TWIB Notes: 1/20-1/26

Congratulations All-State Students

Congratulations to the students below for earning a chair in a TMEA 6A All-State Ensemble. Earning a spot in a 6A All-State Ensemble is the most prestigious and honored musical achievement a student can earn in Texas. The students will represent Allen ISD at the Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio on February 12-15, 2025. Kudos to Nicholas Boyd and Joseph Park for being four-year All-State students.

• Nicholas Boyd (Bass-Clarinet)
• Pranav Devulapalli (Percussion)
• Alexandre Elie Dit Cosaque (Clarinet)
• Joseph Park (Flute)
• Lilly Reeves (Percussion)

2025-2026 Wind & Jazz Auditions

Auditions for placement in AHS band classes for the 2025-2026 school year will take place in January (Woodwinds: January 21-23 in band classes/Brass: January 28-30 in band classes). 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 21
• 1st: AHS Wind Ensemble Woodwinds
• 5th: AHS Wind Symphony Woodwinds
• 8th: AHS Symphonic III flute, oboe, alto sax
• Wed, Jan 22
• 1st: AHS Symphonic II Woodwinds
• 2nd: AHS Symphonic I Woodwinds
• 8th: AHS Symphonic III clarinet, low sax
• Thurs, Jan 23
• 1st: LFC Wind Ensemble Woodwinds
• 2nd: LFC Concert Band Woodwinds
• 8th: LFC Symphonic Band Woodwinds

CLICK HERE for the 2025-2026 Information Sheet for instructions, required scale sheet, and the prepared audition etude. See poster below for Allen HS Jazz Ensemble Auditions.

Spring AHS Pep Rally on Friday

AHS students are required to participate in a Spring Pep Rally this Friday January 24th. Please meet in the PAC Commons dressed in your Allen Escadrille Dri-Fit at 8:30am with your concert instrument. Tubas may need to bring cases. No double reeds. Percussion in appropriate battery equipment

Band & Guard Calendar Updated (Including Summer Band Rehearsal Dates)

Please go to www.allenband.com to see the Allen Band & Guard Calendar. All spring events as well as 2025 Summer Band Rehearsals have been updated. Scroll down on this newsletter for required 2025-2026 Spring and Summer events.

Concert Tux Shirts

If you haven't purchased your concert shirt and tie for the tux uniform, they will be available for purchase one last time with a deadline of January 24. You can purchase at www.allenband.com/uniforms.

Tournament of Roses Meeting 1 (Optional): 2/4/25

We will have an in-person update on the big trip to Pasadena on 2/4/25 at 7pm in the AHS Band Hall. This meeting will run concurrently with our Allen Band Booster General Meeting. At the meeting we will provide an update on fundraising and itinerary as well as discuss how overnight travel works with the Allen Escadrille.

Still Not Registered?

While the registration deadline has passed, please contact Dr. Obado if you are still interested in joining the Escadrille in Pasadena or if you have any questions. Complete the registration process with your paid deposit to ensure a spot in the trip. If you register late, please keep in mind that the payment dates will not change and you will need to have the second payment of $300 on February 3rd.

Register for the 2026 Tournament of Roses (Student Trip):

1. Print, complete, and submit the Trip Agreement Form

1. AHS/LFC students should submit the form in the AHS Band Safe

2. 8th Grade students should submit to their band director (an AHS director will pick-up forms)

2. Complete the Information Form

3. Submit the $300 Non-Refundable Deposit through one of the following ways:

1. Pay on SchoolPay

2. Drop payment of in the AHS Band Office Safe

3. Mail payment to the following: Allen High School Band, 300 Rivercrest Blvd, Allen, TX 75002, attn: Susan Fulk

1. Make checks payable to: ALLEN ISD. All checks require a valid driver license number.

4. Optional Insurance (for student trip):

1. Families can choose any travel insurance you want

2. Perform America-Texas recommends the following third party insurance: CLICK HERE

3. CFAR (Cancel For Any Reason) is only a viable option within 14 days of your initial deposit (Jan 7, 2025 is the deposit date).

Register for the 2026 Tournament of Roses Friends & Family (F&F) Trip

1. The itinerary and payments are set by Perform America-Texas.

2. F&F packages do not include airfare or airport transportation.

3. F&F packages include all of the same events as the student trip, but will stay at a different hotel.

4. F&F packages include grandstand seating.

5. Optional insurance is available - click the F&F Instruction & Registration link below.

6. CLICK HERE for the Friends & Family Information & Registration.

Other helpful links:

• Allen Band Tournament of Roses Website (everything you need to know about the trip - including how to purchase Escadrille Tournament of Roses Spiritwear)

• Kick-Off Meeting Video from 12/3/24

• Kick-Off Meeting Slides from 12/3/24

• Q&A Answers from 12/3/24 meeting

• Trip Agreement Form - this document has all of the financial and behavioral expectations for this trip including the cost and payment schedule. Students are required to print the document and submit it to your director (CMS, EMS, FMS students) or in the band safe at AHS (for LFC/AHS students).

• Information Form - this is an online document that will provide the necessary information we need to register students for flights, regulate dietary needs, and order shirts in your size.

• SchoolPay link to make Tournament of Roses payments online for the student trip

• Chaperone Interest Form - please see the selection process on the interest form.

You can access all of the latest colorguard information, events, and communication here! Please see links below.

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)

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 Tomatoe 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.

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.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdP-FxisaywM7lvxxgskPxIlp51lMZGuZJbabKN8TKrljyWxQ/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

Questions, email the Nominating Committee at nominations@allenband.com.

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.

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

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!

Mon,, Jan 20: Holiday - No School

Tues, Jan 21: Woodwind Auditions in Class

Wed, Jan 22: Woodwind Auditions in Class

Thurs, Jan 23: Woodwind Auditions in Class

Fri, Jan 24: AHS Spring Pep Rally (8:30 - AHS students only)

Sat, Jan 25: Percussion Auditions

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

Tues, Feb 4: ABBA General Meeting & Tournament of Roses Update

Sat, Feb 8-Sun, Feb 9: WGI Mansfield (Winter Guard)

• 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