Odem Bands Schedule – Week of 7/29/2019

I would like to begin this week by congratulating all of the students who were members of the Odem HS Wind Ensemble this past spring. Thursday they had advanced to the State Finals in both the TMEA Honor Band and ATSSB Outstanding Performance Series Competition. The competition was stiff, as expected at the state level, but our students performance held their own and earned many compliments! They ultimately placed 8th in the State with the TMEA Honor Band Contest, 7th in the OPS Concert March division, and 11th in the OPS Concert Selection division. This is an incredible showing that once again proves that the Odem Bands are among the very best in the State of Texas! Congratulations to those students!!!

This week is going to be a busy week for the HS students as we continue to prepare for our 2019 Marching Show. One of the most important items to note is that our students must all have completed their physicals/turned in their health information page BY WEDNESDAY! The new UIL State Rule takes effect on Thursday and we will be unable to take students outside to rehearse after that point until the physical is completed. Thursday is an important day as we begin to set drill for the show, so it’s imperative that every student has taken care of this! As I have spoken with the students I will be working with Coach Huerta to verify what has been turned into the Athletic Department already. Please help us make this a non-issue for all of our students by ensuring their compliance with this new policy!

Friday we will hold our 5th Annual March-A-Thon, followed by a pool party for the students. Please see that section below for more information.

Marching Band Physicals:

UIL has mandated that Marching Band Students now receive physicals prior to participation in outdoor activities. The new policy takes effect August 1st when all students must have one completed on the same biannual basis as Athletics. You can find the UIL’s Physical/Health Questionnaire form here http://www.uiltexas.org/files/athletics/forms/PrePhysFormRvsd1-19.pdf 

Students only need to complete one physical if they are in Athletics and Band; it is not necessary to complete a separate one. We need these in this week. Please note that if your student has already done a physical that counts from last year for athletics, we still need that health questionnaire form returned to us on an annual basis. I will do my best to touch base with students who have not completed these requirements by Tuesday!

Fall Band Fees:

We will need the first of our Fall Band Fees turned in by August 6th this year so that we have time to order shirts/shoes/supplies for the students. That fee is $45 for all students except guard members. Freshmen/students who need shoes have a second fee of $40 which will be due by August 24th. (Freshman/students who need shoes may pay the full $85 at once if they wish)

Color Guard Members will need to pay their second fee of $200 by August 8th. They will need to pay an additional $40 if they wish to have the guard bags.

March-A-Thon:

On Friday, August 2nd we will host our 5th Annual March-A-Thon fundraiser. We passed out forms to students during band camp, but if you another you may print them them here: http://www.odembands.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-March-A-Thon-Packet.pdf Our goal is that students each raise $50 per student during this event. We are offering incentives to the sections with the most participation and the most money raised this year. For the event we seek donations and sponsorships for students, as well as will stop to play at houses along the route for residents there. So that we may plan stops and the route we ask that students have all forms/money turned in Wednesday or Thursday at our evening practice.

Please contact us if you have any questions there!

Rehearsal Times this Week:

Please note that these times have changed for this week from what we did last week!

Monday:

9:30am-11:00am: Low Brass
10:30am-12:30pm: Battery Percussion
11:30am-1pm: High Brass/Woodwinds/Guard
1:00pm-3:00pm: Front Ensemble
3:00pm-5:30pm: Inside Music Rehearsal
6:30pm-8:30pm: Outside Marching Practice

Tuesday:

9:30am-11:00am: Low Brass
10:30am-12:30pm: Battery Percussion
11:30am-1pm: High Brass/Woodwinds/Guard
1:00pm-3:00pm: Front Ensemble
3:00pm-5:30pm: Inside Music Rehearsal
6:30pm-8:30pm: Outside Marching Practice

Wednesday:

PHYSICALS DUE!!!!!!!!!!!!
9:30am-11:00am: Low Brass
10:30am-12:30pm: Battery Percussion
11:30am-1pm: High Brass/Woodwinds/Guard
1:00pm-3:00pm: Front Ensemble
3:00pm-5:30pm: Inside Music Rehearsal
6:30pm-8:30pm: Outside Marching Practice
Money for March-A-Thon Turned in tonight or Thursday evening.

Thursday:

9:30am-11:00am: Low Brass
10:30am-12:30pm: Battery Percussion
11:30am-1pm: High Brass/Woodwinds/Guard
1:00pm-3:00pm: Front Ensemble
3:00pm-5:30pm: Inside Music Rehearsal
6:30pm-8:30pm: Outside Marching Practice – Day 1 of Drill Setting!
Students should have duct tape and permanent marker for rehearsal!
Money for March-A-Thon Turned in tonight or Thursday evening.

Friday:

4:00pm: Arrive at Band Hall
5:00pm: March-a-Thon Begins
7:30pm-9:00pm: Pool Party

Our summer band camp had a great start last week and we look forward to continuing that this week. Please help us make sure students are at practices this week! It is imperative that we continue to build on the good work they did last week!

Thank you for your help and support of these amazing students!