Daily Archives: March 19, 2019

The students and I discussed NYSSMA, and reviewed the forms, this week in class. Information is below and forms are attached.

The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician, gain confidence, earn the full 5 extra credit points for quarter 3, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester.  

To participate in the NYSSMA festival, students prepare scales, a solo and sight-reading.  At the festival, students will perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments.  This quarter, all band students will be learning a NYSSMA solo as part of their lesson homework (so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble (see below), they will have the necessary tools to do so).

NYSSMA Festival Dates: Friday – Saturday May 10 – 11, 2019

**CONCERT BAND STUDENTS – OUR FESTIVAL IS SATURDAY MAY 11^th. If you wish to go to NYSSMA you MUST request a Friday May 10^th time!****

Location: Henrick Hudson High School

NYSSMA Forms are attached and also available in the band room.  COMPLETED FORMS ARE DUE TO MS. KLUGA BY WEDNESDAY 3/20

In addition to the musical opportunity NYSSMA provides, students are able to receive honors credit for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble by earning a score of 95 or above on a level 6 solo/ensemble, or a score of 97 or above on a level 5 solo/ensemble. 

Auditions for the 2019-2020 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/29 – 5/3 (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 3/27.

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. 

YHS Band seniors – below is information on a $500 scholarship. You do not need to be doing band in college to apply. The application requires a short essay on how your experience has shaped you as a person and how you have used music to help your community. The deadline is March 15^th. Here is the link to the application:http://www.pittband.com/kkpsi/scholarship.html (Thank you to YHS Band alumni Kaitlyn Nuebel for letting us know about this scholarship opportunity!)