TWIB Notes
ELIGIBILITY | CLASS EXEMPTIONS
A UIL grade check will take place on Monday, September 28th.
Students who receive a grade below 70 in any non-exempt academic course at the end of this grading period will become academically ineligible following the UIL-required seven-calendar-day grace period. Students that fail a class will become ineligible on Friday, October 2nd and will not be able to travel or participate in performances with the Allen Band. Texas Education Code requires students who fail a non-exempt course at a grade evaluation period to be suspended from extracurricular participation for at least three school weeks, with eligibility reviewed again after three weeks. Students can regain eligibility on October 9th at the grade check and all students are eligible during the Fall Break. While academically ineligible, students will not be permitted to perform with the Allen Band at football games, marching contests, parades, pep rallies, or other public performances. They will, however, continue to attend and participate in scheduled rehearsals. State law specifically allows an academically ineligible student to practice or rehearse with the group even though the student may not participate in a competition or public performance, and rehearsals remain part of the students' Allen Band course responsibilities. Certain advanced courses are exempt from the standard No Pass, No Play provision. We have posted the current Allen ISD list of exempt courses so students and families can determine whether a particular course qualifies for an exemption. Allen High School also maintains the current 2026-27 Academic Planning Guide and Student Handbook as district references for academic and extracurricular requirements.
REGION UIL MARCHING CONTEST - OCTOBER 21ST
Our Region Marching Contest is on Wednesday, October 21st. This event is happening during the school day - students should be prepared to meet before school at AHS on that Wednesday. We will have students remain at AHS for the rest of the day - LFC students should be picked up from AHS on that day. If they are riding the bus home, they can do so from AHS.
CONTEST SHOW TOPS - WASHING & DRYING
Hand Wash in Cold Water, blot excess moisture, lay flat to dry.
*DO NOT PUT IN THE DRYER FOR ANY REASON! THEY WILL SHRINK!*
Write your name on the inside of the collar of your show top so it doesn't get mixed up
THIS WEEK IN BAND
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25TH - ALLEN VS PRINCETON (HOMECOMING)
*TRADITIONAL UNIFORM*
ITINERARYSATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26TH - WYLIE MARCHING INVITATIONAL
*CONTEST UNIFORM*
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD - DON HANNA MARCHING CONTEST
*CONTEST UNIFORM*
GAMEDAY ITEMS
Please check your needed items for our upcoming performances, as we will be wearing TRADITIONAL UNIFORMS for Homecoming and CONTEST UNIFORMS for the marching contests.
- Water bottle with a strap
- Lyre if you play Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, All Saxophones, Mellophones, Baritones
- Eflip phone holder
- Black Vipers Marching Shoes
- Long Black Socks
- Allen Band Shorts (TRADITIONAL & CONTEST UNIFORMS)
- Long-sleeve blue uniform shirt (TRADITIONAL UNIFORM)
- Allen Dri-Fit t-shirt (CONTEST UNIFORM)
- Contest Show Top (CONTEST UNIFORM)
- Gloves
*Piercings need to be clear jewelry or studs
*For contest uniform - hair should be out of your face and off the shoulders
VERTICAL RAISE FUNDRAISER
We are at $101,000 in fundraiser total!
We encourage every family to participate in this fundraiser, as the funds raised help support and enhance the overall Allen Band experience for our students.
If your family prefers not to participate in the fundraiser, you may choose to make a $250 direct contribution instead. If you select this option, please enter $250.00 as the amount and be sure to include the name of the student the contribution is for.
FALL JAZZ CONCERT | OCTOBER 1ST
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, September 25th
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
AHS Homecoming Pep Rally!
