The assembled members of the marching band of John Adams High School, photographed in uniform in the fall of 1932, when Fennell was in his senior year. He stands in the front row at center. (The signatures were apparently added during a reunion event some time later.)

Fennell was drum major of the marching band in his senior year, but attaining that rank had not been a foregone conclusion. For one thing, he stood only 5’ 1” tall (!) at the time, but he had nevertheless demonstrated keen initiative in seeking out relevant training. An interest in conducting had been stimulated during his first summer at the National Music Camp at Interlochen, Michigan (1931), when he had been one of some 50 boys receiving instruction in baton technique from Russian-born conductor Vladimir Bakaleinikov (1885-1953). While attending Interlochen the following summer, he was the only high school camper to be admitted to the university-level class in drum majoring and drill tactics. (The class was taught by fellow Clevelander Mark Hindsley, a teacher at Cleveland Heights High School, and later Director of Bands at the University of Illinois.) For Fennell in 1932, the class in drum majoring had presented itself as the first available path to any type of music leadership role.

Returning to John Adams High School for his senior year, young Fred found the school’s band director open to the idea of his becoming drum major, notwithstanding the physical reality of his small stature. He would prove himself abundantly in his new role.