Union 8th GRadE BAND
Union Eighth Grade Band students meet daily during one of two class periods at the Union 8th Grade Center. Students receive intermediate level instruction with multiple performance opportunities throughout the school year.
Directors
Mrs. Ashley McAlister
Union 8th Grade Bands Coordinator
Office Phone: 918-357-7938
Email: click here
Percussion Director
Mr. Garett Dwyer
Assistant Directors
Mr. Danny Cole
Ms. Cecily Yoakam
Color Guard Director
Ms. Kylee Hubbard
Parent To-Do Items & Due Dates:
September 14, 2025: Registration Due SUBMIT HERE
September 29, 2025: $65.00 Band Fee is due in full PRESTO SYSTEM
January 5, 2026: PERMISSION FORM for Spring Trip Opens: SIGN UP HERE
January 30, 2026: Trip Registration CLOSED
February 15, 2026: The $350 Trip Fee is charged to your PRESTO account
February 28, 2026: First Trip Payment of $100 Due
February 28, 2026: Chaperone Applications due for Spring Trip (limited availability)
February 28, 2026: Background Checks for Chaperones sent out
March 13, 2026: Second Trip Payment of $125 Due
March 13, 2026: First Chaperone Payment of $50 Due
March 31, 2026: Chaperone background checks required to be completed.
April 3, 2026: Last Chaperone Payment of $50 Due
April 3, 2026: Last Trip Payment of $100 Due
April 24-25, 2026: Branson Spring Trip!
Have a question? Email our Middle School Coordinator with the Union Band Parents Club | email
8th Grade Night at the Union Redhawks High School Football Game
When: SEPTEMBER 26, 2025
EVENT INFO HERE
8th Grade Band Spring Trip
WHERE: Branson, Missouri for the Music in the Parks Festival at Silver Dollar City
WHEN: Fri-Sat, April 24-25, 2026
ITINERARY (TENTATIVE - ACTIVITY TIMES AND DETAILS SUBJECT TO CHANGE)
Friday, April 24, 2026
9:15am - All students dismissed from class
9:25am - Combined rehearsal
9:45am - Call Time at Union Eighth Grade Center (Chaperones)
10:00am - Load buses
10:30am - Departure from U8GC
2:30pm - Lunch at Buccee’s
$15 cash distribution
3:10pm - Depart for Branson
TBD - Check in to hotel and change into performance attire
TBD - Performance at Ozark High School in Ozark, MO
TBD - Dinner and Entertainment at Fritz’s Adventure
TBS - Return to hotel / Curfew/ Lights Out
(Note: All students are assigned to a room of 3 to 4 students of the same sex, with two queen beds for sleeping accommodations)
Saturday, April 25, 2026
7:30am - Breakfast service opens
8:30am - Final wake up call. Pack Up.
9:15am - Lobby call time/Load buses
9:30am - Depart hotel
10:00am - Arrive at Silver Dollar City
All day meal vouchers and unlimited drinks provided
5:00pm - Meet at the front entrance with your group
5:30pm - Load buses / Eat Dinner
6:00pm - Depart for Tulsa (snacks provided on bus)
8:50pm - Arrive at Union 8th Grade Center
IMPORTANT: All students and adults attending the Branson Trip must download the BAND APP and join the 8th Grade Band group for communication during the trip. See the group invite link below. Don’t miss out on critical communication from Directors and UBPC Volunteers!
join the 8th grade band app group for all trip, regiment indoor training and high school regiment enrollment updates!
Branson Spring Trip Information
TRIP FEE: $350 billed through the Presto student account due in one deposit and three payments.
$100.00 due February 28th
$125.00 due March 3rd
$125.00 due April 3rd
REGISTRATION FORM: SIGN UP HERE - Registration Closes February 21st
CHAPERONE APPLICATION: APPLY HERE
Applications due February 21st
Chaperone fee $100 due in full by April 3rd. Chaperones are billed via Presto and will receive statements by email.
This fee covers your voucher and admission ticket into Silver Dollar City and Fritz’s Adventure.
Transportation, hotel accommodations and all meals and snacks provided.
Chaperones are required to share a room with another Chaperone of the same sex or a spouse. This helps UBPC keep hotel costs low and the fee for students more manageable.
trip PACKING LIST
❑ Pillow/Blanket for Bus
❑ Snacks – allowed but all drinks must be in a closeable container
❑ DVDs – G or PG ratings only and director approval
❑ Electronics – cell phone, charger, battery pack. iPods, iPads, PSPs, etc. (allowed but not encouraged)
❑ Concert Uniform – all black shirt, pants, socks, shoes, belt, etc.
