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Jazz Band students – please talk to your section and schedule a p.9 meeting for this week. Communicate with me as to your chosen day and time. I’m looking forward to working with you on our new music!

Our NEW music, recordings, and the HW assignment are posted on Dashboard. Our rehearsal is this Thursday 2/29 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!

Final itinerary details and pricing will be communicated this week.

Final pricing is in the works. We are looking for parent chaperones to spend the day with us! If you are interested, please e-mail me.

NYSSMA information was reviewed in class this week. The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician! To participate, students prepare scales (or rudiments for snare drummers), a solo and sight-reading.  At the festival, students perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments. 

This week, all YHS Band students will begin learning NYSSMA skills as part of their lesson homework; so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble, they will have the necessary tools to do so.

Additional information and forms are attached. The due date for NYSSMA forms and payments has been extended to THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 1^st.

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 2024-2025 Wind Ensemble will take place at the end of April.  Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached).  I strongly suggest that interested students also participate in NYSSMA.  The Wind Ensemble audition information sheet/permission slip is attached and is also available in the band room.

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.

It’s GO TIME!  The World Tour and Swing Dance Concert are next week. Our music, recordings, and the HW assignment are posted on Dashboard. Set aside time for personal practice. Our rehearsal is this Thursday 2/1 from 6:50-8:30pm. Happy practicing!

It’s baaaaack! Jazz Band students – 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!

Our YHS Band students will work with the talented musicians of The West Point Jazz Combo!  

Our day together will include performances, clinics, and Q&A sessions. Here is our schedule:

• Period 1-2       Concert Band Performance, clinic, and Q&A
• Periods 3-4      Jazz Band Performance, clinic, and Q&A
• Period 8-9       Wind Ensemble Performance, clinic, and Q&A