CAMERAS ON, PLEASE – Ms. Kluga has asked the students to please have their cameras on during our class time. This has especially been an issue in Concert Band, where it is an early morning start…

JANUARY LESSON CALENDAR – The lesson calendar and new lesson groups were reviewed in class today and are available on Dashboard.

THE MUSIC OF THE SWING ERA – For our next unit of study, we will become a “Big Band” from the Swing Era.  Students will learn how to interpret the jazz rhythms, articulations and style associated with this iconic genre of music. Students received their new music today!

NEW APP – This week in class, students will begin using a new app called A-ccompany. This platform gives students access to professional recordings of our swing music, with the ability to isolate (and practice along with) their individual part. Students can change the tempo, choose specific measures to work on, and choose which instruments to play along with. Ms. Kluga piloted this app in the fall with our Jazz Band, and the students found it to be a very useful practice tool.  

Our rehearsal this week will be Thursday 1/7 from 2-3pm via Zoom and A-ccompany. New music will be introduced at this rehearsal.

Will start up again next week. Ms. Kluga will communicate the days in class and via e-mail.

Thank you to those who purchased citrus through our contact-free mail-order-only sale. With your support the YHS Bands sold 155 boxes and earned over $2,100 in profit. Thank you!

https://sites.google.com/yorktown.org/yhs/home#h.ix8u1udtzja4

Our YHS Band Virtual Winter Concert is scheduled for Tuesday 12/22 at 7:00pm, via YouTube. The link will be posted on the YHS homepage. Our concert program is attached for you to enjoy. Please join us for an evening of music!

It is a YHS Band tradition to have a post-concert reception in the cafeteria, to celebrate our performance. This year, the Band Officers have created a bag of goodies for each band student to enjoy while watching our concert. We just need help getting the bags to you!

Concert reception bags will be available for pick up at YHS on Monday morning 12/21 from 8:00am – 2:30pm. If you are able to coordinate picking up bags for other band students that live in your neighborhood, that would be really helpful! Just give your student’s name and they will have your bag for you in the Main Office. Thank you for your help!

Are you running out of reeds, valve oil, or cork/slide grease? This is the time of year when band students typically need to replenish these necessary supplies. It is also a time to think about possibly purchasing a new instrument or taking private lessons. If you have questions, Ms. Kluga is happy to help!

Our YHS Band Virtual Winter Concert is scheduled for Tuesday 12/22 at 7:00pm, via zoom and YouTube. Ms. Kluga will send out the link as we get closer. Please join us for an evening of music!

A reminder to please have your student print out a copy of Sleigh Ride to use for their concert recording. If you need a printed copy, let Ms. Kluga know and she will provide one.

This week’s sessions will again focus on our Sleigh Ride project. Bring your questions and a pencil.  Jazz Band students, your sectionals are listed as well.

Monday 12/14 – Jazz Alto with Swaroop, Jazz Tenor with James, Jazz Trumpet with Michael

Tuesday 12/15 – Jazz Trombone w/ Colin part 1, Saxophone with Alissa, Horn with Alicia, Clarinet with Sarah, Flute with Chinmay (2:20, not 9th period)

Wednesday 12/16 – Jazz Trombone with Colin part 2

All sessions take place p.9 via Zoom. Check your e-mail for the link. Thank you to our awesome upperclassmen leaders for hosting!

Our rehearsal this week will be Thursday 12/17 from 2-3pm via Zoom and Upbeat.

Expectations:

1.     Read Ms. Kluga’s e-mail from 12/10 and follow the instructions.

2.     Practice with the A-ccompany app every day. Run each song.

3.     Attend your sectional this week (see above). Swaroop, James, Michael and Colin, will send the zoom links.

4.     You will make your final recording at Thursday’s rehearsal. Wear a button down long-sleeved black dress shirt and the craziest tie you can find.

Each year our Band Officers design an optional piece of YHS Band apparel. This year, they are excited to offer a charcoal gray quarter-zip, featuring our YHS Band logo on the left chest, and your student’s last name on the right chest. An order form and more information are attached. Orders are due either to Ms. Kluga at YHS, or dropped off at Sports Barn by this Friday 12/18.

Are you running out of reeds, valve oil, or cork/slide grease? This is the time of year when band students typically need to replenish these necessary supplies. It is also a time to think about possibly purchasing a new instrument or taking private lessons. If you have questions, Ms. Kluga is happy to help!