We are excited and pleased to introduce Mr. Jesse Vela to the Allen ISD Band Staff! Mr. Vela is coming from Independence High School in Frisco ISD and will be our new Assistant Percussion Director here in Allen. Mr. Vela will be working with Mr. Locke and the entire band staff in Allen ISD. Join us for a Meet & Greet with Mr. Vela on Monday, July 15th at 5pm in the AHS Band Hall.

Mr. Vela was born and raised in San Antonio, TX, before relocating to Allen, TX, where he attended Lovejoy High School. He completed his BME at Texas A&M University - Commerce. While attending TAMU-C, he had the distinct opportunity of studying under Dr. Brian Zator, Mrs. Sandra Rennick, Ms. Lauren Teel, Mr. Cory Doran, and Mr. Kent Hillman.

As an educator, Mr. Vela has worked at a number of high schools in the DFW area. He most recently worked under Mr. Frank Troyka as a percussion instructor for the TAMU-C Summer Leadership Camp. At Lake Highlands High School in Richardson, Texas, Mr. Vela finished his internship as a student teacher working under Mr. Reagan Brumley. Prior to his student teaching, he resided as the front ensemble instructor for Lake Highlands.

Mr. Vela has had the opportunity to perform and explore music in a variety of contexts. In 2021, he competed with the TAMU-C Chamber Percussion Ensemble receiving a bronze medal at the PASIC chamber ensemble competition. Under the guidance of Dr. Brian Zator, this group most recently won the 2023 International Percussion Ensemble Competition. Additionally, Mr. Vela has played with the renowned TAMU-C University Wind Ensemble under the baton of Mr. Phillip Clements. During his experience in marching band, Mr. Vela has served as the battery section leader for the TAMU-C marching band, as well as playing marimba for The Troopers Drum and Bugle Corps in the summer of 2022.

Mr. Vela spends his time with his fiancée, who works as a middle school band director in Celina, TX. He also enjoys reading, playing video games, staying active, learning new skills, and spending time with family and friends.

There are a few other changes to our band staff. Mr. Hicks will be leaving LFC to be the new Music Theory teacher at AHS. We will certainly miss working with him as a band director, but he will be down the hall at AHS teaching music theory and will remain working with the jazz bands. If you are interested in learning more or interested in taking music theory, please send him an email! Mr. Rohr will be replacing Mr. Hicks as the assistant director at LFC. Mr. Rohr was the assistant director at LFC four years ago.

Here are the new director ensemble assignments beginning this year:

• Dr. Philip Obado, Director of Bands - Allen ISD
• AHS Wind Ensemble, AHS Symphonic 3/AHS Concert Band
• Dr. Steven Knight, Associate Director/Marching Band - AHS
• AHS Wind Symphony, AHS Symphonic 2
• Joshua Blankenship, Director of Bands - LFC
• LFC Wind Ensemble, LFC Concert Band
• Alexander Baczewski, Assistant Director/Jazz Band - AHS
• Jazz Bands, AHS Symphonic 1
• Andrew Camp, Assistant Director/Colorguard - AHS
• Colorguard, AHS Symphonic 3/AHS Concert Band
• Miles Locke, Assistant Director/Percussion - AHS
• Percussion
• Jeremy Rohr, Assistant Director - LFC
• LFC Symphonic Band, LFC Concert Band
• Jesse Vela, Assistant Director/Asst. Percussion - AHS
• Percussion
• Susan Fulk, Performing Arts Secretary - AHS

Allen ISD Fine Arts is switching to CutTime, a new database and communication system. We will no longer be using Charms as our information database. We are requiring all students and guardians to update contact information with this form. The new system will require students and guardians to provide their cell phone numbers as the primary method of communication will be through Text/SMS. We are requiring information from the student and at least one guardian. Please click the link below if you have not yet updated your information.

Make sure you are signed up for private lessons! May of our teachers are teaching during summer break and are filling their schedules for the Fall. You can schedule your lessons during morning rehearsals (beginning at 7:30am) and during your band classes with most of our teachers. We have a new oboe teacher and we have added an additional bassoon teacher.

