Our Conductors
Fern Barber
Fern Barber, conductor, clarinetist, teacher, and life-long champion of the musical arts, graduated with both bachelors and masters degrees in music education from the University of Michigan. Mrs. Barber served the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association as vice-president, the chair of the Farmington Area Arts Commission, and president of the Farmington Musicale, as well as officers in numerous other civic and educational organizations. Fern and her husband, Paul, founded the Farmington Community Band over 40 years ago. After a career spanning 1966-2003, with the Farmington and Walled Lake Public Schools, Fern and Paul, former director of the HCB, retired to Hendersonville. Fern currently plays in the Asheville and Brevard Community Bands, as well as the Clarinet Choir which she also directs. She is also a board member of the Brevard Community Band.
Walter Moore
Walter Moore, conductor of award-winning bands in New Jersey, and a euphonium and trombone player, graduated with bachelors degree from Fairmont State College and masters degree from the University of West Virginia. He completed post graduate studies in conducting and music education at Trenton State College and Kean College in New Jersey.
As director of bands and chair of the music department at Hanover Park High School in East Hanover, NJ, the Hanover Band received national recognition playing for band clinics and national music conventions. He was elected to the National Presidency of the "American School Band Directors Association" in 1979. Mr. Moore has served in adjunct faculty positions at both Trenton State College and Farleigh Dickinson University, as well as guest conductor and adjudicator of concert and marching band festivals and competitions throughout NJ, PA, VA, MA, RI, and SC. He has won numerous awards, including Teacher of the Year, and was featured in, “They Are Making America Musical” in School Musician magazine.
Walter retired an moved to Hendersonville in 1994. Soon after his arrival he joined the Hendersonville Community Band and Jim Stokes named him to the position of Assisitant Director in 1995. He became Director upon the retirement of Jim Stokes in 1998.
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