In keeping with our John William’s tangent – did you know that part of what makes his film music so effective is his use of leitmotifs? (pronounced “light-moteefs”). A leitmotif is a musical melody that a composer assigns to a character or place in a story, to reinforce the audience’s connection with that character or place. Think of the theme to Jaws (which John Williams also wrote), as soon as you hear that two-note leitmotif, you know danger is coming and that those innocent people should hurry up and get out of the water!!, even before the shark appears on screen.

This technique was originally used in opera, and perfected by the German composer Richard Wagner (1813-1883). Wagner is best known for composing the Ring Cycle (an epic musical dramatic work containing 4 separate operas that takes 17 hours to perform…but that is a story for another time…. Oh, and it’s called the Ring Cycle because the story is about a magical ring stolen from the gods that possesses omnipotent power (sound familiar??), but that is also a story for another time…).

Now think of Luke’s theme (also called The Force theme). John Williams uses this leitmotif in a wistful and sad way when Luke watches the suns set and wonders about his destiny.  Then, Williams uses this leitmotif in a heroic, epic, and victorious way during the movie’s ending scene with Luke, Han and Chewie at  Princess Leia’s medal ceremony.

That’s the cool thing about leitmotifs, the composer uses the same assigned melody –  but by changing the style of how the melody is played, changes the tone and emotion of the scene, and the character.

On Monday, March 2nd, the YCSD Band Program will host our 7^th Annual District Band Concert from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate.  Our aim is to provide a positive and collaborative experience for all of our students – fostering relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

INFO:

* YHS Band students, please arrive by 5:30pm.

* Please wear long black pants, 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!

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.

As the eldest students in our program, and hosts of Bandapalooza, all eyes (and ears!) will be on YOU! Please help the younger students have a great experience, and ensure they leave the concert excited and enthusiastic about being a part of band!

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

To make the evening successful, we please need the help of 20 YHS Band parents.  Please refer to the coming e-mail from YHS Band parent organizers Karen Menduni, outlining how you can help.  We especially need help with the clean-up of this event (7:00-8:30pm).

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

Many, many students are needed to help set up the 500+ chairs, racks of music stands, help mentor the younger students, and clean up after our concert.  Sign-up sheets are available in the band room (Student Help time-slots are from 1:30 – 4:30, and 7:00 – 9:00). As always, your student’s extra efforts are worth extra credit!

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

The students and Ms. Kluga 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).

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 2020-2021 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/27 – 5/1 (Monday- Friday).  Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached) with you.  If your student is interested in auditioning, Ms. Kluga strongly suggests 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 3/4.

What: 12^th Annual Valentine’s Swing Dance Concert

When: Saturday 2/8

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.

1.     Jazz Band – our sound check is at 5:45. Arrive at 5:30 so you can be ready to play at 5:45.

2.     Students interested in participating in the dance lesson – please arrive at 6:45pm. STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE DANCE LESSON WILL RECEIVE 2 POINTS OF EXTRA CREDIT (!).

3.     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 rooms. A reminder to respect these spaces – do not touch items that are not yours, and clean up after yourself.

WIND ENSEMBLE WU ROOM: Faculty Lunch Room

CONCERT BAND WU ROOM: Room 138

After students put their personal items in the warm up room, THEY SHOULD REPORT TO THE TICKET TABLE AND HAVE THEIR HAND STAMPED FOR FREE ENTRANCE INTO THE DANCE.

In lieu of the usual concert black, Swing Era attire is encouraged!  Here are some ideas. Photos were reviewed in class and are attached for your reference.

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. 

To help organize supplies and decorations Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 1:35-3:00.

To help with tech-crew set up, on Friday 2/8 from 1:30-3pm

To help decorate the gym on Saturday 2/9 from 8:00am – 2:00pm.  PLEASE HELP!

To CLEAN UP from 10:30-12:00am.  PLEASE HELP!

The link for the sign-up form can be found here:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B0E4AACA623ABFE3-yhsbands1

We are still in need of EVERYTHING – food, drinks, paper goods, other supplies, and volunteers during the day, at the event, and cleanup.  

Questions?  Please contact (Band Aid Core Helper) Karen Menduni ([email protected]) or myself.

In case they haven’t shared, we have all been learning how to swing dance in class one day each week.  ALL YHS band students are now equipped with stunning swing dance moves which I hope they will use at our event!  (All they have to do now is get up the courage to ask someone to dance :). This week, we are looking forward to welcoming and working with the professional dance instructors on Thursday during class!

Everyone knows it takes a lot of guts to ask someone to dance!  (And, it doesn’t matter who does the asking…lady or gentleman).  The correct answer when asked to dance is “Yes.”  As we’ve been learning in class, you should introduce yourself to your partner at the beginning of your dance, and thank them at the end of your dance.

A huge THANK YOU to the First Nighters for hosting a successful Paint Night in support of our students’ participation in Festival Disney! And, thank YOU to those who were able to attend! Through your efforts the event raised $360 ~ we so appreciate your time and support!

And, another huge thank you to all who donated shoes! Through our combined efforts we collected 70 bags of shoes and raised $424 for our Disney Festival trip. Again, we are so grateful for your support!!