About the FHS Crimson Band

The band program at Fontainebleau High School is constantly working to “raise the bar.”  Every day, band members work hard to reach new heights.  They strive to better themselves as musicians and marchers throughout their daily experiences in the Fontainebleau band program.  The Fontainebleau band program is quickly becoming one of the premier band programs in the state offering a comprehensive music education to all its students.

The band program began in 1994 with the opening of the school.  Since then, the band has grown immensely. In the beginning, the program had a mere thirty members.  Now, the program boasts a near 150 members.

In recent years the band program has taken giant steps to becoming a band program of excellence.  In 2004, the program saw the addition of a third concert ensemble.  Since Mr. Hicks became the director in the 2002-2003 school year, the bands have earned six sweepstakes trophies and 4 superior plaques at the District IX Large Ensemble festival, and the Wind Symphony received a sweepstakes trophy at the state level in 2005.

The marching band has taken great strides in recent years as well.  In 2003, the marching band attended its first marching festival.  The band continues to become a more competitive marching band each year.  During the 2005 season the Crimson Band was invited to the Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands (the state’s premier marching competition featuring 32 of the best bands in the state) and did and incredible job despite missing over a month of rehearsals due to Hurricane Katrina.  Also, the band has received numerous “Best Band” recognitions at various Mardi Gras parades and was selected twice to march in Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World.

This past Fall, the FHS Crimson Band was invited again to participate in the Louisiana Showcase of Marching Bands.  The FHS Crimson Band won 3rd place overall with an outstanding performance that included many complex maneuvers and exceptional footwork.

The training for this level of performance begins each summer in July.  The students and faculty work many long and grueling days under the hot summer sun to perfect the numerous complex maneuvers required for the final show.

The FHS Band program includes: the Marching Band and Color Guard, Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and the Jazz Ensemble.  There is a place in the FHS Band for any student interested in learning to play an instrument and have a memorable time belonging to the best student organization on campus!

The program will continue to set its goals higher each year.  Band members will continue to have the DESIRE to succeed, the DISCIPLINE to work hard towards success, and the DEDICATION to continue “raising the bar.”

It’s “the pride of West St. Tammany,” the Fontainebleau High School Crimson Band from Bulldog Land!

 

© Copyright 2007 FHS Crimson Band Mandeville, LA