In class on Monday 2/22 and Tuesday 2/23 we will be recording virtual bows. Students will need to be wearing their concert black and holding their instrument (percussionists, you will hold your sticks). We will review the process in class. Students, please make sure you have your concert black ready to wear.
Daily Archives: February 20, 2021
10 posts
Swing music was, literally, made to be danced to. As part of our study, students learn social dances from the period – to help them feel the “swing” of the beat and better interpret the music. This year we learned the “Shim Sham” which was a popular line dance in the Harlem Swing venues of the 1930’s (most notably the Savoy Ballroom).
Interested students have an opportunity to earn extra credit points by participating in our virtual Upbeat performance of the Shim Sham. Information (including a tutorial) is attached, and was reviewed in class before the break. Shim-Sham videos are due Monday 2/22.
The students and Ms. Kluga are so excited to share our work with you! Our virtual concert is scheduled for Thursday 2/25 at 7:00pm, via YouTube. The link will be posted on the YHS homepage. Please join us for an evening of music!
Our awesome Band Officers have again created a bag of goodies for each student to enjoy while they watch our performance. Bags will be distributed to hybrid students in class. Bags for our remote students will be available for pick-up in the Main Office on Wednesday 2/24 and Thursday 2/25.
No rehearsal this week.
Ms. Kluga looks forward to working with you all on new music on Thursday 3/4 from 2-3pm
If your student ordered a quarter zip, they will be distributed this week.
NYSSMA will take place virtually this year. Information will be reviewed this week in class.
The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for students to grow as musicians, earn the full 5 extra credit points for quarter 4, and possibly be selected to perform in an honor ensemble with the best band students in Westchester.
To participate in this year’s virtual NYSSMA festival, students will prepare scales and a solo (there is no sight-reading this year), and upload a video of their performance; a judge will then give them a score and comments.
As part of our next unit, all band students will learn 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.
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 2021-2022 Wind Ensemble will take place at the end of April. Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached) with you. If your student is interested in auditioning, Ms. Kluga strongly suggests 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 MONDAY 3/8.