11.17.23
Hello Dragon Band Students, Parents and Families,
After one of, if not THE most successful marching seasons in our band’s history, it’s time to move forward to concert season! We’ll be busy through winter and spring months but the busy-ness will look and feel different than marching season. Students should replace some of the outside of school practice and performance time we’ve had through marching season with at home individual practice. The varsity band has done 8-10 hours per week since summer band and students should now replace at least some of that time with individual practice especially as many of them prepare to audition at Region Band!
Region Orchestra Audition Success!
Congratulations to our Region Orchestra Members! Of the 36 students who auditioned, 8 earned spots in the group. Of that 8, SIX advanced to the area round based on their chair placement.
Congrats to:
Sydney Park, 1st Chair Flute, advance to Area
Vic Ducea, 3rd Chair Clarinet
Avery Calhoun, 2nd Chair Bassoon, advance to Area
Angelina Villanueva, 2nd Chair Trumpet, advance to Area
Jenna Walker, 2nd Chair Horn, advance to Area
Shriyans Muthyala, 1st Chair Trombone, advance to Area
Ella Walker, 2nd Chair Trombone, advance to Area
Marcus Alagar, 5th Chair Percussion
I was thrilled that these and the other auditioning students even made it to the contest as it was held Monday evening as most of the students auditioning had just returned from a huge multi day trip to Indianapolis. I was proud to think that these kids had just absolutely brought the house down Saturday night in Indy and here they are on Monday night showing up to Region Orchestra auditions - that's dedication, commitment and passion on full display!
Donation Drive! Wow!!
Parents - thank you so much for your continued effort at making donations, you’re doing incredibly well!
As of today, you have raised $9,615.00
Please continue to share the donation link here
Understanding the TMEA Audition Process
Students begin the process at the Region level - they can audition for Region Jazz (go Luke Blackwell!), Region Orchestra and/or Region Band. Jazz goes first, then orchestra, then band
Students can earn a chair in the District Band (which is not a band that actually meets and performs), or if they place a bit higher, they can make the Region Band (which is actually 2 bands that actually meet and perform), or Region Jazz or Region Orchestra (which also meet and perform). Most of our students audition at the Region Band auditions coming up December 8th and 9th
Students earning a high enough placement at ONE of the Region events will advance to the Area level
Students will audition again at Area in January and if they achieve a high enough chair placement they will make the TMEA All State Band. This is the highest honor a student musician can achieve at the high school level in Texas
The TMEA Clinic and Convention is held in San Antonio and February and All State musicians (in band, choir and orchestra) from the whole state gather to meet and perform concerts. Those in music education across the country are acutely aware that the TEXAS ALL STATE groups are quite simply, the best!
Dragon Band Spring Semester Auditions
Brass and woodwind students - please follow the link to see your audition cuts for our spring semester auditions. Look for the tab at the bottom that says "Spring 2024 Band Audition Cuts." Percussionists will see Mr. Roeder for their audition material.
Please remember that OUR auditions are different from the TMEA Region Band auditions that students may have signed up for the last several days.
We'll hold auditions for all brass and woodwind students during all band classes the week of Monday, December 4th!
Region Band Auditions
Friday, December 8th - Phase 1 Instruments (Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Horn, Trombone, Percussion)
Saturday, December 9th - Phase 2 Instruments and those who advance to Phase 2 from Phase 1 (everyone else)
Auditions will be held at Cedar Ridge High School
Phase 1 (Friday) will likely begin around 5:30-6:00pm
Phase 2 (Saturday) will likely begin around 9:00-10:00am
Students transport themselves to and from the auditions as various instruments begin at different times and finish at different times
Next Week’s Rehearsals (after Thanksgiving)
Monday 11/27 WS Full Band 7:30-8:45am, Band Hall
Tuesday 11/28 SB Full Band 7:30-8:45am, Band Hall
Tuesday, November 28th - Holiday Concert
6:30pm, RRISD Hartfield PAC (by McNeil)
Concert Band
Arrive by 6:00pm, store cases in the black box
Warm on stage at 6:10pm
Begin the concert at 6:30pm
After performing, move to the audience to sit together and watch the other bands
Symphonic Band
Arrive by 6:10pm, store cases in the black box
Warm in the Green Room at 6:20pm
Perform after Concert Band at approximately 6:50pm
After performing, move to the audience to sit together and watch the other bands
Wind Symphony
Arrive by 6:20pm, store cases in the black box
Sit together in the audience and watch Concert Band perform, then move to warm up
Warm in the Green Room at approximately 6:50pm
Perform after Symphonic Band at approximately 7:15pm
After performing, move to the audience to sit together and watch Wind Ensemble
Wind Ensemble
Arrive by 6:20pm, store cases in the black box
Sit together in the audience and watch Concert Band and Symphonic Band perform, then move to warm up
Warm in the Green Room at approximately 7:15pm
Perform after Wind Symphony at approximately 7:40pm
After performing, gather all your things and head home
Region Orchestra Concert - Saturday, December 9th, 5:00pm
Region Orchestra members have been given their music and rehearsal schedule
The Concert for the TMEA Region 26 Region Orchestra will be held at 5:00pm at the RRISD Hartfield PAC (by McNeil)
Everyone is invited to attend!
