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The First Nighters is a parent group whose mission is to support the YCSD Performing Arts programs.  Each year they invite parents to help their cause!   Some of their initiatives include:

• Advocating for and supporting the arts programs in all schools.
• Providing yearly summer music camp scholarships to elementary, middle and high school students.
• Providing yearly scholarships to outstanding seniors.
• Honoring Performing Arts juniors and seniors at an annual recognition dinner.

The First Nighters annual information letter is attached on a document here.  Please consider volunteering your time and talents, and/or becoming a sponsor.  Akin to the Husker’s invaluable support of Athletics, the First Nighters are a vital part of keeping the Performing Arts alive in YCSD!

ALL BAND MEMBERS:

• Metronome and tuner. The TONAL ENERGY APP ($3.99) features both a metronome and tuner, and is

available for both iPhone and Android.

• A 3 ring binder, 5 dividers, and 10 sheets of staff paper. (Free staff paper at www.blanksheetmusic.net)

Percussionists:

• Snare drum (or drum pad) and snare drum stand.

• A bell kit with mallets. A good option is the CB Percussion 6854 Bell Kit

Flute:

• Cleaning rod.

• Soft cleaning cloth (about an 6” x 6” piece of an old t-shirt will work).

Oboe / Bassoon:

• REEDS: At least 3 quality reeds. Quality reeds can be found at Radovich and Dean (in Carmel)

www.radovichanddean.com or on-line at: hodgeproductsinc.com or forrestsmusic.com.

• REED CASE: A reed case that holds 3 reeds. An economical option is the Fox Oboe Reed Case, or Fox

Bassoon Reed Case.

Clarinet and Alto Sax:

• REEDS: 1 full box of Van Doren* reeds (strength 2.5 or 3).

*Please purchase Van Doren reeds, they are higher quality. Also, please purchase a full box (10 reeds).

At YHS, you will now learn to rotate reeds. This supply will last you until December.

• REED CASE: A reed case that holds 4 reeds. An economical option is the Rico “ReedGard IV.”

Bass Clarinet and Tenor/Bari Sax:

• REEDS: 1 full box of Van Doren* reeds (strength 2 or 2.5).

*Please purchase Van Doren reeds, they are higher quality. Also, please purchase a full box (10 reeds).

At YHS, you will now learn to rotate reeds. This supply will last you until December.

• REED CASE: A reed case that holds 4 reeds. An economical option is the Rico “ReedGard IV.”

Trumpet and Horn:

• Al Cass valve oil

• Schilke tuning slide grease

• Mouthpiece cleaning brush and a cleaning snake

Trombone:

• Slide-O-Mix Trombone Lubrication System (contains 1 small bottle and 1 large bottle)

• Schilke tuning slide grease

• Mouthpiece cleaning brush and a cleaning snake

• Spray bottle (an old Windex bottle will do)

Euphonium and Tuba:

• Al Cass valve oil

• Schilke tuning slide grease

• Mouthpiece cleaning brush

Our 8th Annual YHS Music Boosters Tag Sale will be held on Saturday, October 17, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The money generated from this sale benefits every student in our music program; helping to fund our annual festival trips and music dept. events. Last year we earned over $3,000 and are hoping for an even better sale this year!

We are asking for donations of items to sell (kitchen items, clothing, furniture, DVD’s, books, etc.); what a great opportunity to scour your homes for un-used items and do some autumn cleaning!

A flyer is attached on a document here FYI. Feel free to share with family/friends or post on work or community bulletin boards. Parent volunteers will be needed. In the coming weeks, look for an e-mail from parent-organizer Cindy Scinto ([email protected]) to find out how you can help.

What: Apple Picking at Wilken’s Farm in Yorktown
When: Sunday 9/20
Report Time: Meet AT WILKEN’S at 10:00am
End Time: Approximately 12:00 noon
COST: $7 (includes a half-peck of apples, hot apple cider, 2 cider doughnuts, and priceless band memories :).

This is an away game. A sign up sheet is available in the band room.

What: Pep Band performance at Somers HS
When: Friday, September 25th at 5:45pm. Meet at YHS to catch the bus. Game-time 7:15pm, we should be home by 10pm. Students must ride the bus to and from the game, or get a ride from a parent to and from the game.

