CONCERT BAND HOMEWORK

  New:

o   Perfect the notes and rhythms for our song “Nurture” from measures 41- end at quarter note = 60. Use a metronome to practice.

o   NYSSMA Solo, learn the first part (the number of measures depends on the lesson group)

·       Review:

o   Memorize the Db concert scale at quarter note = 100. Use a metronome to practice.

o   Perfect the notes and rhythms for our song “Nurture” from measures 1-25 at quarter note = 70. Use a metronome to practice.

o   All of your measures should be numbered, in both festival pieces.

WIND ENSEMBLE HOMEWORK

  • Festive Overture top – rehearsal 13 should be perfected for notes and rhythms at the tempi listed above.
    • Listen to rehearsal 13-21. Follow along with your music to see how your part fits.
    • Use the warm ups listed above.
    • Use a metronome, in the method listed above, to perfect the notes and rhythms of this section.
  • Elegy for a Young American
    • Listen with your music in front of you. Follow along with the music to help you learn your part and how it fits within the piece as a whole.
    • TECHNICAL WU THAT WILL HELP YOU MASTER OUR MUSIC: Memorize Eb minor concert and Eb major concert. Play each scale as long tones (4 beats or greater), with a tuner.
      • Use amazing breath support to help you create a gorgeously full sound (forte).
      • While focusing on creating a gorgeous sound, look at the tuner for notes that are in tune and out of tune. Mark your music with any changes you need to make to play in tune.
    • Practice from the top to rehearsal 5.
      • Metronome at quarter note = 54.
      • All notes and rhythms perfected. Intonation problems addressed.
      • Play with the most gorgeous sound and phrasing you can muster. This piece needs to be dripping with emotion and musicality.

BAND AND ORCHESTRA STUDENTS REPRESENT YHS AT ALL-COUNTY JAZZ FESTIVAL!

Congratulations to YHS Jazz Band students Javier Alvarez (sophomore, Concert Orchestra, bass), and Justin Chee (sophomore, Wind Ensemble, alto sax) on representing YHS at this week’s All County Jazz Concert!  Javier and Justin won these coveted spots based on the scores they earned at the All County Jazz audition in January.  The boys played alongside other high school jazz musicians from across Westchester County, participating in rehearsals, an improvisation clinic, and concert. We are so proud of you!

SUMMER MUSIC CAMPS

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 me with questions.

SIR JAMES GALWAY CONCERT

The most famous flute player alive – you have heard his musical virtuosity on the Lord of the Rings soundtrack, and many others! The Grammy and world famous flute player presents an evening of classical and Irish music, joined by his wife, the virtuoso flutist, Lady Jeanne Galway, along with pianist Michael McHale. Tickets: $45 premium reserved seats, $25 general seating, $15 students. 7:30 p.m. March 24. First Reformed Church, 18 South Broadway, Nyack, artsrock.org

WIND ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS

Auditions for the 2018-2019 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/23 – 4/27 (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 WEDNESDAY 3/28.

FESTIVAL TRIP PAYMENT REMINDERS

Concert Band Students: your Six Flags payment was due on Friday 1/26 (checks made payable to the YHS Music Boosters). All CB students received their personal account information in class.

Wind Ensemble Students: your DC trip payment #2 information was sent home this past week.  If you have questions, we are happy to help.  Please send in your payment by this Friday 2/2, checks made payable to the YHS Music Boosters.

SWING DANCE & CONCERT IS SAT. 2/10

Our next concert performance is Saturday 2/10/18 at 7:00, in the YHS GYM.  This is our 10th annual Swing Dance and Concert.  All YHS Band students are required to attend.  It is both a concert, and a dance, and everyone is invited! This is a well-attended and fun evening for our entire Yorktown community (last year we had audience members ages 2 – 92!).

What: Valentine’s Swing Dance Concert

When: Saturday 2/10

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 STUDENTS SHOULD ARRIVE:

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

2.     Students interested in participating in the dance lesson – please arrive at 6:30pm.

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

4.     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.

YOUR STUDENT CAN DANCE (!?)

The students and I are very excited to perform our music for you!  And, in case they haven’t shared, we have all been learning how to swing dance in class one day each week for the past 4 weeks.  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 :).

Also, on Thursday 2/8 during Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, professional swing dance instructors Bill Kline and Katrine Bangsgaard (from Swing and Samba Dance Studio) will be visiting YHS to work with our students.

RAFFLE ITEMS & BASKETS NEEDED

As part of our Swing Dance, we hold a really amazing raffle.  Each year we ask families and local businesses for prize donations, which are then organized into themed baskets.  Are you interested in helping with the raffle or donating items?  Read on below and contact parent raffle coordinator Anne McKeown ([email protected]).

  1. Each year we have a “grand prize.” Is there anyone in our current YHS Band Family that has a connection that could be used? Some ideas (grand prize, and otherwise) from our raffle committee are:
  2. Tickets to concerts or sporting events
  3. A weekend away at a timeshare
  4. Personal chef for an evening dinner party
  5. College essay help / tutoring help
  6. Any other business offering or idea

  1. If you do have a business contact that would be willing to support our event, a letter is attached (on official YHS Band letterhead) outlining the donation process.

  1. Do you have wicker gift baskets you are not using?  Our raffle committee would love to use them!  They will fill and wrap the baskets with prize items.  Please send baskets into school by Friday 2/2.

  1. The raffle committee is looking for  these “filler” items for the baskets.

  • Boxes of tea
  • Honey with a swizzle stick
  • Salad accessories
  • Postage Stamps
  • Coffee
  • Pillar candles
  • Coffee mugs
  • Travel mugs
  • Valentine accessories/candy etc.
  • Popcorn kernels or bags of popcorn
  • Jewelry tree(s)
  • Car accessories (air freshener, iPhone holders,  deicer, snow brush etc)
  • YHS “swag” to go with graduation tickets
  • Gourmet popcorn
  • ice cream accessories (scoops, bowls, sprinkles etc.)

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

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

  1. To help decorate the gym on Saturday 2/10 from 9:00am – 4:00pm.
  2. 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!

SWING CONCERT DRESS FOR STUDENTS

In lieu of the usual concert black, Swing Era attire is encouraged!  Below 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.