TWIB Notes: 3/10-3/16
Varsity Colorguard Places 3rd at Hebron
Congratulations to the Allen Varsity Colorguard for their 3rd place finish at NTCA Hebron on Saturday. The JV Blue Colorguard will compete in the NTCA Regional A Championships on Saturday after being promoted to Regional A classification last week.
You can see both ACG groups perform at the Friends & Family Show at LFC on Tuesday, March 25. The Varsity Colorguard will compete in the NTCA Scholastic A Championships on March 29-30.
AHS/LFC Bands Pre-UIL Concert/Clinic
On Wednesday, March 26, AHS and LFC bands will perform a Pre-UIL Concert at the Allen PAC, where students and directors will receive feedback from guest clinicians about their performances. Each band will have a brief clinic with one of our guests immediately following their concert. The concert portion of the event is free and open to the public.
Performance Schedule
Note: The AHS Wind Ensemble does not perform at this event, as they will participate in the Premiere Pre-UIL Festival on April 4-5.
4:00 - AHS Symphonic Band 3 (3:30 warm-up, 4:30 clinic)
4:30 - LFC Symphonic Band (4:00 warm-up, 5:00 clinic)
5:00 - AHS Symphonic Band 2 (4:30 warm-up, 5:30 clinic)
5:30 - LFC Wind Ensemble (5:00 warm-up, 6:00 clinic)
6:45 - LFC Concert Band (6:15 warm-up, 7:15 clinic)
7:15 - AHS Symphonic Band 1 (6:45 warm-up, 7:45 clinic)
7:45 - AHS Wind Symphony (7:15 warm-up, 8:15 clinic)
Students may sign up to earn volunteer hours or Minga points by assisting with stage crew during the block when their ensemble is not performing (4:00-6:00 or 6:45-8:45).
UT-Austin Wind Ensemble & AHS Wind Ensemble
On Friday, March 28, the AHS Wind Ensemble will share a concert with one of the finest collegiate ensembles in the world, the University of Texas Wind Ensemble. The concert will begin at 6:00pm with the AHS Wind Ensemble performing their UIL program, followed immediately by the UT Wind Ensemble under the direction of Professor Jerry F. Junkin. The concert is free and open to the public.
Academic Eligibility
All students must be academically eligible to participate in the San Antonio trip. Eligibility for the trip will be determined by 3rd Quarter report card grades when they are pulled at 8am on Monday, March 24. Any student who has a grade below 70 in any on-level or non-exempt class will lose eligibility at the end of the school day on March 31 and will not have the opportunity to regain eligibility before the departing for San Antonio on April 11.
Medications for San Antonio Trip
There has been a change to the medication policy this school year. ALL over-the-counter medications must have a medication form signed by the doctor to be administered on the trip. Each medication needs to be on a separate form. Prescription meds do not have to have the signed form as the medication prescription label acts as the authorization. If students are cleared by their school to self-carry an inhaler, Epi-Pen or Insulin, they are allowed to carry it on the trip as well. Please let me know if your student falls into this category. You can contact Nurse Kellie Koch at kellie.koch@allenisd.org with any questions.
Room Sign-Up Deadline Has Passed
The deadline to sign up for a hotel room was Friday, March 7 at 8:00am. Any student who did not sign up prior to the deadline has been placed in a room with available space. Rooms with fewer than 4 students signed up have been consolidated to create rooms of 4. Students who requested and paid for double or triple occupancy rooms have been assigned and have received confirmation from Mrs. Fulk (or will this week). No room changes are allowed at this time.
Find Sponsors to Help Offset Trip Cost
Find the ABBA Tournament of Roses sponsorship packet at www.allenband.com/torsponsors and either print and take to your local business or download and email to your local business. The more sponsors we get the more we can reduce the cost of your trip. Email tor@allenband.com with any questions about sponsorship opportunities.
Tournament of Roses Theme
On Feb 4, 2025, the Pasadena Tournament of Roses newly installed President Mark Leavens, announced the 2026 theme, “The Magic in Teamwork.” The theme celebrates the sense of accomplishment in knowing that by working together, we can collectively achieve outcomes so much richer than we can ever experience as individuals.
The 2026 theme poster honors the organizations, agencies and community partners that make America’s New Year Celebration possible. Embroidered team patches from public safety partners, service organizations, and other parade participants reflect the teamwork demonstrated in working toward a common goal, to overcome challenges and produce amazing results. The poster embodies “The Magic in Teamwork”—not just in grand achievements, but in everyday moments of support, encouragement and shared success.
You can read more about the 2026 Theme here: https://tournamentofroses.com/2026-theme-announcement/
Winter Update Meeting
If you did not attend the Winter TOR Update Meeting on February 4, please see the NEW February newsletter below. Here are a few highlights from the meeting:
- Itinerary discussed with Dr. Obado and Perform America Texas
- Hotel and supervision systems discussed
- Chaperones have not been selected. The goal to select chaperones will be this week.
- Fundraising and sponsorships
- Friends & Family Q&A
NTCA - RA Championships
The Allen JV Blue Colorguard will perform at NTCA Regional A Championships at Flower Mound HS on Saturday, 3/15.
CLICK HERE for the NTCA RA Championships Itinerary
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)
Tournament of Roses Fundraising
100% of proceeds from fundraising for the Tournament of Roses trip will go to help offset the costs of the trip for students. We have 3 great options, but it will take effort from everyone:
- Corporate Sponsors: Visit www.allenband.com/torsponsors for information and to access the sponsor letter. Our goal is for every student to get at least one sponsor.
- Donations: Share our donation link that can be found at www.allenband.com/tor with friends, family, neighbors and other supporters. Our goal is $200 for every student.
- Spirit Wear: Show off your TOR pride with spirit wear. Anyone can purchase and we will ship. This makes a great keepsake.
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 and Incoming Freshmen
- Wednesday, April 16 (5:00-6:30pm)
Incoming Freshman Marching Camp (Not Required for current LFC/AHS students)
- Thursday, April 24 (5:00-6:30pm)
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
