This week, we begin phasing in our Summer Band program, with everything fully ramping up next week. Our Percussion (Battery and Front Ensemble) will rehearse most of the day and evening Monday/Tuesday, and morning on Wednesday. Color Guard will do that, plus the afternoon on Wednesday. Our Brass and Woodwind members will have an indoor afternoon rehearsal from 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm, and then everyone will have outdoor marching rehearsal 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm. There will be no rehearsals for anyone Thursday or Friday this week. The full Summer Band Schedule may be found here: https://tinyurl.com/25OdemSummer. We also have our full fall schedule here: https://tinyurl.com/25SpiritOHSFall .

For our students we remind them that they need to come to us already in a good place with hydration. During rehearsals if a student comes already dehydrated, it’s going to be impossible to get them caught up while we are outside. Students should take care to avoid energy drinks, make sure they’ve had a good meal before each rehearsal, and drink plenty of water! We will hand out their new water jugs on Monday for them to have for rehearsal. 

Just a reminder, physicals are required for participation in Marching Band in Texas. It’s the same form/policy as Athletics. We can see if forms have been turned into Athletics via RankOne. We also share our forms with them when we receive them. Physicals are required every other year from a doctor, but the medical history questionnaire must be completed each year. You may find that form here: https://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/forms/PrePhysFormRvsd1_10_20.pdf PLEASE NOTE: STUDENTS CANNOT PARTICIPATE IN OUTDOOR REHEARSALS UNTIL WE HAVE THIS COMPLETED!!!!!

Our students must come to school for all rehearsals and practices for the units! If for some reason they’re not able to make it, be sure to get in touch with me as soon as possible. We make final determinations for who gets marching spots and who’s an alternate, primarily based on this! 

Students for all rehearsals need to come dressed in school-appropriate clothing. No crop tops, bare midriffs, or sleeveless shirts for ladies; gentlemen should not come in shirts with the arms ripped off, cut into the sides, or in tank tops. Tennis shoes or marching shoes should be worn; absolutely no Crocs or sandals should be worn for marching practices. This is a safety concern, as students cannot flex their feet correctly in them. We will have our half-gallon water jugs that we will hand out in the first week of outdoor practices. Students are responsible for them from then through the season.

As we approach these days, we strongly encourage students to make sure they are out and about and moving in the days leading toward camp outdoors if they can. It takes about a week of time to get acclimated to the temperatures.

2026 Florida Trip

We can still add students to the Florida Trip! Incoming 9th-12th-grade band students, or JH Front ensemble members, are eligible to travel on this trip, and we can still add students. 

If you missed the meeting, you may find a copy of the packet here: https://tinyurl.com/msrnkua6 . Registration is still open on their site: https://bobrogerstravel.grcoll.co/v2/go/odem26 

Payment options and forms are handled through their website. I encourage students to attend this trip; it will be a fantastic experience for them, and it is only really possible for most of them as a group like this!

This Week’s Schedule

Day:	Event:
Monday:	Summer Band Begins Guard with Choreographer: 9:00 – 12 pm/1 pm – 4 pm Drumline and Front Ensemble: 9 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 3 pm Winds & Percussion Inside: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Full Band (Guard, Perc, and Winds) Outdoor: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tuesday:	Guard with Choreographer: 9:00 – 12 pm/1 pm – 4 pm Drumline and Front Ensemble: 9 am – 12 pm & 1 pm – 3 pm Winds & Percussion Inside: 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Full Band (Guard, Perc, and Winds) Outdoor: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Wednesday:	Guard with Choreographer: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm & 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm Drumline and Front Ensemble: 9:00 am – 11:30 am
Thursday:	NO REHEARSALS
Friday:	NO REHEARSALS

Upcoming Events:

Day:	Event:	Time:
Monday:	Summer Rehearsals start for everyone
July 31st:	Annual Marchathon
August 20th:	Meet the Band (Owl Stadium)	7:30 pm
August 29th:	Odem vs Ben Bolt (Ben Bolt)
September 1st:	Afternoon/Evening Marching Rehearsal (We do rehearse on Labor Day!)
September 5th:	Odem vs. Falfurrias (Owl Stadium)

Full Fall 2025 Calendar: https://tinyurl.com/25SpiritOHSFall

Thank you for your help and support of these amazing students! Please contact us if you have any questions!