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The YHSCB will travel to Hershey Park on Saturday 5/13 to participate in the Music in the Parks regional festival.  The students will perform for a panel of college music educators (who will offer feedback and adjudicate our performance), enjoy time in Hershey Park, and attend an awards ceremony where they will receive an award based on their performance rating.  What I love about this experience is that it is a music festival, not a competition.  We are not being compared to other bands – and therefore do not “win” 1^st, 2^nd, or 3^rd place.  Instead we are graded on a 100-point-scale, and receive a rating of Good, Excellent, or Superior, based on how many points we score for the musical things we do well.  The judges provide written and recorded feedback of what we did well, and how we can continue to improve.

To help us prepare for our festival, Concert Band students will perform a video assessment of their festival music.  The assessments will take place during their lesson the week of 4/24.

If any YHSWE Seniors are interested in attending the Hershey trip to cheer on our Concert Band (and help with equipment!), please e-mail Ms. Kluga ASAP.   The amount of seniors attending will determine the cost.

Auditions for the 2017-2018 Wind Ensemble will take place 5/22 – 5/26 (Monday– Friday).  Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet with you.  This completed audition form is DUE FRIDAY 4/21.

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 Ms. Kluga with questions.

INFO:

* Students, please arrive by 5:50pm.

* Please wear long black pants and a white shirt.

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

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

To make the evening successful, we need about 20 YHS Band parent helpers!  Please refer to the e-mail from YHS Band parent organizer Jennifer Weitman outlining how you can help.

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

Many, many students are needed to help set up the 500 chairs, help mentor the younger students, and to clean up after the concert.  Sign up sheets are available in the band room (Student Help time-slots are from 1:30 – 4:30, and 7:00 – 8:30). As always, your student’s extra efforts are worth extra credit!

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

For interested band students, the yearbook staff will be taking the yearbook for Pep Band on Thursday 3/23 at 7:15AM.

Please wear your YHS Band Polo shirt and report to the Band Room.

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, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester. To participate, 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 19 – 20, 2017

Location: Somers HS

NYSSMA Forms are available in the band room.  COMPLETED FORMS ARE DUE FRIDAY 3/24 (forms are attached, if needed).

Auditions for the 2017-2018 Wind Ensemble will take place 5/22 – 5/26 (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 FRIDAY 4/21.

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 Ms. Kluga with questions.

On Friday, March 10th, the YCSD Band Program will host the fourth annual District Band Concert from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate.  We hope this will be a wonderful experience for all of our students – fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

INFO:

* Students, please arrive by 5:50pm.

* Please wear long black pants and a white shirt.

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

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the evening is to reach our younger band students and their parents.  We want to show them the full progression of our YCSD band program, and give them the experience of hearing what awaits their children if they stick with band.

However, as in past years, due to fire codes and the possibility of exceeding the maximum gym capacity, we ask that YHS band parents and families please not attend this concert as audience members.  I apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.  If it is any consolation, we will be performing selections you have already heard at our Swing Dance.

However, if you are interested in volunteering that evening, and helping us achieve this intensely logistical feat, we would love your help!

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

To make the evening successful, we need about 20 YHS Band parent helpers!  Please refer to the e-mail from YHS Band parent organizer Jennifer Weitman outlining how you can help.

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

Many, many students are needed to help set up the 500 chairs, help mentor the younger students, and to clean up after the concert.  Sign up sheets are available in the band room (Student Help time-slots are from 1:30 – 4:30, and 7:00 – 8:30). As always, your student’s extra efforts are worth extra credit!  Thank you in advance!!

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

Last week in class, each WE student was given paperwork outlining their final payment information for our upcoming Philly Festival trip.  If possible, we are please asking for the final payment by this Friday 3/10.  Thank you and please let Ms. Kluga know if you have any questions.

Thank you so much, as always, for your support!

