Daily Archives: November 21, 2017

Huge congratulations to our Huskers on their victory over Burnt Hills at Friday’s NY State Quarter Finals! Big thanks to the 34 band students who attended the game in Middletown to cheer on our team – and special thanks to the band parents who sent in supplies to keep the students comfortable in the cold weather. Extra special thanks to the parents who were able to drive some of our students!

Now, our team is traveling to the NY State Finals at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse!! And, our Pep Band is invited to cheer them on!

WHAT: Pep Band performance at the Varsity Football State Finals (vs. West Seneca) in Syracuse!

WHEN: Friday, 11/24 2017

Report Time: 7:30am @ the YHS Band Room.  Bus leaves at 8:00am. Bus ride is approx. 4.5 hours.

Game is at 3:00 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.

Return Time: approximately 11:00 PM

WHERE:  Syracuse Carrier Dome!

WEAR: Black pants.  Black shoes and socks.  Band Polo with a white long-sleeved shirt underneath.

BRING: Eat breakfast before you arrive.  Bring a bagged lunch and snacks.  Bring money for dinner/snacks.

A big thank you to all who attended the Jazz at Lincoln Center outing yesterday!

The concert was extremely well done. It was billed as a “young persons concert” so there were young children in the audience, but the experience was in no way juvenile.  The level of information we learned about Benny Goodman, his music, and his influence on the music (and social issues) of the Swing Era was enlightening and engaging.  And, the caliber of music and musicianship on that stage was absolutely inspiring!  In addition, many of the pieces on the program were ones that our students had performed last year, as we studied Benny Goodman in preparation for the 2017 Swing Dance.  It was fun for our students to hear live, professional, versions of the exact music we had played!

Many thanks to our parent chaperones for your valuable time and help: Mrs. Alvarez, Mr. (Charles) Racioppo, Mrs. Ryan-Onatzevitch, Mr. Weitman, Mrs. Whalen, and Mrs. Woodard.

Thanks for a fun day everyone!

At next week’s band lesson, students will have their second video assessment.  Using the music for our upcoming Winter Concert, students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the musical concepts we have been studying so far this year: performing the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo with a metronome, playing with good posture, using dynamics, and using correct articulation.