❑ Union Bands T-shirt – this will be used as a required uniform at Worlds of Fun
❑ Instrument – will be placed under bus (front bay)
❑ Music – binder and all contest music
❑ Accessories – extra reeds, valve oil, etc.
❑ Pajamas
❑ Shower Stuff
❑ Hair Stuff
❑ Toothbrush / Toothpaste
❑ DEODORANT!
❑ Contact Kit / Glasses
❑ Medication ** Any and all medication must be indicated on Medical Form. Students will be responsible for maintaining and self-administering their own medications. If assistance is needed, please provide detailed instructions prior to departure.
❑ Sunscreen for Silver Dollar City
❑ Outfit for Silver Dollar City – water rides may be available at Silver Dollar City, so please plan ahead. Students must wear their Union Bands T-shirt throughout the day at the park. **Students must be dry before returning to bus after the park.
Do-Not Bring:
• Alcohol or Illicit Drugs (including vape pens) **except for approved Medication w/accompanying prescription
• Pets
• Non-School Appropriate Clothing
travel RULES
Bus Travel
• Students will sign up for bus seats and MUST stay in assigned seat for roll call.
• Co-Ed seating will NOT be allowed after dark.
• All DVDs must be either G or PG AND approved by Band Director on your bus.
• Snacks are allowed, but all snacks must be contained and closeable.
• Students will be on-time to all designated travel times.
• Students must clean-up after themselves following each travel period.
• If drivers need to stop, students will NOT exit the bus.
Hotel Stay
• Students must follow posted rules and guidelines of the hotel at all times.
• Students will WALK in the hallways.
• Students will refrain from slamming doors, yelling, and other behavior that would be disruptive to other hotel guests.
• Students must be in rooms at designated time stated in itinerary.
• Students must turn-off lights and go to sleep at designated time stated in itinerary.
• Students are not to leave their room during “lights-out” at any time.
• Students are not to use hotel phone unless emergency and approved by Band Director.
• Students are not to cook food in rooms.
• Students will not force other students to sleep on floor or other arrangements.
• Students cannot be in rooms other than the room they are assigned.
Park
• Students must follow posted rules and regulations at all times.
• Students must remain in groups of at least three at all times.
• Students will contact Band Director in case of emergency. Remind is a great tool for doing this.
• Students must be completely dry by departure time. **Please avoid water rides late in the day.
• Be cautious of electronics. Cell phones/cameras may get lost/wet. A Ziplock bag is helpful.
• Remember to wear appropriate footwear.
• Maintain professionalism and courtesy to all other park/venue guests. “Rep the U”
General
• Students must follow the rules and regulations for Union Public Schools at all times.
• Students will be representing Union Public Schools and the Union Band Program, and must act accordingly.
• All clothing must be school appropriate at all times.
** Breaking rules may result in being sent home at student’s expense, expulsion from school and/or removal from band program.
“Regiment RISE” 2026
WHAT & WHY
"Regiment Rise" is a performance training group for Union Band students in the 8th grade. The purpose of this group is to provide an opportunity for students to learn the movement skills and personal discipline skills needed for participation in the Union H.S. Renegade Regiment during the subsequent fall semester.
WHO
All Union Bands 8th graders who intend to participate for the 2026 Union Renegade Regiment Competitive Marching Band should come to learn what it is like to be a committed member of a marching ensemble and learn movement fundamentals needed for the marching band activity.
WHERE
Union 8th Grade Center | Band Rooms, Gymnasiums, Outdoors (weather permitting)
WHEN
THURSDAYS
Thu Mar 26 | 3-5pm
Thu Apr 9 | 3-5pm
Thu Apr 16 | 3-5pm
Thu May 14 | 3-5pm
SATURDAYS
Sat Apr 11 | 9am-1pm
Sat May 9 | 9am-1pm
TRANSPORTATION
All participating students must arrange for transportation home following each session. Students are to be picked up by a parent/guardian, promptly in the south loop of the 8th Grade Center campus.
OTHER DETAILS & Expectations
Each participating student will commit to being present at every scheduled rehearsal. Unavoidable absences must be documented through the online accountability system and excused by a staff member. Please email Mrs. McAlister regarding attendance issues.
A snack is provided to participating students upon arriving at the band room after school. Students should bring water to each rehearsal.