Thanks to all for a great first rehearsal this Wednesday! Please remember that we will not meet Wed. 9/23 due to Yom Kippur. Please be sure you are making time to practice your music this week. Reference recordings are available on Dashboard. Mr. Whalen and Ms. Kluga are looking forward to a great year working with all of you!!

Began last week. All students have a homework assignment that will be graded at next week’s lesson. You should hear your student practicing at home :). If students have a question about their assignment, or would like some extra help, please have them see Ms. Kluga. As with any academic class, is important they get their questions answered before the assignment is due. If you have questions about this important part of your student’s grade in band, please review the YHS Band Handbook found here, or contact Ms. Kluga.

Many thanks to the 60 YHS Band students who turned out last Friday night to cheer our Varsity Football team to victory over John Jay. The atmosphere was electric, the bleachers packed with our Husker community, and the Pep Band was a huge presence (and voice!). Our next Pep Band performance will be Friday 9/25 @ Somers. Details above.

The First Nighters is a parent group whose mission is to support the YCSD Performing Arts programs. Each year they invite parents to help their cause! Some of their initiatives include:
Advocating for and supporting the arts programs in all schools.
Providing yearly summer music camp scholarships to elementary, middle and high school students.
Providing yearly scholarships to outstanding seniors.
Honoring Performing Arts juniors and seniors at an annual recognition dinner.
The First Nighters annual information letter is attached on a document here. Please consider volunteering your time and talents, and/or becoming a sponsor. Akin to the Husker’s invaluable support of Athletics, the First Nighters are a vital part of keeping the Performing Arts alive in YCSD!

It was so nice to see/meet so many of you Thursday evening! For those that couldn’t make it, or didn’t have a chance to take the handouts, they are attached on documents here and here.

Jazz Band auditions will take place this Wednesday, 9/9 from 1:30 – 3:30 in the band room.  Interested students should sign up in the band room. Audition requirements can be found on a document here, and copies of the audition song “Satin Doll” are available in the band room. Weekly rehearsals will begin on the evening of Wednesday, September 16th from 7:00 – 8:30. Returning Jazz Band students are not required to audition, but are required to attend the meeting on 9/9.

Periodically our student band officers will organize a band “spirit” outing; a social opportunity for band students to have fun together outside of rehearsal. This season Wind Ensemble Vice President Theo Coutsouros (senior) has organized our annual YHS Band apple picking outing to Wilken’s Farm.  Thanks Theo!

What: Apple Picking at Wilken’s Farm in Yorktown

When: Sunday 9/20

Report Time: Meet AT WILKEN’S at 10:00am

End Time: Approximately 12:00 noon

COST: $7 (includes a half-peck of apples, hot apple cider, 2 cider doughnuts, and priceless band memories :).

Interested in attending?  Please bring in $7 cash and sign up in the Band Room.

The band at West Point will be presenting a FREE Labor Day concert extravaganza (the grand finale is a performance of the 1812 Overture with REAL CANNONS AND FIREWORKS.  Now does Ms. Kluga have your attention? 🙂  If you have never experienced these world-class professional musicians in action, this is a perfect opportunity.   This Sunday, 9/6. 7:30pm at Trophy Point Park.  For details, please visit www.westpointband.com

One of our first fundraisers of the year is the annual Music Boosters Tag Sale.  This is a reminder to please save your stuff to donate!!  The sale will take place in the YHS Cafeteria on Saturday 10/17 from 9am-2pm.  We will be accepting donations on Friday 10/16 from 3-8pm.  Tell your friends and neighbors!  Many parent and students volunteers will be needed to make this event a success.  Look for an e-mail in the coming weeks to find out how you can help.

Our first Pep Band performance of the year is NEXT Friday 9/11, at home vs. John Jay.  ALL band students are invited to attend!  Pep Band is a great way for your student to socialize, play fun music, support our school and community, and earn extra credit toward their grade in band.  FRESHMEN, please join us for a fun evening and see what Pep Band is all about!

What: Pep Band performance at the Varsity Football game

When: Friday, 9/11 2015

Report Time: 5:30 PM

End Time: approximately 9:30 PM

Where:  YHS Band Room.

Wear: Your YHS Band t-shirt.