the Donor Recognition Wall. The Donor Recognition Wall will be displayed at the entrance hallway of East Fairmont High School.
Please see the Donor Levels below and complete the accompanying donor form and send along with your payment.
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Maestro Circle $5,000 and Up: Includes 6 Engraved Plaques on Donor wall, Full Page Follies Ad, Halftime Recognition during Home Football Games, Name displayed on banner at Home Football and Basketball Games, Name on Tag in a Uniform, Recognition on Band Social Media.
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Golden Baton Circle $2,500 - $4,999: Includes 5 Engraved Plaques on Donor wall, Follies Sponsor Ad, Name on Tag in a Uniform, Recognition on Band Social Media.
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Silver Baton Circle $1,500 - $2,499: Includes 4 Engraved Plaques on Donor Wall, Follies Contribution Ad, Name on Tag in a Uniform.
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Patron Circle $1,000 - $1,499: Includes 3 Engraved Plaques on Donor Wall, Recognition in Follies program, Name on Tag in a Uniform.
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Sponsor Circle $500 - $999: Includes 2 Engraved Plaque on Donor Wall, Recognition in Follies program, Name on Tag in a Uniform.
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Special Donors $100 - $499: Includes 1 Engraved Plaque on Donor Wall, Recognition in Follies Program.
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Honorable Mention Up to $99: Recognition in Follies Program.
Follies Ads and Public Recognitions apply to 2024 - 2025 school year. Donation Form | Donor List
It is with immense joy and pride that the Busy Bee Band announces our official partnership with Saluda Cymbals. This incredible collaboration marks a new chapter in our band’s journey, and we are especially proud to share that we are the first high school band in the state of West Virginia to receive an endorsement from an instrument manufacturer.
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Saluda Cymbals is renowned for their exceptional craftsmanship and dedication to producing the highest quality cymbals, and we are thrilled to be joining forces with them. This partnership will not only elevate the sound and performance of our percussion section but will also provide our students with unparalleled opportunities to learn, grow, and shine.
Band Returns from NYC
The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees recently returned from their 5th trip to New York City. The group left for New York on April 25, 2024 and started the trip with a dinner cruise showing off the sites in Manhattan. On Friday, April 26, the band went to Rockefeller Center to tour the Top of the Rock before spending the afternoon at the National September 11 Museum and Memorial. Saturday included a bus/walking tour of New York before attending the Broadway production "Back to the Future." On Sunday, the group performed aboard the USS Intrepid before returning to Fairmont.
Beginning as "Busy Bee Band on Broadway," the Follies has welcomed thousands of members and community members to the show over the years. Follies 2024 marked the 50th running of the long-standing Spring tradition at East Fairmont High School. The 2024 show greeted patrons with an old, familiar classic "That's Entertainment" before featuring the Honeybees in Count Basie's "Jumpin' at the Woodside." The sound of the Busy Bee Band was then featured a salute to former television hits in Paul Lavendar's arrangement "Prime Time Tonight." The band then performed James Swearingen's "In All Its Glory," which the band recently performed in the Region 10 Band Festival and received Superior ratings. Full Story
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2023 Veterans Day Parade
Following participation in the Fairmont Veterans Day Parade on November 11, 2023, the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees laid wreaths at Fairmont Veterans Square, Baptist Temple Church and at East Marion Veterans Memorial Park in Marion County.
On Wednesday, July 19, the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees performed at the Opening Ceremonies for the World Association of Marching Show Bands in Buckhannon, West Virginia. The group was one of only two West Virginia bands to perform during the Opening Ceremonies for the event. The WAMSB is an international association that focuses on developing and showcasing marching bands from across the globe. This is the first time WAMSB has hosted an event on the East Coast and only the second time the competition has been held in the United States.
