UHS Bands Mid-Semester Update

Welcome back from Spring Break!

Congrats to our Concert Bands and Jazz Ensemble on your performances earlier this semester; we now look forward to Spring Concerts. The final performance for Concerts Bands is scheduled for Monday, May 11.  Various other ensembles performances will be promoted in due time, and are currently available to view on our calendars at www.unionbands.com/events 

FOR EVERYONE: 
→ Please join us this Sat Mar 28 in hosting the State Championship Qualification Event for the Winter Guard & Percussion of Oklahoma (WGPO).  Many volunteer positions for students as well as parents/adults are still available -- yes, we need YOUR help!  More info & registration at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UnionBands/UBPCVolunteerForm2026WGPOStateChampionship 

REMINDERS FOR STUDENTS:
→ Student Leadership Team applications for the 2026 Renegade Regiment are due by this Fri Mar 27 at midnight. LINK:  https://www.cognitoforms.com/UnionBands/_202627UHSBandGuardStudentLeadershipApplication 
→ All band students have a Canvas assignment to complete, also due this Fri Mar 27. It's a simple, quick assignment and it also provides valuable information to the band directors. Thanks to the many who have already submitted!  DIRECT LINK TO SURVEY ASSIGNMENT: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UnionBands/UnionBandsPrivateLessonsSurvey  

Three Union Bands Seniors named National Merit Finalists

Named 2025-2026 National Merit Semi-Finalists last September, five Union High School Seniors have advanced and been been named National Merit Finalists; among them are three Union Bands students! Let’s congratulate:

• Edwin Chen, son of Zhenyu H. Chen and Jane Luo, of Tulsa;

• Jacob Coulter, son of John and Jane Coulter, of Broken Arrow

• Rylan McClain, son of Jeremy and Chenelle McClain, of Broken Arrow
  

ABOUT NATIONAL MERIT SCHOLARSHIP

These academically talented high school seniors have an opportunity to continue in the competition for some 7,600 National Merit Scholarships worth about $33 million that will be offered next spring. To be considered for a Merit Scholarship® award, semifinalists must fulfill several requirements to advance to the finalist level of the competition. Finalists will be named in February 2026.

NMSC, a not-for-profit organization that operates without government assistance, was established in 1955 specifically to conduct the annual National Merit Scholarship Program. Scholarships are underwritten by NMSC with its own funds and by approximately 440 business organizations and higher education institutions that share NMSC’s goals of honoring the nation’s scholastic champions and encouraging the pursuit of academic excellence.

To participate in the National Merit Scholarship Program, a student must:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school student, progressing normally toward graduation or completion of high school, and planning to enter college no later than the fall following completion of high school;

• Be a citizen of the United States or, if not now a citizen, a permanent U.S. resident (or an applicant for permanent residency) in the process of becoming a U.S. citizen; and

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT ® in the specified year of the high school program and no later than the third year in grades 9 through 12, regardless of grade classification or educational pattern.

center three pictured, left to right: Edwin Chen, Jacob Coulter, Rylan McClain

Feb 3 UHS Bands Update

WHAT'S HAPPENING
Basketball Season continues with Pep Bands for UHS Redhawks Varsity Home Games:
→ 'A2' Tue Feb 3
→ 'B2' Fri Feb 6
→ 'C2' Tue Feb 10
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/basketballpepbands

Renegade Regiment Winter Training is underway in preparation for the 2026 season! More info: www.unionbands.com/wintertraining

Several instrument-specific ensembles are meeting this semester, with more to come.
→ Saxophone Choir on Mondays at 7:15am
→ High & Low Brasses after school 4-5pm on Tuesdays
→ Percussion Ensembles before at 7:15am Tuesdays & Thursdays, and Brazilian after school on Thursdays
→ more info: www.unionbands.com/chambermusic

Union's Annual All-School Musical takes place this week. 'Shrek' is the 2026 production, and several Union Bands students are participating performers. Come out and support as an audience member this week, with 7pm shows on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. TICKETS at: https://cur8.com/16601/project/136336

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES: FEBRUARY
→ Union Winter Guards compete: Sat Feb 7 @ BA , Sat Fab 21 @ Deer Creek, Sat Feb 28 @ PC North
→ NBDA All-District Honor Bands in Concerts (7th/8th/9th Grades) Sat Feb 14 @UHS
→ Union High School Concert Bands Winter Performances Thu Feb 19, 7pm @UPAC
→ Solo/Ensemble Festival Sat Feb 21 @ Bixby HS

CELEBRATIONS & GRATITUDE
Congratulations to the 86 Union Bands 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders who earned roster spots for the 2026 NBDA All-District Honor Band, and a big shout-out to the 40+ UHS students and adult volunteers who worked hard to make the auditions event happen!

FUNDRAISING
One of our most popular fundraisers is the semi-annual sale of Blue & Gold meats. Earn big $$$ for your student accounts! MORE INFO: www.unionbands.com/blueandgold

NEWSLETTER
Be on the lookout in the next several days for our most updated issue of The Band Beat, which will include additional updates!