TWIB Notes: 1/27-2/2
This Week In Band
2025-2026 Wind & Jazz Auditions
Auditions for placement in AHS band classes for the 2025-2026 school year continue this week with brass auditions. Woodwind students that were absent on their audition day last week will audition on the brass day for their class this week. Class placement is for the entire school year. This will be the only placement audition, and students will not change band classes in the middle of the school year. The auditions will consist of two-octave major scales and a prepared etude.
- Tues, Jan 28
- 1st: AHS Wind Ensemble Brass
- 2nd: AHS Symphonic I Brass
- 8th: AHS Symphonic III Brass
- Wed, Jan 29
- 1st: AHS Symphonic II Brass
- 5th: AHS Wind Symphony Brass
- 8th: LFC Symphonic Band Brass
- Thurs, Jan 30
- 1st: LFC Wind Ensemble Brass
- 2nd: LFC Concert Band Brass
CLICK HERE for the 2025-2026 Information Sheet for instructions, required scale sheet, and the prepared audition etude.
Solo & Ensemble Verification
If you have registered for the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest on February 22, please verify that the information on the S&E Entry List is correct. Please check, student name(s), title, and accompanist for accuracy. If there are any errors, please contact joshua.blankenshp@allenisd.org.
Mid-Winter Concerts (Feb 10-11)
Save the date for your concert date. Times will be released next week.
Monday, Feb 10
- Selected Percussion Ensembles
- AHS Symphonic 3
- AHS Symphonic 1
- LFC Wind Ensemble
- AHS Wind Ensemble
Tuesday, Feb 11
- Selected Percussion Ensembles
- LFC Concert Band
- AHS Symphonic 2
- Saxophone Ensemble
- LFC Symphonic
- AHS Wind Symphony
February 4th: Winter Tournament of Roses Update Meeting (Optional)
We will have a Tournament of Roses Update Meeting in conjunction with our General Allen Band Booster Association Meeting on Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm in the AHS Ensemble Room. This is not a required meeting, but all are welcome to attend. Please enter door 33C (behind AHS) to get to the Ensemble Room. CLICK HERE for a map.
The agenda consists of the following:
Allen Band Booster Association Business
Fundraising/Sponsorships
Friends & Family Trip Information
Itinerary & Trip Details
Representatives from our travel company, Perform America-Texas will be in attendance for questions you have on the student trip as well as the friends and family trip. We will provide minutes/notes from the meeting on our Tournament of Roses Website.
This Week In Guard (TWIG Notes)
You can access all of the latest colorguard information, events, and communication here! Please see links below.
Obligations/Fees
If you have any obligations from fees or past charges, please make those payments. Please note that if sales tax was not added to the fees, students have been charged the sales tax as an obligation. Students will not be able to participate in games if payments have not been made.
From the 2024-2025 Band Handbook:
"Students with outstanding balance for program fees will not be allowed to participate in program activities unless there is a payment plan in place with the program director. Lack of participation will lead to removal from the program at the beginning of the next grading period."
Payments can be submitted through the following ways:
- Drop a check or cash in the AHS Band safe. (Checks made payable to Allen ISD, driver's license # in the memo)
- Mail a payment to: Allen High School Band; 300 Rivercrest Blvd, Allen, TX 75002 (attn: Susan Fulk)
- Credit Card or Debit Card payment through SchoolPay - link below (a fee will be included in the final payment)
Allen Band Booster Association
Tournament of Roses Legacy Event
Join us Saturday, March 8, 2025, for the TOR Legacy Event. This special fundraising event offers a unique opportunity to connect with former band directors and alumni, as they share cherished memories from their time with the band. The evening will feature a delicious dinner, lively conversations, and a silent auction filled with fantastic items, all aimed at helping to offset the costs of this once-in-a-lifetime trip. The goal is to get 300 people to attend. Ticket information and other details can be found on the www.allenband.com/torlegacy.
Guest list includes Craig Logan, Randy Bartlett, Bob Ferguson, Anthony Gibson and more.
