Bard Conservatory is offering a FREE event for student French horn and bassoon players.  The day will feature master classes and workshop led by their outstanding music faculty:

• Barbara Currie, fourth horn from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
• Julia Pilant, assistant horn from the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
• Marc Goldberg, bassoonist of the NY Woodwind Quintet, and former associate bassoonist of the NY Philharmonic
• Alex Farkas, certified Alexander Technician, and pianist formerly on faculty at Yale School of Music, the Hartt School, University of Hartford, and Vassar College.

Students are asked to bring instruments and be ready to participate in workshops.  They will have the opportunity to receive individual coaching, feedback on audition pieces or all-state solos and perform with current Bard students and with the faculty in an ensemble performance.

Please see the attached flier for more information.   For a detailed schedule of events, and information on how to register, please visit their website at: http://www.bard.edu/conservatory/events/horn-bassoon/

Ms. Kluga is also pleased to announce that the YHSCB will travel to Hershey Park on Saturday 5/21 to participate in the Music in the Parks regional festival.  The students will be adjudicated by a panel of college music educators and then enjoy time in Hershey Park.   A tentative itinerary and information will be sent home with your student this week.  The cost of this trip is approximately $140.

Ms. Kluga is pleased to announce that the YHSWE will travel to NYC the weekend of Saturday 5/14 through Monday 5/16.  During our stay, the students will participate in the Rhythms International Music Festival, where we will be adjudicated by a panel of nationally and internationally recognized music educators, take part in master classes, and an on-stage clinic.  In addition we will have fun touring the city.  A tentative itinerary and info will be sent home with your student this week.  The cost of this trip is approximately $600.

* The citrus sale ENDS on Friday 10/30 at 11:59PM.  Students are responsible for entering all of their orders on the website (www.fruitorder.com), using their personal account (see info sheet).  After 10/31 at 11:59PM, the website will no longer accept orders.

* Our TONS of citrus will be delivered Friday 12/18.  Students are responsible for picking up their entire order between 2:30 and 7:00pm at YHS.

October is fundraising month in the YHS Music Department.  Each year, the YHS Bands and Orchestras each participate in regional music festivals.  Our fundraisers help students defray the cost of their participation in these musical activities. Part of the proceeds will also benefit the YHS Music Boosters “general fund” which is used to cover chaperone costs, provide end of year awards, fund social events, and purchase items that benefit the entire program.

The Citrus Sale is our largest fundraiser!  Last year we sold over 44,920 pounds of citrus and made a PROFIT of over $21,500!  Please help us make this year’s sale even more successful!  Information was distributed and reviewed in class this week.  As the sale benefits everyone, we ask that all band students please sell at least 5 boxes.

Our final regular season performance of the year is this Saturday 10/10, at home vs. Beacon.  ALL band students are invited to attend!

What: Pep Band performance at the Varsity Football game

When: Saturday, 10/10 2015

Report Time: 12:00 PM (game time 1:30)

End Time: approximately 3:30 PM

Where:  YHS Band Room.

Wear: Your YHS Band Polo

Thank you so much for your help in making Friday Night’s Homecoming Tail-Gate a success (despite the rain)!  Whether you donated food, hot chocolate, or your time, the band truly appreciate your support!  Special thanks to Mrs. Serafin for organizing our parent volunteers, the DiPierro and Statler families for donating grills (and grilling skills!), and the DeGuglielmo, Pratt, and Warren families for donating rain shelters.

With 70 band members attending, we were a musical force in the stands.  The challenging weather seemed only to intensify our already overflowing Husker Pride! What a wonderful opportunity for all YHS band members 9-12 to have fun together and support our school community.  Thank you again for making this evening possible; it’s these kinds of events that stick in student’s minds and help build a strong and unified band program!

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 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.

Our first big event of the year is the YHS Homecoming.  The YHS Pep Band will be performing crowd-rallying music at the varsity football game, as well as enjoying a pre-game dinner and tons of band spirit beforehand at the 12th Annual YHS Band Homecoming Tail-Gate BBQ.

What: Pep Band Tail-Gate BBQ and Homecoming Varsity Football Game

When: Friday, October 2nd at 5:00pm (game-time 7:00pm)

Where: BBQ will be outside the YHS Band Room.

All YHS Band students are welcome!  This is a great way to support our football team, share in the homecoming festivities, and earn some band extra-credit!  A student sign-up sheet is available in the band room.  PLEASE SIGN UP BY WED. 9/30 so we can get an accurate head-count, and plan our logistics.  Thanks!

We are also looking for parents to donate supplies and/or their time.  We will need chaperones, food donations, food preparation, and clean-up help. Please see the e-mail from parent-organizer Margaret Serafin ([email protected]) to find out how you can help, and/or visit donate.yhsbands.com/homecomingbbq

You should hear your student practicing at home.  Each week every band student receives a lesson homework assignment that will be graded.  Students are always welcome to practice during their free periods or after school.  If your student would like extra help, Ms. Kluga is always available.

Seating auditions will take place the week of 9/28, at your student’s weekly lesson.  It is imperative that students understand that WE ARE A MUSICAL TEAM and ALL PARTS ARE IMPORTANT!  Just as any sports team needs to have balanced playing positions on the field, our band will perform and sound best when have strong players on every part.  If you have questions, please see my attached letter found here, regarding this process.

This past Sunday, 63 YHS Band students enjoyed a social outing to Wilken’s Farm!  Students had fun taking a tractor ride, apple picking, and enjoying yummy cider donuts and apple cider.  Many thanks to senior (and WE Vice President) Theo Coutsouros, for organizing this year’s trip!

This is an away game.  A sign up sheet is available in the band room.  Please be at YHS by 5:45pm to catch the bus (note the time change!).

What: Pep Band performance at Somers HS

When: Friday, September 25^th. Meet at YHS to catch the bus AT 5:45pm (NOTE TIME CHANGE!)  Game-time is 7:15pm, so 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.

Wear: Our NEW polo shirts!  If you think you will be chilly, please wear a long sleeved turtleneck/t-shirt under the polo.  If you still think you’ll be cold, bring a coat/sweatshirt.

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!