Fredericksburg Honors Band

The Fredericksburg Area Middle School Honors Band is a musical organization that spotlights rising musicians in the Fredericksburg area Middle Schools (including Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties.) The Fredericksburg Community Concert Band, a local community organization that has been established for 10 years in the Fredericksburg area, is looking for talented, enthusiastic, and dedicated musicians to join our organization. We are requesting the assistance of local music directors in finding musicians who would like to expand their musical experience.

Now Accepting Applications

Minimum criteria to be considered for the Honors Band:

• Attend a middle school in Fredericksburg, Stafford or Spotsylvania County
• Must be in either the 7th or 8th grade and have at least one year of musical education in the middle school
• Has the ability to perform music identified at a minimum of a Grade 2 level
• Is supported and approved by the Music Director at the student's respective school
• Able to attend rehearsals scheduled on Wednesdays from 5:00 - 6:30 pm
• Ability to provide a $30 membership fee that will cover the cost of music, folders, scale sheets and warm up materials

The following brochure includes application instructions. Page One Page Two

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis, and acknowledgement of the receipt of your application will be provided to you during the first week in January 2010. The first applications received for all available positions will be considered. In addition, 2 alternatives will be considered for each section.

About The Director
Christopher Fens is currently in his 8th year of teaching at Bailey Bridge Middle School in Chesterfield County, Virginia. Under his leadership, the bands at BBMS have received excellent and superior ratings at District Band Festivals and have won many awards at festival competitions. Prior to his teaching, Christopher spent four years with the United States Marine Corps Band at Quantico, Virginia. After his service, he continued his education at Virginia Commonwealth University where he earned his Bachelors Degree in December 2000 (cum laude) and Masters Degree (magna cum laude) in May 2002. Both degrees are in Music Education with a concentration of conducting. As a graduate student, Christopher served as the teaching assistant to Dr. Terry Austin, conducted the University Band and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble, and served as coordinator of the VCU Pep Band. He received the VCU Outstanding Graduate Student Award upon his graduation. Christopher currently is in his sixth year as the conductor of the Fredericksburg Community Concert Band. He was also the conductor of the Chesterfield Community Band from January 2000 to December 2004. Christopher is currently a member of the Virginia Music Educator's Association, MENC: The National Association for Music Educators, The National Band Association, the Conductor's Guild, and Phi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society.