CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR AREA ALL STATE MUSICIANS!

Four members of our band program represented YCSD this past week at the Westchester County School Music Association’s Area All State festival. Based on their spring 2019 NYSSMA scores, top music students from across Westchester are invited to participate in an honor band, orchestra, or choir.  These ensembles are open to 10th-12th graders only, rehearse with an esteemed college music educator, and present a concert at SUNY Purchase.  The concert took place this past Thursday.  Congratulations to these YHS Band members on this fantastic musical achievement!

Justin Chee, Clarinet (12)

Hannah Farley, Bassoon (12)

Swaroop Pujari, Alto Sax (12)

Rohan Subramani, Alto Sax (12)

ALL COUNTY JAZZ AUDITIONS

Similar to NYSSMA, YHS Jazz Band students are eligible to audition for our Westchester All County Jazz Band.  Being selected is an elite musical honor and a fantastic opportunity to perform with some of Westchester’s most talented student jazz musicians!  Interested students should prepare a jazz NYSSMA solo, fill out an application and attend the audition.   You do not need to improvise to audition. Please see me for solo literature and an application.  The audition date is Saturday 1/11. Details are attached. The application is DUE to me by Friday, 12/13.

SHOE FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT DISNEY FESTIVAL TRIP

During the month of November, YHS Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir students will be collecting new and gently used shoes to help raise fund for their participation in Festival Disney.  Through a company called Funds2orgs, we will earn $.40 per pound of shoes, which are then used to support micro-enterprise vendors – small businesses in developing nations.

If you have pairs of new or gently worn shoes, please send them in with your student. We have a collection box in the band room. Thank you!

Additional information is attached. Please share with your friends!

JAZZ BAND DATES THIS WEEK

Wed. 11/13                 2:20-3:15         Meeting with Mr. Childers

Thurs. 11/14                7:20-9:00         Rehearsal

Fri. 11/15                    2:30-9:30         BIRDLAND NYC TRIP

See the Jazz Band e-mail from 11/6 for more details.

FIRST NIGHTERS MEETING THURSDAY 11/14

The First Nighters monthly meeting is Thursday 11/14 at 7:00pm at Panera in Yorktown. Please consider attending and lending your support to this important organization.

YHS BAND HOODIES

This year, the Band Officers have designed cold-weather band apparel. The hoodies are gray, sport the YHS Band logo and will feature the student’s last name on the sleeve. Cost will be about $40, depending on how many are ordered. Please pre-order by this Friday 11/15, a sign-up sheet is available in the band room.  

PEP BAND AWAY THIS FRIDAY 11/8 @ SECTION FINALS!

This info is for students who signed up by today, and are now on the official roster to attend the game. 

What: Pep Band performance at our YHS away varsity football game

When: Friday, November 8th.  Be at the band room by 5:45 (Bus at 6:00)

Where: Mahopac HS is the host. Our opponent is Rye HS.

Wear: As per section play-off rules, band members MUST wear their YHS Band polo shirt.  Temps will be in the 20’s – so please dress appropriately.

Here is my advice as your “band mom” – start with a layer of under armour (top and bottom), then a turtleneck, your band polo, a very warm winter coat, thermal socks, substantial gloves, scarf, and a winter hat. Bring a blanket.  Do not arrive in shorts (you know who you are, boys!). 

FYI, Ms. Kluga is not able to attend this game due to an out of town memorial service for her father-in-law. Ms. Varotta (one of our awesome YHS Art Teachers) will be attending as our faculty chaperone (thank you!!). Band parents Mrs. Milhaven and Mrs. Beaudreault will also be on hand to help. Thank you all for your help ensuring our students can participate and support our Huskers! 

If you are able to send along a nut-free snack for the students to share, extra blankets and gloves, it would be appreciated. We will have hot chocolate, water, and hand-warmers available.

FIRST NIGHTERS MEETING NOW THURSDAY 11/14

The First Nighters have moved their monthly meeting to Thursday 11/14 at 7:00pm at Panera in Yorktown. Please consider attending and lending your support to this important organization. The First Nighters support the performing arts programs throughout our district, and they would love your help!

CITRUS UPDATE & THANKS

Our sale has ended, and Ms. Kluga hopes to have the final results for you by the end of this week. Many, many thanks to the parent volunteers who donated their valuable time last week to help tally our citrus orders. The students and Ms. Kluga so appreciate your help (and patience!) meticulously sifting and sorting through the piles of paperwork. This is our largest fundraiser, and we could not run it successfully without you – THANK YOU!! We have the BEST parent support!!

FIRST NIGHTERS MEETING

Please consider attending the monthly First Nighters meeting, and lend your support to this important organization. The First Nighters support the performing arts programs throughout our district, and they would love your help. Their meeting is this Thursday 11/7 at 7:30 in the Faculty Lunch Room at YHS.

PEP BAND AWAY THIS FRIDAY 11/8 @ SECTION FINALS!

Support our Huskers as they compete for the Section title! A sign-up sheet is available in the band room. We must know if you will be on the Pep Band roster by Wednesday 11/6. We will ride the bus to and from the game.

What: Pep Band performance at our YHS away varsity football game

When: Friday, November 8th.  Be at the band room by 5:45 (Bus at 6:00)

Where: Mahopac HS is the host. Our opponent is Rye HS.

Wear: As per section play-off rules, band members MUST wear their YHS Band polo shirt.  If you think you will be chilly, please wear a long-sleeved turtleneck/t-shirt under the polo.  If you still think you’ll be cold, bring a coat/sweatshirt/hat/gloves.

SHOE FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT DISNEY FESTIVAL TRIP

During the month of November, YHS Wind Ensemble, Orchestra and Choir students will be collecting new and gently used shoes to help raise funds for their participation in Festival Disney.  Through a company called Funds2orgs, we will earn $.40 per pound of shoes, which are then used to support micro-enterprise vendors (small businesses in developing nations).

If you have pairs of new or gently worn shoes, please send them in with your student. We have a collection box in the band room. Thank you!

CITRUS SALE ENDING – REMINDERS!

These are the LAST DAYS of this, our largest fundraiser.  Please help us help our students!

1. **ALL CITRUS FORMS AND PAYMENTS ARE DUE IN CLASS THURSDAY 10/31**

2. Info sheet on exactly how to order, and how to organize your order to turn in, is attached.

3. IF YOU SOLD TO A YCSD EMPLOYEE ON OUR CAMPUS (YHS, MESMS, ADMIN), we ask that you please fill out an online form that will help us sort these orders. The link can be found on your student’s Dashboard, or here:  citrusform.yhsbands.com

4. DONATE BOXES TO OUR LOCAL FOOD PANTRY

If you are interested in purchasing a box to donate, please make your purchase and e-mail Ms. Kluga the information. YHS Band parent Karen Menduni will be helping organize and deliver these donated boxes. Info is in the attached packet.

5. CITRUS COUNTING HELP NEEDED THIS WEEK

We are looking for parent volunteers to help us tally our orders during the school day on Wednesday 10/30, Thursday 10/31 and Friday 11/1 from 7:15-9:00am and from 12:30 – 2:15pm.  If you are interested/able to be a part of these monumental counting sessions, please e-mail Ms. Kluga.

6. PLEASE SAVE THESE CITRUS DATES! 

* Your order forms and payments are due in class on Thursday 10/31. 

* Our TONS of citrus will be delivered Monday 12/16.  Your student is responsible for picking up their entire order between 2:30 and 7:00pm at YHS.