TWIB Notes: 3/3-3/9

This Week In Band
Jazz Concert on Monday
AHS Jazz Band I & II performed at the TCU Jazz Festival on Saturday. Both bands performed wonderfully and got to experience a clinic and concert with the legendary jazz trombonist Wycliffe Gordon. Come see both jazz bands in concert at 6:30pm on Monday, March 3 at the LFC Auditorium!
Varsity and JV Blue Colorguard
Congratulations to Allen Colorguard members who competed at Wylie High School on Saturday. The Varsity Colorguard placed 6th in Scholastic AA class. The JV Blue Colorguard placed 3rd in Regional AA class and earned a promotion to Regional A class. Both groups will be in competition again this Saturday at Hebron High School.
Orchestra UIL - Thursday, March 6
Students participating in full orchestra at AHS and LFC will participate in the UIL Orchestra Concert & Sightreading contest at the Allen PAC on Thursday, March 6. Those involved should ensure they are familiar with all of the details of their performance as communicated by their directors. These performances are open to the public and free to attend.
- 3:55 PM - LFC Symphony Orchestra
- 4:35 PM - AHS Philharmonic Orchestra
- 6:45 PM - AHS Symphony Orchestra
San Antonio Trip Updates
Room Sign-Up Deadline: Friday, March 7 @ 8am
Decide who you want to share a room with before you sign up. 4 students will be assigned to each room. If fewer than 4 people sign up in a room, other students will be assigned to that room to make sure it is full. It is recommended that all members of your room group sign up as close to the same time as possible to ensure that you can all choose the same room. DO NOT SIGN UP ANYONE OTHER THAN YOURSELF. SIGN UP IN ONE SLOT ONLY. You will not be allowed to change your selection after you sign up. Any name that appears more than once will be removed from the signup, and that student will be assigned to a room by the directors. Any student that does not sign up for a room by the deadline will be assigned to a room by the directors.
DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 7, 8:00AM
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.
Tournament of Roses Updates
TOR Sponsorship Day
Tuesday, March 4 is the Tournament of Roses Sponsorship Day. The goal of this event is for every student participating on the trip to get a business to sponsor the trip to help offset costs. 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
2025-2026 Audition Results
AHS Band and Jazz Band class placements for 2025-2026 can be viewed using the links below. These placements have been communicated to guidance counselors and will be placed in your schedule prior to arena scheduling. You will need to be signed in to your AISD Google account to access the files.
Please do not contact the band directors about any perceived schedule conflicts. Any unresolvable schedule conflicts will be communicated to the band directors by guidance counselors. If you have a concern about scheduling, please contact your counselor.
These lists include all wind players who both requested band in their schedule for 2025-2026 and completed an audition. If you are not on one of these lists and believe you fulfilled both of these requirements, please contact Dr. Knight (steven.knight@allenisd.org).
Percussion & Colorguard Announcements
Percussion Announcements
You can access the latest calendar, announcements, and rehearsal schedules here.
This Week In Guard (TWIG Notes)
You can access all of the latest colorguard information, events, and communication here! Please see links below.
NTCA - Hebron HS
The Allen Color Guard will perform at NTCA Hebron on Saturday, 3/8.
- JV Performance: 9:42am
- Varsity Performance: 3:16pm
CLICK HERE for the NTCA Hebron Itinerary
How To Make Payments
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 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.
Volunteer Opportunities
Sign up to help with uniform needs at the concerts. Visit www.allenband.com/volunteer. Remember to log in to sign up. Contact Denise with questions at volunteers@allenband.com
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 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
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
March 3-9
Mon, March 3: MS Pre-UIL (AHS), Jazz Concert (LFC)
Thurs, March 6: HS Orchestra UIL (AHS)
Sat, March 8: Hebron Colorguard Show
March 10-16
Mon, March 10: Leadership Workshop, 4:30-6:00 PM (AHS Band Hall)
Tue, March 11: AHS Sat Day
Fri, March 14: Early Release Day
Sat, March 15: JV Colorguard @ NTCA Championships
March 17-23
HAVE A FUN & SAFE SPRING BREAK!
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