To sign-up for lessons, simply communicate with one of our teachers to schedule. If you need help finding a teacher, please don't hesitate contacting your band director.

Summer band rehearsals are a required and necessary part of the band program in AISD. These rehearsals will give us the opportunity to perform our best and learn as much as we can prior to the school year beginning. Summer Band rehearsals will be at AHS.

All students will be required to submit FOUR forms prior to the first day of camps on July 24th. You will need to print the forms, complete, and submit at Band Camp.

• Pre-Participation UIL Form (Physicals) - Perc/Guard turned these in at their May camps (and do not need these in July).
• Field Trip/Co-Curricular Trip Permission & Emergency Treatment Form
• Handbook Acknowledgement Form
• UIL Marching Band Acknowledgment Form

CLICK HERE to review the 2024-2025 Allen Band Handbook (Draft). The handbook is still subject to change as this is in its draft form.

The physicals MUST be dated May 1, 2024 or later. We will not accept forms with earlier physicals. The Allen Band/Guard policy is to require physicals every year. Failure to bring in forms on the first day of camp will result in the student being sent home. If you haven't completed the form and need to get it done quickly, you can go to any CareNow or comparable walk-in clinic to complete the form.

Band students should arrive at 6:30am and enter the PAC entrance with their four required forms, instruments, music (in flip folders with lyres), and other required items. Prior to entering the band hall, you will turn in your forms. We will start at 7:00am in the band hall. Lunch will be from 11am-12:15pm; students can bring a lunch from home and eat on campus or can leave campus. Percussion & colorguard students will have separate instructions for your first day of summer band. Mr. Locke will communicate with percussion students and Mr. Camp will communicate with colorguard students.

• WHAT TO BRING TO BAND CAMP & REQUIRED SUPPLY LIST: CLICK HERE
• ACCESS YOUR MUSIC: CLICK HERE

Please see HANDBOOK for information regarding absences/tardies and the code of student conduct. During summer band rehearsals, PARENTS need to e-mail the director listed below if a student will be absent - there is no Excused Absence Form. Absences/tardies of any kind during the summer band rehearsals will not affect grades or ensemble placement, however your status in the contest show depends on being at rehearsals. You may lose your marching status/assignment based on absences/tardies of any kind.

• AHS Students: Email Dr. Knight
• LFC Students: Email Mr. Blankenship
• Colorguard: Email Mr. Camp
• Percussion: Email Mr. Locke

While not necessary for Summer Band, all students are required to have approved cold/wet weather jackets for the entire marching season. In addition, during the concert season, band students will be provided either a tuxedo jacket/pants or formal concert dress. Students that choose the tuxedo option will be required to purchase their own shirt and tie.

REQUIRED JACKET PURCHASE

All students in the Escadrille will be required to wear standard wet weather/cold weather jackets. Color Guard and Percussion will have their assigned attire (please address questions to Mr. Camp/Mr. Locke). Woodwinds, brass, and percussion will be required to wear one of the following for cold or wet weather:

• Senior Letterman Jacket
• Plain/Solid, Dark Navy jacket (hoodie, raincoat, etc). The color must be dark navy. You can purchase these on your own at any store (Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc). A HOOD is recommended.
• Approved Allen Band Field Jacket available for purchase from the Allen Band Booster Association (ABBA).
• Approved Percussion Jacket available for purchase from the Allen Band Booster Association.

REQUIRED FORMALWEAR PURCHASE

Students that choose the tuxedo option will be required to purchase their own shirt and tie in addition to long black socks and formal black shoes. We are changing the style of shirt and tie for 2024-2025 and will provide a specific vendor to purchase those items. Keep tuned for further information.

• Join Membership - CLICK HERE
• Fill out Dietary Questionnaire: CLICK HERE
• Allen ISD Background Check - CLICK HERE
• Purchase Freshman/SLT Mixer Pinstack Tickets - CLICK HERE
• Save the Date - Volunteer 101: 7/30 @ 6pm and Learn to Load: 8/3 @ 8am
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• 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