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For interested band students, the yearbook staff will be taking club photos for Pep Band on Tuesday 3/15 at 2:30pm.   

Please wear your YHS Band Polo shirt and report to the cafeteria by 2:25.

All students received a homework assignment due at this week’s lesson.  You should hear your students practicing at home.

CB Students:

• Memorize the C concert scale and arpeggio, in the pattern at quarter note = 100. 
• Band Music: Lauda m. 1-34 AND Jurassic Park m. 1-23.
• Be able to play the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo.
• Write in the counting for the difficult rhythms.

WE Students:

• Memorize the C concert scale and arpeggio, in the pattern at quarter note = 100. 
• Band Music: Shortcut Home m. 1-41 AND Star Wars m. 1-38.
• Be able to play the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo. 
• Write in the counting for the difficult rhythms.

All students received a homework assignment due at this week’s lesson.  You should hear your students practicing at home.

CB Students:

• Memorize the C concert scale and arpeggio, in the pattern at quarter note = 100.
• Band Music: Lauda m. 1-34 AND Jurassic Park m. 1-23.
• Be able to play the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo.
• Write in the counting for the difficult rhythms.

WE Students:

• Memorize the C concert scale and arpeggio, in the pattern at quarter note = 100.
• Band Music: Shortcut Home m. 1-41 AND Star Wars m. 1-38.
• Be able to play the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo.
• Write in the counting for the difficult rhythms.

For interested band students, the yearbook staff will be taking club photos for Pep Band on Tuesday 3/15 at 2:30pm.

Please wear your YHS Band Polo shirt and report to the cafeteria by 2:25.

Did you have fun at our Swing Dance and are looking for more opportunities to dance?  On Saturday 3/19, dance instructor Bill Kline will be hosting a Swing Dance in Peekskill.  Open to all ages, no partner required.  Information can be found under documents.

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, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester. To participate, 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 20 – 21, 2016

Location: John Jay Middle School (Cross River)

NYSSMA Forms are attached and also available in the band room.  COMPLETED FORMS ARE DUE FRIDAY 4/1.

Auditions for the 2016-2017 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/25 – 4/29 (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 under documents and is also available in the band room.  FORMS ARE DUE FRIDAY 4/1.

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 can be found in documents.  Please contact Ms. Kluga with questions.

This past Thursday the students welcomed our interim band director, Mr. Indig.  Mr. Indig comes to us with over 30 years experience as a band director.  I am thrilled that the students will have the opportunity to work with and learn from such a veteran music teacher!

Sunday 3/13 from 2:30pm – 7:30pm, the SUNY Purchase Percussion Department will be hosting a FREE day of clinics, concerts and demonstrations by some of the area’s most accomplished oboists and bassoonists. An informational flyer can be found under documents.

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, and possibly be selected to perform in an ensemble with the best band students in all of Westchester. To participate, 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). More information can be found under the documents/End of the Year Info.

Auditions for the 2016-2017 Wind Ensemble will take place 4/25 – 4/29 (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 can be found under documents and is also available in the band room.  FORMS ARE DUE FRIDAY 4/1.

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 can be found under documents.  Please contact Ms. Kluga with questions.

On Tuesday, February 23rd, the YCSD Band Program will host the fourth annual District Band Concert from 6:30 – 7:30 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate.  We hope this will be a wonderful experience for all of our students – fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

INFO:

* Students, please arrive by 5:50pm.

* Please wear long black pants and a white shirt. 

* Please bring a FOLDING MUSIC STAND if you own one.  Put your name on it so we can return it to you.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the evening is to reach our younger band students and their parents.  We want to show them the full progression of our YCSD band program, and give them the experience of hearing what awaits their children if they stick with band.

However, as in past years, 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, we will be performing selections you have already heard at our Swing Dance. 

However, if you are interested in volunteering that evening, and helping us achieve this intensely logistical feat, we would love your help!

PARENT HELP NEEDED!

To make the evening successful, we need about 20 YHS Band parent helpers!  Please refer to the coming e-mail from YHS Band parent organizer Maureen DiPierro outlining how you can help. 

STUDENT HELP NEEDED!

Many, many students are needed to help set up the 500 chairs, help mentor the younger students, and to clean up after the concert.  Sign up sheets are available in the band room (Student Help time-slots are from 1:30 – 4:30, and 7:00 – 8:30). As always, your student’s extra efforts are worth extra credit!

With your help, Bandapalooza IV will be an inspiring musical experience!  Thank you so much, as always, for your amazing support!!!  We are very grateful for the parents understanding, the support of the administration, and all the hard work involved to make this event (and all of our events) happen for our students!

• Tuesday 2/23 at 6:30pm.  All YHS Band students are required to attend.
• Students, please arrive by 5:50pm.
• At 5:50 please report to your warm up room (CB: Band Room, WE: Orchestra Room), store your case and coat, warm up and tune.   Then, find your seat in the gym.   You are expected to be responsible and get to your seat (with your correct music, instrument and all necessary accessories) efficiently.
• Please wear long black pants a white shirt, and black shoes/socks.  Please make sure your outfit is “nice” and appropriate.
• Please bring a FOLDING MUSIC STAND if you own one.  Put your name on it.
• Student Leaders – please meet me in the band room at 5:15.

PLEASE HELP!

This is a massive logistical undertaking.  Many students are still needed to help SET UP from 1:30 – 4:00, and CLEAN UP after the concert.  Please sign up in the band room.

Parent help is still needed as well – especially during clean up.  If you are able to help us stack the 500+ chairs, stands, and move instruments/equipment, please contact our band parent organizer for the evening, Maureen DiPierro ([email protected]). Thank you!

THANK YOU!

For understanding the limitations of our gym capacity, and helping to make this evening a positive success for ALL our band students!

Thank you, as always, for your help and support!  The students and I look forward to creating a fun and positive BANDAPALOOZA experience for our younger band students and their families!

Musically Yours,

Ms. Kluga