Bison Bands March Newsletter
March 2021
Band Family Updates
Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families:
I hope this newsletter finds you enjoying some more sunshine, slightly warmer weather, and the melting of snow!
It was not too long ago that we shared our Holiday Instrumental Newsletter featuring the work of the Concert Band, Jazz Bands, and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. We are now pleased to bring you the fruits of our hard working band students from the last quarter.
Although we are sad that our current circumstances do not allow us to have our usual March events, we still have students who are as committed as ever learning music and about music. How grateful are we for that! We are truly blessed to have so many excited and motivated music students who are willing to engage in events like Solo & Ensemble contest, Pep Band, Jazz Band, and more! I am thankful for all of our band students at Fenton. You should be commended for your grit, perseverance, and tenacity. Thank you!
Please read this entire newsletter as there is some great news about what our students have been doing. There is also information on what's to come, so please check that out. Most importantly, please be sure to check out the Band Winter Concert video entitled "Music From Our Home to Yours" that includes what the students have been working on.
Sincerely,
Garett A George
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
Parents: Click here to schedule a video conference with me.
Students: Click here to schedule a video conference with me.
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ILMEA All-State Band this month!
On Saturday, March 20th, Anna Micor will be participating in the ILMEA All-State Band. She and other All-State students from around the state will engage in a keynote speaker clinic as well as instrumental specific clinics. The festival will be held virtually.
Additionally, Anna recently earned a $500.00 scholarship for a virtual Solo & Ensemble contest she participated in. Anna had to perform a flute solo over a live meeting last month and the judging panel awarded her the scholarship. Congratulations Anna!
3rd Quarter Fenton Face!
Aiden has been participating in just about every band here at Fenton and doing it on a number of different instruments. Aiden has learned several new instruments in the past school year and is contributing to his ensembles on each of them!
Way to go, Aiden!
Information Regarding Bands & Music Classes Next Year
Band Frequently Asked Questions
Band Parent Letter
Please click on this link for the band parent letter for the 2021-2022 school year. This is helpful for all current band students as well as incoming 8th graders.
Click here for a version in Spanish.
FHS Music Department Courses for 2020-2021
It's never too late to sign up for band! Reach out to your counselor to add band to your schedule!
Summer Band Dates
Also in here is our Marching Band Commitment form for 2021!
What's Happening in our Bands?
Fenton Jazz
The Jazz Bands recently attended the Purdue Jazz Festival in January and the Northern Illinois Jazz Festival in February! Coming soon, they will be visited by students from the Elmhurst University Jazz Combos and other guests.
Check our the Winter Band Concert "Music From Our Home to Yours" video below (in lieu of the March Band Concert) in this newsletter for some of the work the Jazz Bands have been up to this season.
Concert Band
The Fenton Concert Band is made up of freshman through seniors who are developing their instrumental skills while challenging themselves with musical projects and literature. The Concert Band has been meeting on Wednesdays and Fridays at 11:30 AM.
The CB has been learning the music of Bela Bartok through "Three Hungarian Songs" along with Lin Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton." Ask your student to share with you something they have learned about "Hamilton" or Bela Bartok.
Check out the Winter Band Concert "Music From Our Home to Yours" video below (in lieu of the March Band Concert) in this newsletter for some of the work the Concert Band has been up to this season.
Pep Band
The Fenton Pep Band continued virtually this season without a hitch! Here are a few highlights from our 2021 Pep Band season
Pep Band met every Thursday from January - March
Pep Band was treated like an "open house." Students came when they could.
Students were able to pick few songs to play this year
Students who attended all of the pep band rehearsals became members of the Pep Band Wall of Fame. That means that they’ll get a pep band t-shirt and their name engraved on our PBWOF plaque in the Fenton Music Display Case.
Students were able to use Pep Band for one of their accelerated credit choices
Student leaders can use Pep Band for their leadership logs
Spirit days and band bonding sessions happened every rehearsal
Middle School students participated in two of our rehearsals.
We recorded eight songs and shared them with the basketball programs at Fenton H.S.
Symphonic Wind Ensemble
The Fenton Symphonic Wind Ensemble is made up of freshman through seniors who are refining their instrumental skills while challenging themselves with advanced musical projects and literature. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has been meeting on Wednesdays and Fridays at 8:30 AM.
The SWE has been learning the music of Jaime Texidor through "Amparito Roca" along with Lin Manuel Miranda's "Hamilton." Ask your student to share with you something they have learned about "Hamilton."
Check out the Winter Band Concert "Music From Our Home to Yours" video below (in lieu of the March Band Concert) in this newsletter for some of the work the Symphonic Wind Ensemble has been up to this season.
Solo & Ensemble Contest
Solo and ensembles students have been able to choose music, meet with their accompanist (where applicable), and meet with their private lesson teacher or Mr. George. Students will be recording their pieces and submitting them to a judge who will then join us in class and provide an individualized educational workshop.
This year we have 12 students learning a solo and 13 students participating in ensembles!
"Music From Our Home to Yours" Video
In the band video, you will hear the members of the Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Pep Band & Jazz Bands perform what they've been working on. Please remember that these recordings have been built by the students without the opportunity of rehearsing together.
Enjoy!
In Closing...
Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I hope you and your family have a great spring season.
Musically yours,
Garett George
630-860-4944
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