Fenton Marching Bison Band 2022
Marching Band information for our upcoming rehearsals!
Dear Band Parents, Guardians, Students, and Families!
Welcome!
Hello from Fenton bands. Even though it is early, we wanted to let you know about a very important activity that your student will be involved in…Marching Band! We are very excited to get under way with another year of exhilarating music and pageantry with the Fenton High School community. PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR STUDENT THOROUGHLY READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER as there is a lot of important information that pertains to your student.
Your student’s participation in the FHS Marching Band will not only provide another opportunity for them to perform, but make them a lifelong appreciator and listener of live music. They will also get an experience of friends, music, fun, memories, and achievement that they will never forget. The marching band consists of students who chose to be in the Fenton High School Marching Bison Band. I know that all of the students, new and seasoned, are good enough to participate in this ensemble!
Parents and students, please check out the documents and videos below that are tailored just for you.
I look forward to visiting with you in person soon. As always, I am just an email or office hours appointment away.
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
Smiles at dress rehearsal.
My, how handsome this band looks!
NU Band Day!
Why Should I Join The Fenton Marching Bison Band?
Where Do We Begin?
Our “jump start” music rehearsals will be Tuesday, May 24 through Thursday, May 26 from 4:30-6:30 PM.
At these rehearsals, students will receive all pregame and halftime show music available at the time. The Fenton Bands have Gone Google, which means all music for the Marching Bison Band will also be available here in this folder, on the Marching Bison website (still a work in progress), and in Google Classroom. The code for the Marching Band Google Classroom is: jxjl4e2 Students can access this website and classroom (with a Fenton email address) for extra copies of music and part assignments throughout the summer.
Our fun themes for rehearsals are as follows:
Tuesday - Hat day
Wednesday - Sports day
Thursday - Crazy sock day
Incoming freshmen students without Fenton login credentials should access the necessary information from the website. We will be sure to get your chrome book and login credentials for you at the first rehearsal.
Students should come prepared with an instrument in good working condition, reeds, mouthpieces, mallets, and a pencil. Students will eventually need a three ring binder and sheet protectors, and it's never too early to plan for that. Students in need of a school owned instrument should contact Mr. George prior to this rehearsal so we can make arrangements.
All FHS Band students and incoming freshmen who have committed to the Marching Band must attend these rehearsals. We understand that students are involved with other activities; however, we feel confident that with communication, we should be able to work out any conflicts that may arise. Students who have conflicts will need to work those out with Mr. George at least 48 hours in advance.
Do these rehearsals affect your grade? Yes! By choosing to be in the marching band, you have committed yourself to a higher pursuit of excellence! The Marching Band, while volunteer, is still a part of your band grade in the fall. In addition, those who meet the commitment with 100% participation give themselves the best opportunity to start the school year with a feeling of success. In addition, your attendance and effort helps you earn your band letter. This is unique to Marching Band!
Tools
Are you in need of a band instrument, percussion instrument, Fenton Chromebook, or other learning tool to help you with summer music making? Please reach out to Mr. George as soon as possible so arrangements can be made at georgeg@fenton100.org or text him via Remind.
For Chromebooks, we will have the incoming freshman Chrome Books ready to go with credentials at the first rehearsal.
Marching Bison Band Summer Dates
How do I sign up for Marching Band?
Please click on this link for the Marching Bison Band commitment form. There is both a paper form and a digital form included on this link.
Music
This year’s show title has not been developed yet, but our music will be the music of Motown! Part assignments are posted on the "Marching Band for Students" folder. Copies of all music will be passed out on Tuesday, May 24.
We will also be learning Pregame music, which will consist of On FHS, The Star Spangled Banner (a new version!), Seven Nation Army, Purple Majesty, and more. We will prepare this entertaining show for the Bensenville, Wood Dale and other communities across Chicagoland!
In addition to the music, every student should have access to the Band Resource Packet for their instrument. All of this music (that is currently available), is available in Google Classroom (see code above), on our Marching Band webpage, and in this folder. We will print out copies for everyone to receive on Tuesday. You can also annotate this music on Kami, a google chrome add on.
Color Guard
Color Guard tryouts will happen May 24-26. Fenton HS is still looking for a color guard sponsor. Students interested in participating should plan on preparing the following videos for students to learn the tryout routines. The Band Staff will still hold tryouts during this time. Interested students should:
Complete the Marching Band commitment form (above)
Watch the drop spin video, the pole hit video, and the School Song video.
Wear comfortable athletic clothing to work on this tryout material with our Color Guard captain on May 24-26.
Tryout during our practices!
Drumline Auditions
Please click on this folder to access the "how to" video, music, and recordings. These auditions will take place May 24-26 at Fenton.
Band Frequently Asked Questions
Get Connected!
In the spirit of effective communication, we are asking that all members join Google Classroom (GC code: jxjl4e2) and that all students & parents of the Marching Bison Band subscribe to Remind as soon as they read this letter. ALMOST ALL COMMUNICATION will take place via Remind, which is a text messaging and email app that allows subscribers to receive text alerts and reminders. This is also a great tool for parents!
For text message subscriptions: text the message @bisonband to 81010
For email message subscriptions: email bisonband@mail.remind101.com
You can also download the app. Click here for more information.
In Closing...
The 2022 Marching Bison Band season will be a new experience for all of us! While we know these are changing times, we are hopeful to provide the best possible music education experience for our students. As always, the Marching Bison Band has the following goal and vision: To perform at the highest level of musical excellence in rehearsal and performance while looking and sounding great in everything we do. Every student will have the skills to appreciate live musical performances well into adulthood and have memories to last a lifetime while entertaining ourselves and our audience.
We hope that this letter gives you some guidance as to what we need to do to make the marching season fun, rewarding and successful. If for any reason you need to speak with me, please email me at georgeg@fenton100.org or call the band extension at 630-860-4944 or our band cell phone at 929-322-4944. You may also find more information at music.fenton100.org/bands/marchingbison.
See you Tuesday, May 24 at 4:30 PM. MARCH STRONG!
Musically yours,
Garett A. George
Fenton Community High School Bands
p.s. Do you know of someone who would like to be in the Marching Band but didn’t fill out their commitment form? Please have them contact Mr. George ASAP or click here!
Remember, you ARE good enough to be in the Marching Bison Band!