OK THS Band and Orchestra Adults, It's Time for YOU to Step Up

The Tigard Festival of Balloons is this week, and the Tigard High Band and Orchestra Boosters have a contract with the TFOB to provide volunteers for all 3 days of the Festival. For our participation, we get several thousand dollars which is shared to the student music accounts of those who volunteer, so everyone wins. 

THS music students have done a really good job of signing up. However, there are a number of  adult-only spots that remain unfilled, and if we do not take care of this before the Festival begins, we will be in breach of our contract and will stand to lose the revenue from the Festival. 

So adults, we need YOU to look at your schedule and sign up to help. The shifts are not long and the duties are easy - we just need YOUR presence. Here is the minimum that is needed each day:

• FRIDAY June 26 
• 7 - 11 PM - 1 or 2 adults
• SATURDAY June 27
• 9am-1pm - 1 or 2 adults
• 6-10pm - 1 or 2 adults
• 7-11pm - 1 adult
• SUNDAY June 28
• 9am- 1pm - 2 adults
• 1-6pm - 2 adults

Please, check your schedule and CLICK HERE to sign up. 

(Students, there are still some spots for you as well - can YOU add yourself to the mix??) 

(And remember, all volunteers get FREE admission to the Festival! 

Wanna Earn Even MORE for Your Student Account??

You already know that volunteering at the Tigard Festival of Balloons will earn you credit for your Band/Orchestra account - yay! 

But here's some exciting news: if you work more than one shift, each additional shift will earn $1/hour MORE for your account! Oh, wow! If you work multiple shifts, that will add up in a hurry! 

So, better got sign up for more shifts!

CLICK HERE to sign up! (And remember, all volunteers get FREE admission to the Festival!

 

 

Look at the Schedule!

Balloon Fest is coming - but what does that really mean??

Here is what the Festival looks like - CLICK HERE to check it out! 

And then come back here to scroll down to the previous post and sign up to work! 

 

Time to Talk Balloons!

Balloon Festival is coming! Yay!

(Hey McKee - why do we care??)

Because we volunteer at the Balloon Festival, and the hours we provide help to raise money for band/orchestra-related activities - including YOUR band and/or orchestra account. Yay! 

(Where's a list of what is needed??) 

Look on the sidebar for the complete rundown. -------->>>

(So how do I sign up??)

CLICK HERE to go to SignUp and choose the shift(s) you want to fill. BE AWARE - once you sign up for a shift, it is your responsibility to show up! (If something comes up and you can't make it, you MUST find someone else to work at that time. DON'T contact Irving or McKee - they can't help you out.)

 

 (And remember, all volunteers get FREE admission to the Festival!

Wanna Go On a Trip?!?

The THS Band and Orchestra program is planning our every-other-year Spring Break trip, and we want YOU to know all the details!

CLICK HERE to get to the fantastic trip website that has been created JUST. FOR. YOU. 

Let's do this!!

 

 

Pep Band Camp!

It's time for football pep Band Camp! Wed. - Fri. August 20 - 22, 9am - noon, in the THS band room.

See you there!

 

 

TVCB Members Needed for THS Football Pep

Calling all TVCB friends!

CLICK HERE to find out all about playing in the Tigard High School Football Pep Band on September 5, 2025. 

Hope you can join us!

 

CANCELED!!

Well, snow days are fun, but icy roads mean activities also get canceled. As of noon on Friday, many roads in our area are still quite icy, and even though there will be a few hours of above-freezing temperatures this afternoon, it will drop overnight to 20 degrees (!) and that means that any surfaces that are damp will re-freeze. So we WILL NOT be going to South Albany this weekend. 

So we will see everyone for our regular rehearsals next week, and learn more music as we get ready for the show in March. Meanwhile, stay safe in the cold and ice - see you next week!

Percussion Premiere at South Albany!

OK, it's time to go to the NWAPA Percussion Premiere and hear from adjudicators who will offer insights and comments on how we're doing, as we rebuild our percussion program. And, we will get to watch some AMAZING percussion groups perform! So here is important information for everyone:

• We will rehearse 2-4 pm on President's Day (Monday Feb. 20)
  
• We will have our regular rehearsal on Wednesday Feb. 22 - 5-7:30
  
• We will finish rehearsal on Wednesday Feb. 22 with a short parent meeting. Parents/guardians, please arrive at THS by 7:15 and come on in to the band area. Information will include:
  
• What to expect at a WDL show, as performers and as spectators
  
• How we transport our equipment
• What performers will wear
• Saturday's schedule
• Food information for Saturday
• How to prepare for Saturday
• Q and A for anything else

Take a look on the sidebar to see Saturday's schedule.

