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Here we are in March…but spring will be here before we know it, and so will our fun performances and opportunities! Please mark your calendars.

3/27 (Wed) @ 6pm     YCSD District Band Festival (Bandapalooza)

4/23-4/26 (Tues-Fri)  ’24-‘25 Wind Ensemble Auditions

4/26-27 (Fri-Sat)        Up-County NYSSMA Solo Festival @ Chappaqua  HS

5/3-5 (Fri pm-Sun)      Wind Ensemble Festival Trip to Ithaca College

5/11 (Sat)                   YHS Music Dept Festival trip to Six Flags Great Adventure

5/14 (Tues) @ 7pm     YHS Spring Band Concert

5/27 (Mon)                 Memorial Day Parade and Annual YHS Band BBQ

5/31-6/1 (Fri-Sat)       NYSSMA Piano Festival at Ardsley     

6/14 (Fri)                    Jazz Band performs at Relay for Life

6/22 (Sat)                   YHS Band performs at the YHS Graduation Ceremony

On Wednesday, March 27th the YCSD Band Program will host our 9^th Annual District Band Concert from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate. 

Our goal is to create a successful and inspiring experience for our YCSD band students and their families; fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

Parent and student volunteers will be needed, please, to make this event a success. Parents, look for an e-mail next week with how you can help.

Students, please see the classroom sign-up sheet. Set up help: 1:30-5:00pm. Clean-up help: 7-8:30pm

·      STUDENT LEADERS arrive by 5:00 – be on time so we can be ready.

·      JAZZ BAND be set up and ready to play by 5:30.

·      CB & WE arrive by 5:30 – plan ahead, parking will be an issue. Report to your WU room. Be in your seat, warmed up, tuned and ready to play, by 5:50.

When you arrive, please put your cases and belongings in your warm up room. Please respect these classrooms – we are visitors.

CB WU Room: Husker Discovery

WE WU Room: Writing Center

CONCERT ATTIRE: YHS Band Polo, black pants, black socks, black shoes.

BRING: Folding music stand w/your name on it, water, your sports/activity jersey (see below).

Part of our Bandapalooza goal is to educate grade 5-8 students and their families about the many opportunities available at YHS; and that students still have time to participate in band.

If you are a member of a YHS sport or activity (Ex. robotics, science Olympiad, science research, DCo, tech crew, etc) please bring your uniform jersey, jacket, or t-shirt with you to your seat at Bandapalooza. Thank you!

Offered weekly and hosted by our junior and senior band members (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

Our music, recordings, and the HW assignment are posted on Dashboard. Our rehearsal is this Thursday 3/14 from 6:50-8:30pm. Happy practicing!

Please join me before school (from 7:10…or whenever you get off the bus… until the first bell) to practice soloing. Help yourself develop your skills, and a plan for success!

There are 2 rehearsal dates in April that have conflicts and need to be moved. (Faculty Feud on Thurs. 4/11 and the NHS Induction Thurs. 4/25). Please fill out this form to help us choose new rehearsal dates for those weeks. 

*PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK WITH YOUR FAMILY CALENDAR BEFORE RESPONDING*

Final itinerary details and pricing will be communicated this week…apologies for the delay, I’m still working out details.

Stay tuned for the final itinerary. Thank you to those who offered to chaperone!

Attached is a list of excellent local and regional summer music camp opportunities. Happy to answer any questions!

Can’t get enough of learning how to Swing Dance? The Dance Conservatory (located in Cortlandt Manor – the instructors who taught the lesson at our Swing Dance Concert) offers weekly classes. Sign up as an individual or a pair. A 10% discount is being offered to YHS Band families.  Click here for the registration link. The discount code is: YHSSWINGBAND.

The West Point Band will join forces with the Westchester Symphonic Winds to present a concert on Saturday, March 16 at White Plains HS at 2 PM (free!). Click this link for more information.

For nearly 40 years the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has used March to help highlight and celebrate the importance of quality music education for all children. Here in the YCSD, I am so thankful for our awesome music program and the music we are able to make together every day!