PBJ: 8/10-16

Summer Rehearsals Conclude
Only two summer rehearsals remain before the first day of school! Our 5:30-8:30pm rehearsal on Monday, August 10 will follow the same format as all of last week's rehearsals. Tuesday's rehearsal will also begin at 5:30pm but will be specifically focused on preparing for our Family Performance that evening.
Family Performance Tuesday Night
Our Summer Band activities conclude with a short performance on Tuesday night at 7:00pm at the Auxiliary Stadium located between Lovelady HS and Princeton Senior HS. Family and friends are invited to see and hear what our students have been working on over the past few weeks, including a sneak peak at part 1 of our competition show, "Wicked Games."
Band students should wear any maroon, white, or grey Princeton shirt with their usual rehearsal shorts/pants and shoes for both rehearsal and the performance that evening. Colorguard students will receive instructions about attire from Mr. McGehee and Ms. Matheny.
Parking for the performance will be available in both the Princeton Senior HS student parking lot and the lot behind Lovelady HS (requiring a longer, uphill walk to the Auxiliary Stadium).
Band Supply Forms & Fees
Any families that have not yet submitted a Supply Form for their student are encouraged to do so no later than Monday evening to ensure proper sizes are ordered and received on time.
Completed Supply Forms can be emailed to Dr. Knight (steven.knight@princetonisd.net) or sent to rehearsal with students. Received Supply Forms are being processed and costs should be added to CutTime by the end of this week. Online payments can be made at any time through CutTime accounts.
Start of School & Band Classes
The first day of school is this Wednesday, August 12th. Band classes are somewhat unique in that nearly all of our classes consist of students from both Princeton Senior HS and Lovelady HS. More details about how this works will be provided on Wednesday, but we want to share at least some information to help students navigate the first few days.
On the first day of school (Wednesday), all band students should report to the Band Hall on their home campus for their schedule band class period. On this day, directors will share information and policies specific to the students on those campuses as well as details for how these class periods will work going forward.
Starting on either the second or third day of school (depending on campus-specific requirements), all students except for brass and woodwind students in 5th period will report to the Lovelady HS Band Hall for their band class. 5th period brass and woodwind students will report to the Princeton Senior HS Band Hall. Shuttles will be provided for students traveling between Lovelady HS and Princeton Senior HS. Clarification on permissions for self-driving students will be provided as soon as possible.
Makeup Uniform Fitting
Students who have not yet been fitted for uniform items are strongly encouraged to attend one of two available makeup fittings at the Princeton Senior HS Band Hall:
- Thursday, August 13, 7:00-8:00pm
- Saturday, August 15, 1:00-2:00pm
If students cannot be fitted at either of these times, we ask that a parent contact Dr. Knight to discuss alternative options.
Required Forms Update
All district handbooks and forms have now been updated, and we plan to send packets of required forms home with students on the first day of school (Wednesday). These packets will include acknowledgement forms for the Band Handbook, Extracurricular Handbook, and Fine Arts Handbook, all of which can be accessed using the link below.
Families that have already submitted signed acknowledgement forms for the Extracurricular and Fine Arts Handbooks should review the updated versions of these to ensure they are aware any revisions that may have been made (unfortunately, a list of changes has not been provided). To the best of our knowledge, there have been no changes to the Emergency Medical Treatment Form (contained within the Extracurricular Handbook).
We request that all required forms be signed and returned to us by Monday, August 17th.
After-School Rehearsals
With school starting on Wednesday, we will be shifting to our regular after-school rehearsal schedule beginning on Thursday, August 13th. However, the schedule for the first full week of school will be modified to accommodate Meet the Teacher. Families are encouraged to review the official band calendar (see below) for the complete schedule of rehearsals and performances. All scheduled rehearsals are required for all students unless communicated otherwise.
Regular Weekly Schedule
Mondays, 5:00-8:00pm
Tuesdays, 4:00-6:30pm
Thursdays, 4:00-6:30pm
Schedule for August 17-21
Monday (8/17): 5:00-8:00pm
Tuesday (8/18): NO REHEARSAL (Meet the Teacher)
Thursday (8/20): 4:00-6:30pm
Friday (8/21): 4:00-6:30pm
Saturday Rehearsal - August 15th
This Saturday, August 15th, we will have one more Saturday morning rehearsal for the full ensemble. Rehearsal is 7:00-11:00am at Lovelady HS. All students will be required to leave campus immediately following the rehearsal.
ParentSquare
As you are may be aware, Princeton ISD is implementing a new application for district communications with families and students. ParentSquare was chosen to provide a single portal through which all communications between teachers, administrators, parents, and students could exist in a secure, verified, and logged system. It also supports two-way translations between more the 190 languages.
Although we will likely continue sharing our newsletters through CutTime, you can also expect to see them through ParentSquare. Additionally, all other official communications from the Band and Colorguard programs will begin taking place through ParentSquare once the necessary groupings are created.
We strongly encourage all families to review information that has been provided by the school district to ensure they have access to ParentSquare as the school year begins this week.
Show Music Audio
Several students have asked about the availability of audio files of music for "Wicked Games." These can be accessed by clicking the link below. Students should keep in mind that these files are electronic representations of the written music. While they can be helpful for getting an idea of the show music, they don't necessarily depict how it should sound when performed by real instruments.
Band Calendar
Princeton Band Boosters
Volunteers Needed!
If you are a parent or guardian of a high school band or color guard student, you are automatically a member of the Princeton Band Booster Organization! The Band Boosters provide vital support for the band and color guard programs through both volunteer service and fundraising. To find out how you can get more involved with the booster organization, visit their Facebook page at the link below or contact Band Booster President Heather Brister at 972-838-6784.
The Next Three Weeks
August 10-16
Monday, 8/10: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 5:30-8:30pm
Tuesday, 8/11:
- Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 5:30-7:00pm
- Family Performance, 7:00pm (Auxiliary Stadium)
Wednesday, 8/12: First Day of School
Thursday, 8/13: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:00-6:30pm
Saturday, 8/15: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 7:00-11:00am
August 17-23
Monday, 8/17: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 5:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, 8/18: NO REHEARSAL (Meet the Teacher)
Thursday, 8/20: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:00-6:30pm
Friday, 8/21: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:00-6:30pm
August 24-30
Monday, 8/24: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 5:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, 8/25:Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:00-6:30pm
Thursday, 8/27: Full Ensemble Rehearsal, 4:00-6:30pm
Friday, 8/28: Home Football Game vs North Garland
High School Band & Colorguard Staff
Dr. Steven Knight
Director of Bands
steven.knight@princetonisd.net
Jeremy Diaz
Assistant Band Director
Emily Amigh
Assistant Band Director
Alan Gray
Percussion Director
Ben Cordell
Assistant Percussion Director
Michael McGehee
Colorguard Director
Kara Matheny
Colorguard Assistant