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On Tuesday, February 23^rd, the YCSD Band Program will hold it’s 4^th Annual Town-Wide Band Concert (a.k.a. BANDAPALOOZA!) in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate.  This is a wonderful experience for all of our students – fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and parents to see the full progression of our band program. 

As in years past, due to fire codes and the possibility of exceeding the maximum gym capacity, we ask that YHS band parents and families please not attend this concert as audience members.  I apologize for this and thank you for your understanding.  (If it is any consolation, the YHS Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students will each be performing a selection that you will already have heard at our Swing Dance).  

However, we do need parent volunteers.  If you are interested in helping us achieve this intensely logistical feat, we would love your help!  Please e-mail Ms. Kluga.

Band midterms will take place during your student’s lesson the week of (1/25-29).  Students will receive a short playing assignment that they will practice at home and then perform for me individually. Ms. Kluga will review this entire process with the students in class.  

You should hear your student practicing at home. Students are always welcome to practice during their free periods or after school.  If your student would like extra help, Ms. Kluga am available by appointment.

Concert Band students – your Hershey payment is due Friday 1/29.  All CB students received their personal account information last week.  A reminder that the Hershey trip is Saturday 5/21/16.  PARENTS, we are still in need of 4 chaperones for this trip.  E-mail me if you are interested.

Wind Ensemble students – your NYC trip information will be available soon.  A reminder that the NYC trip is Sat. 5/14 – Mon. 5/16.

Many thanks to the 25 students who attended our social outing this Saturday, it was a fun way to spend time together!  Special thanks to our Wind Ensemble President, Abby Ferri for organizing!

If you are able to, please donate to our upcoming Swing Dance here.

On Saturday 2/6 at 7:00pm the YHS Gym will be transformed into a 1940’s Night Club, complete with bandstand, dance-floor, linen-clad tables and as much Valentine’s Day ambience as we can muster.  The YHS Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensemble will perform Swing Era music for your dancing and listening pleasure!  Light refreshments will be served. Swing Era attire encouraged.  Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for non-band students and senior citizens.  The evening will begin at 7:00 with a one-hour swing dance lesson by a professional dance studio.  Live music (provided by your students!) and dancing 8-10:30pm.

THIS EVENT IS OPEN TO THE ENTIRE YORKTOWN COMMUNITY.  IT IS NOT JUST A DANCE FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS!  PLEASE INVITE YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS!  LAST YEAR WE HAD OVER 300 PEOPLE (Ages 2 years to 90 years!) ATTEND.

PARENT HELP NEEDED

As usual, many parent volunteers will be needed to make this evening a success. Look for an e-mail in the coming week from (Band Aid Core Helper) Margaret Serafin letting you know how you can help.

RAFFLE ITEMS & BASKETS NEEDED

As part of our Swing Dance, we hold a really amazing raffle.  Each year we ask families/local businesses for prize donation items, which are then organized into themed baskets.  

Interested in helping with the raffle?  Here is how:

• Do you have wicker gift baskets you are not using?  Our raffle committee would love to use them!  They will fill and wrap the baskets with prize items.  Please send baskets to school by Fri. 1/29.
• Do you know a business that may be interested in donating a prize? Attached is a letter to area businesses inviting them to donate items to our raffle, or help sponsor our event through a monetary donation.  In return, we are offering advertising space both at the event and in our concert program.  If you have contact with a local business, or would like to help secure raffle items, please contact B.A.C.H. Kathleen Brawitsch ([email protected]).

You should hear your student practicing at home. Students are always welcome to practice during their free periods or after school.  If your student would like extra help, Mrs. Kluga am available by appointment.

Our Wind Ensemble President, Abby Ferri, has arranged for a band social outing at JV Lanes.  (Thanks Abby!).  On Saturday 1/16, from 1-2pm, all YHS Band students are invited for an afternoon of bowling fun!  The $18 fee includes shoe rental, games, and pizza.  There is a sign up sheet in the band room.  Please have your student sign up and bring in $13 cash in advance by Wednesday 1/13.

ARE STUNNING!  The yearbook photographer captured every ensemble, and there are so many great candid shots of individual students and small groups, many of which are frame-worthy. Visit www.yhsbands.com, and click on “Pictures,” then “2015-2016 Pictures”, and finally “Winter Concert 15-16.”  Enjoy!

All students were sent home with their new music for our next concert.  To help guide their practice, professional recordings are now available on Dashboard.  Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Band music are all posted.  Happy practicing!

Congratulations to all YHS Band students on a beautiful performance at Wednesday’s Winter Concert!  Many thanks to all the band parents who donated items, or their time, to create our post-concert celebration.  Special thanks to Mrs. Serafin for coordinating the on-line donations.  What a special evening for our learning community.

Many thanks to all the band parents and students who donated their time to help unload and distribute our citrus delivery.  Special thanks to Mrs. Cirone, Mr. Cravedi, Mrs. DiPierro, Mrs. Hunt, Mrs. Ng, Mrs. Scinto, Mr. Serafin, Mrs. Snyder, Mrs. Verdeschi and Mrs. Woodard, who helped us through the ordeal of unloading the truck.  And, extra special thanks to band parents Mrs. Brawitsch and Mrs. Ryan-Onatzevitch for coordinating the day’s parent volunteers.

Recordings from our winter concert will be available on the dashboard at http://my.yhsbands.com

Check out our student’s bi-annual newsletter!  Articles, written by students, give their perspective on our band events so far this year.  Many thanks to Abby Ferri for putting this together!

Was a great success!  Using a portion of the profit from this year’s Citrus Sale, we purchased over $250 worth of warm clothing, toiletries, toys and treats for our kindergartener, Fabian.   Thank you so much as well to the families who sent in extra gifts! The students and I are so happy that we have this opportunity to give back!

All band students will receive a homework assignment over our break.  Please remind your student to bring home their instrument and music. You should hear your student practicing at home, and hear them improving.