New Parents

First things first. If you need some help, ask! The people you need to ask are listed on the “Directors” page or the “Boosters” page. Email icons are there for you!

There is lots of volunteer positions in the band for parents. It is a great way to be involved and be rewarded. Some of the positions require help lifting, but most of the heavy stuff is done by the kids. Parents supervise or handle light work.

During the summer, there are two sessions of “Band Camp”, one right after school for a week and then another 2-3 weeks in length before school starts. These are used to introduce new members and to start work on the new marching show. The first football games is usually very soon after the first day of school.

A few weeks prior to the start of school, there will be a big information session to share information with the parents. During this meeting, there will be information about upcoming dates and activities as well as opportunities to volunteer. Some of the volunteer activities pay money into an expense account for your child!

Each year, there is one or more trip of some sort. These cost money and most of it comes from you and your child. Opportunities to raise these funds through band sanctioned fundraisers will be provided to help offset these costs.

Charms music! If your child is in the band at another PISD school, you have a Charms music account that will still work. Keep the email address current as this is the best way for the band directors to mail important information directly to you, your spouse, and your child. This is also the place for all official “personal” information that comes directly from the band directors! Make sure the data is up-to-date!

Plano East Senior High also participates in the “Instrument Rental” program where appropriate, just like the East Cluster High Schools.

There are lots of events and activities that happen early in the year, check out the schedule early so you aren’t missing key events.

The Plano East Band Booster organization is there to manage volunteers and funding of programs that are not covered by PISD. You are automatically a member when you child is in the Plano East Band.

The first part of the band year is all about Marching (and Football games). There will be a UIL performance and at least one other marching competition. Once marching is over, we go into concert season which culminates with UIL performances. During this time, there will be regional auditions for Jazz and Concert bands as well as solo and ensemble UIL performances.

If you missed out on a good recording of the music from the stadium, have no fear, there will be a final performance, in the auditorium, called “Sounds of the Stadium”. You’ll hear the marching show and various tunes played in the stands. Over-all, this the very best sound from the marching season and it is really up close and personal (you’ll love the drums!).

There are three bands in Plano East to help manage almost over 200 students. Each band focuses on skill appropriate content and education. The bands are Wind Ensemble, Symphonic, and Concert. All bands comprise the Plano East Marching Band.

Jazz band is for members of the band that successfully audition with the director. This band has another performance schedule. Instrument specific requirements apply, check with your director.

The students of the drum-line participate in separate competitions, as well as the regular band competitions. They practice with and without the full marching band.

Color guard students provide color and dance interpretation for the marching show and practice with and without the band as needed. They too have separate competitions in addition to the regular marching band.

At the end of the year, we hold a banquet that honors all of the band students and acknowledges the departing seniors. This is a semi-formal event that provides a “year-in-review” moment in which the year is is recounted in video and pictures (you’ll be asked to supply a baby picture). We also take some time to enjoy a “senior” skit that puts the students perspective on the year. Tradition is also upheld as many of the un-official band positions held by senior members are “bequeathed” to junior members based on student “qualities”.

As with the previous schools, musical compilations of the various performances will be made available at the end of the year.