Welcome to Fenton Bands 2023-2024
July 2023
Welcome
Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families:
Welcome (or welcome back) to the Fenton Band Family!
First, congratulations on making the smART choice and becoming a high school musician! Whether you are feeling really strong and inspired on your instrument or a little unsure or behind, we promise that this will be a year of musical growth, new friends, and new experiences.
If you are a part of the Marching Band, then please be sure to check out the latest newsletter located here. For everyone else, there is nothing that you have to do before school starts, but there are some things you might want to do. In this letter, you will find some information about what to expect in the fall, a list of recommended supplies, and other helpful information.
We are ready to greet you on August 16th and begin the journey of developing "Great people making great music!"
Please read this entire newsletter as there is some important about how to get involved and what to expect this fall.
Sincerely,
Garett A George
He/him/his
Director of Bands
Fenton High School
1000 W Green Street
Bensenville, Illinois, 60106
O: 630.860.4944
C: 929.322.4944
F: 630.787.4093
4th of July Parade!
Band Frequently Asked Questions and Starting School.
All band students are either enrolled in Concert Band or Symphonic Wind Ensemble. Regardless of what a student's schedule says, ALL of the Marching Band students should report to 4th hour band on the first day. All students NOT in Marching Band should report to 5th hour band on the first day.
You can bring your instrument on the first or second day of school and drop it off in the band room. You will have a band locker assigned to you. If you need a school instrument, we will help you with that once school begins. If you are in need of something before school starts, please send Mr. George an email.
Non Marching Band students will be in Bison Chamber Band for the first quarter of the school year. This group is still one of our bands and will perform band music as well as small ensemble music at the Bandarama concert in October.
Students will be assessed at the end of the first eight weeks and will then be placed into Concert Band or Symphonic Wind Ensemble at that time. Reminder to all new students that band IS a class during the school year. Students earn a grade and band class is a credit towards graduation. It also meets the Fine & Applied Arts requirement.
Band Calendar, Band Handbook, & Getting Connected
We want to be sure that all band students and families have taken a moment to become familiar with our tentative Band Calendar. Please note that some dates or events are subject to change. We will keep you updated.
I also want to encourage you to get connected with the FHS Bands on Facebook (@Fentonbands), Twitter (@bands_fenton), on Instagram (@fhsbisonbands) and through Remind. Remind offers students AND parents the opportunity to receive text alerts (and email) for the various activities and ensembles that they are a part of.
The Fenton Band Handbook also has all of the information regarding band for the year. This includes attendance expectations, grading procedures, and more.
Music Booster Important Information
Parents, please accept this invitation to join us as a music booster! We meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30 PM.
Our first meeting of the year is scheduled for Wednesday September 13th. We will be discussing many of the upcoming year’s events as well as many fundraising opportunities that are available for your “individual music account” which can be used for all music related expenses. Please feel free to contact a member of our exec board with any questions or concerns by contacting them here.
Remember, band parent volunteers make our band successful. We need and want you to help! Please volunteer to assist the bands sometime throughout the year by clicking here.
Supplies
We never want the cost of supplies to keep students from participating in music, so please let us know if there is a need for any of these supplies.
Private Lessons
In Closing...
Our Bison Band goals are simple: "Great people making great music!"
Ideally, we can take these skills into adulthood and have memories to last a lifetime. I’m looking forward to starting this exciting musical journey with you soon! I hope the rest of your break is restful, relaxing, and recharging. See you in the fall!
Musically yours,
Garett George
630-860-4944
Follow us!
Twitter: @bands_fenton
Facebook: @FentonBands
Instagram: @fhsbisonbands