Odem Bands Schedule – Week of 2/23/2026
We begin this week by congratulating Benjamin Castañeda (Trumpet), Eva Garcia (Bass Guitar), and Ysidro Roman (Trombone) on their outstanding performances at the All-Region Jazz Concert on Saturday!
This week is going to be busy, with a few events, most notably UIL Region Solo and Ensemble on Thursday. We are still waiting for UIL to send us a schedule for this event. Based on past years, we will probably leave the school around 2 pm and return around 7:30 or 8 pm. Those are total guesses, though, until they send out a schedule. As soon as they share that schedule with us, we’ll send that out!
Students may be signed out from the event, and we encourage family members to attend if possible! It is open to the public with no admission charge. However, adults will need to show their state-issued ID to check in at the school building. Please arrive early enough to allow time for that process. Last year, they were able to check in visitors at the front of the school and at the back, where buses park. I will again update this information with official information as soon as they share it!
Please note that if you do attend, you may not record video or audio during students’ performances per UIL rules.
Students should bring money for snacks at the snack bar or snacks with them. Due to the performance times, we will return home and not have dinner as we originally stated in the first email. Students should dress nicely for their performances. We encourage ensembles to coordinate their outfits. No jeans, shorts, or t-shirts should be worn for this event. Slacks/button-down shirts, dresses, skirts, etc., are appropriate for this event. Please keep the school dress code in mind when choosing outfits.
On Tuesday, we will begin our annual MoneyDolly fundraiser with the bands. This fundraiser is one of our most successful and, realistically, simplest for our students and parents. All we need is for students and parents to visit this link: https://launch.moneydolly.com/fundraiser/274033. Follow the instructions to download the app and join this year’s fundraiser. Students should then take a profile picture of themselves smiling and add at least 10 contacts. If parents and students all complete these steps, this fundraiser can do very well for us!
Funds from this fundraiser will be used for various expenses and projects, including marching band, State Solo and Ensemble, reeds, supplies, etc. It’s very important that we have a successful run with this. Due to the state cell phone laws, we can’t complete these steps in class this year, so please do this today! The system will begin seeking donations on Tuesday and run through the week after Spring Break! We do encourage all of our students/families in Grades 6-12 to participate in this, as these funds do benefit the entire program throughout the year!
Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns!
A reminder that Spring Band Fees for 7th-12th Grade Band students are due at this time. Those fees help us purchase supplies, bring in clinicians, and cover other spring band expenses for the programs. Checks or Money Orders only, please, made out to OEISD. We also sent student balance statements this morning.
Windi and Jazzi ‘Storybook Escapes’
We are preparing for Windi and Jazzi on April 18th. Tickets are now on sale here: https://odemhsband.ludus.com/. The ticket covers entrance to the performance, Chicken Fried Chicken or Chopped Sirloin, Sides, Drink, and Dessert for $15-$25 depending on the seat in the Cafetorium.
We have assigned our students theme items to bring by section. We ask that every member of the group please bring one item valued at around $10 that fits the theme to make silent auction baskets. Please help us ensure we receive these items by Tuesday, March 24th. Windi and Jazzi traditionally is a great fundraiser for us, and these baskets are a big part of that!
Flutes/Clarinets: Spa Basket (Candles, Bath soaps, etc.)
Alto and Tenor Saxes/F Horn/Bass Clarinet: Baking Basket (Baking Sheets, Cake mixes, cookbooks, cookie cutters, etc.)
Trumpets: Outdoor BBQ (BBQ Cooking Utensils, Aprons, Sauces, Grill accessories, etc.)
Trombones/Euphoniums/Tubas: Movie Night (Movies on BluRay or DVD, Snacks, Popcorn tubs, etc.)
Percussion: Games Night Basket: Board Games/Card Games, snacks, etc.
Junior High Students: Gardening Basket (Seeds, Gardening tools, Gloves, etc.)
Additionally we are looking for businesses to donate items, tickets, gift cards, etc. If you would please ask anyone you know who might be in a position to donate those we would appreciate it!
2026 Florida Trip
We ask that parents/students please check in on their trip accounts this week. This website link https://bobrogerstravel.grcoll.co/v2/go/odem26 should let you access the site. All students have to have at least $900 paid with the full amount in April, per the company. Please contact them for any questions on that.
If you have any other questions or concerns, please let me know!
This Week’s Schedule
| Day: | Event: |
| Monday: | Band Hall Closed After School |
| Tuesday: | Jazz Rehearsal 4 pm – 5 pm Open House 6:15 pm – 7:15 pm HS Fundraiser Begins! |
| Wednesday: | Band Hall Closed After School |
| Thursday: | UIL Region Solo and Ensemble |
| Friday: | Band Hall Closed |
Upcoming Events:
| Day: | Event: |
| Thursday: | UIL Solo and Ensemble Contest (JH and HS) |
| March 2nd: | Color Guard Tryouts (4 pm) |
| March 23rd: | HS Pre-UIL Contest Concert |
| March 24th: | JH Pre-UIL Contest Concert |
| April 1st/2nd: | UIL Concert and Sight-Reading High School and JH Bands |
| April 18th: | Windi and Jazzi |
| April 27th: | Odem HS and Odem JH Symphonic Winds Spring Concert |
| May 4th: | Beginning Band and OJH Concert Band Spring Concert |
| May 6th: | Beginning Instrument Drive for Incoming 6thGraders |
| May 15th: | Graduation (All Symphonic Winds and 9th-11thGrade HS Band Students |
| May 22nd-23rd: | UIL State Solo and Ensemble |
| June 1st – June 8th: | HS Band Trip |
Thank you for your help and support of these amazing students! Please contact us if you have any questions!