LH Band Update

Monday:

• No School - Staff Development
• Region Orchestra Entry Audition Due

• No School - Staff Development

• Etude 2B Listenings Continue

• Senior Breakfast 7:00am
• Senior Recognition Rehearsal 7:45am (seniors only)
• Pep Rally 8:45am - Red Band Shirt/Senior Shirts
• FNL Home Game vs Richardson HS - Senior Night
• Tamale Order Window Closes

Monday:

• Etude 3B Listenings Begin
• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Pit Orchestra Rehearsal 7:30am
• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Game Day Rehearsal 7:30am
• Playoff Game Day

Monday:

• Etude 3B Listenings Continue
• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am
• Region Orchestra Auditions (Duncanville) 6:00pm
• Tamale Pick Up Day

• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am
• Evening of Jazz 6:30pm

• Pit Orchestra Rehearsal 7:30am
• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Wind Ensemble Rehearsal 8:30am

• Potential Game Day Rehearsal 7:30am
• Potential Playoff Game Day
• Etude Replays Close 4:20pm
• Region Orchestra Clinic 5:00pm

Saturday:

• Region Orchestra Clinic/Concert 8:00am

Beginning Monday, November 9, Wind Ensemble rehearsals will start at 8:30am and continue through 1st period. The 48 minutes we have from bell to bell isn’t enough time to prepare the level of literature our varsity concert band will perform at the Winter Concert and at UIL Concert & Sight-Reading in the spring. The earlier start gives these students the rehearsal time that music demands.

This isn’t a new practice. Before COVID, an 8:30am start was standard for varsity ensembles across Richardson ISD and throughout the state at schools on a traditional schedule. I followed that same schedule myself as a student in RISD. When the district moved to block scheduling in 2021, our class periods grew to 90 minutes, which gave us plenty of instructional time without starting early. Now that we’re back on a traditional schedule, we’re bringing back the 8:30am downbeat.

Students should be in their seats by 8:20am with all of their materials so they have time to warm up before rehearsal begins. A director will be at the door from 8:00 to 8:15am to let students in, so students please have your ID and Yondr pouch ready.

Similar to auditions for the All-Region Band, there are auditions for the woodwind/brass/percussion sections in the All-Region Orchestra. Students that place high enough at the Region Orchestra Audition can earn automatic advancement to the Area round of the All-State auditions process, meaning that do not have to attend the NZ Region Band or Pre-Area Auditions. Only select students will be allowed to audition for the All-Region Orchestra. For reference, here is a normal flow chart of the TMEA All-State pathway in Region 20:

North Zone All Region Auditions >

Pre-Area Auditions(NZ vs SZ) >

Area D Auditions (Regions 8, 20, 21, 26) >

All-State Auditions

Important Dates/Info

Entry Fee: $20

Monday, November 16 - All-Region Orchestra Audition - Duncanville HS 6:00pm

Friday, November 20 - Rehearsal - WT White HS - time TBD, after school

Saturday, November 21 - Rehearsal & Concert - WT White HS - time TBD, morning/afternoon

We are kicking off our annual Tamale Fundraiser Monday, Oct 19th - Friday, Nov 6th ! Ordering is easy use the QR code on the bottom of the flyer, pick up will be held Monday, Nov 16th @ LHHS Band Hall 5pm-7pm! All proceeds go to the LHHS Colorguard!

Students may sign up only once per week. Do not remove someones name if all spots are filled. Additional appointments to play for directors may be available upon request, like during advisory, lunch or an off period.

November

Click HERE for Trip Account Login!

Nov 22, 2026 - Payment #3

Dec 22, 2026 - Payment #4

Jan 27, 2027 - Final Payment

Use this link to see where photos taken by our LHABC Historians are posted throughout the year!

Grading Guidelines in Music (pg. 11)

• In accordance with RISD policy, all “excused” absences will be honored with no grade penalty.

• A major part of the music curriculum is the development of performance skills. Therefore, “unexcused” absences from a sectional, rehearsal or performance, which are integral to developing these performance skills, will lower a student’s course grade as follows:
• Sectionals and rehearsals are course requirements that require interaction from members of a group and cannot be made up. Therefore, an “unexcused” absence/tardy from a before or after school sectional or rehearsal will lower a student’s participation average.
• Performances are mandatory as a culmination of group course requirements and cannot be made up. Therefore, an “unexcused” absence from a scheduled performance will reflect a grade of “0” to be averaged into the student’s nine-week performance grade, and the student may be subject to removal from the course.

Grading Guidelines in Music> Additional Criteria Affecting Grades (pg. 12)

Excused Absences, In accordance with RISD policy, all excused absences will be honored with no

grade penalty. These will include:

• Medical emergency or illness
• Death in the family
• Religious holiday
• Family emergency
• Medical or dental appointment

Circumstances may justify an excused absence for reasons other than those listed

above in accordance with RISD policy. Please refer to RISD Student Code of

Conduct Handbook for a complete list of extenuating circumstances and non-

extenuating circumstances. If an excused absence is anticipated, a written or email

notification should be submitted at least two days in advance.

Grading Guidelines in Music> Lake Highlands Band Specifics> Grading Categories (pg. 14)

Participation (30%)

• The student will receive a grade for each before and after school sectional and rehearsal during a grading period

• The student will be on task on focused during all rehearsals
• The student will have instrument, music, pencil, and supplies
• The student will be prepared to play his/her part successfully
• The student will mark music and take notes as needed
• An unexcused absence from a before or after school rehearsal or sectional will lower a student’s participation average of the nine weeks by 20 points
• Tardies lower a student’s participation average by 5 points

Summary> Attendance

• Attendance at all rehearsals and sectionals is mandatory and is part of the participation grade. Attendance at performances is mandatory and part of the performance grade.Students who chose not to attend all events will have their grade docked. It is the responsibility of the student and parent to ensure the child is on time and prepared for every rehearsal/performance. Fall is very busy during marching season, and the band directors will do everything they can to give back time to students when the season slows down. Should a student be late or absent, proper documentation is required. Absences are excuses as outlined in district policy on pages 11 and 12.

Marching Band> Lake Highlands Band Specifics> Marching Band Attendance (pg. 20)

• Students are expected to attend all rehearsals and performances of the marching band.

• An unexcused absence from a performance will jeopardize one's position in the marching band. Note the band calendar and clear all the performance dates now!

• A student is tardy to rehearsal if he/she is not in the attendance block with instrument and supplies when the drum major begins the rehearsal.

• Habitual tardiness will jeopardize one's position in the marching block and may result in removing the student from performances or competition block.

Please see this living document for our band calendar for the upcoming school year. Please know that dates and times are subject to change and we will send out updates when those changes are made. This should give you a good scope on the year!

• Important Links

• Website: www.lakehighlandsband.org

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/lhhsband/