Directors Notes



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!


Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic
Congratulations to our BA Wind Ensemble for their inspiring performance at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago! The professionalism and maturity of musicianship was incredible and was truly a “once in a lifetime” musical experience. Thank you to the student performers for their unwavering commitment to each other and their instrument. This was one of the most rewarding performances and musical journeys in the history of the Broken Arrow Bands. Congratulations!


Wind Ensemble citations from the Oklahoma Legislature
Through the efforts of many supporters of the Broken Arrow Bands, the Oklahoma Legislature has created “Citations of Excellence” for each current member of the Broken Arrow Wind Ensemble for their historic appearance at the Midwest Clinic. Also, Citations have been created for Seniors from last year’s BA Wind Ensemble for their efforts in the audition process to be selected to perform at the Midwest Clinic. All Senior (Class of 2015) from the BA Wind Ensemble may pick up their Citations in the band office during regular school hours.


Broken Arrow wins the Sudler Shield!
At the conclusion of the 2015 Midwest Clinic, the Sousa Foundation announced the winners of the Sudler Shield - an International Award Recognizing High School, Youth and International Marching Bands of World Class Excellence. The Broken Arrow HS band and the Keller HS band were announced as the winners of the 2015 Sudler Shield. A formal award presentation will be made in Broken Arrow with representatives from the Sousa Foundation at a later date to be determined. Broken Arrow has now been recognized for this prestigious award on an unprecedented 3 occasions (1998, 2008 and now 2015)!


Jr. High All District Auditions
Auditions for the Jr. High All District Bands will take place at Sand Spring's Charles Page High School on Saturday, January 16th.


OMEA Honor Band Performance by the HS Symphonic Band 1 & Jazz Ensemble
The HS Symphonic Band 1 & Jazz Ensemble will be performing at the Oklahoma Music Educators Association (OMEA) Annual Conference as an Honor Bands. This is an extremely prestigious occasion. Be sure to mark your calendar to attend the Honor Concert at the Tulsa Convention Center on Thursday, January 21. Tickets are available at the door for $8 and seating is general admission for this concert. Please note: this is a ceremonious event and appropriate attire is expected. Please, no jeans or T-shirts.


OMEA Preview Honor Band Concert - Tuesday, January 19
On Tuesday, January 19 our BAHS Symphonic Band 1, Jazz Ensemble and the Coweta Junior High Band will present a concert to Preview their performances at the Oklahoma Music Educators (OMEA) Conference. The concert will begin at 7:00pm.


OMEA Convention and All State Band - January 20-23
Students that earned a coveted spot in the All OMEA Ensembles (Band, Jazz and Orchestra) will meet at the downtown Hyatt Hotel on Wednesday evening (January 20). The All OMEA concerts will be held on Saturday at the Tulsa PAC (Band & Orchestra) and the Hyatt Hotel (Jazz).


Indoor Percussion Information
The second Payment of $250 for all members is due on Monday, January 11th.  Please get this payment into the band office ASAP.

The Tulsa Chili Bowl is coming soon to the River Spirit Expo Center at the Tulsa Fairgrounds!  MANY opportunities exist for account fundraising by working the Chili Bowl the week of January 11-16.  If interested, contact Javon Sixsmith at BAPrideWork@hotmail.com.

Indoor Percussion Weekly Schedule
Monday, 1/11: 5-9PM (Battery and Front Ensemble)
Tuesday, 1/12:  3:30-7:00PM (Battery and Front Ensemble)
Thursday, 1/14:  5-9PM (All members)
Friday, 1/15:  Camp 5-9PM (All members)
Saturday, 1/16:  Camp 5-9PM (All members)


Jazz Ensemble 1
This Friday (1/15), there will be a rehearsal with OMEA Guest Artist Dr. Tommy Poole, from 2:45-4:30pm.  The next performance for Jazz 1 will be at the OMEA Preview Concert on Tuesday, January 19th at the BAPAC - featuring guest artist, Dr. Tommy Poole from Oklahoma State University.


