TWIB Notes: 8/19-8/25
Q & A: First Home Game (Aug 30)
Our first game isn't until Friday, August 30 (vs. Midland Legacy), but it's never too early to prepare!
How long are gamedays? We still have morning rehearsals at 7am, have an entire day of school, and then we start the gameday process as soon as school gets out. Home games usually conclude by 10:15pm. We will get back from away games by 11pm.
What do I have to bring to school on gamedays? Based on whatever uniform is assigned for the game (dri-fit, traditional, or contest show), students are required to bring required items for inspection. If a student doesn't bring their required items, they will not participate in the game (call home and receive an unexcused absence). Students will be required to bring their required uniform shirt, black athletic shorts (khaki shorts for dri-fit uniform), long black socks (short socks are okay for dri-fit uniform), black band shoes (athletic shoes for dri-fit uniform), gloves, all music in flip folder/lyre (with a strap), cold weather/raingear (if necessary), water jug (with a strap). You may need a bag (with your name clearly on the bag) to store all of your items - this is not to bring to the game, however. See checklist link below for a complete checklist of items.
What do I do for dinner on gamedays? Away games are easy. The band will provide dinner to all students on the way to buses. Home games are tricky. There is enough time to get food after school gets out. Many students get rides and get food off campus or have parents drop food off. There is not enough time to take your regular school bus home and get back to school. If you cannnot get off campus and a meal cannot get dropped off, the easiest thing to do is to order a meal through the Allen Band Boosters (CLICK HERE to order home game meals).
What do I do if I have long hair? All students must put their hair up so it all fits under our band hats (shakos) by inspection time. The intent is to make sure everybody looks the same. Different hair types require different methods to put hair up. See the checklist link below for a few videos on how to put your hair up. We will send students home if hair is incorrect for performances. Hair video 1. Hair Video 2.
How do I get my band shoes, dri-fit shirt, traditional/contest show shirts? We will distribute band shoes and traditional/contest show shirts after school on Thursday, August 29 from the AHS Uniform Room. If you need a dri-fit shirt, we will distribute after-school on gameday (Friday, August 30) from the AHS Band Office. We are anticipating wearing our Dri-fit uniform for the first game.
What if I didn't fit for a uniform yet? We will fit all students that have not yet fit for a uniform on Tuesday, August 20th. LFC students and AHS Sym 1 students will fit during morning rehearsal. All other AHS students will fit during their band class.
Meals During the Marching Season
Away Games & Marching Contests: Dietary Questionnaire
The band provides meals and snacks for the band at all away games and marching contests through the refreshment fee that was paid at registration. There is no time to get meals or go home and bring meals. Please click the button below for the Dietary Questionnaire. The form lists the kinds of meals we serve. This form must be filled out every year from every student.
Spring Trip: Austin/San Antonio (April 11-13, 2025)
Our Spring Trip this year will be a weekend in Austin and San Antonio (Friday, April 11-Sunday, April 13). If you are interested in signing up for this trip, you will need to pay the non-refundable deposit and submit the signed trip contract to the AHS Band Office safe by Friday, August 30, 2024. Click the button below for the 2024 Spring Trip. Here are trip highlights:
- PRELIMINARY ITINERARY
- Rehearsals, workshops, clinics, and campus tours at the University of Texas at Austin
- Spend the day at Six Flags Fiesta Texas
- Dinner and shopping at the San Antonio Riverwalk
- Natural Bridge Caverns Tours
- Accommodations: Two nights Marriott Northwest (or similar)
- All transportation and meals provided
- Students are responsible for any souvenirs and snacks/meals not included
We hope everyone in the band and guard can join us on our optional spring trip.
Vertical Raise Fundraiser
Our 2024 Donation Drive is well underway and going strong! Thank you to everyone that has participated. This fundraiser is vital to the success of the booster's ability to continue funding much needed resources, equipment, scholarships, music, guest clinician travel, props and so much more. . . this also keeps your yearly fees low! 100% of the funds raised go right back into the program. We also have some great incentives such as gift cards, donuts, pizza parties, tees and more! For more information visit www.allenband.com/fundraising or email Debbie at fundraising@allenband.com with questions.
CONGRATULATIONS
to our $500 Best Buy gift card winners:- $10,000 drawing Olivia Hogan
- $20,000 drawing Jake Zaino
- Monday morning we will hold the $30,000 drawing. . .maybe $40,000 if we achieve that goal
Athletic Conflict & Morning Seminary Form
Morning seminary students are let out in time to be at rehearsal by 7:00am. If you participate in morning seminary, your band director will get that information so they can give you excused tardies in the rare occasions you may be late.
Marching Band Reminders
Required Morning Rehearsals
All band and guard students are required to be at all rehearsals. Morning rehearsals are Monday-Friday from 7:00am-8:30am at the AHS Track Stadium. We ask that students arrive around 6:30am to avoid heavy traffic at drop off (in front of the AHS Performing Arts Center) and enter the track stadium. LFC students will shuttle to LFC at 8:15am. In addition to Friday night football games and competitions, please check the band calendar on www.allenband.com for a few evening rehearsals and events/performances throughout the season.
Absences & Tardies
All students are required to check-in on their UDB App. Students that do not have phones must check in with a band director every rehearsal. If a student is unsure they are checking in properly, they should communicate with their squad leader or director for assistance. Students that fail to check-in on UDB or with a director properly (even if they show up to rehearsal) will have grade deductions.
Please see HANDBOOK for information regarding absences/tardies and the code of student conduct. Parents need to communicate with their son/daughter's band or guard director to report absences/tardies.
Uniform Fitting & Registration Fees
- If you have not fit for a uniform, we will fit you on Tuesday, August 20. LFC and AHS SYM 1 students will fit during morning rehearsal. Everyone else at AHS will fit during their band class.
- While you can see how much you owe in fees on your CutTime dashboard, you cannot pay fees through CutTime. Email susan.fulk@allenband.com if you need assistance regarding what fees are owed. You can only pay fees the following way:
- Drop off a payment (check/cash) in the AHS Band Safe
- Mail a payment to Allen High School Band (Attention: Susan Fulk)
- School Pay: CLICK HERE.
- School Pay adds a fee to your payment.
- Please know that sales tax of 8.25% must be added to the final balance. Students will be billed sales tax if not added to payments.
New Students That Missed Summer Band
If you have missed summer band, you have missed over 50 hours of instruction. In addition, absences and tardies will impact your class grade now that school has started. You are required to be present at our daily morning rehearsals from 7am-8:30am. Please know that you will be responsible for bringing four required documents (UIL Pre-Participation Form, Field Trip Form, Handbook Acknowledgement, and UIL Marching Band Acknowledgement) before you can rehearse with the marching band. You are still required to come to morning rehearsal even if you don't have your required documents; you will observe rehearsal in the track stadium so you can check in for attendance and learn as much as you can without directly practicing with the group.
PRIVATE LESSONS
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.
Volunteer Opportunities
Lots of opportunities available. Log into www.allenband.com to sign up. This week:
Football Games
- Chick-Fil-A Bagging
- Home Game Meals
- Uniform Dry Cleaning Return
- Tailgate
Login into www.allenband.com/volunteers to signup. Email Denise at volunteers@allenband.com with questions.