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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.

Our next concert performance is Saturday 2/6/16 at 7:00, in the YHS GYM.  This is our annual Swing Dance and Concert.  All YHS Band students are required to attend.  It is both a concert, and a dance, and everyone is invited!  (Yes, parents, you are invited!  Don’t let your student tell you otherwise!).  This is a well-attended and fun evening for our entire Yorktown community (last year we had audience members ages 2 – 92!).  More details to follow.

Best wishes to you all for a restful and peaceful holiday season.

To celebrate our student’s performance, we will host a reception in the cafeteria.  Please see the e-mail from Band Aid Core Helper (BACH) Mrs. Serafin with info as to how to donate a food item, or to help us set up/clean up.

Many thanks to the students who volunteered to share their music and help spread holiday cheer within our Yorktown community.  On Saturday 12/5, about 30 of our band students caroled local businesses in the center of town and then enjoyed holiday treats at Maci Kazin’s home. Special thanks to the Kazin family for hosting this event!

A YHS Band tradition!  Sophomore Maci Kazin will host this year’s caroling party, and all band students are invited to attend. On Saturday 12/5 from 4:45-5:15pm students will meet at Maci’s to enjoy hot chocolate and treats.  Then, students will assemble in the center of Yorktown to participate in the annual Holiday Light Parade. Students should plan to bring their instrument, lyre and dress warmly.  (Also, if possible, students should adorn themselves and their instruments with battery operated lights).  Music will be provided. Interested students should sign up in the band room and plan to bring a treat to share.  Information and directions are available in the band room. Questions?  Please contact Ms. Kluga.

This Saturday, 12/5 at 6:00PM and 12/6 at 1:30PM, the West Point Concert Band will present free holiday concerts at Ike Hall on the West Point campus.  The West Point Band is a professional ensemble, and their concerts are always top quality and great fun! Students who attend will receive extra credit.  Please bring in a program from the concert. Visit their website for more details http://www.usma.edu/band/SitePages/Home.aspx

Please review the dress requirements below for our concert (as found in the Band Handbook, which you all received back in September).  Our professional and unified visual appearance is an important part of each performance. Hopefully some items are already part of your student’s wardrobe, and all are available at your local department store.   Please contact Ms. Kluga with any questions.

Our concert is Wednesday 12/16, at 7:30 in the YHS Auditorium.  Students will need to arrive by 7:00 to warm up.

Concert Dress – (as found in the YHS Band Handbook)

Ladies:

• Black dress pants or LONG black skirt. LADIES, LONG MEANS YOUR SKIRT FALLS BELOW THE KNEE!  (no black jeans/jeggings/tights/yoga pants)
• Black Blouse– longish sleeves (no sleeveless shirts or spaghetti straps)
• Black stockings
• Black Shoes (no flip flops)

Gentlemen:

• Black Dress Pants (no black jeans/track pants/sweat pants)
• Black, Button-Down, Long Sleeved Shirt
• Black Socks.
• Black Shoes

To celebrate our student’s performance, we will host a reception in the cafeteria.  Please look for an e-mail in the coming days from Band Aid Core Helper (BACH) Mrs. Serafin with info as to how to donate a food item, or to help us set up/clean up.

The citrus delivery date is Friday 12/18. All students are required to pick up their ENTIRE order on this day.  Please mark your calendars!  WE ARE IN NEED OF PARENT & STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FROM 2:30 – 7:00pm to help students assemble and pick up their orders. Please e-mail me if you are available.  Please note the pick-up time is from 2:30 – 7:00pm.  The start time of 2:30 will not disrupt the middle school buses.

A unique and fun performance opportunity for our euphonium and tuba students!   Perform in a public concert on the Rockefeller Center Ice Rink with hundreds of fellow low-brass musicians!  2015 is the 42nd anniversary of this event!  A flyer can be found here.  Questions?  Speak to Ms. Kluga.

Again this year, the YHS Band program is sponsoring a needy child for the holidays.  His name is Fabian and he is in Kindergarten. Using the money we have raised from our various fundraisers, the band officers have purchased items from his list to Santa.  If you are interested in donating additional items, please contact Ms. Kluga. Items are needed by Wednesday 12/9.