We’ve had a great few weeks of summer rehearsals and planning with The Spirit of OHS! Our Marchathon this past week was also successful at raising nearly $1,400 for the boosters that will help with costs this season! As we near the school year, we will adjust our practice schedule beginning this week. We will hold an inside rehearsal from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and an outside rehearsal from 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm, Monday through Thursday this week. We know there will be adjustments to sports schedules this week as well. We expect that students attend their sports practice, then come straight over to us and join us where we are. We’ll adjust next week’s rehearsals again once school starts next Wednesday. 

High School Band Fees should be paid by Thursday. Fees for Freshmen (or anyone who needs shoes) are $135, and Upperclassmen (who don’t need shoes) are $90. This is a slight increase over last year to handle price increases in supplies. Each student is provided with their water jug, flip folder/lyres, band shirt, band shorts, and a few other small items with this fee. Fees should be paid to OEISD via check or money order only. If you need additional time, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me to make arrangements. Guard fees are handled separately, and they do not need to pay this fee. 

For our students, we remind them that they need to come to us already well-hydrated. During rehearsals, if a student arrives dehydrated, it will be impossible to catch them up while we are outside. Students should take care to avoid energy drinks, ensure they’ve had a good meal before each rehearsal, and drink plenty of water. We have provided students with their water jugs; they must be filled for every rehearsal and event. Stanley cups and other water bottles are not always appropriate, and by having a standard jug, we know how much water students are coming with. 

Our students must come to school for all rehearsals and practices for the units! This is especially imperative this week while we are in the middle of setting drill on the field. If a student misses a drill rehearsal, we ask that they find a way to come up to the school on their own and mark their spots on the lot. It will make catching up on drill much easier and faster for both the student and the group!

We have our full fall schedule available here: https://tinyurl.com/25SpiritOHSFall.

2026 Florida Trip

We can still add students to the Florida Trip for another week or so! 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 Week 3: Full Band Inside Music Rehearsal: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Outdoor Marching Rehearsal (All): 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Tuesday:	Full Band Inside Music Rehearsal: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Outdoor Marching Rehearsal (All): 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Wednesday:	Full Band Inside Music Rehearsal: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Outdoor Marching Rehearsal (All): 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Thursday:	Full Band Inside Music Rehearsal: 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm Outdoor Marching Rehearsal (All): 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Friday:	No Rehearsals

Upcoming Events:

Day:	Event:	Time:
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)
September 12th:	Odem vs. Aransas Pass (Aransas Pass)
September 19th:	Odem vs. Skidmore-Tynan (Owl Stadium)
September 20th:	All-Region Jazz Auditions
September 26th:	Odem vs. Hebbronville (Hebbronville)
September 27th:	4th Annual Owl Marching Invitational

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!