Director's Note
Join the NESA pARTners! More Than Just a Membership—It's Your Community!
To all our incredible NESA families,
If you’re reading this, you know the unique, exhilarating, and yes, sometimes exhausting, reality of being a NESA parent. Our students pour their hearts and souls into their art, and we are their biggest champions. We navigate the late-night rehearsals, the living room turned impromptu film set, the early morning art gallery hours, and the constant, permeating sound of practice, practice, practice—be it a squeaky reed, a soaring arpeggio, a tap shoe rhythm, or that very same monologue you've now heard at least fifty times.
This journey is amazing, but it’s not always easy. That’s where the NESA pARTners come in.
The pARTners is an essential group of NESA families dedicated to supporting our students, our school, and each other. Joining is about more than just checking a box; it’s about plugging into the vibrant heart of the NESA community.
Why pARTnership Matters 1. For Our Students and Our School:
Your annual $20 family membership is the fuel that runs so much of what makes NESA special. These funds directly translate into:
Scholarship opportunities for our graduating seniors.
Classroom grants that fund vital equipment and resources for our teachers.
Support for the unique needs of all NESA majors.
Frankly, we would not be able to do what we do as a school without the pARTners. It is that vital. Right now, we have some majors with a discouragingly low 4% family participation. We strive to have every family pitch in to keep our school thriving.
- For YOU and Your Family:
Being a NESA parent is a demanding job. The pARTners group provides something invaluable: community and validation.
Navigation: They can help you and your student navigate the NESA life, sharing tips, tricks, and institutional knowledge.
Connection: It’s a network where you can connect with other families who truly get it—who understand the singular blend of exhaustion and immense pride you feel.
Eligibility: Membership is the key! Your student will not be eligible for the scholarship opportunities provided by the pARTners unless your family is a current member.
It's Easy to Join (and Help!) The cost is just $20 per family for the entire school year.
Ready to Join? Please sign up today! Click below to access the membership form.
Financial Consideration:
We understand that for some families, the $20 annual fee might be a burden. Please know there is nothing to be embarrassed about. We want every family to be part of the community and for every student to be eligible for scholarships. If the cost is a concern, please reach out confidentially via the contact form at the bottom of the website. The pARTners will work things out with you.
Volunteer Opportunities:
If you have a little extra time to spare, the pARTners have a plethora of volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Do not fear being hounded! They truly appreciate any time you can give, whether it’s an hour a month or an hour a year.
Let’s ensure every NESA major has the funding and support they need, and that every NESA parent has a community to lean on.
Join the NESA pARTners today!
P.S. We need your help to get our participation rate up! Please sign up now and become an active pARTner in your student's NESA journey!
Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight
NESA Alumnus Jacob Jolly Auditions For The United States Marine Band
We are incredibly proud to announce that NESA class of 2023 alumnus Jacob Jolly has achieved a monumental milestone in his musical career: winning a professional audition to become a full-time guitarist with the United States Marine Band!
This is an extraordinary accomplishment that speaks volumes about Jacob's talent, dedication, and hard work. Earning a position in a prestigious military ensemble like the United States Marine Band is a highly competitive and rigorous process that combines elite musical skill with the high standards of military service.
What Does it Take to Land an Audition?
Becoming a musician in a U.S. Marine Corps band is a demanding journey with two main components: musical proficiency and military qualification.
First, a prospective musician must pass a multi-stage musical audition. This typically begins with a "screening round," where candidates submit a portfolio of audio or video recordings showcasing their skills on their instrument. For a guitarist, this might include performing a range of musical styles, from classic jazz standards to contemporary rock, demonstrating not only technical ability but also stylistic versatility.
If the initial screening is successful, the candidate is invited to a live "audition round" proctored by a Musician Placement Director. Here, they are tested on pre-selected musical excerpts, improvisation skills, and sight-reading—the ability to perform a piece of music they have never seen before. The level of playing ability required is on par with that of any major professional musical organization, and often candidates have degrees in music from top universities.
In addition to the musical requirements, every Marine musician must also meet the physical, mental, and moral standards of the U.S. Marine Corps. This includes passing a physical examination, meeting height and weight standards, and successfully completing a background investigation to obtain a security clearance.
Finally, after passing the audition, a musician enlists into the Marine Corps. Most new musicians attend recruit training (boot camp) and then receive advanced musical training at the Naval School of Music before being assigned to one of the ten Marine Corps Fleet bands. The United States Marine Band ("The President's Own") has a unique path and does not require recruit training.
Jacob's success is a testament to his immense talent and the strong foundation he built during his time at NESA. His achievement is a source of inspiration for all of our students, demonstrating that with passion, perseverance, and dedication, you can achieve your highest dreams.
Please join us in congratulating Jacob Jolly on this incredible achievement!
Fr
Aug 29
- National College Colors Day
On the Friday before Labor Day, National College Colors Day encourages everyone to display their team spirit. Across the United States students, parents, family, fans, and alumni will be wearing their team colors. Be sure you're celebrating by wearing your college team's colors and apparel.
Coming Soon
Coming soon!
- September 3- pARTners Meeting 7PM in Black Box
- September 5th Afloat Art Show at Hijole Art Gallery 7PM
- September 5th at 7:00PM MOVIE TRIVIA NIGHT!!!! Get your tickets at booktix!
NESA Handbook
This year's NESA Handbook is out!
Please follow the link to a google form which allows you to access the handbook, and sign that you have read it etc.
If you have any questions about the handbook, please email Ms. Askey at maskey@neisd.net.
ALL NESA FAMILIES WILL NEED TO VIEW AND SIGN THE HANDBOOK... If you want to get ahead of the curve, this is your chance 😉 You will not have to do it again when the mass distribution happens.
pARTners News
HOME | nesapartners
Join the NESA pARTners: Enhance Your NESA Journey! Becoming a NESA parent is an exciting adventure, but with a million hours of rehearsals and new routines, it can sometimes feel a bit overwhelming! That's where the NESA pARTners come in. They are a non-profit group made up entirely of NESA parents dedicated to making the NESA experience as wonderful as possible for everyone – students and families alike.
What do the pARTners do? They are here to help you navigate it all! From understanding the ins and outs of rehearsal schedules to connecting you with other families through our carpool interest form, they are a supportive community. They also run concessions at NESA events, organize the unforgettable year-end banquet, provide essential student scholarships, and fund valuable classroom grants.
Above all, the pARTners have a whole lot of fun while making NESA an even better place. We invite you to be a part of this vibrant community! Please consider joining the NESA pARTners for annual dues of just $20.
Ready to connect, contribute, and have fun? Click the link to join us today!
News and links
Testing Corner
Testing with Mr. Goodwin
Here you can find the answers to your questions about testing: Important Dates:
- Oct 8 - Nov 12 AP Payment Window for Fall Open (Significantly less of a price if you pay during this window over the spring window 😉)
- Oct 23 PSAT (9-11th Grade, Free😎)
- Nov 6 ACT (Seniors)
- Feb 4- March 4 AP Payment Window for Spring Opens
- Mar 5 SAT (Juniors, Free😎)
- May 4-8, and 11-15 AP Testing Mr. Goodwin's testing and CCMR Smore link is below