Carrabbas Tomato Bruschetta for as an appetizer, savory Chicken Marsala dinner with pasta or mashed potatoes, broccoli and garlic bread, and a tasty dessert to round out the night. Coffee service will be available throughout the evening.
For questions on any fundraising efforts please contact the ABBA TOR Committee at tor@allenband.com.
Tournament of Roses Spirit Wear
The last day to purchase TOR spirit wear for a March delivery is Friday, January 31. TOR spirit will be available for purchase through May. Purchase today at www.allenband.com/shop.
2025-26 Nomination Application
Nominations are now open for the 2025-26 year. The ABBA Nominating Committee is looking for volunteers to apply to serve on the 2025-26 ABBA Board or as a chair of a standing committee. Nominations are open till January 31.
Questions, email the Nominating Committee at nominations@allenband.com.
ABBA Membership Meeting
Join us Tuesday, February 4, at 7pm for the next ABBA Membership Meeting. Get updates on what the boosters are up to and hear from Dr. Obado about the program. After ABBA business, we will continue with our Winter Tournament of Roses Update Meeting.
2025 Leadership & Marching Band Events
The band staff is already preparing for the 2025 marching season. There will be one required movement camp and a required incoming freshman marching camp.
If you are interested in trying out for drum major or SLT, we will begin our training/workshops the week before Spring Break. They will be held on Mondays from 4:30pm-6pm in the AHS Band Hall or AHS Ensemble Room. The first 45 minutes will be general leadership/SLT training and the second 45 minutes will be specific training for drum majors. AHS & LFC Wind Ensembles (including seniors) will be required to attend the first 45 minutes of the SLT workshops as part of their Musicianship Class.
Required Movement Camp for all LFC/AHS Returning Students
- Wednesday, April 16 (4:30-6pm)
Incoming Freshman Marching Camp (Not Required for current LFC/AHS students)
- Thursday, April 24 (4:30-6pm)
SLT/Drum Major Workshops
- Mon, March 10: 4:30-6pm
- Mon, March 24: 4:30-6pm
- Mon, March 31: 4:30-6pm
- Mon, April 7 4:30-6pm
- Mon, April 14: 4:30-6pm
Drum Major Tryouts
- Mon, April 21 (Phase 1 - After School)
- Wed, April 23 (Phase 2 - After School)
SLT Tryouts
- Tues, April 29 (Woodwinds - After School)
- Wed, April 30 (Brass - After School)
- Guard & Percussion Tryouts will be scheduled by Mr. Camp/Mr. Locke
2025-2026 Spring/Summer Required Events
All incoming and returning band students for the 2025-2026 School Year will be required to attend various events this Spring and Summer. These events are designed to help train our students for the next marching band season. Attendance will be used to help us assign marching band spots for our 2025 Contest Show. Please see the dates below to put in your calendars!
The Next Three Weeks
January 27 - February 2
Mon, Jan 27: AHS Symphony Orchestra @ Texas Association of School Administrators Conference (Austin, TX)
Tues, Jan 28: Brass Auditions in Class
Wed, Jan 29: Brass Auditions in Class
Thurs, Jan 30: Brass Auditions in Class
Fri, Jan 31: Guard Audition Due
February 3 - 9
Tues, Feb 4: ABBA General Meeting & Tournament of Roses Update
Sat, Feb 8-Sun, Feb 9: WGI Mansfield (Winter Guard)
February 10-16
Mon, Feb 10: Mid-Winter Concert 1
Tues, Feb 11: Mid-Winter Concert 2
Wed, Feb 12-Sat, Feb 15: TMEA All-State (San Antonio, TX)
2024-2025 AHS/LFC Band Staff
- Dr. Philip Obado, Director of Bands, Allen ISD
- Dr. Steven Knight, Associate Director of Bands & Marching Band Director
- Joshua Blankenship, Director of Bands, Lowery Freshman Center
- Alex Baczewski, Assistant Band Director & Jazz Studies Director
- Andrew Camp, Colorguard Director & Assistant Band Director
- Miles Locke, Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director
- Jeremy Rohr, Assistant Band Director, Lowery Freshman Center
- Jesse Vela, Assistant Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director
- Susan Fulk, Performing Arts Administrative Assistant