Percussion: Week of January 5 - 11

Jan 4

Happy New Year to all! I hope you have enjoyed a wonderful break that has been restful and rejuvenating.

Our new semester is upon us and there will be some significant changes with this new “season” of band. Please take a moment to review the schedule for the week and information below to make sure you are prepared.

Cycle 3, Week 1 (A/B Week), January 5 - 11

Monday
- No School for Students - Professional Development for Staff
Tuesday - A Day
- During A1 - Welcome Back, Solos and Ensemble Subs
- Free After School
Wednesday - B Day
- During B5 + B6 + B7 - Semester introduction, solos and ensembles
- NFPE Rehearsal from 3:30-5:00pm
  - Rogue Agent from 3:30 - 4:10, Sculpture in Wood from 4:15 - 5:00pm
Thursday - A Day
- During A1 - Fundamentals, Solos and Pass Off intro
- NFPE Rehearsal from 3:30-5:30pm
  - Rogue Agent from 3:30 - 4:30, Sculpture in Wood from 4:30 - 5:30pm
Friday (B Day)
- During B5 - Pep Rally
- During B6 + B7 - Fundamentals and Pass Off Intro
- Free after school
Saturday
- Free
Sunday
- Free

Weekly Band Updates + Announcements

Make sure you keep up with the weekly announcements for the whole band. You can access announcements at the top of the page, or by clicking HERE.

You can access the weekly band update by clicking HERE.

Band Placement

Please see below for the Band Placement for our Spring 2026 Semester. Band Placements were made through evaluation of several factors over the Fall semester, including the following

Progress meeting program expectations for class and after school rehearsals
Student experience
Student performances
Band Auditions
Student growth and improvement
Director input from entire band staff
Student involvement in additional activities

Please reach out to Mr. Collins if you have any questions or request feedback on your progress in the Fall semester.

Spring Course Schedule and Overview

This year, we are adjusting our Spring semester schedule to include 3 classes on B days. Courses for percussionists are as follows:

A1 - Percussion Class - For all double-blocked percussionists, aimed at providing additional material and support for B Day content
B5 - Wind Ensemble (Varsity Band)
B6 - Symphonic Band (Non-Varsity Band)
B7 - Beginning Percussion

Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band classes will split time between percussion specific content and in full band rehearsals.

Wind Ensemble - students will start the semester starting at 7:30am in the ensemble room with Mr. Collins. Once students begin rehearsals with the full band, the expectation will be to arrive, ready for class, by 7:00am (or as soon as possible depending on bus transportation). After school rehearsals will on Thursdays, starting in February.

Symphonic Band - class will start with Mr. Collins, focusing on percussion specific content. The second half of the class will be with the full band in the band hall, directed by Mr. Choi. After school rehearsals will be on Tuesdays, starting in February.

Beginning Percussion will work with Mr. Mehrafshan and Mr. Collins. This class is for students with less than 1 semester of percussion experience. This class will not have after school rehearsals.

In the Spring, students will focus on percussion ensembles and solos primarily between January - February. Students will participate in the UIL Solo and Ensemble festival on February 21 and the North Texas Percussion Festival on February 28. We will host a performance on February 20 to premier our solo and percussion ensemble selections.

February - April will focus on concert band material. Our UIL Concert and Sightreading evaluation will be on March 31 or April 1.

April - May will be a combination of different activities. This period includes our annual cluster percussion concert, drumline auditions, performances at concert band festivals, State Solo and Ensemble and our Spring band trip. Our year ends with our annual May Drumline camp from May 26 - 29.

Enhancement Series

Starting in February, we will be introducing the new “Enhancement” Series. Enhancements will be optional clinics meant to add skill and experience in areas of interest. Students participating in these clinics will get additional help in preparing for drumline auditions, drum set development and 4 mallet development.

Enhancements are meant for current 8th graders and high school students. They will be held on Wednesdays from 6:00-6:30. There is an additional cost for these sessions, but all high school percussionists are allowed to attend 2 sessions at no cost. Learn more about the enhancement series by visiting the Middle School Drum Club section of the website or clicking HERE for the online registration.

Drumline Jersey Payment

Drumline Jersey payments are past due. Multiple students/families have not made payments and will be receiving notice in the coming week requesting payments be made immediately. Please review past weekly percussion updates for details on costs and how to provide payment.

Spring + Summer Calendar Release

Our Spring and Summer Calendar (print version) was “finalized” and released prior to the end of the Fall Semester. Please click on the link below for this “print version.”
All Percussion specific dates have been added to the band google calendar.
The calendar includes summer rehearsal dates. These dates are incredibly important and will need to be reserved for all that will be a member of the 2026-2027 Ranger Band. Conflicts with summer rehearsals may impact drumline audition placement and leadership selection for the upcoming year.