2023-2024 Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation Scholarship Programs
Seniors can now start applying!
Students will have until January 16, 2024 at 11:59pm to submit their applications, so we are hoping that you can help spread the word!
The Kyle David Stoetzel Memorial Scholarship (Fine Arts/Music Education Majors) for all Round Rock ISD Fine Arts graduating Seniors whose primary goal is to become a Fine Arts teacher in the public or private sector upon graduation, demonstrates community service, and who has overcome adversity to be accepted to a college or university.
Raymond Hartfield Memorial Scholarship (Band, Orchestra or Choir Students)
For a complete listing of scholarships offered through the Foundation, please follow this link: 2023-2024 Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation Scholarship Opportunities.
Announcing the 2024 Coltman Competition
Assemble your chamber ensemble members, as the official guidelines for the 11th Annual Coltman Competition, hosted at the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, have been released! Each year the competition invites exceptional ensembles from across the nation to Austin to compete, and this year, it could be yours—but first, you must apply! Learn more here
Important Dates
December 1–20 - Application live
Week of January 29 - Advancing ensembles announced
March 2 - Live semi-final rounds
March 3 - Live final rounds
Junior & Senior Divisions
String & Piano Category
Mixed Instrumental Category
Ensemble Prizes
$13,000 in cash prizes
Junior Division Grand Prize
Performance invite to Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Young Musicians Concert in New York
Senior Division Grand Prize
Contract performance with the Austin Chamber Music Center
Grades
Students must remain academically eligible to participate in football game and marching contest performances and all TMEA activities. Should a student become ineligible they will still practice with the group during band class and in some cases, outside of the school day.
Varsity students who become ineligible from the October 13th report card will not perform with the varsity group the remainder of the season and we will not be allowed to take you on the trip to Indianapolis.
ALL STUDENTS - PASS YOUR CLASSES TO REMAIN ELIGIBLE
Dec 1 IPR
Dec 8 Gain only (based on Dec 1 IPR grades)
Dec 14 End of 9 weeks Report Card
Jan 11 Gain or lose (based on end of 9 weeks grades)
Attendance
Look ahead at the rehearsal and event schedule and plan your appointments and tutorial help around it please
The band's calendar is on dragonband.com
Attendance at rehearsals and events is mandatory unless otherwise specified
Absences due to sickness are excused with notification from a parent if the student has a fever, is vomiting or cannot otherwise get out of bed
Absences due to prolonged sickness/injury are excused with a doctor's note
Who do I email? Mr. Mobley for Wind Ensemble and Wind Symphony, Ms. Benford for Symphonic Band and Ms. Bouhadana for Concert Band, Mr. Roeder for all Percussion and Mrs. Stone for all Color Guard.
Absences that are not excused-birthdays, completing homework, test preparation, concerts, parties, vacations, weekend getaways
Coming Soon
Monday-Friday 11/20-24 Thanksgiving Break
Tuesday 11/28 Holiday Concert, 6:30pm, RRISD Hartfield PAC
Wednesday 12/6 Midwest Send Off Concert, 7:00pm, RRISD Hartfield PAC
Monday 12/4 Spring Semester auditions begins, during band classes
Friday-Saturday 12/8-9 TMEA Region 26 Band Auditions, times TBA, Cedar Ridge HS
Friday 12/15-Thursday 1/4 Semester Break
Wednesday 12/20-Saturday 12/23 Sax Choir and Clarinet Choir to Midwest, Chicago, Illinois
Friday 1/5 Mulch Sale Begins
Thank You Everyone,
David Mobley