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The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees then performed in the WAMSB Parade of Nations as an Honor Band on Saturday, July 22 in Buckhannon. Over 17 countries participated in events and competitions throughout the weeklong event. For the latest on the group, follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/busybeeband
The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees returned from their trip aboard Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Sea on Monday, April 9th. Leaving from Port Canaveral, the ship traveled to Nassau, Bahamas where the Busy Bee Band performed in Rawson Square before spending a day on the island. The group also performed in the Star Lounge onboard the ship. On Sunday, the band spent a day at CocoCay Beach before returning home.
Follies 2023 opened on Thursday, March 30th with a preview for the East Fairmont High School Student Body and East Fairmont Middle School's Fifth Grade Class prior to opening to the public on Thursday evening and concluded Sunday afternoon. If you missed Follies 2023, video of the show is now available for purchase and instant viewing!
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You can purchase Follies 2023 by visiting: https://vimeo.com/ondemand/follies2023
Busy Bee Band & Honeybees perform during Follies 2023
The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees traveled to Washington, DC on May 20th for a visit to the nation's Capital. While in Washington, the group attended the Evening Parade at the Marine Barracks Washington, also known as '8th & I' which is the oldest active post in the Marine Corp. The Evening Parade featured "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, "The Commandant's Own" The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Marine Corps Color Guard, the Marine Corps Silent Drill Platoon, Ceremonial Marchers, and Cpl. Chesty XVI, the official mascot of Marine Barracks Washington on Friday evening. On Saturday, the band performed at the Marine Corps War Memorial followed by a trip to Arlington National Cemetery. On Saturday evening, the group traveled to Baltimore, Maryland to take a scenic dinner cruise in the famed Inner Harbor. Following a walking tour on Sunday, the band returned to Fairmont.
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Unable to attend Follies 2022 or just want to relive the magic moments from the show? You can enjoy Follies 2022 for years to come by ordering the high definition digital copy today by following the link below! Link
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You can also order previous recordings of Follies from WV MotionWorks from their video library: https://vimeo.com/showcase/3387709
Busy Bee Band 2021 Field Show
North Marion High School, August 26, 2021
Purchase Busy Bee Band & Honeybees Gear
https://shop.spreadshirt.com/busy-bee-band-honeybees/all
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Be sure to check out Busy Bee Band & Honeybees apparel. It can even be customized to your liking!
The Busy Bee Band & Honeybees present their 1999 Field Show at the Fairmont Senior Polar Bear Band Spectacular at East-West Stadium in Fairmont, WV
From their 1968 Spring Concert, the Busy Bee Band, under the direction of Earl W. McConnell, Sr., presents Seventy-Six Trombone
We take you back to a Fall of 1993 Patriotic performance at East/West Stadium as the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees reenacted the famous raising of the American Flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jijma as captured by the camera of Joe Rosenthal.
In 2003, the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees traveled to Jacksonville, Florida to perform in the 2004 Gator Bowl Parade in downtown Jacksonville and perform during halftime of the Gator Bowl. It just so happened West Virginia made the Gator Bowl that year as well, so it was a very exciting time with a lot of terrific West Virginia fans (but don't ask about the outcome of the game). While in Jacksonville, the group joined other bands from around the area to perform an exhibition at a local high school, which you can watch below!
The East Fairmont High School Busy Bee Band & Honeybees present their 2004 Field Show at the Bethel Park Band Festival in Bethel Park
Patriotic Performances from the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees
To celebrate this 4th of July week, everyday we will bring you a Patriotic Performance from the Busy Bee Band & Honeybees. To close out the week, we bring you the combined bands of the Busy Bee Band and the Fairmont Senior High School Polar Bear Band as they collaborate for the 2007 pre-game show prior to the 87th East-West Game at East-West Stadium. "Armed Forces Salute" was played by the groups as each branch of military service was recognized.
The Busy Bee Band Herald Fanfare Trumpets made their debut at Follies 1992 - playing "Queen's Fanfare," composed by Earl W. McConnell, Jr.; Fanfare from "Emperata Overture" and "Radio Festival Fanfare" composed by Dr. William Moffit