Basketball Band Performances for All HS Band Members
Each HS band class is required to perform at the HS Basketball games. Games are assigned by class / group. Should a student be enrolled in more than one band class, they must perform at the corresponding game to fulfill their band class requirement for each class they are enrolled. Students may volunteer to attend additional games but no substitutions are permitted. Report time for each event is 5:45pm and students are to wear their Pride / Tradition Band T Shirt. For each session the band will play at the girls and boys varsity basketball games. Games are typically completed by approximately 9:15pm. The schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday,Jan 12 - Pride 2015 Leadership
• Friday,Jan 15 - HS Concert Band 1
  
• Tuesday,Jan 26 - HS Concert Band 2
  
• Friday,Jan 29 - HS Symphonic Band 1
  
• Friday,Feb 5 - HS Symphonic Band 2
  
• Friday,Feb 12 - HS Wind Ensemble

Meds:  If you need to pick up meds or empty bottles from the Chicago trip, please see Mrs. Good in the band office at the HS.  Anything left will be thrown away on 1/29/16.


Senior Pictures
Senior pictures from senior night are available for pickup any time in the band office with Mrs. Good.  Please be sure to get them as soon as you can!


ATTENTION 2015 WIND ENSEMBLE GRADUATES
The Wind Ensemble of 2015 was awarded Citations of Congratulations from the State of Oklahoma for their performance and selection to the MidWest Band and Orchestra Clinic. These certificates are awaiting pick up in the band office at the high school. Office hours are 7:30am to 4:00pm daily. Please pass along this information to any alum that may not get eNews.

FUNDRAISING
Cori Aschkenas - BABandFundraising@gmail.com

Amish Jam Fundraiser begins 2-9-16 at the band parent meeting.

If you are interested in selling World’s Finest Chocolate Almonds, please contact me. We will be placing another order in February.

If you have not signed up for Expo Events and would like to get a head start on next year’s trip account for Pride, please contact Javon Sixsmith at BAPrideWork@hotmail.com to be added to her e-mail list. There are still many opportunities!


PRIDE STORE
Cori Aschkenas - BAPrideStore@gmail.com

A FEW CHANGES: Grand National Shirt order will be due on January 25th. THERE ARE WHITE HOODIES AVAILABLE NOW! Contact me for the new order form.

Street Signs will be available for pick up at the February band parent meeting.

2011 and 2015 Grand National Championship Car Decals will be available at the Feb. band parent meeting.

ORNAMENTS- if you ordered an ornament please contact Suzanne Knox for information with regard to when it will be available. SUZKNOX@COX.NET

GRAND NATIONAL EAGLE ORDERS ARE DUE JANUARY 31ST.  These can be ordered for 2006, 2011, and 2015!  Please note that once these are ordered it will take 8 weeks to get them in. 


OPERATIONS

Email baprideoperations@gmail.com anytime.

CONCESSIONS

Happy New Year! Still curious about volunteering in concessions but thought there wasn't anything else until next football season? Well, you're in luck! Soccer games played at Tiger Field in the spring so there’s still time. Schedules aren't out just yet but should be available by February. Hope to see you soon.

To be notified by email for concession happenings please email baconessions@gmail.com. Thank you!


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




Upcoming Dates and Events
Jan 12 - HS Basketball Band - Pride 2015 Leadership - 5:45pm
Jan 15 - HS Basketball Band - HS Concert Band 1 - 5:45pm
Jan 16 - JH All District Band Auditions in Sand Springs
Jan 19 - OMEA Preview concert - 7:00pm - BAPAC
Jan 21 - OMEA Honor concert for the Symphonic Band 1 & Jazz Ensemble
Jan 21-23 - OMEA Convention / All State Band Rehearsals and Concert
Jan 26 -HS Basketball Band - HS Concert Band 2 - 5:45pm
Jan 29 -HS Basketball Band - HS Symphonic Band 1 - 5:45pm
Feb 5 -HS Basketball Band - HS Symphonic Band 2 - 5:45pm
Feb 9 - Band Parent Meeting - 7:00pm
Feb 12 -HS Basketball Band - HS Wind Ensemble - 5:45pm
Feb 18 -Indoor Percussion Preview Performance
Feb 20 -Indoor Percussion Contest - Choctaw HS
Feb 26-27 -Indoor Percussion Contest - WGI Dallas Regional
Mar 1 -Combined MS Band Concert at BAPAC - 7:00pm
Mar 5 -OSSAA Solo / Ensemble Contest
Mar 7 -Indoor Percussion Send Off Performance
Mar 8 -Freshman Academy Band Concert - 7:00pm BAPAC
Mar 10 -OSSAA JH Band Contest - Owasso HS
Mar 10 -HS Band Concert - 7:00pm BAPAC
Mar 11-13 -Indoor Percussion Contest - WGI Mid South Regional
Mar 24 -TCC Jazz Festival
Mar 31 -TCC Band Festival

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.