TWIB Notes July 10, 2026

We have learned that we will not have professional development on Monday, August 3rd. Because we won't be in PD that day, we will be able to have rehearsal 7am - 11am and 12:15pm - 4:00pm.

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.

If you are receiving this communication and you are no longer in the band program - don't worry! We are updating the roster in CutTime and we will have it sorted by the end of the week. I'm sorry this wasn't taken care of sooner and we are moving as fast as we can to get everything correct. Thank you for your patience!

If you are receiving this communication and your CutTime balance is not itemized correctly - don't worry! We are in the process of correctly assigning the orders from the Spring registration dates and we will have those reflected correctly very soon.

Our band handbook is in the process of review and we will send all of the needed forms out early next week. Thank you for your patience as we work to get everything ready to go!

We are excited to launch this year’s Vertical Raise fundraiser when the school year begins! We will be using the same general format as last year, but this year we have a great opportunity to make it even more successful.

Fundraising plays an important role in creating an outstanding experience for every student in the Allen Band. It helps support instruction, equipment, student opportunities, travel, events, and many of the special experiences that make this program so meaningful. Our booster team has worked incredibly hard to prepare this fundraiser, and we are grateful for their time, energy, and commitment to our students.

Last year, only 17% of Allen ISD Band students had 20 contacts loaded into the Vertical Raise app, and almost 50% of the band program did not receive any kind of donation.

That means we have a TREMENDOUS opportunity in front of us! With everyone participating, building strong contact lists, and taking a few simple steps, we can make a huge difference for the Allen Band this year!

We are excited to share some new ways to connect with this fundraiser and help every student be successful. We are going to have a GREAT year in the Allen Band and we can't wait to get started!

"Hi Allen Band!

My name is Lauren Hocevar, and I am thrilled to join the Allen Eagle Band family as a Fine Arts Administrative Assistant for Allen ISD! While I am brand new to the district, my love for music education is lifelong. I'm a graduate of Plano Senior High School and the University of North Texas, where I was a loud and proud choir kid. Don't worry, though—some of my favorite people are in the band! In fact, my husband (a former alto saxophone player) and I moved to Allen earlier this year, and we are already in love with this community.

I am incredibly excited to support our students and directors, and to be a part of the Biggest Band in the Land!"

Mrs. Hocevar has already been working really hard on getting everything ready for us to have a great year, thank you for getting off to a great start! Parents, she's a rock star and is going to be awesome for the Allen Band!

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
  
• Lauren Hocevar, AISD Fine Arts Administrative Assistant