TWIB Notes

Our Vertical Raise fundraiser is rapidly approaching.

Vertical Raise fundraiser setup will occur during classes on:

• Monday, August 17

• Tuesday, August 18

Students will call and thank their contacts for donations during morning rehearsal on Thursday, August 20.

Participation in this fundraiser is expected from every family, and all money raised directly benefits your child’s experience in the Allen Band.

If your family does not want to participate in the fundraiser, you have the option to complete the $250 buyout option below. You will need to enter $250.00 into the amount submission. Be sure to let us know which student the submission is for.

Saturday, August 15

8:00-10:00am - Learn to Load!

Volunteers will learn how the logistics crew moves and loads the Allen Band.

10:00-11:00am - Volunteer 101!

Volunteers will learn how the logistics of supporting the Allen Band works.

Coffee and donuts will be provided.

Monday, August 17

Weekly Pass-Off: Part 1 from memory with all choreography - Set 1 to 8

**Canvas says Set 1-15 for this pass-off, but it will only be 1-8.

Everyone will get a chance to pass off during class.

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Vertical Raise fundraiser setup will occur during classes. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker. Pass-offs can be completed after school.

Tuesday, August 18

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Pass-offs can be completed after school.

6:30pm – 9:30pm - Evening rehearsal with Mr. Alvarado and Mr. Mathews

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Vertical Raise fundraiser setup will occur during classes. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker.

Wednesday, August 19

No before-school rehearsal.

Pass-offs can be completed after school. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker.

Thursday, August 20

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event.

At 8:00 a.m., students will call their Vertical Raise donors to thank them for their generosity.

Pass-offs can be completed after school.

Friday, August 21

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker.

Monday, August 24

Weekly Pass-Off: Intro and Part 1 from memory with all choreography - Set 8 - End of Part 1

**This pass-off will NOT be Set 15-End, it will be Set 8-End

Everyone will get a chance to pass off during class.

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker. Pass-offs one Part 1 can be made up after school.

Tuesday, August 25

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Pass-offs one Part 1 can be made up after school.

6:30pm – 9:30pm - Evening rehearsal with Mr. Andre

Wednesday, August 26

No before-school rehearsal.

Pass-offs can be completed after school. Students will be marching inside during classes and should bring athletic shoes. These shoes may stay in their locker.

Thursday, August 27

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event. Pass-offs one Part 1 can be made up after school.

Friday, August 28

7:00-8:15am - Morning rehearsal

Outside-of-school rehearsals are a graded event.

Allen vs. Duncanville Football Game (released next week)

Football games are mandatory performances that cannot be made up. Unexcused absences from football games will result in a zero in the gradebook.

Week 1 (August 17):

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday - ATHLETICS

Tuesday, Friday - BAND

Week 2 (August 24):

Monday, Wednesday - ATHLETICS

Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - BAND

Please email Mr. Blankenship if you have any questions.

Uniform Make-Ups will be Thursday, August 20th after school from 4:30pm - 6:00pm. If you do not have a uniform, this will be your final opportunity to get fitted for your uniform. Thank you to the Band Boosters and volunteers that have worked for hours to get the uniform process done. We appreciate you!

Students will be marching, moving, and playing for the majority of their time and will need to have the following items:

• Instrument with all accessories

• Charged Device with Ultimate Drill Book, Beam, Geo, and SportsYou apps loaded and joined

• ½ Gallon water jug filled with ice water

• Athletic clothing including a light colored shirt, athletic shorts, athletic shoes, no jeans/jorts, no crocs, no boots
  

• Hat and sunglasses

• Sunscreen

• Lunch (if you're remaining on campus to eat lunch)

• Any paperwork that has not been turned in

• Deodorant
  

*Having supplies on a daily basis has an impact on daily grade assessments for students

MakeMusic accounts will be set up for all winds and percussionists. We will use this software platform to help the Allen Band learn the All-Region music.

Students will be able to hear themselves, record themselves, and receive feedback on their performance. Students will be given as many chances as they wish to record themselves.

Please check the microphone on your Chromebook when you receive your district technology and make sure it is working. Non-functional devices will not be an excuse for incomplete recording assignments.

The TMEA All-Region freshman cuts are listed below, and the All-Region music is available in the Google Drive linked on the website.

The All-Region freshman cuts are the fall semester exam. Students are responsible for preparing this music throughout the semester. Students should expect chair tests, in-class performances, and MakeMusic assignments connected to this music.

Private lesson sign-ups are linked below.

All parents should fill out the Google Form, even if your student is already enrolled in lessons.

Private lessons are $24 per weekly lesson and are the strongest predictor of student success. Allen ISD has added many private lesson instructors on every instrument to make sure we can accommodate as many students as possible.

Home Game Meals

First Home Game Meal - Hat Creek Burger

Date: August 28, 2026

Bite into something tasty before kickoff with a meal from Hat Creek Burger Co.! Choose from one of the following delicious options:

🍔 Big Hat Burger

🧢 Little Hat Burger

🍗 Grilled Chicken Sandwich

🍗 Fried Chicken Sandwich

🌱 Veggie Burger

🧀 Grilled Cheese

🌭 Hot Dog

All meals come with chips and a cookie. Meals will be served in the PAC Commons from 4:45–5:00 p.m. Order by 11.59pm on August 25, 2026.

Order through the QR code (attached) or through this link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/home-game-meal-hat-creek-burger-company--8282026

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

✅ Become an ABBA Member

✅ Complete the Allen ISD Volunteer Application HERE

✅ Complete the ABBA Volunteer Code of Conduct at ABBA Code of Conduct

Sign up for all available opportunities at allenband.com/volunteer. You must be signed in to your membership account to see current opportunities. Questions? Email volunteers@allenband.com

Spirit Wear

Spirit wear is back on the Storefront and available to purchase until August 23rd! Pick up for all orders will occur at the Tailgate performance on September 14th.

Order Here!