Meeting Notes for October 23, 2024: Jason Fettig, UM Director of Bands

Woman at podium
Rosemarie Rowney’s inspirational message reminded us to keep up the good fight against polio.

Our meeting was called to order today by President Joyce Hunter followed by our patriotic song, compliments of Jody Tull.  Rosemarie Rowney offered our inspirational message today which was tied to a topic that is near and dear to Rotary – polio eradication.  The challenge continues despite a 99% success rate of child vaccination around the world; wild polio is still present in two countries – Afghanistan and Pakistan.  We will continue with the challenge:  to keep up awareness and to keep up with donations to this worthy cause!

Ingrid Sheldon offered our musical selection today ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’ in honor and memory of some recent Rotary ‘saints’ who have recently passed away, including Joe Fitzsimmons and Millie Danielson.  

We had many guests visiting us today!  Friends and colleagues of members including a local performance artist who sang to us and also the mother-in-law of today’s guest speaker.  Very exciting to have such a plethora of visitors today! 

Thank you to all the helpers for today’s meeting:  Rob Shiff, Tucker Rossmaessler, Ben Bolen, Don Detrich, Phil Klintworth, Larry Gray, Carolyn Hiatt, Pattie Katcher and Larry Gray.  Two birthdays were announced – congratulations!

Announcements

Norman Herbert spoke to the many accomplishments of PP Joe Fitzsimmons, who recently passed.

As mentioned, we lost two long-standing members in the past several days, Joe Fitzsimmons and Millie Danielson.  Norman Herbert offered some touching remarks about Joe and the many outstanding accomplishments in our community including the establishment of the Delonis Center. Click here for the complete text of Norman’s tribute.

Comments/remarks for Millie Danielson, who passed away at age 101, will be presented at our next meeting.  The Club stood for a moment of silence in honor of two outstanding individuals of our community.

Rosemarie Rowney came to the podium again to remind us that tomorrow is World Polio Day!  In recognition, we watched a very informative video.  Please consider donating to this important public health initiative.

Mark Foster asked for Committee Chairs to submit their annual accomplishments as he prepares for the club’s annual report, and then in true form, he offered a couple of jokes – in honor of this weekend’s UM vs. MSU game!!

Kathy Waugh reminded us that on November 20, our meeting will be held at Zingerman’s Roadhouse!  You must register in advance and if you have any questions, please contact Kathy, especially if you need help with the online registration.

From the Marines to the University of Michigan

Man at podium
Jason Fettig, U-M’s Director of Bands spoke about his time with USMC Band and his new role at the University of Michigan.

Ken Fisher then introduced today’s guest speaker, Jason Fettig, Director of Bands for the University of Michigan.  Jason oversees 9 UM bands, along with other musical groups and joined the University last year after a 20+ year career as Director of the US Marine Band…which is THE band of the White House!  He is also currently the President of the National Band Association.

Jason provided a very interesting and lively talk about his time with the US Marines (joined in 1997) and the Marine Band.  His instrument is the clarinet and while in college he had the opportunity to audition for the Marine Band.  He won the audition and joining the Band changed the trajectory of his life as he now had a front row seat to continual history in the making!  He was promoted to Junior Assistant Director and then ultimately to Director.  He’s worked with several presidents and his first was George W. Bush.  The Band plays for visiting foreign dignitaries, at state dinners, and at several televised events like the annual Fourth of July concert – to name a few.  He’s had quite a career!  He entertained us with stories of some of the famous and powerful people that he’s worked with, including Lady Gaga as she prepared to sing the national anthem at President Biden’s Inauguration in January 2021. Jason spoke about the impact of Covid precautions at the event, even when the event was outside.  

He has accompanied first ladies to the First Ladies Lunch and was honored to be part of a presidential farewell with President Barack Obama and the entire Marine Band.  Jason was promoted to Colonel during President Donald Trump’s term and was pinned by President Trump.

An important lesson he’s learned in his career is to be flexible.  You never know when you’re going to have to shift gears quickly, react to a situation, etc.  It’s an important skill to develop because that’s life! – a message that he continually shares with the young musicians on campus.

As he left the Marine Band and shifted to the UM, one of his first musical events was the Rose Bowl and the second was the National Championship game!  Not a bad way to start a new job!

Our meeting ended with us reciting the 4-Way Test:

Of the things we think, say or do…

Is it the truth

Is it fair to all concerned

Will it build goodwill and better friendships

Beneficial to all concerned

Respectfully submitted by Pattie Katcher