About & Staff
The music curriculum is delivered by a staff of 21 certified music educators. All students in grades K-5 receive music instruction in our elementary schools. Instrumental music and singing is offered beginning in the 6th grade. A comprehensive band, orchestra and chorus program has resulted in over 600 students taking part in one or more of the over 20 performing ensembles at Kettering Fairmont High School. The support for the arts in Kettering is second to none, and we are extremely proud to highlight the efforts of our student performers to the Kettering community at numerous musical events throughout the school year.
The Kettering City Schools offer a comprehensive music program to all students in grades K-12
Meet Our Staff
DISTRICT ↓
BANDS ↓
District Music Office
Bands
Orchestras
Choirs
Elementary Music Teachers
Our History
Kettering Fairmont High School Music Through The Years
Creation of Fairmont East & West (1963)
Within just a few years, the student enrollment of more than 2,700 was again exceeding the capacity of the new high school. By 1963, a second campus style high school located in the eastern part of the city was opened as Fairmont East High School and the 1957 school was re-named Fairmont West High School. West retained the Dragons mascot and colors, while Fairmont East adopted the Falcons mascot and the colors Columbia blue and red. Staff at West included Wes Haines, Dave Finkam, and Art Eresman, band directors; Don Detrick, orchestra; and Gene Seeburger, chorus. Wes Haines had started a jazz ensemble called the Continentals that quickly became one of the premiere jazz bands in the area. At Fairmont East, the band was led by Hank Hinshaw and Bob Miller. Jerry Holesovsky directed orchestra and Paul Magill directed chorus.
Two Campuses Continue to Grow (1963–1983)
Over the next twenty years, faces changed but Fairmont West and East remained. Additional music staff at West included Clay Bates, R. Clair Miller, Jimmy Kays, and Robert Tocheff. Music faculty at East included Wilbur Cline, Art Eresman, Madonna Goss, Herb Hetzer, Mike Matimore, Dane Stoll, and Jim Probasco.
Schools Reunite as Fairmont Firebirds (1983)
In 1983, after a period of declining enrollment, Fairmont East and West closed, and a new consolidated school opened at the West site. Taking the flight of the Falcon and fire of the Dragon, students from both East and West joined as the Kettering Fairmont High School Firebirds. Current school colors are navy blue, silver, and white. Current enrollment is 2,500.
Modern Growth & Legacy
From a modest beginning of 40 students in the entire high school, one piano, and a halftime music teacher, to an award-winning music program featuring over 20 performing ensembles, more than 700 music students, and a faculty of 11, Kettering Fairmont has seen much growth over the years.
Early Beginnings (1906)
The original Fairmont High School was part of the Van Buren Township Schools and was opened in September, 1906. Faculty consisted of two full-time teachers, one of whom was also Superintendent of Schools, and a half-time music teacher, Miss Mary Whaley. Total school enrollment was about 40. The high school was located on Dorothy Lane west of Far Hills Avenue. The total inventory of musical instruments at Fairmont consisted of one Starr piano. By 1922, the original four-room school had become too small for the student population and was replaced by a larger building east of the original school on Dorothy Lane. As Van Buren Township began to rapidly grow, the new school on Dorothy Lane was quickly filled to capacity.
Expansion and New Music Programs (1929)
In 1929, a new, modern building was constructed on Far Hills Avenue at the corner of Storms Road. The school mascot and colors were Dragons and purple and white. There was one music teacher, W.B. Rimanoczy, who directed a 28-member band, 24-member chorus, and an orchestra consisting of 5 string players. Later, Clark Haines was hired as band director and Wally Hard came aboard to teach orchestra.
Post-War Growth & New Campus (1954–1957)
In 1954, the village of Kettering, which occupied much of Van Buren Township, became the City of Kettering, one of the fastest growing in the area. The high school on Far Hills could no longer be expanded to house the growing student population. The Kettering Board of Education secured a large tract of land between Far Hills Avenue and Shroyer Road. A seven building campus style high school, the first of its kind in the Midwest, was opened in 1957 as a three-year high school with a student population of 1,443. By now, the music department had grown considerably, with Clark Haines, Bob Thygeson, Wilbur Cline, and Paul Sharfe teaching band; Don Detrick, orchestra; and Gene Seeburger, chorus. The annual musical (formerly called the operetta) at the new campus style school was “Annie Get Your Gun.” The former building became Dwight L. Barnes Junior High School. Today, it is the home of the Kettering Board of Education.