Greetings from Fork Union Military Academy!
I hope you are doing well, and we are excited to welcome your cadet to Fork Union Military Academy this fall!
My name is John Warren, and I serve as both the Band Director and the Student Development Officer for Band Company. I am reaching out to incoming families to identify students who may be interested in joining the FUMA Band program for the upcoming school year.
The FUMA Band is one of the most visible and active student organizations on campus. Our cadets perform for parades, ceremonies, school events, athletic events, and major off-campus performances. Over the years, our band has traveled and performed across the country, including trips to Disney, Philadelphia, California, Washington, D.C., and other major events where our cadets have represented Fork Union on national television.
This is a great opportunity for students who already play an instrument, but new musicians are welcome as well. If your cadet is interested in learning, growing, and being part of something special, we can meet him where he is and help him develop.
For students in grades 9–12, band is both an academic class and part of Band Company. Students in Band Company live together, train together, perform together, and help build a strong culture of leadership, accountability, discipline, and teamwork. It is a great fit for students who want to be part of a close group with shared goals and a strong identity on campus.
A major concern families often have is whether band interferes with athletics. It does not. Band is built into the school schedule and is designed to allow students to participate in sports and other afternoon activities. Our normal rehearsal structure includes morning rehearsals, scheduled class-time rehearsals, and limited afternoon commitments that are coordinated with the rest of the Academy schedule.
Students may participate in a wide range of marching band instruments, including:
Students with prior experience are encouraged to continue on their current instrument, but students who are interested in learning something new are welcome as well.
For incoming 7th and 8th grade students, I would also like to know if your cadet has prior experience playing an instrument and would be interested in trying out or being considered for future band opportunities.
In addition to the band itself, we will also have a rifle spinning/exhibition drill team connected to the band program. This is separate from the band class, and no prior experience is required. This opportunity is available to students in grades 9–12 who are interested in learning rifle spinning, exhibition drill, and performance-based military drill.
* Because student schedules and company placements are being built before cadets arrive in the fall, I need to gather interest as soon as possible. If your cadet is interested in band, please reply to this email with the following information:
Even if your cadet is new to music, please still reach out if he is interested. Some of our best students have started with little or no experience and developed into strong musicians and leaders through effort and consistency.
I am excited about the year ahead and would love to speak with any family or cadet interested in being part of the FUMA Band program. Please reply as soon as possible so we can begin planning schedules and placements before the start of the school year.
Very Respectfully,
John M. Warren, USN (Ret)
Music Director
Band Company Student Development Officer
Director of Music
Fork Union Military Academy
Email: warrenj@fuma.org
Phone: (434) 214-0742
This email can also be found on the Parents page of forkunion.com under Announcements.
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