TOR Newsletter: Jan

This is the first in a series of monthly newsletters detailing the latest updates and reminders for the Allen Escadrille's upcoming performance at the 137th Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2026. This newsletter is being sent to all families grades 8-11. Starting in February, this will only be sent to families that will be participating on the trip. If anyone has questions, please contact Dr. Obado, Director of Bands, at philip.obado@allenisd.org.

We will have a Tournament of Roses Update Meeting in conjunction with our General Allen Band Booster Association Meeting on Tuesday, February 4th at 7pm in the AHS Ensemble Room. This is not a required meeting, but all are welcome to attend. Please enter door 33C (behind AHS) to get to the Ensemble Room. CLICK HERE for a map.

The agenda consists of the following:

• Allen Band Booster Association Business

• Fundraising/Sponsorships

• Friends & Family Trip Information

• Itinerary & Trip Details

Representatives from our travel company, Perform America-Texas will be in attendance for questions you have on the student trip as well as the friends and family trip. We will provide minutes/notes from the meeting on our Tournament of Roses Website.

• Required Documents: There are some students registered for the trip that did not turn in some of the required documents. Dr. Obado will be contacting families via CutTime if there are any missing items. If you did not turn in an agreement form or complete the Information Form, please do so as soon as possible. You can scroll to the Registration section below to click links to the required documents.

• Next Payment is due on Feb 3 ($300). As stated on the trip agreement, students whose payments are not received within seven days of the due date will be removed from the trip and will be subject to the cancellation policy. Scroll to the Registration section below on how to make payments.

• Optional Trip Insurance is due on January 31: If you are planning on purchasing optional trip insurance, the deadline is January 31. Scroll to the registration section below for links on trip insurance.
• Friends & Family Trip: The non-refundable deposit is due on February 12th with the deadline to register on the friends and family trip on March 12. This trip is entirely managed by our travel company, Perform America Texas. Representatives from Perform America Texas will be at our optional Winter Trip Update Meeting on Feb 4th.

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. Copy and paste the following link in a separate browser: https://www.travelinsured.com/group.signup?group=161060&guid=8df1531feef145deac42963979e9fa08

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. Copy paste the following link in a separate browser: http://www.travelinsured.com/agency?agency=53456

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.

Tournament of Roses fundraising is well underway. 100% of the proceeds from fundraising will go to offset the cost of the trip for the band and colorguard students. Please share with family, friends, neighbors and supporters. It will take everyone's help to reach our goal! You can find information on all fundraising efforts on the www.allenband.com/tor

SPIRIT WEAR

TOR spirit wear will be on sale through May. Orders will be filled on a monthly basis. Be sure to get your TOR swag to represent at the parade and around town. There's something for everyone and these items make for great keepsakes. Out of town supporters can choose to have items shipped directly to them. Shop today at www.allenband.com/shop.

DONATIONS

Anyone can donate to the trip! Share our donation page everywhere, on social media, group chats, bulletin boards, etc. Our goal is to have every student receive $200 in donations. All donations are tax deductible. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/a894290a-950c-44c0-9645-597ab46f86d3.

SPONSORSHIPS

Local business can show support too! Share the sponsorship package with any business you know. Doctors, realtors, small owned, large corporations, etc. Our goal is $90,000 in business support. You can find more information on the www.allenband.com/torsponsors.

TOR LEGACY EVENT

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.

For questions on any fundraising efforts please contact the ABBA TOR Committee at tor@allenband.com.

• Jan 31: Trip Insurance Deadline (Optional)
• Feb 4: Optional Winter Update Meeting (7pm, AHS Ensemble Room)
• Feb 12: Friends & Family Trip Non-Refundable Deposit Due
• March 12: Friends & Family Registration Deadline
• April 8: Optional Spring Update Meeting (7pm, AHS Band Hall)
• Week of July 28: Student Room Sign-Ups Begin
• Early September: Optional Fall Update Meeting (7pm, AHS Band Hall)
• TBA October: Required Trip Meeting (7pm, AHS Performing Arts Center)
• Chaperone Meeting: Early December 2025 (7pm, Band Hall)
• Dec 19: Luggage and Equipment Packing
• Dec 22: Backup Date for Equipment Packing (If State Football Game)
• Dec 28-Jan 2: Tournament of Roses Travel Dates

• 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