Welcome to the third edition 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!

Starting in the Spring Semester, all band students are required to attend a weekly instrument sectional outside of their band class, similar to the experience in middle and high school. Sectionals are teacher-led and cover more specific elements of both the instrument and our concert music. When scheduling, we work hard to avoid and/or work around other school-related conflicts and activities. Commitments outside of school such as homework or working a job aren't considered. Students must build their weekly schedules in order to attend their sectional every time. Click below to access the sectional schedule for your band class.

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. If you need help finding an appropriate solo, please indicate below.

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.

• Per UIL rules, the solo must be one that the student has not performed in past school years.

• You can perform a different movement from a solo that you have previously performed.

• Search for you solo on the PML: https://www.uiltexas.org/pml/

Performance Options

• Perform at the UIL Solo & Ensemble Contest on Saturday, February 22nd at Plano East.

• OR perform in-class the week prior.

Grading

• Performances at Solo & Ensemble that earn a 1st or 2nd division earn 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.

Publishing and Copyright laws require that individuals purchase the solos they intend to perform from the composer or a publisher. This can easily be done online at music websites such as www.Penders.com or www.JWPepper.com.

**Shipping can commonly take 2 to 3 weeks. It is imperative that you order your original ASAP! Do not wait.**

Prior to performing at UIL, the judge will ask for the student to present an "original" copy of the music as proof of purchase.

Generally, accompanists charge between $50-75 for two rehearsals and the performance.
Students performing in-class can use a live accompanist or online SmartMusic for their accompaniment. More details about this will be shared with these students in-class.

Here is a reminder of the payment schedule. All payments should be made in the trip portal online or via check sent directly to Perform America 5517 Louetta Road Suite B, Spring, TX 77379.

• October 4 - $200
• November 8 - $100
• December 6 - $100
• January 10 - $100
• February 7 - $100
• March 7 - $100

A mandatory Spring Trip meeting is on Tuesday, April 15th at 7:00pm. Location will be in the Plano East cafeteria or auditorium. All students attending the trip plus one parent are required to attend.

Winter Guard rehearsals are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00pm-8:45pm and Fridays from 5:00pm-7:45pm. Come check out both the Black and Gold groups perform at their upcoming performances!!!

January 18th - Lovejoy HS

February 1st - Little Elm HS

February 8th - Mansfield HS

February 22nd - Wylie East HS

March 1st - Wylie HS

March 15th - Black Championships

March 29th & 30th - Gold Championships

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!

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!

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