By Anna Guido
Enquirer contributor

WEST CHESTER TWP. - Music and art are part of the life of a community. That's the way Susan Schirmer of Fairfield sees it. Schirmer, a woodwind specialist and Lakota instrumental-music teacher, is conductor of the West Chester Symphony Orchestra. Today, the orchestra will perform a selection of patriotic songs as a prelude to the fireworks show at the community's Freedom Fest.

"If you look at established areas, you see this wonderful institution of the arts," Schirmer said. "It's part of the life of a community, and I'm thrilled to be involved with helping to develop it in this community."

The West Chester Symphony Orchestra was established in 1997. Its first performance was Labor Day weekend that year at Keehner Park, and coincided with the grand opening of the park's amphitheater. The orchestra has 40 to 50 musicians.

Donna Carr of West Chester is among them. She plays oboe.

"Our membership roster is in constant flux," Carr said. "We have people trickling in and out because of family and job commitments or transfers."

The orchestra is nonprofit and performances are free, but donations are accepted. Its members volunteer their time and recently held their first fund-raiser at Wetherington Golf & Country Club. The April fund-raiser netted $3,000, which will be used to offset the costs of next year's performances, Carr said.

The orchestra is open to adults and students 15 and older, and auditions are not required.

"We welcome players of all levels of experience," Carr said. "Some people are hesitant to join because they haven't played since high school or college, but we encourage them to come to rehearsal and give it a try."

Since its inception, the orchestra has developed a summer concert series at Keehner and Voice of America parks.

June 28: 8:30 p.m., Freedom Fest, Voice of America Park; July 5: 12:30 p.m., Lakota East High School, Ohio Bicentennial Celebration; Sept. 1 (Labor Day): 7 p.m. "Dance the Night Away," Keehner Park; Oct. 18: PumpkinFest, Keehner Park

E-mail annag1129@cs.com