On Friday, March 10th, the YCSD Band Program will host the fourth annual District Band Concert from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate.  We hope this will be a wonderful experience for all of our students – fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

INFO:

* Students, please arrive by 5:50pm.

* Please wear long black pants and a white shirt.

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

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the evening is to reach our younger band students and their parents.  We want to show them the full progression of our YCSD band program, and give them the experience of hearing what awaits their children if they stick with band.

However, as in past years, due to fire codes and the possibility of exceeding the maximum gym capacity, we ask that YHS band parents and families please not attend this concert as audience members.  I apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.  If it is any consolation, we will be performing selections you have already heard at our Swing Dance.

However, if you are interested in volunteering that evening, and helping us achieve this intensely logistical feat, we would love your help!

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

To make the evening successful, we need about 20 YHS Band parent helpers!  Please refer to the coming e-mail from YHS Band parent organizer Jennifer Weitman outlining how you can help.

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

Many, many students are needed to help set up the 500 chairs, help mentor the younger students, and to clean up after the concert.  Sign up sheets are available in the band room (Student Help time-slots are from 1:30 – 4:30, and 7:00 – 8:30). As always, your student’s extra efforts are worth extra credit!

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

All Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students have a playing assignment (WE is due at this week’s lesson, CB at next week’s).  You should hear your student practicing at home.

Thank you so much for your support!  Happy practicing!

What: Valentine’s Swing Dance Concert

When: Saturday 2/11

Time: Dance Lesson 7-8pm / Music and Dancing 8-10:30pm

Where: YHS Gym

Cost: $10 for adults / $5 for students and seniors.  Tickets sold at the door.  YHS Band students are free.

WHEN TO ARRIVE:

Jazz Band – arrive by 5:30 for our sound check. (PLEASE be prompt!)

Students interested in participating in the dance lesson – please arrive at 6:45pm.

Students NOT interested in participating in the dance lesson, please arrive no later than 7:30pm.

Upon arrival ALL STUDENTS should place their instruments/cases/coats/etc in their designated warm up room (Rooms TBA).  AT THAT TIME STUDENTS WILL HAVE THEIR HAND STAMPED FOR FREE ENTRANCE INTO THE DANCE.

SWING ERA ATTIRE ENCOURAGED (For both adults and students!)

Get into the “swing” of things and have fun dressing up in 1940’s garb!

SWING CONCERT DRESS FOR STUDENTS

In lieu of the usual concert black, Swing Era attire is encouraged!  Here are some ideas:

Boys

Usual Concert Attire: Black pants, long sleeved button down black shirt, black shoes, black socks

AND/OR Swing Additions: fedora hats, suspenders, solid color or pin striped shirts, colorful ties, spats, jackets.

Girls

Usual Concert Attire: Black top (appropriate neck-line, no spaghetti straps or sleeveless tops), black skirt or dress (appropriately below the knee), or black pants.

AND/OR Swing Additions: Girls are welcome to wear any color 1940’s style dress as long as it has an appropriate neckline, sleeves, and falls below the knee.  Other ideas are: swing-y skirts, polka dots, pin-curls, a flower in their hair, seamed stockings, saddle shoes, 1940’s style hat and gloves.

STUDENTS:

We have many homemade decorations planned for our event and will need lots of help to create them!  All students are invited:

1. After school Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday this week from 1:30 – 3:00 to help craft our decorations.
2. To help decorate the gym on Saturday 2/11 from 10:00am – 4:00pm.
3. To CLEAN UP from 10:30-11:30pm.

Sign-up sheets for all above dates and times are available in the band room.  As always, students will receive extra credit for their extra efforts!  Thank you in advance for donating your time to make our event a success for our learning community, and our greater Yorktown Heights community!

PARENTS:

Please visit http://donate.yhsbands.com/swingdance to donate a food item, or to help chaperone.  Questions?  Please contact (Band Aid Core Helper) Margaret Serafin ([email protected]) or Ms. Kluga.