Dr. Christine Eady, a family practice physician at Northwest Diagnostic Clinic in Cedar Park, will be providing band/sports physicals for all interested incoming and returning band students for $25.00.  Dr. Eady has agreed to donate ALL proceeds to the LHS Band Booster Fund. Physicals will be done on a first come, first serve basis on two dates: Saturday, June 16 and Saturday, July 14 from 9:00AM – 12:00PM, in the band hall at Leander High School.

This is a great opportunity to get your student’s required physical done AND supports the LHS Band.  Important Information:

• A parent or guardian MUST accompany students.
• All students MUST bring their physical form with the parent/student portion COMPLETED and signed by BOTH a parent/ guardian and the student.
• Boy’s exams include a hernia examination; a male chaperone will be present during exams.
• Completion of the exam does not guarantee clearance for participation. If problems or abnormalities are found, students will be referred to their private physicians for further evaluation.

Athletic Physical Form 2012-13

Lessons are required to be taken on our campus, but at ANY time during the school/practice days. Students may take lessons during their band classes or after school rehearsals since this program is the most important aspect of our organization.

If you require financial assistance for lessons please send an e-mail to Robert.Selaiden@leanderisd.org to request a grant form.

You may register for lessons at this website:  http://leanderisd.revtrak.net/tek9.asp?pg=RegWerks

or

Please download these forms and return them to Mr. Selaiden with the deposit check and the form COMPLETED.

PLProcedures

BandPLletter
PLenrollment

Supporting the Band through sponsorships is a great way to show your customers you care about our community and are actively involved with local youth education and activities.

Please consider sponsoring our band through one of the options below, or contact us to discuss how we can work together to create a win-win program with your local business.

• Maestro: $1000 & Over
• Platinum: $500-$999.99
• Gold: $100-$499.99
• Silver: $50-$99.99
• Bronze: $25-$49.99

Additional support programs may be available. Please contact our Booster President if you’d like to discuss a mutually beneficial arrangement.

The LHS Band Contributor program will allow businesses and individuals to have their name listed in all concert programs for the school year the contribution was made. In addition, names will be listed on the LHS Band website for the school year the contribution was made.

We are a non-profit organization. Contributions are tax deductible. Thank you for your support of our band members!

Being a part of a group such as the Leander Band enhances a student’s high school experience as they learn the benefits and rewards of discipline, motivation, and working together to meet the challenges presented in a top-class program. Everyone has a different role in this program, and the staff are here to see that each student is motivated to perform to his or her very best level, that each student receives the best instruction possible, and that this program serves as a positive influence to the self-esteem of each and every student. We will work hard, we will reach the top, and we will have a good time doing it!

Meet the Leander High School Band Directors and Staff

Nils Gundersen – Director

Mr. Gundersen is in his tenth year as a teacher in the Leander Independent School District. He is currently the Director of Bands at Leander High School after having served there as an assistant director for six years. Before coming to LHS, he was an assistant director at Cedar Park Middle School.

Mr. Gundersen, a native of Gainesville, Florida, received his Bachelor of Music Education degree from Louisiana State University where he studied trumpet under Jim West, and wind conducting with Frank Wickes. While at LSU, Mr. Gundersen served as the drum major of the Sudler Award-winning LSU Tiger Band, and was a trumpet soloist and section leader.

Mr. Gundersen has served as an adjudicator throughout Central Texas. He has also served as a clinician at the LSU Tiger Summer Auxiliary Camp.

While at Leander High School, Mr. Gundersen helped develop the Indoor Theater Music Production that is used as a recruiting and educational program in the district. This past March, Mr. Gundersen conducted members of the symphonic bands in St. Patrick’s Cathedral during a tour of Ireland.

In his spare time, Mr. Gundersen enjoys watching LSU sporting events and is active in the LSU Austin Alumni Chapter. He lives in Austin with his wife Kimberly.

Juan C. Carrera – Assistant Director

Juan C. Carrera is the Director of Percussion at Leander High School and is responsible for all aspects of percussion, 6th-12th at three different campuses. While his time there, the percussion studio has maintained a high level of excellence in both the marching and concert genres.

Mr. Carrera has worked with numerous programs throughout the state as a clinician, adjudicator and arranger since 1994. In 2002, he received his Bachelor of Music from Southwest Texas State University. During his time there, he was part of the 2001 and 2002 SWTSU Bobcat Marching Drumline and PASIC Drumline staff. He also performed in the SWT Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Orchestra, Salsa Band, Panorama Steel Band, Marching Bobcat Band and Orchestra Tradicion (Professional Salsa Band).

