Hello YHS Band Parents and Students,
This week is filled with opportunities for our students to engage in building musicianship, citizenship and friendship! Please read on for your update from YHS Band Land…
MAKING DAILY PRACTICE A HABIT
Thank you for helping your student establish a daily practice routine! Encouraging this habit (even when your student resists!) is integral to their success!
- Busy students are welcome to practice at school during lunch, free periods, or after school until 2:45pm.
- Guided Practice Sessions are offered p.9 (led by an upperclassman).
- I am always available for extra help by appointment!
THANK YOU PEP BAND!
Thank you to the enthusiastic group of band students who joined us on Friday to cheer our Huskers on to an awesome win over Mahopac! Special thanks to the parents who so generously sent in snacks, drinks and hot water – the students really enjoyed the treats (and our first hot chocolate of the season!) during half-time!
Our next performance is at HOMECOMING – Friday 10/24. Save the date!
EVENTS THIS WEEK:
PERIOD “0” JAZZ JAM!
Please join me before school (from 7:10…or whenever you get off the bus… until the first bell) to practice improvising. Help yourself develop your skills and a plan for success!
GUIDED PRACTICE / JAZZ BAND SECTIONALS
Offered weekly and hosted by our YHS Band elders (thank you!). Students who lead or attend a session receive 1 point of extra credit. Sessions are held period 9, unless noted otherwise. I am also always available for help by appointment.
Tuesday 10/14
p.4 Bassoon or Clarinet with Michael, p.9 Trombone with Vincent, Percussion with Ava and Sofia, JB Sax Miles/Tyler/Austin
Wednesday 10/15
p.4 Bassoon or Clarinet with Michael, p.9 Trumpet with Avery, JB Sax, JB Rhythm
Thursday 10/16
p.4 Bassoon or Clarinet with Michael, p.9 JB Trombone, JB Trumpet
Friday 10/17
p.4 Bassoon or Clarinet with Michael, p.9 Tag Sale Set Up!
JAZZ BAND REHEARSAL #4 – THURS. 10/16
Good work last week! Keep making time for the practice grind. Listen to Kenny Dorham’s Blue Bossa recording and notice how he uses the melody to craft his solo. SKILLS CHECK: Be ready to play all of our previous assignments, confidently, by yourself.
Music, recordings, and HW are all available on Dashboard. Please arrive by 6:50 so we can be warmed up and tuned to start promptly at 7:00. Thanks!
TAG SALE – THIS WEEK! Saturday 10/18 (Set up = Friday 10/17)
Donations will be accepted Friday 10/17 from 2:30-7pm. Our sale is Saturday 10/18 from 9am-2pm.
TAG SALE HELP NEEDED!
Please volunteer at this fun and community building event! Parent/student help and food donations are needed to make this event a success.
· Students, please sign up in the Band Room.
· Parents, please check out our SignUp Genius to find out how you can help. (Thank you to Ms. Rindone for creating and managing our SignUp!)
CITRUS SALE ~ RUNS FROM 10/1 – 11/5
Thank you for supporting our 22nd annual Citrus Sale! And, thank you for remembering to place your order on the websites below.
YHS Concert Band online store: https://shop.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/837673
YHS Wind Ensemble online store: https://shop.floridaindianrivergroves.com/ecommerce/498649
Ordering info is attached, and is available on Dashboard and Google Classroom. If you or anyone you know is interested in supporting our groups, please share our information.
PLEASE SAVE THESE DATES!
- Wednesday, November 5th is the order deadline for truck delivery to YHS
- Sunday, December 13th is the order deadline for USPS mail-order delivery to your home/customers’ homes (shipping fees apply)
Your orders MUST be entered on-line by the above dates. The grove will not accept late orders.
- Thursday, December 11th is FRUIT DELIVERY DAY
In-person pre-orders will be delivered by truck on Thursday, December 11th. Students are responsible for picking up their entire in-person pre-order and delivering to their customers. Pick-up hours are 2:30 – 6:30pm at YHS. Parent and student volunteers will be needed all day (7am-7pm) to help unload and sort our orders. Please save the date!
OCTOBER LESSON SCHEDULE
STUDENTS SELECTED FOR AREA ALL-STATE
Congratulations to our YHS Band students who will represent Yorktown as members of Area All-State this week!
Bravo to Zack Rindone (clarinet), Gillian Grabowski (horn) and Selma Lyons, Tali Lyons, Devin Robinson, and Ryan Sandhop (trumpets), and Vincent Cassetta (trombone)! These students will participate in honor ensembles made up of the best student musicians in Westchester. Rehearsals begin this Wednesday, with a concert performance at SUNY Purchase on 10/30.
In all, 20 students from YHS Band, Choir, and Orchestra will represent Yorktown!
BUGLER PERFORMS FOR AMERICAN LEGION
Congratulations to senior Band student Ichiro Iizuka for his bugle call performance at this weekend’s American Legion event. Ichiro both played, and represented YHS, beautifully. So proud!
APPLYING TO MUSIC SCHOOLS PRESENTATION – 11/9/25
Is your student interested in studying music in college? This informative online presentation is being hosted by The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, and Ithaca College School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. The link to register is here.
OUR SPRING BAND CONCERT DATE IS TUESDAY 5/12/26!
Please mark your calendars. Thank you!
OTHER MUSIC OPPORTUNITIES
Link is here
Opportunities for lessons and ensembles at Hoff Barthelson Music School
https://www.westchesteryouthwinds.org
https://www.lagondmusic.org/ (opportunities for jazz and contemporary music lessons and ensembles)
Thank you for your support! Looking forward to seeing you at our Tag Sale!
Musically Yours,
Ms. Kluga
