Plano East Band News - November🍂

Welcome to the first of many editions of Plano East Band News! This newsletter aims to offer our parents and students all of the most important information and upcoming events in an easily accessible monthly newsletter. We plan to share this letter via email at each publication, and also link it onto our band website.

Enjoy reading all of the information below and have a great day!

A huge congratulations to the amazing performances of the 2024 Plano East Marching Panthers! Most recently, your performances at the Area J prelims and finals were truly inspiring and reflective of all of the hard work you put in all season long! Hold on to the amazing feelings and emotions you had leaving the field. We are so incredibly proud of you and excited for the next performance!

We also want to give a shout out and huge thank you to all of our amazing parent chaperones and volunteers this season! From meals, to plumes; bus captains to stage crew, nothing could happen without your help and support. THANK YOU!!!

Students must complete the entry form in Google Classroom and parents must pay the $11 entry fee on MTK by 12:00pm on Friday, November 15th. You must login to your profile to access the form. Late entries are possible, by accrue an additional $11 late fee.

The audition happens on Monday, November 18th at Clark High School in Plano. Please see the documents below for all of the information. Best of luck to all of our fabulous Freshman!!!

Featuring the Plano East Jazz Band

Thursday, November 21st at 7:00pm

Plano East Auditorium - FREE ADMISSION and EXTRA CREDIT for students!

The clinic starts on Friday, November 22nd and the concert on Saturday, November 23rd at the Robinson Fine Arts Center. Come out and support Michael Yedwab and Bennett Noll perform in this fantastic concert!

Featuring the Plano East Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Varsity Band, and Symphony Orchestra

Thursday, December 12th at 7:00pm

Plano East Auditorium - FREE ADMISSION!

Featuring the Plano East Marching Panthers

Saturday, December 14th

Downtown Plano

12:15 Building open - Get dressed. Full Uniform, except Red Santa Hat instead of Band Shako. Wicking T and Band Shorts underneath. Depending on weather, you might consider layering up!

1:05 Depart for Williams 120 Unload

1:30 Warmup and Stage for start of parade (we are near the end this year)

3:20 Depart Williams back to Plano East

3:35 Arrive Plano East and Bag Uniforms for the Cleaners!

All band students will be issued a concert dress or tuxedo when we return from the Thanksgiving holiday. Students issued a tuxedo will receive a jacket, pants, bow tie, and cummerbund. Students issued a concert dress will only receive the dress. All students are responsible for keeping track of these items through the end of the school year. Additionally, students are required to supply some components of their formal attire.

• Students wearing tuxedos are required to have a white, ruffled tuxedo shirt; long black dress socks with no patterns; and black dress shoes (marching shoes aren't permitted.)
• Students wearing dresses are required to wear close-toed formal shoes, or open-toed with dark hosiery.

The band directors are hoping to find 4 to 5 parent volunteers who are able to assist in fitting our band classes into their formal concert attire. Parent volunteers would work with band directors to pull students from their band class, fit them into a tuxedo or concert dress, and record the information into our online uniform system.

Fitting takes place on December 2nd, 3rd, 5th, and 6th from 9:00am - 11:00am and 12:30pm - 3:30pm.

Please email a band director if you are able to help out and thank you so much in advance!

All Plano East Band members will prepare and perform a solo on your primary instrument in February. Many of our wonderful private lessons staff help our students select a solo. Students who aren't in lessons will need to find an appropriate solo on their own. Per UIL rules, your solo must be one that you've not performed in past school years. However, you can perform a different movement from a solo that you have previously performed.

Solo Selection

• Wind Ensemble members must perform a UIL Class 1 solo.
• Symphonic members must perform a Class 1 or 2.
• Concert & Varsity members must perform a Class 1, 2, or 3.

Performance Options

• Perform at the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 22nd at Plano East.
• Perform in-class the week prior.

Grading

• Performances at Solo & Ensemble that earn a 1st or 2nd division on a Class 1 or Class 2 solo result in a 100. 3rd division or below is a 0, and requires a redo performance for the directors.
• Performances in-class will be evaluated and graded with a rubric. Same criteria as above.

Accompanists

• You are required to have piano accompaniment regardless of if you choose to play at Solo & Ensemble or in-class. The only solos where accompaniment is not required are labeled as "unaccompanied".

• We have a block of professional accompanists reserved for Plano East Band students if you need one.
• Some students have accompanists arranged through their private lessons teacher.
• Generally, accompanists charge between $50-75 for two rehearsals and the performance.
• Students performing in-class can use a live accompanist or Smart Music for their accompaniment.

We HIGHLY recommend enrolling in the private lessons program. Our teachers are world-class professional musicians that are skilled in teaching students of all ability levels. Taking weekly 1-on-1 lessons will help you achieve MUCH higher levels of performance than with a band class alone. It is not too late to sign up! A few of our private lessons staff still have some openings at this time, and they would be more than happy to work with your child! Please email us for more information!

OBOE students and families, GREAT NEWS! A new teacher was just approved and added to the staff this week. Please reach out to Victoria Hartman for lessons ASAP! 469-388-5393

Is your tone quality suffering? Can't access your extended ranges without making a bad sound? Are you ready to excel at the next levels of performance? We have great news for you!!!

Consider purchasing a step-up instrument from any of our local music stores. An upgraded flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, or trombone will allow you to push yourself to that next level of musical performance. You'll be in awe of the ways you will improve!

As with any high quality item, these instruments can get expensive. However, we encourage you to view this as an investment. All the local music stores have very manageable payment plans and frequently run various sales. With the holidays approaching, a new professional-level instrument might just be a great gift that lasts a lifetime!

If you have any questions about how this works, reach out to any of the band directors!

Marching Band Attendance

Directors@PlanoEastBand.com

Mr. Brennan - Wind Ensemble, Finances, General Questions

John.Brennan@pisd.edu

Mr. Albert - Symphonic Band, Jazz Band, Inventory, Lockers

Ryan.Albert@pisd.edu

Mrs. Pickle - Concert Band, Varsity Band, Uniforms, Physicals, Forms/Contracts

Megan.Pickle@pisd.edu

Mr. Tyree - Color Guard, Winter Guard

Wesley.Tyree@pisd.edu