Welcome to the YHS Bands!

A character education program within itself, the YHS Band experience is centered around three key components: musicianship, citizenship, and friendship. Through these, and the magic of music making, we strive to build community and musical excellence!

MUSICIANSHIP

We take great pride in our tradition of musical excellence and service! Daily classes include Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and weekly pull-out lessons. Jazz Band rehearses one evening a week, with a weekly sectional. Pep Band fires up the crowd at Varsity Football games, and Chamber ensembles rehearse after school. Major ensembles compete in regional festivals, and students shine at the NYSSMA Solo Festival. Highlights include our Winter and Spring Concerts; the Swing Dance Concert (students explore Jazz, improvisation, musical icons, and the pop culture of the Swing Era, learn to dance, and present a full community Swing Dance!); “Bandapalooza” (our district-wide band festival); and musical enrichment with local clinicians.

CITIZENSHIP

A pillar of the YHS Band program is character education; finding ways to make our community better through musical outreach, peer-leadership, and expressing gratitude are all lessons learned in the YHS Band Room. Highlights include: musically honoring our Veterans and First Responders, visiting with local nursing homes and children with special needs, hosting our community at our Swing Dance Concert, hosting 500+ students at our annual district-wide band festival, supporting our music programs through community fundraisers, using part of our fundraising to sponsor a needy child at holiday time, fostering a strong peer-tutoring program and a very active student executive board.

FRIENDSHIP

We strive to create a welcoming and supportive community for all students! Through team-building activities, social events, and the shared joy of making music together, we cultivate a true sense of Family within the Band and across our Music Department. Students form friendships, build leadership skills, and learn teamwork, dedication, and school spirit. Highlights include annual apple picking and ice skating outings, pep rallies, and celebrations. We also strengthen connections through mentoring and shared traditions that keep our community close-knit. Above all, we celebrate the countless “bandtastic” memories that make our program a place where everyone belongs and feels proud to share their talents!

YHS BAND UPDATE #2

Hello YHS Band Parents and Students,

It was so nice to meet/see so many of you at Back to School Night this past Thursday!  Read on for your weekly update from the YHS Band Room.

YHS BANDS @ WEST POINT 9/7 LABOR DAY CONCERT

What a spectacular evening of musicianship and friendship! The grand finale was Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture with live cannon fire and fireworks. WOW! 

PARENT NIGHT FLYERS & INFO

For those who were unable to attend, here are links to my presentation.

Concert Band

Wind Ensemble

For Wind Ensemble parents (period 8), I’m sorry if my message below didn’t get to you!

Dear Wind Ensemble Families,

I’m reaching out with a quick heads-up regarding this evening’s Back to School Night. Because our home football game is also tonight, unfortunately I will be out in the stands directing the Pep Band during our Period 8 class meeting. I’m sorry to miss seeing you all in person!  Since your students have been in our program for multiple years, you already know the routine, but I wanted to share a few key reminders as we start this new season:

·       YHS Band Event Calendar: Please make sure to review our calendar for events and performances. Add these dates to your family calendar.

·       Overnight Trip Attendance: Pay special attention to the dates for our overnight festival trip – Friday 4/30 – Sunday 5/2. Every single student is an invaluable member of our musical team, and full participation is crucial to the sound, synergy, and success of our ensemble.

PEP BAND THANKS!

Many thanks to the YHS Band students who joined us on Thursday night to cheer on our Huskers! Although it was a tough loss (Lakeland won by 1 point with a crazy Hail Mary pass in OT…), we had fun being a part of the enthusiastic student section in the stands!

We look forward to welcoming all YHS Band students to our next performance – HOMECOMING, Friday 9/25 vs. Carmel! Details below.

YHS BAND MEMBERS SOUND TAPS FOR 9/11

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11, YHS Band Officers Duncan Chacko, Tali Lyons, and Aiden Mercader sounded Taps. Thank you for sharing your beautiful musical tribute with our entire school. Never Forget.

EVENTS THIS WEEK:

SEPTEMBER LESSON SCHEDULE

Band lessons begin this week. The lesson schedule is attached.

(Wind Ensemble students are group 1, Concert Band students are group 2.)

