Final itinerary details and pricing will be communicated this week.
Final pricing is in the works. We are looking for parent chaperones to spend the day with us! If you are interested, please e-mail me.
NYSSMA information was reviewed in class this week. The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician! To participate, students prepare scales (or rudiments for snare drummers), a solo and sight-reading. At the festival, students perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments.
This week, all YHS Band students will begin learning NYSSMA skills as part of their lesson homework; so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble, they will have the necessary tools to do so.
Additional information and forms are attached. The due date for NYSSMA forms and payments has been extended to THIS FRIDAY, MARCH 1st.
In addition to the musical opportunity NYSSMA provides, students are able to receive honors credit for Concert Band or Wind Ensemble by earning a score of 95 or above on a level 6 solo/ensemble, or a score of 97 or above on a level 5 solo/ensemble.
Auditions for the 2024-2025 Wind Ensemble will take place at the end of April. Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached). I strongly suggest that interested students also participate in NYSSMA. The Wind Ensemble audition information sheet/permission slip is attached and is also available in the band room.
Attached is a list of excellent local and regional summer music camp opportunities. Happy to answer any questions!
Can’t get enough of learning how to Swing Dance? The Dance Conservatory (located in Cortlandt Manor – the instructors who taught the lesson at our Swing Dance Concert) offers weekly classes. Sign up as an individual or a pair. A 10% discount is being offered to YHS Band families. Click here for the registration link. The discount code is: YHSSWINGBAND.
| Monday 1/29 | WEST POINT JAZZ COMBO VISIT |
| Tuesday 1/30 | JB Trombone |
| Wednesday 1/31 | Trumpet, Clarinet, Sax, Low Brass |
| Thursday 2/1 | JB Sax, JB Trumpet, JB Rhythm, Flute |
| Friday 2/2 | Percussion |
It’s GO TIME! The World Tour and Swing Dance Concert are next week. Our music, recordings, and the HW assignment are posted on Dashboard. Set aside time for personal practice. Our rehearsal is this Thursday 2/1 from 6:50-8:30pm. Happy practicing!
It’s baaaaack! Jazz Band students – please join me before school (from 7:10…or whenever you get off the bus… until the first bell) to practice soloing. Help yourself develop your skills, and a plan for success!
Our YHS Band students will work with the talented musicians of The West Point Jazz Combo!
Our day together will include performances, clinics, and Q&A sessions. Here is our schedule:
- Period 1-2 Concert Band Performance, clinic, and Q&A
- Periods 3-4 Jazz Band Performance, clinic, and Q&A
- Period 8-9 Wind Ensemble Performance, clinic, and Q&A
INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR EVENING:
Now in its 15th year, the Swing Dance Concert is an eagerly anticipated, well-attended and fun evening for our entire Yorktown community (each year we have many senior citizens and community members attend and enjoy the evening with us!).
All YHS Band students are required to attend. Concert Band, Jazz Band, and Wind Ensemble will perform.
· Cost: $15 for adults / $10 for students and seniors. Tickets sold at the door only. Cash, Check or Zelle. YHS Band students are free.
· Time: Dance Lesson 7-8pm / Music and Dancing 8-10:30pm
· WHEN STUDENTS SHOULD ARRIVE:
1. Jazz Band – arrive at 5:30 so that you are ready to play for our soundcheck at 5:45.
2. Students interested in participating in the dance lesson – arrive by 6:50.
3. Students NOT interested in the dance lesson – arrive by 7:45.
SWING DANCE CONCERT SNOW DATE
Please be aware that the Swing Dance Concert Snow Date is Sunday 2/11
SWING ERA ATTIRE ENCOURAGED (For both adults and students!)
Get into the “swing” of things and have fun dressing up in 1940’s style.
Gentlemen
· Usual Concert Attire: Black pants, long sleeved button-down black shirt, black shoes, black socks.
· Swing Additions: fedora hats, suspenders, solid color or pin striped shirts, colorful ties, spats, jackets.
Ladies
· Usual Concert Attire: Black top (appropriate neck-line, no spaghetti straps or sleeveless tops), black pants, or black skirt/dress (appropriate length).
· Swing Additions: saddle shoes, any color 1940’s style dress as long as it has an appropriate neckline, length, and sleeves.
Many parent and student volunteers are needed, please, to make this evening a success.
PARENT HELP
Please click on this link for ways you can help (parent volunteers, food and item donations). THANK YOU!
STUDENT HELP
Sign-up sheets available in the Band Room. Please mark your calendars to help us set up and tear down the gym on Saturday 2/10. Part of the fun (and community building) of this event is setting up and decorating the space together!
· Saturday 2/10, 8:00am – 4:00pm – help is needed setting up and decorating the gym.
· Saturday 2/10, 10:30pm-12:00am – help is needed cleaning up the gym.
In addition, student help is needed organizing supplies and decorations during any free period, or p.9 during the week of 2/5.
YOUR STUDENT CAN DANCE?
As part of our Jazz curriculum, students study the music from the period and also learn to social dance the Jitterbug. This week’s videos are attached.
NYSSMA information will be reviewed in class this week. The NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) solo festival is a wonderful opportunity for your student to grow as a musician! To participate, students prepare scales (or rudiments for snare drummers), a solo and sight-reading. At the festival, students perform for a judge who will give them a score and comments.
In the coming weeks, all YHS Band students will begin learning NYSSMA skills as part of their lesson homework; so if they are interested in participating in NYSSMA, or auditioning for Wind Ensemble, they will have the necessary tools to do so.
Additional information and forms are attached. NYSSMA forms and payments are due by Wednesday 2/14.