Let's do this! 

RHYTHMFEST WEEK!

OK friends, it's RhythmFest Week! Things are almost ready, but we still need some help! Please check your email for the SignUp link, and to see especially what ADULT spots need to be filled (share that info with your adults).

Here's the schedule for the day:

CLINIC ROUND

Participant	Class	Ready Time	Performance Time
Clinic Start			9:00 AM
Grants Pass JR Royalettes		8:50 AM	9:00 AM
West Salem Cadet		9:08 AM	9:18 AM
Glencoe Youth Cadet		9:26 AM	9:36 AM
Crater		9:44 AM	9:54 AM
Liberty		10:02 AM	10:12 AM
Aloha		10:20 AM	10:30 AM
Grants Pass JV Royalettes		10:38 AM	10:48 AM
Sheldon		10:56 AM	11:06 AM
St Helens		11:14 AM	11:24 AM
South Albany JV		11:32 AM	11:42 AM
Tigard		11:50 AM	12:00 PM
Sprague		12:08 PM	12:18 PM
Glencoe Youth JV		12:26 PM	12:36 PM
Southridge Beaverton		12:44 PM	12:54 PM
Grants Pass Varsity Royalettes		1:02 PM	1:12 PM
South Albany Varsity		1:20 PM	1:30 PM
Century Varsity		1:38 PM	1:48 PM
Westview Winterguard		1:56 PM	2:06 PM
West Salem Winterguard		2:14 PM	2:24 PM
Sherwood Winterguard		2:32 PM	2:42 PM
Mountainside		2:50 PM	3:00 PM
Glencoe Varsity		3:08 PM	3:18 PM
Cascadia		3:26 PM	3:36 PM
Pacificaires		3:44 PM	3:54 PM

COMPETITION ROUND

Participant	Class	Ready Time	Performance Time
Finals Start			5:30 PM
Glencoe Youth Minis		5:20 PM	5:30 PM
Aloha	RA	5:25 PM	5:35 PM
Grants Pass Cadet	Cadet	5:32 PM	5:42 PM
W Salem Cadet	Cadet	5:39 PM	5:49 PM
Crater	RA	5:46 PM	5:56 PM
Liberty	RA	5:53 PM	6:03 PM
Grants Pass	RA	6:00 PM	6:10 PM
Sheldon	RA	6:07 PM	6:17 PM
St Helens	RA	6:14 PM	6:24 PM
South Albany	RA	6:21 PM	6:31 PM
Tigard	RA	6:28 PM	6:38 PM
Sprague	RA	6:35 PM	6:45 PM
Glencoe JV	RA	6:42 PM	6:52 PM
Beaverton STARS		6:49 PM	6:59 PM
Break		6:59 PM	7:09 PM
Grants Pass	SAA	7:09 PM	7:19 PM
Southridge Beaverton	SAA	7:17 PM	7:27 PM
Century	SAA	7:25 PM	7:35 PM
South Albany	SAA	7:33 PM	7:43 PM
Westview	SAA	7:41 PM	7:51 PM
West Salem	SAA	7:49 PM	7:59 PM
Sherwood	SAA	7:57 PM	8:07 PM
Mountainside	SAA	8:05 PM	8:15 PM
Glencoe	SA	8:13 PM	8:23 PM
Cascadia	IA	8:21 PM	8:31 PM
Pacificaires	IA	8:29 PM	8:39 PM
Awards Retreat (Captains Only)		9:05 PM	9:15 PM

 

 

CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!

Hey Band! (hey, what??) IT’S CHAMPIONSHIP WEEK!

Here’s the basic information you need to know (full show schedule will be finalized and published later this week):

·      ** We have 2 rehearsals left – Monday Oct. 31 and Wednesday Nov. 2. Attendance is essential. No coming late, no leaving early. (BTW, school-appropriate Halloween costumes are welcome on Monday, as long as they don't get in the way of what you need to do for rehearsal!)