GUIDED PRACTICE SESSIONS

Guided practice sessions are offered weekly and hosted by our upperclassmen band members (thank you!). Students who lead or attend a session receive 1 point of extra credit. Sessions are held period 9, unless noted otherwise. I am also always available for help by appointment.

Monday 9/14Sax p.9
Tuesday 9/15Trumpet p.9
Wednesday 9/16Flute p.4, Jazz Band Auditions 1:40-3:00pm
Thursday 9/17Horn p.9
Friday 9/18Trombone p.9

JAZZ BAND AUDITIONS – WEDNESDAY 9/16

Auditions will take place from 1:40 – 3:00. Requirements and sign-ups are available in the Band room.  Weekly rehearsals will begin Thursday 9/24, 6:50-8:30pm.  Returning Jazz Band students do not need to audition.

APPLE PICKING @ WILKEN’S FARM – SUNDAY 9/20:

Our annual Band “spirit” outing; a social opportunity for students to have fun together outside of rehearsal.

Report Time: Meet AT WILKEN’S at 10:00am. Wear your YHS Band polo

End Time: Approximately 12:00 noon

COST: $16 cash (includes a half-peck of apples, apple cider, 1 cider doughnut, and priceless band memories 🙂

RSVP: Please bring in $16 cash by Thursday 9/16

Thank you to WE VP Damien Ruiz (‘28) and CB Prez Alyson Turcios (’29) for organizing this year’s trip!

UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES:

PEP BAND @ HOMECOMING ~ FRIDAY 9/25

All band students are required to attend this performance. We look forward to being a force in the stands as we support our Huskers!

All YHS Band students are also invited to a pre-game dinner of pizza, salad, and dessert, served in the YHS Cafeteria. The cost is $5 per student. Please either bring cash to class, or contribute via Zeffy here:  

So we can get an accurate head count for pizza, please RSVP with your $5 payment by Thursday 9/24

What: Pep Band Dinner and Varsity Football Homecoming Game

When: Friday, September 25th

Report at 5:00pm to attend our pre-game dinner

Report at 5:45pm if you are only attending the game

Game: 6:30-9:00pm vs. Carmel

Wear: Your YHS Band Polo

PARENT HOMECOMING HELP NEEDED, PLEASE

There are many opportunities to help by either donating supplies or your time.  Please visit our SignUp Genius to find out more. (Thank you to Ms. Rindone for her work to organize this event!).

TRI-M MUSIC HONOR SOCIETY – GENERAL MEETING

The YHS Tri-M chapter is open to grades 9-12 and is looking for new membership! Mark your calendars for their general interest meeting to learn more – Wednesday September 23rd at 2:30 in the orchestra room. 

Tri-M Website Link

Google Classroom code: s72ohakq

SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

Ms. Ryan directs our YHS Symphony Orchestra, which meets every Friday from 2:20-3:15. Rehearsals will begin 9/25. Interested band students, please speak to Ms. Kluga for audition details.

TAG SALE FUNDRAISER

Our annual Music Boosters Tag Sale is a fun fundraiser and community building event!  Please save your stuff to donate.  Our sale is Saturday 10/17 from 9am-2pm at YHS.  We will be accepting donations on Friday 10/16 from 2:30-7pm.  Tell your friends and neighbors!  Parent and student volunteers are needed to make this event a success.  Look for an e-mail in the coming weeks to find out how you can help.

 SUPPORT THE FIRST NIGHTERS!

As the Huskers are to YHS athletics, the First Nighters are to our Performing Arts programs.  Their sponsorship form is attached. Please consider joining and volunteering.

ATTACHED FLYERS

For your review – some interesting musical opportunities for our students!

Thanks for reading! Happy to answer questions. Have a great week!

Musically Yours,

Ms. Kluga

Emily Kluga

Band Director

Yorktown High School

2727 Crompond Rd.

Yorktown Heights, NY 10598

(914) 243-8050 x.22249

www.yhsbands.com

X and Instagram: @MsKluga and @yhsbands

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1M_ffPCg6XCknmi0OkRd5bMureoGfy5Vi/view?usp=drive_web

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11rSr-oa6IZEXoQmvh3ABYxQNRug1PEQo/view?usp=drive_web

Our Next Event:

YHS Band Lesson Schedule - SEPTEMBER 26