In 2003, Mr. Carrera helped the Winston Churchill High School Marching Band attain the Music Caption Award at the Bands of America Contest in San Antonio where they placed 5th overall performing their production entitled “Toxic”.

In 2006, Mr. Carrera joined SASI, Solutions and Specialized Innovations. SASI is a leadership development firm with more than one hundred years of collective experience in developing leaders in public education.

His professional affiliations include the Texas Music Educators Association, the Texas Bandmasters Association and the Percussive Arts Society. Juan is also a member of the Vic Firth Education Team. He has been mentored and influenced by John Stansberry, Genaro Gonzalez, Albert Lo, Alan Sharps, Beth Bronk, James Hudson, Tony Edwards and Paul Pape.

Juan resides in Round Rock, TX with his wonderful wife, Julie.

Laura Cross - Assistant Director

Ms. Cross is in her first year as a band director at Leander High School. She is a recent suma cum laud graduate of The University of Houston and a proud supporter of her Cougars!

While at UH, she was a drum major and section leader for the Spirit of Houston Marching Band. She studied flute under Dr. Kim Clark and conducting with Tom Bennett and David Bertman. Ms. Cross also toured across the United States for three years with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps from Canton Ohio. She has been mentored and influenced by Eddie Green, Tom Bennett, John Benzer, David Bertman, Steve McKeithen and Brett Johnson.

Ms. Cross’s passions besides band include photography, travel, family, friends and her two cats Spencer and Ody.

Robert Selaiden – Assistant Director

Mr. Selaiden is in his fourth year as a teacher at Leander High School. He is currently the conductor of the Symphonic Band, director of the Jazz Ensemble, and heads up the private lesson program. Before coming to Leander High School, Mr. Selaiden attended The University of Texas where he studied saxophone under Harvey Pittel and served as Drum Major of The University of Texas Longhorn Band. While at UT, he conducted the premiere of John Lato’s “Septet for Winds” as well as conducted and arranged “Danse Bachannale” by Camille Saint-Saens on the “Tex-Sax: Next Generation” CD, which has been placed on the Grammy Nomination  list.

During each summer, Mr. Selaiden has been active as coordinator of the Longhorn Music Camp , and as a facilitator of the SASI leadership and drum major camps. He has served as a clinician for the Texas Band Masters Association, and has professional affiliations with Kappa Kappa Psi, TMEA, TJEA and TBA. Before coming to school in Austin, Mr. Selaiden went to Newman Smith HS in Carrollton, TX.

Will Callaway

A long time student of ballet, modern dance, and theater, Will Callaway has been involved with color guard since 2002.  Drum corps experience has included involvement with the Magic of Orlando, Crossmen, Reading Buccaneers, and the Blue Coats.  Will also performed for four consecutive years with the WGI World Class finalist the Black Watch from Mt. Laurel, NJ.  Mr. Callaway has taught several groups on the east coast, most recently WGI SO finalist and the 2011 SA Silver Medalist Mechanicsburg HS.  Will is originally from Harrisburg, PA and just recently moved to Austin, TX where he serves as the color guard director of Leander High School.

The areas of support range from completing the uniform fitting for the students, transportation of equipment to various events, chaperoning, fundraising, scholarships for graduating seniors (college scholarships), etc. The LHS Band Boosters contribute thousands of volunteer hours in support of the band. It is parents like you who give their time and energy to help with the many tasks necessary to make our Band successful. Your dedication is what keeps our organization alive.

Booster Meetings

All parents are highly encouraged to attend booster meetings to stay informed, vote on band business, or voice their opinions regarding various band activities. Booster meetings are held monthly — check the Calendar for days and times.

Booster Committees

Please look at the list of committees below and volunteer to help in areas that interest you. You will find that any & all help is greatly appreciated. If you have questions, contact one of the committee chairpersons below and ask him/her how you can help.

2011-2012 Executive Board

• President – Melissa Wallace, president@leanderband.com
• Vice President – Audrey Poche, vicepresident@leanderband.com
• Vice Pres of Fundraising – Gregory & Patricia Phea, vpfundraising@leanderband.com
  
• Vice President of Color Guard – Ken & Lucia White, vpcolorguard@leanderband.com
  
• Treasurer -  Leslie Terrell, treasurer@leanderband.com
• Secretary -  Nina Pena, secretary@leanderband.com
• Parliamentarian -  Suzanne Ledbetter, parliamentarian@leanderband.com
  

Use the form below to contact our Executive Board Members

Comments or questions are welcome.

