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