Welcome to LEE HS Band!
Here is an outline of what to expect this year:
Directors
Alex Yañez, Director of Bands
For more information on Mr. Yañez, see our Directors page HERE
George Garza, Associate Director
For more information on Mr. Garza, see our Directors page HERE
Elijah Alonzo, Associate Director
For more information on Mr. Alonzo, see our Directors page HERE
Communications
VolsBand.org
Your band information lifeline!
Email/Phone
Remind
This is a text communication system used by the band directors to communicate important and/or time-sensitive information
For more information on Remind, see our Communications page HERE
CharmsOffice.com
Charms is an online communication and organizational tool to help manage a complex band program
Directors use Charms to manage individual student accounts (Fee and Form details)
For more information on Charms, see our Using Charms page HERE
SignUpGenius.com
LEE Band Parent Association uses SignUpGenius to manage volunteer and other sign-up opportunities
For more information on SignUpGenius, see our SignUpGenius Instructions page HERE
LEE Band News Newsletter
The newsletter is emailed out individuals once a week and posted on VolsBand.org
It contains a message from the Director, upcoming event details, and other important information
For more information about our newsletter, see our News page HERE
Facebook and Twitter
On both of these, we share comments on, ask questions about, and post photos and videos of LEE HS Band
For more information on joining our Facebook page or following our Twitter feed, see our News page HERE
Annual Band Activities and Events
Check VolsBand.org for the exact event, rehearsal, and performance dates, times, and other details.
For all outdoor activities and events, HEAT & SUN SAFETY is a priority, especially in the warmer months.
Encourage your student to DRINK LOTS OF WATER and APPLY SUNSCREEN.
Fall Band Activities
Marching Rehearsals:
The general rehearsal schedule is as follows: Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday (4:40 pm to 7:00 pm) and Friday (7:00 am). However, please check the calendar because some weeks are different
Game Days:
For information on Uniform and Appearance requirements please see the LEE Band Handbook HERE
Band members must travel with the band
Call time for Saturday football games is usually early afternoon in order to accommodate practice, dinner, changing into uniforms, and loading buses
Student Meals are a service provided by the LEE BPA. It is an affordable way for students to eat dinner before games and competitions
For our Student Meal information for this year, please see our Student Meals page HERE
Directors have peanut butter, jelly, and bread as a backup for students who forget to make pre-game dinner arrangements
Band Buddy gifts are a LEE Band tradition:
Each student is paired with another student
Band Buddies exchange a small, inexpensive gift on game days
Gifts usually include snacks for the students to enjoy before boarding buses but creativity is encouraged!
Marching Competitions:
Competitions take place most weekends in late September and throughout October
Unless you are volunteering as a chaperone or rig crew, expect to pay entrance fees to attend marching competitions
You may purchase Shout Outs at competitions for a nominal cash fee. Shout Outs are messages of encouragement that event announcers read over the loudspeaker right before the band performs
LEE BPA organizes the sale of event patches for marching competitions (Batch of Patches). Patches may be added to letter jackets or saved as souvenirs
LEE BPA hosts a UIL Send-Off Celebration before the UIL Marching Competition to create excitement and wish the Band success:
While students rehearse on the lot, parents decorate the band hall with individual posters celebrating their band student and/or band section
LEE BPA grills burgers and feeds the entire band after rehearsal
We cheer the band as they load the buses for the competition
Fall Band Events
Meet the Vols
School-wide event
Kick-off pep rally for the new school year
Introduces all LEE HS sports teams, pep/cheer, and band to the community
LEE Band performs
Spirit merchandise is for sale
Come early to get a seat!
LEE-esta
Occurs during Homecoming week
A school-wide event that engages the LEE community
Includes a parade through the surrounding neighborhood followed by a pep rally (with a DJ) in the parking lot
Food and spirit merchandise for sale
Spring Band Activities
Jazz Band
The Jazz band, the LEE-Tones, begins rehearsals at the conclusion of marching season and continues them throughout the Spring
For more information on Jazz Band, see our Jazz Band page HERE
Indoor Percussion
The Indoor Percussion ensemble usually participates in the indoor percussion competition season every other year.
The competition season is February through April and involves some travel
Rehearsals during a competition year begin at the conclusion of the marching season
For more information on our percussionists, see our Percussion page HERE
Winter Guard
The Winter Guard competition season is February through April and involves some travel
Rehearsals begin at the conclusion of the marching season
For more information regarding Winter Guard, see our Guard page HERE
Concert Ensembles
Our three Concert Ensembles are Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band
Made up of students from all grade levels, these concert season ensembles perform throughout the school year and participate in the TMEA UIL Concert and Sight-Reading Contest in April.
For more information on our three Concert Ensembles, see our Ensembles page HERE
Spring Band Events
Fiesta Parades
The band marches every other year (even years) in the Battle of Flowers daytime parade.
Band Banquet
End-of-year celebration for the students held in May
Special recognition for Seniors
Families may buy tickets to attend the dinner and awards
There is a dance following the awards (students only)
LEE Band Parent Association (LEE BPA)
Primary Purpose:
Support the LEE Band program in matters not covered by NEISD:
Raising funds
Facilitating band activities and events
Celebrating band accomplishments
For more information on the LEE BPA, see our page Band Parent Association page HERE
BPA Volunteers:
The BPA and the support it provides relies on volunteer assistance
There are several volunteer opportunities during the marching season and throughout the year
No experience is necessary to volunteer
Trained people are at every volunteer event and can help and guide you in the tasks required
For more information about volunteering, please see our Volunteer page HERE
BPA Fundraisers:
While fundraisers vary year to year, below is information about standard fundraisers:
Concessions
Concessions are by far the band’s top fundraiser every year.
Football concessions are the biggest operation, require the most volunteers, and make the most money. Football concession proceeds are not pooled and divided among NEISD’s 7 high schools. Instead, LEE Band makes money only on the football concessions it works (LEE games and non-LEE playoff games to which we are assigned)
Proceeds for all other sporting events throughout the year (volleyball, basketball, swimming, track, baseball, and soccer) go into a “General Pool” and are divided according to a percentage system agreed upon by the North East Band Parent Association (the Presidents of NEISD’s 7 High School Band Parent Associations)
Fall Band BBQ and Spring Dinner
One of BPA’s top fundraisers
Students are encouraged to sell as many tickets to friends and family as possible
Silent auction (donations greatly appreciated)
Fiesta Parade Seats
One of the BPA’s biggest fundraisers is the sale of Battle of Flowers and Fiesta Flambeau parade tickets.
While the band marches in Battle of Flowers parade every other year, BPA sells tickets to both parades every year.
We have one of the best parade sections on the entire parade route! (in front of the Alamo and much is in the shade).
LEE BPA is responsible for managing ticket sales and managing its assigned parade section (setting up and taking down chairs, assisting parade viewers in our section). Volunteers are needed!
Tickets will be sold to the general public using a systematic and fair process.
Sale dates and details will be announced in the Fall.
Se habla español.
Si tiene preguntas, puede enviar un correo electrónico a bpa@volsband.org y alguien le responderá en español.