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The students and I discussed NYSSMA, and reviewed the forms, in class. Information is below and forms are attached.

The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician, gain confidence, earn the full 5 extra credit points for quarter 3, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester.  

To participate in the NYSSMA festival, students prepare scales, a solo and sight-reading.  At the festival, students will perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments.  This quarter, all band students will be learning a NYSSMA solo as part of their lesson homework (so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble (see below), they will have the necessary tools to do so).

NYSSMA Festival Dates: Friday – Saturday May 10 – 11, 2019

**CONCERT BAND STUDENTS – OUR FESTIVAL IS SATURDAY MAY 11^th. If you wish to go to NYSSMA you MUST request a Friday May 10^th time!****

Location: Henrick Hudson High School

NYSSMA Forms are attached and also available in the band room.  COMPLETED FORMS ARE DUE TO MS. KLUGA BY WEDNESDAY 3/20

In addition to the musical opportunity NYSSMA provides, students are able to receive honors credit for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble by earning a score of 95 or above on a level 6 solo/ensemble, or a score of 97 or above on a level 5 solo/ensemble. 

Auditions for the 2019-2020 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/29 – 5/3 (Monday- Friday).  Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached) with you.  If your student is interested in auditioning, I strongly suggest that they also participate in NYSSMA.  The Wind Ensemble audition information sheet/permission slip is attached and is also available in the band room.  FORMS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY 3/27.

A fantastic opportunity for your child to experience a week (or more!) of musical study, surrounded by college level teachers, enthusiastic counselors, and new band friends from other towns, counties, and states!  A huge variety of camps are available (both near and far!).  An informational handout is attached.  Please contact me with questions. 

Congratulations to YHS Jazz Band students Justin Chee (junior, Wind Ensemble, alto sax) and Swaroop Pujari (sophomore, Wind Ensemble, tenor sax), for representing YHS at this week’s All County Jazz Concert! Justin and Swaroop won these coveted spots based on the scores they earned at the All County Jazz audition in January.  The boys played alongside other high school jazz musicians from across Westchester County, participating in rehearsals, an improvisation clinic, and concert. We are so proud of you!

Paperwork for the final payment was sent home this week in class. If possible, please send in your payment by this Wednesday 3/10.

Please note, we will be rehearsing on Tuesday 4/2, Wednesday 4/3 and Thursday 4/4 periods 8+9 (12:45-2:15) in the auditorium.

The attached document outlines exactly what students need to practice each week so that they are on-track to have their music prepared for our festival. Professional recordings are available on their Dashboard. If your student needs help with their music, I am available every day after school, by appointment, until 3:00.

We have begun our NYSSMA solo unit. Students received a level IV NYSSMA solo, and a circle of 5ths. Each week they will be assigned a section of their solo, and a new scale to learn. If your student needs help with their music, I am available every day after school, by appointment, until 3:00. Reference recordings of NYSSMA solos can be found on YouTube.

The students and I discussed NYSSMA, and reviewed the forms, this week in class. Information is below and forms are attached.

The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician, gain confidence, earn the full 5 extra credit points for quarter 3, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester.  

To participate in the NYSSMA festival, students prepare scales, a solo and sight-reading.  At the festival, students will perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments.  This quarter, all band students will be learning a NYSSMA solo as part of their lesson homework (so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble (see below), they will have the necessary tools to do so).

NYSSMA Festival Dates: Friday – Saturday May 10 – 11, 2019

**CONCERT BAND STUDENTS – OUR FESTIVAL IS SATURDAY MAY 11^th. If you wish to go to NYSSMA you MUST request a Friday May 10^th time!****

Location: Henrick Hudson High School

NYSSMA Forms are attached and also available in the band room.  COMPLETED FORMS ARE DUE TO MS. KLUGA BY WEDNESDAY 3/20

In addition to the musical opportunity NYSSMA provides, students are able to receive honors credit for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble by earning a score of 95 or above on a level 6 solo/ensemble, or a score of 97 or above on a level 5 solo/ensemble. 

Auditions for the 2019-2020 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/29 – 5/3 (Monday- Friday).  Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached) with you.  If your student is interested in auditioning, I strongly suggest that they also participate in NYSSMA.  The Wind Ensemble audition information sheet/permission slip is attached and is also available in the band room.  FORMS ARE DUE WEDNESDAY 3/27.

A fantastic opportunity for your child to experience a week (or more!) of musical study, surrounded by college level teachers, enthusiastic counselors, and new band friends from other towns, counties, and states!  A huge variety of camps are available (both near and far!).  An informational handout is attached.  Please contact me with questions. 

YHS Band seniors – below is information on a $500 scholarship. You do not need to be doing band in college to apply. The application requires a short essay on how your experience has shaped you as a person and how you have used music to help your community. The deadline is March 15^th. Here is the link to the application:http://www.pittband.com/kkpsi/scholarship.html (Thank you to YHS Band alumni Kaitlyn Nuebel for letting us know about this scholarship opportunity!)

A few reminders for you as we prepare for BANDAPALOOZA VI this FRIDAY 3/1!

INFO:

* All band students are required to attend.

* Students, please arrive by 6:00pm.

* Please wear nice long black pants, nice black shoes, and your YHS Band polo. 

* Please, please, please bring a FOLDING MUSIC STAND if you own one.  Put your name on it so we can return it to you.

The YHS Band program hosts this event! A ton of set-up help needed to make this concert a success for all 500+ YCSD Band students.  YHS BAND STUDENT HELP IS NEEDED ALL DAY! (What a great way to earn extra-credit points!)

Students, during the school day on Thursday 2/28 and Friday 3/1, please stop by the band room to offer your help with:

Folding and stapling 700 programs

Organizing seating charts

Making posters

Friday 3/1, help is needed to set up and clean up our event!

*Set up: 1:35 – 4:30

*Clean up: 7:30 – 9:00 (Please help!! Even 10 minutes stacking chairs/stands while you wait for the traffic to clear will be a great help!)

With everyone’s help, Bandapalooza VI will be an inspiring musical experience!  Thank you so much, as always, for your amazing support – we are very grateful for the support of our parents, the support of the administration, and all the hard work involved to make this event (and all of our events) happen for our students! Thank you all!