Ms. Benjamin & Mr. Gembarski
August 24th, 2026
Let's Get Started!
Dear Central Woodlands Band Families,
Welcome to the Central Woodlands 6th-grade band & FHC Ranger Band Program! Students are enthusiastic about learning their instruments. We are so proud of their progress playing their first sounds & are looking forward to a wonderful year ahead! Please read through this newsletter adding important dates to your family calendar. We are looking forward to getting to know you & your students throughout the school year ahead!
Michelle Benjamin, Band Director
Justin Gembarski, Band Director
Emailing mbenjamin@fhps.net and jgembarski@fhps.net is the best way to contact us.
Please add the following dates to your family calendar.
Performances in the evening are at the Fine Arts Center at 600 Forest Hills Ave SE.
Times: 6:30 PM Students arrive
7:00 PM Concert begins
Concert Dates: November 2, 2026, 6th grade band's First Performance Concert.
February 9, 2027 Collage Concert, 6-12th grade bands
May 19, 2027, Spring Concert with 6-8th grade bands
Full Band Rehearsals for the band are from 2:30- 3:30 PM in the Central Woodlands caf. All band classes join together as 1 full band. Students are to bring their wire music stands to school along with their instrument & music. The dates are Oct 29, Feb 4, & May 12.
Fittings Concert:The 6th grade band, choir, & orchestra perform a Fittings Concert during the morning of Thursday, March 11, 2027, in the CW gym performed only for 5th-gr classes. This is an in-school concert only for the students, faculty, & staff of Central Woodlands.
Concert Participation - Band is a performance-based class part of the school curriculum, so performances are mandatory & receive a grade for attendance. Band directors keep track of student concert attendance. Give your coaches, dance instructors, etc, advanced notice of the evening concert dates as they approach. Band concerts are part of the school curriculum, graded for participation, and required to attend. If your student will miss a concert, please email your student’s band director for the reason of the absence.
Band Method Book 1
The Sound Innovations Book 1 is the method book. It can be purchased at a local music store or online. If you can, ask for the 1st edition. If you do have the 2nd edition, Ms. Benjamin has an addendum of missing music for your student. (A thank you to Meyer Music for providing this.) Be sure to purchase the book for your student's instrument. If you did not rent your instrument, ask your students if they need a book.
Music T-shirt for Band Concerts
Concert Attire: Students wear the FHC music T-shirt with dark, solid color pants to the ankle. The FHC music T-shirt ($10.00) is purchased in the front office. Please contact school if need be.
Google Classroom for Band
Pep Rally with the Ranger Marching Band
The Ranger Marching Band is performing at 7:00 PM, Wednesdays, Oct 8 & 23, in Ada, at Legacy Park. Live music in an incredible atmosphere with the energy that the whole family will enjoy! Location: 7450 River ST. SE Ada, MI. 49301
Band-tober with the High School Bands
The FH Central High School concert bands, jazz band, along with the CMS 8th grade band are performing an exciting show! Join us 7:00 PM on Wednesday, October 27, at the FH Fine Arts Center for Band-tober.
FH Marching Band Showcase
Join us for the FH Marching Band Showcase featuring the Husky, Hawk, & Ranger marching bands! This energizing event unites our FH band students & families as one. Each marching band performs their show & then joins together for the grand finale. What an amazing evening this will be for sure! CW band students who attend are to find Ms. Benjamin in the stands to receive a special SKIP-A-QUIZ ticket for attending.
The FH Marching Band Showcase takes place at FH Northern High School's Stadium at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, October 6.