Welcome to Bison Bands 2026-2027
July 2026
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're a member of the Marching Band, then you have already gotten a little connected with the band program. For everyone else that we haven't seen yet, 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 6th for our special Scott Lang workshop (see more below) and August 19th for the first day of school as we 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
Scott Lang!
Event Information
Scott Lang Workshop
Scott Lang is coming to Fenton High School Bands! Thanks to the Bensenville Arts Council, the Fenton Band program will receive an exclusive session with author, motivational speaker, and band leadership guru Scott Lang! We are so excited to share this experience with our students.
Because Scott is such a valuable member of the music education and SEL community, we are asking that all of our new and returning Fenton Band students to attend on August 6th, from 9-11 a.m. Band student leaders will receive a bonus session from 11 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. WE WILL HOST THIS EVENT IN THE BAND ROOM THAT DAY.
Scott's sessions blend head, heart, and humor, shaped by decades of work with students and directors nationwide. Every event is designed to challenge, connect, and leave you and your team better than before. This is an opportunity that you will not want to miss. For more information about Scott, click here.
Any student with a direct conflict should have their parents or guardians email Mr. George at georgeg@fenton100.org.
Band Frequently Asked Questions and Starting School.
All band students are either enrolled in Concert Band, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, or Accelerated Symphonic Wind Ensemble for their band class. 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 the opportunity to choose a band locker. If you need a school instrument, please email Mr. George as soon as possible so we can make arrangements. If you are in need of something before school starts, please let Mr. George know.
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 Band recital 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 graduation requirement. It also gets you involved in something that is truly great for people your age!
Click here to access our FAQs and other informational documents about high school band.
Memorial Day Parade
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. The Marching Band calendar is also linked in that Band Calendar.
I also want to encourage you to get connected with the FHS Bands on Facebook (@Fentonbands), Twitter (@bands_fenton), and on Instagram (@fhsbisonbands). Additionally, all communication will take place via Parentsquare during the school year. All parents, guardians, and students are automatically entered into parentsquare through Powerschool. Please make sure your delivery preferences are updated and that you are receiving them. As a parent myself, I don't know how I'd stay on top of what my children are doing without Parentsquare!
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 9th. 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 and our trip to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Please feel free to contact a member of our exec board with any questions or concerns by contacting them here.
We also need donations for the band! We accept yearly and ongoing donations of cookies, granola bars, bags of chips, Gatorade, bottled water, and Hawaiian Punch. You can also offer a monetary contribution to support our program. All your donations are greatly appreciated and can be dropped off at any time!
Remember, band parent volunteers make our band successful. We need and want you to help! There is always some extra "merch" for voluneering family members, especially at Friday night FB games and Marching Band Competitions. 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!"
Learning a musical instrument can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding! This learning continues enthusiastically in high school and beyond. Ideally, we can take the skills we learn 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 on August 6th and August 19th!
Musically yours,
Garett George
630-860-4944
Follow us!
Twitter: @bands_fenton
Facebook: @FentonBands
Instagram: @fhsbisonbands