Welcome to the second 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!

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

Be on the lookout for a mandatory trip meeting the week prior of the trip!

Phase 1 for the high school region auditions happens on Saturday, October 7th at Wylie High School. Please see the documents below for all of the information. Best of luck, students!!!

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.

These rehearsals are so that the percussionists and double reeds can join the bands for one rehearsal prior to the concert on December 12th. Attendance is mandatory.

Concert/Varsity Band Combined Rehearsal

December 4th from 4:45pm-6:15pm

Symphonic Band Rehearsal

December 10th from 7:30am-8:30am

Following the Plano Holiday Parade, all marching band instruments must be returned during class on Monday, December 16th. The case must be totally empty of personal belongings and vacuumed clean.

This applies to: bass clarinets, tenor and bari saxophones, mellophones, baritones, bass trombones, and sousaphones.

REMINDER!!!

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.

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

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

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