·      ** The 2022 NWAPA Championships will take place at Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon.

·      ** We will be leaving for Eugene/Springfield Friday evening, around 9pm. We’ll pick up our Tualatin friends on the way.

·      ** We will be staying at the Comfort Suites Riverbend in Springfield, traveling to and from Eugene/Springfield by STA, the TTSD contracted bus company.

·     **  Breakfast is included at the hotel. Lunch will be at selected area restaurants and dinner will be available at Autzen Stadium concessions. Snacky food will be available at the band equipment trailer after Prelims award announcements – thanks, Band Boosters! Ensemble members are welcome and encouraged to pack snacks, sandwiches, etc. for eating throughout the day/evening. Any student who needs assistance with meal purchases should talk to McKee - we can totally take care of things.

·      ** TTSD policy requires all students traveling on an overnight trip take a rapid COVID test, with a negative result. Tests will be provided to all students at the Wednesday rehearsal and must be completed before Friday. CLICK HERE to go to the form.

 

A short narrative: Realistically, Tigard will probably not be performing in Finals at Championships. Only 15 bands will qualify – the winner in each class (AAAA, AAA, AA, and A), and then the next 11 scores. We should assume all AAAA and AAA bands will qualify, which total 10 bands. Add in the winner in AA and A and there are 3 slots left. Will we score higher than S. Albany again? Probably. Are there any other AA bands we might outscore? Possibly, but there are 10 AA bands, and the likelihood of us outscoring 8 of them is not realistic. So, to qualify for Finals we would need to take 1^st place in A, and we were a full 7 points behind Aloha on Saturday, and that difference would be very difficult to overcome. Could we do it? Maybe! So, let’s make sure that our performance in Prelims is as full of energy and as excellent as we can make it. Let’s do this!  

 

 

Two Down - Two to Go!

The Liberty Marching Arts Challenge was fun and performing at Hillsboro Stadium is great! AND,

• CLASS A HIGH PERCUSSION! Whoo Hoo!
• Moving up 2.5 points in Finals! Yay!

So now it's time to go to the giant show - the Century Showcase. Why is it giant? Because everything is bigger with Century!

Here's what's up:

•  Our rehearsal schedule has been updated for this week.
• Monday and Wednesday, as usual.
• FRIDAY REHEARSAL! 5-6:30 pm. PLEASE make arrangements to be there! If it's impossible for you, make sure to talk directly with McKee.
  
• Check out the sidebar for the show day schedule. You'll see some changes, including when we eat what. 
• Also check out the "Important Information" page, right under the schedule. And "Smart Band Students", again.
  
• Make sure to pack lots of warm and dry clothes. The forecast is predicting wetter and cooler weather than last week.
• Also, this is a good show to bring extra snax and money for concessions. There will be 20 performance groups (!), so it will be a long day. 

Also, we will have 10 admissions available for half-price. If someone from YOUR family wants some, have them contact McKee as soon as possible.

 

Let's goooooo! 

 

We've Done One - Now Let's Go Again!

Now that we've been to a show (thanks, Sherwood friends!), we know what to expect. Yay! As we get ready for the Liberty competition, there are some very important things to do and to know:

• EVERYONE needs to come to rehearsal. The success of the ensemble depends on it.
• "But McKee - what if I'm behind on my schoolwork? Isn't that more important??"
• Homework is neither more nor less important than rehearsal. If you are behind, there are things Irving and McKee can do to help you get caught up. Let us know, and we'll help you out. Really - it's what we do. 
• As the weather is changing, make sure to bring layers to rehearsal - it's getting cooler in the evening.
• Remember to eat well and to drink plenty of water and other healthy beverages. And get some good sleep
• Read the information on the sidebar that is important for MB students. There is at least one document none of you has read this year. (How do we know? Oh, WE know.)
• And remember that we have that special performance on Sunday Oct. 23 - our Happy Happy Birthday parade for Dr. Helen Benscheidt, a long-time educator and resident of Summerfield.

It's Show Week! Let's do this!  

 

Homecoming Week Is Here!

Hey Band! (hey what??)

