TWIB Notes June 2026

Good afternoon Allen Band families,

I am so excited to begin the 2026-2027 school year with you! Please take a moment to review the information in this email, as it will help prepare you and your student for the upcoming marching season. We are diligently working through the details of the season so we can provide an incredible experience for our students and families. I appreciate your patience and support as we continue to finalize schedules, communication systems, and logistics.

I am aware that our CutTime system is not currently reaching incoming freshmen families. This newsletter will be posted on our website and social media, and it will also be sent to all 10th-12th grade families. If you are in contact with any incoming freshmen families, please help us spread the information below. We will have an opportunity to correct this communication gap once Allen ISD reopens on July 6, and I will send this information again once that issue has been resolved.

I hope all of you are enjoying your summer. The band staff is looking forward to our 2026 production, Empire Rising and we cannot wait to get started. Have a happy and safe rest of your break, we will see all of you soon!

Mr. Rees

Tuesday evening rehearsals during the school year will now take place from 6:30-9:30 PM instead of the previously scheduled 5:00-8:00 PM time. This change is being made with student safety in mind. The early evening hours are still extremely hot, and moving the rehearsal later gives us a better opportunity to rehearse outside safely and productively.

This adjustment also gives students more time after school to eat, hydrate, change clothes, attend tutorials if needed, and prepare for rehearsal without feeling rushed. We believe this will help students arrive more prepared and allow us to make better use of our rehearsal time.

Once the weather is not as hot, we will move Tuesday evening rehearsals to 5:30-8:30 PM. We will communicate that change clearly before it takes effect.

Thank you for your flexibility and support as we work to create the safest and most productive environment possible for our students.

We have added the Don Hanna Memorial Marching Band Contest on Saturday, October 3, at C.H. Collins Athletic Complex in Denton.

This contest will give our students another valuable opportunity to perform competitively before UIL Area. With the amount of time, energy, and investment our students and families put into the marching season, I believe it is important for our students to have more than one competitive performance opportunity before the end of the season.

This event will also give our students additional experience performing in a contest environment, receiving feedback from adjudicators, and watching other outstanding bands perform. Those experiences are important parts of the learning process and will help our students continue to grow throughout the season.

We will share a detailed itinerary, transportation information, meal details, and performance times as we get closer to the event.

ABBA Membership

Join ABBA Today!

Now is the perfect time to become an ABBA member. Visit allenband.com/membership to explore the available membership levels and choose the option that best fits your family.

Each membership level includes its own set of exclusive benefits and incentives, while providing valuable support to the Allen Band program. Please note that an active ABBA membership is required to volunteer with the band.

We appreciate your support and look forward to partnering with you for another successful year! Questions? Email membership@allenband.com.

Volunteer Opportunities

🚨 Our biggest volunteer opportunity of the summer is here! 🚨

Volunteer spots for Uniform Day are now open! This is the day when every band student is fitted for their uniform and receives many of the items ordered during registration in April. The more volunteers we have, the smoother and faster the process will be for everyone.

To volunteer, please complete the following steps:

✅ Become an ABBA Member

✅ Complete the Allen ISD Volunteer Application
Set a reminder for June 8—the application opens that day! To ensure your application is processed in time for volunteer opportunities, please submit it as soon as it becomes available.

✅ Complete the ABBA Volunteer Code of Conduct at ABBA Code of Conduct

You have to be signed in to your membership account to see current opportunities. Questions? Email volunteers@allenband.com.

Thank you for supporting our students and helping make Uniform Day a success!

Pinstack Freshman/SLT Mixer

Freshmen and Student Leadership Team (SLT) members are invited to join us for our annual Pinstack Mixer on Monday, July 27, from 5:30–7:30 PM!

Your ticket includes food, games, and plenty of opportunities to connect with fellow band members before the season begins.

For additional details and to purchase tickets, visit allenband.com/ps.

Questions? Contact us at publicrelations@allenband.com.

Senior Event

🎉 Class of 2027 — This Night Is for You! 🎉

Join us at Chicken N Pickle on July 28 from 6:00–8:00 PM for an evening of pickleball, fun, and games with your fellow band members!

Challenge a friend—or even a director—to a game on the court. Light refreshments and beverages will be provided, and food will be available for purchase. Best of all, a portion of the evening's proceeds will go directly back to support the Allen Band program.

Don't miss this great opportunity to connect, compete, and have some fun before the season gets underway!

Questions? Contact president@allenband.com.

We hope to see you there!

• James Rees, Director of Bands, Allen High School
• Alex Baczewski, Associate Director of Bands, Allen High School

• Joshua Blankenship, Director of Bands, Lowery Freshman Center

• Miles Locke, Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director

• Miguel Zacarias, Colorguard Director & Assistant Band Director

• Tyler Dahl, Assistant Band Director, Allen High School

• Jeremy Rohr, Assistant Band Director, Lowery Freshman Center

• Jesse Vela, Assistant Percussion Director & Assistant Band Director