Directors Notes



OSSAA State Band Contest
The BA Bands have just completed their most successful OSSAA Contest season - EVER! All 7 High School & Freshman Academy Bands received Superior Ratings on the Concert Stage as well as the Sight Reading Contest. This paired with the Pride’s Superior Rating last fall at the OSSAA Marching Contest make ALL 7 BANDS OSSAA Sweepstakes Awards Recipients. This is the first time in the history of the BA Bands that all 7 bands have earned the OSSAA Sweepstakes Award. Congratulations to all of our band performers and their directors!


2016 Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
We are extremely proud to announce that the Broken Arrow High School Percussion Ensemble, under the direction of Adam Wiencken, has received an invitation to perform at the 70th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, held from December 14-17, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois! It is an honor to be selected to perform at such a prestigious event and we are extremely humbled and excited for this opportunity! Stay tuned for details regarding the Percussion Ensemble trip to Chicago, which will be decided in the coming months!


Carol Davis Scholarship
The Carol Davis Memorial Educational Scholarship is awarded to a Broken Arrow High School Senior who is a current member of the Pride of Broken Arrow Band and plans to enter an institution of higher education. The Scholarship of $1,000.00 may be utilized to cover the costs of tuition, books, fees or other expenses while attending an institution of higher education. The entry form, due in the band office by May 3, can be FOUND HERE.


High School Band Auditions for 2016-2017 HS Band Classes
Audition music was distributed last week for the upcoming auditions for wind band placement for next year's wind bands. The auditions will be performed live and recorded during the current band class time beginning on April 25. All current 9th, 10th and 11th grade band students will be recorded for a current band class grade AND for 2016-2017 Band Class Placement.


Upcoming Concerts and Contests
Chamber Ensemble Concert - Monday, April 18 Central on Main (7:00)
Jazz Concert - Tuesday, April 19 BAPAC (7:00)
Percussion Ensemble Concert - Thursday, April 21 BAPAC (7:00) - featuring Dr. John Parks (Florida State University)
Solo Recital - Monday, April 25 BAHS Band Hall (7:00)
State Jazz Contest - Wednesday, April 27 all day at OSU
HS Band Concert - Sudler Shield Monday, May 9 BAPAC (7:00)
FA Band Concert -  Friday, May 13 BAPAC (7:00)
Rooster Day Parade - Saturday, May 14 (9:15 report time)


Time to Smell the Roses!
The Pride of Broken Arrow has been invited to participate in the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on January 2, 2017(The Rose never occurs on a Sunday), pending school board approval. Stay tuned for many more upcoming announcements and details as we begin the fundraising process to send the Pride marching down Colorado Boulevard!


Rose Parade Info for 2016 Pride Season - First Payment of $125 due on March 10 & 2nd Payment of $125 due on April 11
The fundraising process is already in full swing. There are many opportunities to help lower the final payments for ALL prospective Pride members.  This will be a BIG season with a full fall travel schedule to BOA and OBA Contest events as well as the incredible trip to California for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade! We have heard your suggestions loud and clear and we WILL be flying to California for the Rose Parade trip!!! In order to pay air deposits the first payment for the 2016 season will be due prior to Spring Break on March 10 for $125. All current and prospective Pride members should make arrangements to have $125 as your first payment in your account by March 10. If you are concerned about completing a successful audition to gain 2016 Pride membership, please know that your initial payments are FULLY refundable should you not be among the 2016 membership. A complete detailed payment schedule will be published soon as the details and final trip costs are determined. It is going to be an AMAZING 2016 for the Pride!


2016 Pride Information

• Color Guard Auditions on April 21 & 22 from 5:00-9:00
  
• Percussion May 3 & 4 from 3:30-5:30
  
• Pride Leadership Leadership applications are available this week. See Mr. Wiencken at the HS if you have not picked yours up yet.
  
• Drum Major Clinic is scheduled for April 19 and the Audition is on April 26
  
• Horn Line Audition Camp is May 2-6 from 3:30-5:30
  
• ...more specific information coming soon...

2016 Pride Color Guard Auditions THIS WEEK!
Auditions for the 2016 Pride Color Guard are this Thursday and Friday from 5:00-9:00pm at the HS Band Facility and Field House.




Pride Banquet Date - April 29th
The Pride Banquet will be held on April 29th at the Tulsa Renaissance Hotel. Tickets are currently on sale in the band office and are selling FAST! Tickets are $40 each and members will receive a free ticket. We are currently accepting table reservations for preferential seating. This year's Pride Banquet will once again feature: Season Celebration, Photo Montage, Student Achievement Awards, a dance following the event, and a guest speaker. THE DEADLINE TO PURCHASE OR PICK UP TICKETS IS MONDAY, APRIL 25TH AT 4:00pm


Info Regarding 2015 Pride Championship Rings
We have been working with the great people from Jostens to apply the student cost reduction from the donations accepted at the Pride Encore Celebration. That discount equates to a reduction of $35 per member for their 2015 Championship Ring. Jostens is attempting to provide delivery of the Rings by the banquet, however, in all likelihood, they will not be finished until early May.


Next Band Parent Meeting May 17
Our next band parent meeting will be on Tuesday, May 17 in the High School Band Hall at 7:00pm.




FUNCTIONS
We need a few more people to help chaperone the dance after Pride banquet. If you would be willing to help with this, please send your name to bafunctions@gmail.com.