Homecoming Game vs Princeton (itinerary posted above)
Saturday, September 26th
Wylie Marching Invitational Marching Contest (itinerary posted above)
Monday, September 28th
Weekly Pass-off: Region Etude Excerpt (on MakeMusic)
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Tuesday, September 29th
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
6:30pm - 9:30pm Rehearsal
*MARCHING SHOES & GLOVES for this rehearsal (any socks are okay); NO SHAKOS
Wednesday, September 30th
No Morning Rehearsal
Thursday, October 1st
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Fall Jazz Concert - 6:30pm @ LFC
Friday, October 2nd
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Saturday, October 3rd
Don Hanna Marching Contest (itinerary posted above)
Monday, October 5th
Weekly Pass-off: Part 4
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Tuesday, October 6th
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
*5:30pm - 8:30pm Rehearsal (adjusted rehearsal time)
Wednesday, October 7th
No Morning Rehearsal
Thursday, October 8th
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Friday, October 9th
7:00am - 8:15am Rehearsal
Allen vs McKinney (itinerary posted next week)
ADVANCED MUSIC - CONCERT CRITIQUE UPDATE
Due to students being shifted into and between Advanced Music courses, we have decided to postpone the first Advanced Music assignment. Students will now need to complete the first Concert Critique by Friday, November 13th. Please see details about the assignment and course expectations in your Canvas courses.
B BLOCK - FLAG CHOREOGRAPHY
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES - TUTORIALS
Do not request to attend tutorials sessions during marching band rehearsal. You should contact your academic teacher to find solutions that don't conflict with rehearsal time.
SPRING TRIP SURVEY
The Allen Band is in the final approval process for our Spring Trip. The information in this survey is tentative and based on the best information we have now. Please fill out the form below so we have more accurate information moving forward, thank you!
LFC ATHLETIC CONFLICT PLAN
Week of September 28th:
Monday, Wednesday - ATHLETICS
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - BAND
Week of October 5th:
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - ATHLETICS
Tuesday, Friday - BAND
Please email Mr. Blankenship if you have any questions.
BAND EQUIPMENT NEEDS
Students will be marching, moving, and playing for the majority of their time and will need to have the following items:
Instrument with all accessories
Charged Device with Ultimate Drill Book, Beam, Geo, and SportsYou apps loaded and joined
ยฝ Gallon water jug filled with ice water
- Athletic clothing including a light colored shirt, athletic shorts, athletic shoes, no jeans/jorts, no crocs, no boots
Hat and sunglasses
Sunscreen
- Deodorant
*Having supplies on a daily basis has an impact on daily grade assessments for students
MAKEMUSIC AND ALL-REGION MUSIC
MakeMusic accounts will be set up for all winds and percussionists. We will use this software platform to help the Allen Band learn the All-Region music.
Students will be able to hear themselves, record themselves, and receive feedback on their performance. Students will be given as many chances as they wish to record themselves.
Please check the microphone on your Chromebook when you receive your district technology and make sure it is working. Non-functional devices will not be an excuse for incomplete recording assignments.
The TMEA All-Region freshman cuts are listed below, and the All-Region music is available in the Google Drive linked on the website.
The All-Region freshman cuts are the fall semester exam. Students are responsible for preparing this music throughout the semester. Students should expect chair tests, in-class performances, and MakeMusic assignments connected to this music.
PRIVATE LESSONS
Private lesson sign-ups are linked below.
All parents should fill out the Google Form, even if your student is already enrolled in lessons.
Private lessons are $24 per weekly lesson and are the strongest predictor of student success. Allen ISD has added many private lesson instructors on every instrument to make sure we can accommodate as many students as possible.
REQUIRED APPS FOR MARCHING BAND
ALLEN BAND BOOSTER ASSOCIATION
Volunteer Opportunities
No game this week, but we have the Don Hanna Marching Competition and we can use your help! The remaining UIL contest volunteer opportunities are also open. There are upcoming work days and uniform return opportunities as well.
Thank you in advance for your help!
Home Game Meals
The next home game meal will be for the October 9th game. Back by popular demand- Raising Cane's! Gluten free and Vegetarian options will be from Bread Zepplin. Order by October 6th.
Get ready to fuel up with some crispy goodness from Raising Caneโs Chicken Fingers!
Choose from the following meal options:
๐ Chicken Finger Dinner โ includes 3 chicken fingers, fries, toast, Caneโs sauce, and a cookie
๐ฅ Gluten-Free Option โ Bread Zeppelin Salads
๐ฑ Vegetarian Option โ Bread Zeppelin, chips and a cookie
Meals will be served in the PAC Commons from 4:45โ5:00 p.m.
Spirit Night
Join us October 1st at K-Cup Kitchen in Fairview for authentic Korean street food. Mention you are with the band and a portion of their sales will be donated back to the Allen Band.