CECILY YOAKAM JOINS UNION BANDS FACULTY

Ms. Cecily Yoakam is excited to come home to Union as an assistant band director.

Ms. Yoakam graduated from the University of North Texas where she studied oboe with James Ryon and completed her student teaching practicum under Mrs. Kathy Johnson in Argyle ISD.

Upon her graduation, Ms. Yoakam taught at Barton Middle School in Buda, TX, teaching primarily beginner woodwinds. She then served as the Advocacy and Educational Resources Coordinator at Music for All, Inc. in Indianapolis. Ms. Yoakam then spent five years as an assistant band director at Liberty High School in Frisco, TX. She is actively involved with Music for All, where you’ll find her greeting marching bands in parking lots across the country, and serving as Coordinator for the SWAG Team at the Bands of America Summer Camp in Muncie, IN.

Ms. Yoakam was a drum major for the Union Renegade Regiment, drum major for the North Texas Green Brigade Marching Band, and conductor for the Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps. She is extremely excited to return to the Regiment family!

UHS Bands Final Update of the 24-25 School Year

WE'VE OFFICIALLY MADE IT TO THE LAST DAY OF SCHOOL!

AUDITIONS: any 9th/10th/11th Grade student who has yet to audition will do so tomorrow morning, Fri May 23, during 1st period class (block scheduling).  Check in at the band building hallway table.  

FRESHMEN INFO:  your shuttle bus departs from UHS to UFA at approx 10:20am tomorrow Fri May 23

 

RENEGADE REGIMENT:  Spring Training is next week!  Tues & Wed, 9a-1p.  Please submit your completed Physical Exam before Tuesday.  

SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES:  Lots of local summer camps are available for student musicians!   Check out the list of camps here  ...  CLARINET PLAYERS:  there's a great camp happening JUST FOR YOU next week -- check it out: https://www.unionbands.com/events/christy-andrews-clarinet-choir-camp-2025

'VIBES' BRAND HEARING PROTECTION:  available thru May 28 at a great price!   See all the details and order here: www.unionbands.com/news/vibes-earplugs-may2025 


PARENTS: please join us tonight Thurs May 22 at the UHS Band Building for a Union Band Parents Club meeting. 

UHS Bands/Guard Update: Sat Apr 26

CELEBRATIONS

  • Kudos to all Brasses and Woodwinds students who performed at the annual Chamber Winds concert on Tue Apr 22!

  • Congrats to our 24 students who performed in the OSSAA State Solo/Ensemble Festival last week at OSU.  EVERY PERFORMER EARNED A SUPERIOR RATING!

  • Shout-Out to the six Union Wind Ensemble students selected to perform in the Tulsa Signature Symphony concert tonight, Sat Apr 26!  Owen, Emma, Brady, Jeffrey, Ava, & Cooper will perform epic repertoire including Wagner’s Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral and Respighi’s Pines of Rome.    

SPRING CONCERT - MON MAY 5

All four Union HS Concerts Bands will perform a final concert of the 2024-25 school year on Mon May 5, 7pm at the UPAC.  The event is free and open to the public. Students will wear required concert attire, and will turn in the attire following the concert; ***BRING A CHANGE OF CLOTHES FOR AFTER THE CONCERT***.   Other details about this concert are available at: https://www.unionbands.com/events/hsspringconcert-2025

ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET - Mon May 12 - 6pm @ UPAC


UPCOMING EVENTS

  • Thu May 1 / 7pm / UPAC -- Union Percussion Showcase

  • Fri May 2 / After School / U67GC -- Union Middle School Solo/Ensemble Festival

  • Mon May 5 / 7pm / UPAC -- UHS Bands Spring Concert  [ Formal Attire Turn-In after the concert! ] 

  • Thu May 8 / 7pm / UPAC -- Union 8th Grade Bands Concert

  • Mon May 12 / 6pm / UPAC -- UHS Bands/Guard Awards Banquet -- Tickets Orders coming soon!  More info below

  • Tues May 13 / 7pm / UPAC -- Union 7th Grade Bands Concert

  • Thurs May 15 / 7pm / UHS Gym -- Union Guard Spring Showcase

  • Fri May 16 / 7pm / UHS Band Building -- UHS Jazz Ensemble Concert 

  • UHS Student Volunteers are needed for many of the events shown above. Sign up at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/UnionBands/StudentEventVolunteersRegistration 

  • Check out our website for more info on all events: www.unionbands.com/events


AUDITIONS FOR NEXT YEAR

Auditions for the 2025-2026 UHS Bands are scheduled for the week of May 12.  What to know:

  • Auditioning is counts for a grade and required for all current Freshmen, Sophomores, & Juniors

  • Music/Info Packets will be posted on Canvas during the week of April 28

  • Auditions will take place during before-school hours and 1st Period on Tue/Wed/Thu/Fri, May 13/14/15/16

  • Specific auditions days/times/instruments/students will be posted on Mon May 12

WATER GUNS POLICY

In accordance with Board of Education policy, water guns (or weapons of any kind) are not allowed on any Union Public Schools campus or property.