Bison Bands February Newsletter
2024
Happy Chinese New Year! The year of the Dragon!
Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families:
It's hard to believe that we are cruising through February with the Super bowl right around the corner! It's also hard to believe that we are looking forward to the end of winter and all the joys that spring may bring.
With this in mind, we thought it best to share some important information regarding some upcoming events and activities connected with Fenton Bands. All parents, guardians, and students should read this entire newsletter so that they are up to speed with what is happening and what is expected of them.
Remember, this newsletter is entirely translatable into any language! Just click the "translate" button above.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions via email, phone, or message at our contact information below.
Sincerely,
Garett George
Pep Band 2024
We continue with our final game tomorrow, with a call time of 3:30 PM for a 4:30 tip off.
Students should wear their light blue Fenton pep band shirt, jeans and gym shoes.
The Pep Band performed at nine events throughout the season. Students who attend every event earn their way to the Pep Band Wall of Fame and will have their name engraved and displayed in the music department display case! For more information about pep band, click here.
Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Contest at Fenton
On Thursday, February 22nd, from 6-8:00 PM, Fenton will host its Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Contest. Please click here for our S&E rules and information. Parents, guardians, families, and friends are welcome to attend any or all of these performances!
Please let Mr. George know if you have any questions.
Winter Band Concert Thursday, March 7th @ 7:00 PM
The Fenton Winter Band Concert will take place Thursday, March 7th @ 7:00 PM. Call time is 5:45 in the auditorium.
The Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble will all be performing at this concert. This concert will feature our Jazz and Concert Band festival music, which showcases the music of Joe Williams, Steve Weist, Julie Giroux, Frank Ticheli, Harold Bennett, and more!
At this concert, everyone will be wearing our concert dress uniform. There are parts of this uniform that the students are responsible for having and are not provided by Fenton Bands. Please click here for our Concert Attire information.
Sophomores should plan on bringing cookies to help contribute to the refreshments afterwards. A store bought package would be preferred. Students can bring these the night of the concert or any class time before. Refreshments will be served thanks to our Music Boosters.
All family members and friends are invited to attend this event.
Trombone Player and Composer to solo with FHS Jazz Ensemble!
Mr. Wiest's performance is sponsored by the JCS Arts in Education Grant and by the Bensenville Arts Council.
Fenton Jazz
Both groups attended the Purdue Jazz Festival and we had several outstanding soloists. They were: FJE - Lita Aguilar, Benjamin Sanchez, and Max Diaz. FJLB - Febe Reyes and Denisse Hermida.
The Jazz Ensemble has also been busy with gigs at the Fenton Welcome Night on January 18th and a tour that took us to BMS, WDJH, and the Radcliff on January 29th.
The Jazz Ensemble will be performing on "Fat Monday" for all Fenton students and staff at 9:30 AM in the cafeteria to celebrate Mardi Gras and Black History Month.
The Elmhurst University Jazz Festival is just around the corner! Their festival begins on Friday, February 23rd and goes through Sunday, February 25th. This is a great way for Jazz students and Jazz enthusiasts to see some great live jazz! Click here for more information.
Outstanding soloists Benjamin Sanchez, Max Diaz, Febe Reyes, and Lita Aguilar
Fenton Jazz @ PJF
Outstanding soloist Denisse Hermida
Concert Band
The Concert Band rehearses 5th hour and have been making great progress this quarter. They have been building music literacy skills, sight reading skills, rhythm skills, and time keeping skills. They have also been learning about programmatic music!
The Concert Band will be performing at the Winter Band Concert on March 7th.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble rehearses 4th hour and have been making tremendous progress! They have been building sight reading skills, rhythm skills, phrasing, and time keeping skills. They have also been learning about marches, lyrical pieces, and theme development in their music.
The SWE will be traveling to Northeastern Illinois University on Friday, March 15th for the Illinois Music Education Association Large Group contest. They will perform at 2:30 PM. They will perform in their concert hall, watch other high school bands, and receive a clinic. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend this event.
The Symphonic Wind Ensemble will be performing at the Winter Band Concert on March 7th.
Marching Band 2024!
Information regarding ALL Marching Band Dates, Commitment forms, and more can be found in this slide deck. Please click on this link for that information!
In these documents, you will find out 4th of July information, when Band Camp is, when student leader applications are due, when drum major tryouts are, how Color Guard and Drum Line will work, etc.
Music Boosters & Spaghetti With a Song
This fundraiser requires the assistance of our music families. Please visit this informational page here to find out ways you can easily support our music department.
As a reminder, the Music Boosters want to stay connected with you by using Remind. Remind is a text messaging service and app that sends you notifications right to your phone. These are reminders about meetings and current fundraisers. The Boosters will not spam you with a lot of information, but rather keep you informed.
Please click here to subscribe to the FHS Music Boosters Remind.
Reminder that the Music Boosters meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30 PM in the band room. Our next meeting is February 14th.
Fenton Band Student Leaders
Front row from left to right: Abby Hernandez, Drum Major; Ariana Acosta, Clarinet section leader; Paola Aguilera, Drumline co-captain; Febe Reyes, Flute section leader & PR; Natalia Alvarado, Librarian; Mr. George
Second Row: Maximiliano Diaz, Saxophone section leader; Alexa Calderon, Color guard captain; Brandon Fontanez, Drumline co-captain, Sarah Guerrero Gorostieta, Drum Major; Julia Windham, High Brass section leader; Pirote Thach, secretary.
Band Classes & Practicing
In order to keep our student musicians in tip top shape, there are a few things that need to happen at home as we continue to grow this year.
To begin, all band students should be practicing their music outside of class. The practice needs of each individual as it pertains to the challenges the music presents to them varies from person to person; therefore, setting an amount of time is very difficult. Our recommendation at this time is that students should be practicing what they need to in order to be prepared and familiar before each and every rehearsal.
How do they do that you ask? Students know to follow our rehearsal schedules and prepare for what they are unfamiliar with. The Concert Band schedule is here and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble schedule is here. Students can also use the practice facilities at Fenton during their lunch time, Bison Time, study hall, or after school. Every family should be noticing some music playing in the home where possible.
Thank you for your support!
Pit Orchestra for Little Shop of Horrors
The Fenton Banda Club!
Important Events
February
9 Fenton Pep Night - call is 4:45 PM
10 Pep Band @ 3:30
13 "Fat Monday" Mardi Gras Jazz Ensemble performance, call is 8:50 AM
14 Music Booster Meeting @ 7:30 in the band room
22 Instrumental Solo & Ensemble Contest @ FHS 6-8:00 PM
March
5 Tri-District Band Festival @ Fenton 9AM - 12:30
7 Winter Band Concert in the Auditorium . Call is 5:45 PM, concert start at 7:00 PM
10 Spaghetti With a Song 1-4PM
13 Music Booster Meeting in the band room at 7:30 PM
April
10 Music Boosters FHS Band Room at 7:30 PM
25-27 Spring Musical
Fenton Bands 2024-2025
Playing a musical instrument is challenging, and it takes time to learn and refine the skills necessary to be successful. They have come so far just this school year and we want to see that growth continue. Your student's instrumental music education and development is a multi year process.
There is much to work towards and look forward to next year. Here are just a few highlights:
- A much needed renovated band room!
- A renovated Friday night performance venue!
- Our trip to Southern California
- So much more!
In Closing...
We look forward to sharing our music with our Fenton community at Solo & Ensemble contest, our Winter Band Concert, or at another event soon.
Be on the lookout for information regarding our Spring events in April.
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns.
Musically yours,
Garett George
O: 630-860-4944
C: 929-322-4944 (google voice)