Spring Band Newsletter

Dear Parents, Guardians, Friends, and Families:

I hope this newsletter finds you anticipating the many milestones that the end of the school year brings!

As we plan our end of year events, summer, and beyond, we should find time to reflect on the year and what lies ahead. When I do this, I think about the journey of learning a musical instrument. We (music teachers) don't do a great job of telling people how long it takes to learn a musical instrument. Sometimes, people may feel like they don't sound "great" and their journey must come to an end. We may not be aware that it takes several years of repetiion, growth, and development to improve our skills. When you come to the spring band concert, you are going to hear tremendous growth from day one (August 25) to now! When we participate in sports, we don't expect participants to be the next "Shohei Ohtani" in one year (or two, or three). But in music, sometimes we think we are "no good" or "don't have the talent" after a few short years. In the Fenton band, we see our students overcoming hurdles, getting through difficult challenges, working hard, and growing as musicians each and every day. It is very important that we foster this growth and encourage it for the future, because in time, they will be a better musician!

The Band Class of 2026 is a great example of this. They understand that they have grown, matured, tried & failed, and in the end, have gotten better at their craft. They had the long term vision to be the musician they are today. This is something they should be proud of!

If you know of family, friends, neighbors, etc. who may be interested in music or learning a musical instrument, or they just want a great place to belong, please encourage them to take a class, join a music club, or join the band (or choir). No experience? We'll find a home for them. Look at the benefits it has had on the class of 2026!

There are too many positive benefits to ignore and the social scene is the best that high school has to offer - that I can guarantee - just look at the students we currently have and are graduating. They're the best in the school!

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 check that out.

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

music.fenton100.org

Wednesday, May 6th, 2026 at 7:00 PM is our Annual Spring Concert.

This concert will feature the band class of 2026 and performances by our Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, and Symphonic Wind Ensemble. We will also be celebrating America's 250th Birthday with some special music and our combined band!

As is tradition here at Fenton, we are pleased to feature several senior soloists with our groups! The seniors will be performing a senior song, sharing some childhood memories, and each senior will be honored for their years of participation in the band! Part of the celebration will be the Senior Cake with each senior's name printed on it and they will be recognizeable throughout the performance with their senior ribbons.

To help round out our refreshments, we are asking that all freshmen bring a package of cookies please. Students can bring these the day of or the night of the concert.

All band students will have a special dress rehearsal for this concert on Tuesday, May 5th from 3:30-4:15 PM. Students should make all necessary and appropriate plans to be at this dress rehearsal as it is the only time we have to get together and put the finishing touches on our Concert Music. Please communicate to coaches, employers, mentors, etc about this time. Thank you.

All band students should be sure to review the Concert Attire document prior to the concert so they are prepared. Students should also familiarize themselves with our concert etiquette expectations as this is a part of their performance grade.

Every band student will be performing at this event as it is apart of our performance grading category and is considered a summative assessment.

Save the date for the Music Department Awards Night on Tuesday, May 12th at 7:00 PM in the Fenton Auditorium. At this event, ALL students will be celebrated for their efforts this school year by receiving their participation certificates, Most Improved Awards, Musicianship Awards, Senior Awards, Senior Scholarships, and more. All band students should plan on attending and dress a little nicer than they do for school.

A wise person once said "communication resolves all conflicts."

For every band concert, performance, and rehearsal the Fenton band has, there is a plan for the students to be as successful as possible. Everyone in our band contributes to the sound and success of each group. We are so proud that every student in the band gets to perform with the band each and every time. There are no starters and there is no bench!

When students and families notify us before a rehearsal/performance/concert about an unavoidable conflict, it allows us to make a plan so that the entire band can continue to be successful and achieve. We kindly ask that all band students and families help us help our students by communicating in a timely manner when a conflict arises. We want our bands to be the absolute best they can be. Thank you!

The Fenton Bands will be performing at our Commencement Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, 2025. Commencement starts at 7PM, but the band call time is 6:00 PM in the band room. Students should plan on wearing concert dress for this event. All band students are performing at this event as it is apart of our performance summative grading category.