*(denotes required field)

Department to Contact:*

Select President Vice President Secretary Treasurer Parliamentarian Webmaster

Name:*

E-Mail Address:*

Subject:*

Message:*

CAPTCHA Code:*

Powered by Fast Secure Contact Form

About the Color Guard

Modern color guard is a combination of military drill, also called marching, and the use of flags, sabres, mock rifles, shields and other equipment, as well as dance and other interpretive movement.

Members of the color guard team march along with their fellow marching band members at half time during football games and provide additional visual aspects to the performance.

The color guard interprets the music that the marching band is playing via the synchronized spinning of flags, sabres, shields, or other pieces of equipment, or through choreographed dance.

When in competition, the color guard score is typically based on movement, visual effect, fluidity of choreography with the music, coordination of all members, drill, and the use of equipment.

During a competition the guard adds to the overall score of the band, but is also judged in its own category. Color guard has been considered to be both an athletic competition and an art.

About the Color Guard

The Winter guard is an indoor color guard activity, derived from the outdoor summer activity that is part of the marching band. Unlike color guard, which performs outdoors on a football field as part of the marching band, winter guard is performed indoors, usually in a gym or indoor arena, during the winter season.

The winter guard performs to recordings of various musical genres. Their show has a selection of music, classical to contemporary. The LHS winter guard unit performs using dance, acrobatic features, and with various pieces of equipment. While guard equipment can vary from anything to everything, flags, rifles, and sabres are the main pieces of equipment. Guard members toss, spin, and do much more with their equipment, which can change throughout their show. Major competitions worldwide are sanctioned and managed by Winter Guard International.

Color Guard Statement of Purpose – To represent and support Leander High School by encouraging school spirit, good sportsmanship, exemplary conduct, and loyalty to all activities.

The LHS Color Guard Program

Students learn their incredible equipment and dance skills through the training we provide in the color guard program. Besides the very high level of skill you’ll experience as a member of our color guard, you’ll make many new friends as you practice, travel, and perform with the Leander Band.

Program Facts

• The color guard is the auxiliary section of the Leander Band
• Just like the trumpets, saxes, flutes, and drummers, members of the color guard travel and perform with the Leander Band and take all the trips the marching band takes
• Students earn P.E. credit for participating in our marching band
• Since P.E. is required to graduate, this is a great way to fill that spot on your schedule and have fun while doing it!
• Because color guard is a dance class, you will satisfy your Fine Arts requirement by being in our Color Guard
• Color Guard members are eligible to earn varsity letter jackets – Color Guard is a varsity level activity available to freshmen! You’ll begin the process of earning your letter jacket from the moment you enter the color guard your freshman year
• Color Guard is COMPLETELY COMPATIBLE with the most aggressive academic schedule
• Some of the highest academic achievers at Leander are Band and Color Guard members

Combined Performances Include:

• Band Show Competitions – Fall (5 performances)
• Pep-rally – Fall (2-3 per football season)
• Football half-time shows – Fall (10 games)
• Winter Guard – Spring (3-4 performances)
• Blue Belle Spring Show (2-3 performances)
• Additional Performances and/or Competitions TBD

About the Marching Band

The Leander Marching Band is a group of instrumental student musicians who generally perform outdoors, and who incorporate movement – usually some type of marching – with their musical performance.

Instrumentation typically includes brass, woodwinds, and percussion instruments and the music usually incorporates a strong rhythmic component suitable for marching. In addition, the band performs field shows at football games, special events and marching band competitions. The Band also performs at “Pep Rallies” and implements many of the songs, traditions, and flair from outside performances.

Leander Band History

The Leander High School Lion Marching Band maintains a long and proud tradition of excellence in musical performance and presentation, both on and off the field of competition. The Pride of Lion Country has, through the determination and talents of directors and students alike, brought both national and international recognition to Leander High School and the Leander Independent School District.

Ranked among the top high school music programs in Texas, the Band consistently strives for and achieves top honors and awards in marching and concert competitions. This dedication and determination, combined with extremely high levels of musical talent and academic achievement, has resulted in numerous Band students continuing on to higher levels of music education. Each year, the Leander Band places a disproportionately large number of students in the highest levels of University Interscholastic League competitions as well as the National Honor Society.

Leander High School’s Lion Marching Band has garnered an impressive list of awards over years for its musical and performance quality. A true high school show band, this group of dedicated, determined, and talented students take pride in performing some of the most musically intricate and technically difficult pieces available for marching bands.