Senior Recognition Night for Cody

Last night was Senior Recognition Night for Klein Oak Band, a night when the band program, and the school, recognize the contributions of the band seniors, who have been in the program for four years. Among the honorees was Cody, our percussionist, who started in pit as a freshman, then joined drum line as a sophomore and played bass drum for the final three years of his marching career.

Cody is going on to a Division III college with no football program, nor a marching band, so this was his final recognition for his marching career. He has one more marching contest - the BOA San Antonio super-regional this coming Saturday, and has a handful of football games left: one more regular season game, then the playoffs, so his marching career is truly winding down.

It was also the final Klein Oak senior recognition night for me and Carolyn, alas. So our time as band parents is winding down too.

Both our sons had truly wonderful experiences as members of Klein Oak Band. We are profoundly grateful that they were both able to participate in this excellent program.

And, we’ve said this before, and it is just as true now: we are very, very proud of the young man that Cody Needham has become. Some additional photos:

John P. Needham

Sunday, October 27, 2019

3PM Central Time

Spring, TX

Homecoming, 2019 (Cody)

Just some pictures of Cody and Kayla that we took at a local arboretum.

John P. Needham

October 12, 2019

7:30AM

Spring, TX

Drum Line Rules!

Klein Oak Drum Line, October 10, 2019, Spring, TX

John P. Needham

Spring, TX

October 11, 2019

Klein Oak Wind Ensemble - Winter Concert

Last night the Klein Oak Wind Ensemble performed their annual Winter Convert, along with KOHS Jazz Band, the new KOHS Woodwinds Octet, Klein Oak’s Symphonic I band and local a middle-school’s (Krimmel) band. This is always a super-fun event and last night was no exception. Below are the videos of Wond Ensemble. I also have videos of Jazz Band and Woodwinds Octet, so if any parents want to see those, just let me know and I’ll share them with you.

Wind Ensemble started with Dream of the Silent Night:

KOHS Wind Ensemble, Dreams of the Silent Night, performed December 12, 2018

They continued with The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol:

KOHS Wind Ensemble, The Sussex Mummers Christmas Carol, performed December 12, 2018

The ensemble closed with their traditional winter concert close: Sleigh Ride. Look for Cody whacking wood planks on this one, it is one of the most important parts of the whole piece, to be honest!

KOHS Wind Ensemble, Sleigh Ride, performed December 12, 2018

John P. Needham

December 13, 2018

Spring, TX

Mariachi Band - Final 2017/2018 Concert

I am WAY behind in posting this, and I'm genuinely sorry about that! The Klein Oak Mariachi Band had their final concert of the 2017/18 school year back in May. It was really nice, held in the KOHS band hall, the ensemble members, their friends and families, a low-key, super-fun event.

Below are some videos of the show.

These talented and  motivated young musicians had a great year during the 2017/18 school year. Among other things, they were the first mariachi ensemble from from any Klein ISD school to qualify for, and participate in, the Texas State Mariachi Festival. 

It  would be hard to overstate how proud everyone is of these young musicians. For many of them, this was the final performance, as they have graduated and are moving on to college and other things. Those that remain are back-filling the ensemble and getting ready for another excellent year of mariachi music. We look forward to what the ensemble does in 2018/2018.

John Needham

Spring, TX

(posting from Chicago, IL)

June 26, 2018

Klein Oak Wind Ensemble Performs at Festival Hall

The Klein Oak Wind Ensemble performed at the Round Top Festival Institute on Friday, April 27th. What a fabulous facility, that was literally in the middle of nowhere, about an hour and a half west of Houston, TX, in Round Top (population: 90). This band of super-talented young musicians practiced for hours, and played really well.

The ensemble opened with Santa Fe Saga (10:46 video):

Klein Oak Wind Ensemble at the Round Top Festival Institute. April 27, 2018, under the direction of Todd Clearwater.

Then they played Academic Overture (11:07 video):

Klein Oak Wind Ensemble at the Round Top Festival Institute. April 27, 2018, under the direction of Todd Clearwater.

The ensemble closed with North Wind March (2:33 video):

Klein Oak Wind Ensemble at the Round Top Festival Institute. April 27, 2018, under the direction of Todd Clearwater.

All the parents, obviously, are very proud of these talented and dedicated young musicians. 

John P. Needham

Spring, TX

April 29, 2018

Bangarang!

Please allow me this "proud band dad" moment.

Since the beginning of August, Bailey and Cody and the rest of Klein Oak High School's marching band have been practicing, working really hard, on the 2017 competition show. They practiced in heat, they practiced many mornings, may late nights, weekends, after school, at football games, in competitions. 

Cody is on bass-4 bass drum; Bailey plays trumpet.

This weekend, all their hard work paid off. The band participated in Bands of America super-regional competition in San Antonio. It was far and away their best show of the season. 

The competition at the super-regional is very steep; some 75 bands competed in prelims over two days, and only 114 made the finals Saturday night. Klein  Oak Band did not make the finals, unfortunately. But that doesn't not take away from their achievement. This year's show, called Bangarang, was terrific, and the kids performed spectacularly in the prelims.

Another of the band parents was able to record the show, and uploaded it to You Tubs. I am embedding the video below. Take a look at let me know what you think!

The show I'm not supposed to record...

We are very proud of our kids and all the band members; other parents I spoke with feel exactly the same way. These kids all worked so hard, for so many hours, over months, and for the show to come together this well, at this competition, was really special to see.

John P. Needham

November 5, 2017

Spring, TX

Homecoming, 2017 (Cody)

I've been away from this blog for far, far, too long. Apologies for that little hiatus!

Last weekend Cody went to Homecoming at his high-school. Here are a few images.

If you want, you can find the full set here in Flickr.

John P. Needham

November 5, 2017

Spring, TX