The Fenton High School Marching Band is intending to perform in the City of Wood Dale's Memorial Day Parade to be held on Monday, May 25 at 11:00 AM. We will have a rehearsal on Tuesday, May 19, from 3:30-5:30. Click here for an itinerary. We will be wearing our NEW Marching Band Uniforms!

SENIOR MARCHING BAND MEMBERS ARE EXPECTED TO BE AT BOTH THE REHEARSAL & PARADE!

There are a number of exciting things to look forward to next school year! To list a few...

• New Marching Band Uniforms!
• Our "Junkyard" Marching Band show & Marching band competitions
• Jazz field trips
• CSO guest appearances and field trips
• Disneyworld tour in February
• Specical recording opportunities for IMEC and Superstate for Symphonic Wind Ensemble!

These are just a few ideas. We hope you and your student will be there with us for these exciting moments!

The ILMEA District 1 Material is here. The ILMEA auditions are the regional and state music honor groups for Illinois and are the pinnacle of musical achievement for high school students. As of right now, the Jazz audition materials are still being revised. Please check back again in a month for this information.

Interested students should let Mr. George know they are planning to prepare this audition. Any Fenton band student IS good enough to audition for this esteemed opportunity. It is highly recommended that students preparing the audition do a little bit at a time over the summer and then clean the music when they return in the fall.

Every summer, there are dozens of musical opportunities for students to enrich themselves musically and for fun at various summer camps. There is one for just about everyone. Some examples are: Band Camp, Jazz Camp, Marching Band Camp (not Fenton's), Marching Percussion Camp, Flute Camp, Saxophone Camp, Piano Camp, etc. Elmhurst University offers one for just about everyone! Check out this list of recommended summer camps.

The Fenton Music Boosters offer scholarships for these summer music camps. Click here to apply.

April is Jazz Appreciation Month around the globe! This year's theme focuses around Tony Bennett, the influencial jazz vocalist.

Students of music have been introduced to some of the greatest musicians of this genre and participate in activities all month. Additionally, we'll celebrate artist birthdays this month.

All information about next season is here in this slideshow. In this slideshow, there is:

• Marching Band Rehearsal and Camp Dates for the summer (starting June 3)
• Color Guard Tryout Dates
• Drumline Tryout Music and Tryout Dates
• Marching Band Commitment Forms
• 4th of July Letter and Sign Up Sheet
• Letters to Parents
• Fenton Band FAQs
• Music Department Courses for Next Year

Remember, it's never too late to join! Even if you missed a year of band or are just interested in trying something new, come on out!

We need and want ANY AND ALL band students to be apart of our marching band next year. We're looking forward to our Marching Band competitions, our new uniforms, our updated facilities, and hanging out on Friday nights. We can't do it without you! Reach out to Mr. George with any questions.

All students should return any music, books, mouthpieces, instruments, neck straps, ligature, or other materials loaned out to them during the school year.

If students are returning to Fenton Bands next school year, then they may continue to use any checked out instruments or equipment.

If students are not returning to Fenton Bands next year, then they should return all instruments loaned out to them after Memorial Day. Seniors will be doing this the week of May 11th.

The next music booster meeting is Wednesday, May 27th at 7:30 PM in the band room.

During the school year, please join us on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 7:30pm. Can't make the meeting? Check out the webpage for more info and this info doc.

The music boosters are also excited to be working the July 22nd "Music in the Park" 50/50 raffle! If you'd like to help out with this, please reach out to Mr. George at georgeg@fenton100.org or one of our executive board members at the document above.

We are thankful for the hard work, reliability, curiosity, and thoughtfulness that our students come to class with each and every day. While some days may be long, and some days may be harder than others, all of them are much easier because of the band students!

Seniors, we hope that you will find a way to continue making music in your future. High School does not have to be when your music making ends!

Please feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to seeing you at one of our end of year events soon.

I hope you and your family have a great summer break.

Musically yours,

Garett George

georgeg@fenton100.org

630-860-4944

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