Also we will need cookies and servers for our receptions after both the high school and freshman academy concerts on May 9 and 13th.

Helpers are needed after the high school concert to collect concert wear and after the Rooster Day parade to collect uniforms.

If you can help with any of these tasks, please let us know at bafunctions@gmail.com.


Banquet Reservations began at 8 p.m. April 8 and will continue until 8 p.m. April 22. All reservations will be accepted using this link: BA Pride Banquet Reservations. This link will be posted on our BA Bands’ social media accounts before April 8.

You may also bookmark the link on your phone, tablet or computer so that is easily accessed once it goes live on April 8. Each table sits up to 10 people. You do not have to have a party of 10 to make a reservation. Parties smaller than 10 will be grouped with other smaller parties so that each table has 10 people. Each reservation submission is automatically timestamped and table availability will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Table numbers will be emailed on or before April 28.

To make a reservation you will need the following information:

• Email address and phone number of 1 person in the party as a designated contact person.
• Ticket number and name for each person in your party, and whether or not they are a Pride member. If they are a member, please provide their grade level.
• Any dietary needs for each member of your party.
  

Project Graduation
Project Graduation, the annual all-night celebration for graduating Broken Arrow HS seniors, is looking for some help. There are a couple of ways you can lend a hand:

1. Volunteer at Project Graduation: If you would like to volunteer for a shift at Project Graduation, just follow THIS LINK to the Project Graduation SignUpGenius. You will need to create an account but it is FREE.

2. Test Drive a vehicle: From 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 23, Project Graduation partner Ferguson Buick will host a Drive For Students fundraiser in the BAHS parking lot. For every person that test drives a car (between 5-10 minutes long), Ferguson will make a donation to Project Graduation, up to $10,000. Project Graduation needs 500 people age 21 and over to participate to maximize this opportunity!

FUNDRAISING
Cori Aschkenas - BABandFundraising@gmail.com

If you are interested in selling World’s Finest Chocolate Bars, you can contact BABandWFC@gmail.com for information!


PRIDE STORE
Cori Aschkenas - BAPrideStore@gmail.com

If you did not pick up your Eagle Trophy you may do so this Tuesday, April 19th after school until 5:00 pm. We will be located outside the BAHS band room.


ROSE PARADE FUNDRAISING
We have cancelled our partnership with Eden Veggies Vegetable Stand. Unfortunately the vegetable stand did not meet the criteria for the band fundraising model. Anyone who submitted their information to baroseparade@gmail.com can disregard. That information was not sent to Eden Veggies.

Distribution of Andy’s Coupons has begun. If you need to pick up your first 10 coupons, turn in money or get additional tickets please email us at babandsandys@gmail.com. Coupons are no longer available for pick up at the band office. If you are going to request more than 10 you will need to pay the full value up front. ie. 20 tickets require a $60 payment.  CLICK HERE for detailed information on the Andy's Coupon Fundraiser. This is a required group fundraiser.  ALL MEMBERS NEED TO SELL 50 COUPONS.

Mattress fundraiser will be held in the Band Room on MAY 21st & 22nd. All Pride members will participate on one of those two days. This fundraising supports the group as well as the individual account. CLICK HERE for detailed information on the mattress fundraiser.

Mark your calendars for the 1st Annual Golf Tournament July 17, 2016 at the Battlecreek Golf Course. More info coming soon!

A special THANK YOU to all of the parents who have stepped up to serve on fundraiser committees. It is so exciting to see Rookie parents dive in as well as Veteran parents! The strength of the Pride is within each of us. MORE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES COMING!


OPERATIONS

Email baprideoperations@gmail.com anytime.

CONCESSIONS

Soccer playoffs are being held in BA and we need volunteers for concessions. If you are willing to serve at one or more of the games, please email BAConcessions@gmail.com The dates for playoffs are:

Tuesday, May 3
Friday, May 6
Tuesday, May 10
Friday, May 13

Thank you for your service to the BA Band Programs.


MARKETING & DEVELOPMENT
Ky and Michiele Vargas - development.bapride@gmail.com

Do you have experience in Grant writing or are you willing to gain some experience in Grant writing? If so, please let us know! We want to explore the various grants available to BA Bands. This is currently an untapped resource for us, and we would love to have someone who can concentrate on it.



Upcoming Dates and Events
April 18 - HS Chamber Ensemble Concert - 7:00 at Central on Main
April 19 - Drum Major Clinic - 3:00-5:00
April 19 - Jazz Concert @ BAPAC - 7:00
April 21 - Percussion Concert @ BAPAC - 7:00
April 21-22 - Color Guard Audtions - 5:00-8:00
April 25 - Solo Recital
April 26 - Drum Major Audition - 3:00
April 27 - OSSAA State Jazz Contest
April 28 - Oneta Ridge Band Concert 7:00
April 29 - Pride Banquet at the Renaissance Hotel
May 2-6 - Pride Audition Camp at BAHS
May 9 - Sudler Shield HS Band Concert - BAPAC - 7:00
May 13 - Freshman Academy Band Concert - BAPAC - 7:00
May 14 - Rooster Day Parade and Uniform / Equipment Check in
May 16 - Graduation (All Sophomore & Junior Band Members Required to Attend)
May 17 - Band Parent Meeting - 7:00pm
May 21-22 - Mattress Fundraiser
July 20 - DCI - Drums of Summer in Broken Arrow

Volunteer With BA Bands!

Broken Arrow Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age in its programs or activities.