Homecoming week is a VERY full week for us. Here's what to look for:

• Monday - Our LAST chance to get on the field in rehearsal before our next show. You MUST be present and ready to do more good work.
• Tuesday - Please use your time to do homework and get/stay caught up.
• Wednesday - Rehearsal. You MUST be present and ready to do more good work. Including preparing for a parade.
• Thursday - Please use your time to do homework and get/stay caught up.
• Friday - SO MUCH HAPPENING! Details to come...
  
• Parade
• Dinner with Fowler guests
• FB game, including halftime show
• Loading after the game

• Saturday - SHOW DAY!! Details on the sidebar!
  

So, take good care of yourself and be ready for a big week!

 

 

 

 

It's Show Week!!

Hey Band! (hey, what??)

The first presentation of our show is THIS WEEK - yay! Here are the details:

• We have 2 rehearsals before we perform. You MUST make these a priority.
• It is imperative that you eat well, hydrate well, and have a good sleep pattern this week.
• On Wednesday, we will work on Friday's performance, including practicing how to get on and off the field.
• You need to drink water. Lots of water. All week.
• You need to plan what your nutrition will be on Friday, between the end of the school day and when we arrive.
• And you need to drink water. Every day. All day. (I might have mentioned that before...)

 Let's do this!! 

Welcome Back!

Hey Band! (hey, what??)

It's time to get back to school - yay! Freshmen are here Tuesday and everybody else will be here beginning Wednesday. And for those of you in MB, remember that we are back in rehearsal Wednesday evening at 5pm, so bring along a good and healthy snack for after school.

See you all soon!

 

 

 

 

Performance Opportunity!

Hey Band! (hey, what??)

THS Football has a pre-season game against David Douglas this coming Thursday September 1. Games before Labor Day are not on our regular schedule, but there is an opportunity this year for members of our marching band to join a small group of community volunteers from the Tualatin Valley Community Band, the One More Time Around MB, and The Beat Goes On Band who have offered to come and help us have live music at the game. Here's the info:

• Call time is 6pm
  
• Dress is pep shirt
• We WILL NOT play the Banner
• We WILL use stands in the stands 
• Sheet music will be provided for all
  
• As of Saturday evening, there are approx. 15 adult volunteers
• The game should be over around 9:30 pm

 So, if YOU want to join in and can commit, please CLICK HERE to let me know you are coming and what instrument you will play.  PLEASE RESPOND BY MONDAY EVENING!

Not able to join? No worries! 

 

The Famous Tigard High Band Garage Sale! Fri/Sat (Aug. 19-20)

It's here - the FAMOUS Tigard Band Garage Sale! And YOUR BAND needs YOU!

What do we need from YOU? 

TIME. Students and adults.

We need volunteers Friday and/or Saturday (8/19and 8/20) to help at the sale. On Friday, Marching Band students will fill the Student Setup slots at 7am, and the Student Cleanup slots at 3. So, when can YOU help??

For ALL the information and to sign up, CLICK HERE and find the spot(s) that work best for you.  DO IT! 

Day 1 - In the Books!

We did it! Day 1 of Band Camp was a solid success:

• Everyone made it through the whole day.
• No one threw up (it's happened before!)
• Everyone learned some marching basics - including the pit! 
• We played three songs as an ensemble - all the way through - at the end of the Very. First. Day. Including the opener. Seriously - that's a big deal.
• The guard got serious about stretching. SO important!
• So. Much. Water. And yet, everyone probably needs to consume even more.
• And, Mr. Mister!

So, now it's time for some good rest. Make sure to eat well, and continue to hydrate. 

See you in the morning!

I'm So Excited - I Just Can't Hide It... (yes, another classic pop music reference)

BAND CAMP IS TOMORROW!! Make sure you're ready!

• Get some good sleep tonight.
• It's going to be hot. Make sure to wear loose fitting clothing. A hat can be helpful.
• Bring your water bottle.
• Eat a nutritious breakfast. Good carbs and protein. Not a lot of sugar. Drink water.
• Wear close-toed shoes. No sandals, no flip-flops. No boots. No heels.
• Bring a nutritious lunch and some good snacks. 
• Make sure you have your equipment!

Are YOU ready? Here we go!!

BTW, we really do begin AT 8:30. 

So you should really be there no later than 8:15. 

Doors open at 8am.  

(Also, make sure you and your adults check out Friday's Schedule on the sidebar.)