Here we are just past the midpoint of March…but April will be here before we know it, and so will our fun performances and opportunities! Please mark your calendars.

4/14 – 4/16 (Fri-Sun)              Wind Ensemble Festival Trip

4/21 – 4/22 (Fri-Sat)                NYSSMA Solo Festival @ Ossining

4/24 – 4/26 (Mon-Fri)             Wind Ensemble Auditions 22-23

4/26 (Wed) @ 6pm                 Bandapalooza

5/15 (Mon) @ 7pm                 YHS Band Spring Concert

5/20 (Sat)                                Concert Band Festival Trip to Hershey Park

5/29 (Mon)                              Memorial Day Parade and Band BBQ

6/9 (Fri) @ 8pm                      Jazz Band performs at Relay for Life

6/9-10 (Fri-Sat)                       NYSSMA Piano Festival at YHS

On Wednesday, April 26th the YCSD Band Program will host our 8^th Annual District Band Concert from 6:00 – 7:00 pm in the YHS Gym.  All band students grades 5-12 will participate. 

Our goal is to create a successful and inspiring experience for our YCSD band students and their families; fostering positive relationships between all levels, and allowing our youngest band students and their parents to see the full progression of our band program.

Parent and student volunteers will be needed to make this event a success. Look for an e-mail in the coming weeks with how you can help.

Auditions for the 2023-2024 Wind Ensemble will take place at the end of April.  The Wind Ensemble audition information sheet/permission slip is attached and is also available in the band room.

FYI

As mentioned at our rehearsal, in class, and via e-mail, there are 2 rehearsal dates in April that need to be moved. Please fill out this form to help us choose new rehearsal dates. Please be accommodating with your schedule – rescheduling these rehearsals is important to the success of our Spring Concert.

Rehearsal this week is Thursday 3/23 from 6:50-8:30. Please practice and prepare the HW assignment posted on Dashboard.

Offered weekly and hosted by our junior and senior band members (thank you!). Students who lead or attend a session receive 1 point of extra credit. Sessions are held period 9, unless noted otherwise. Ms. Kluga is also always available for help by appointment. 

This week, in preparation for our upcoming Washington DC Festival trip (only 14 rehearsals left!), Wind Ensemble students will spend time together studying their music.

March is Music in Our Schools Month! For over 30 years the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) has used March to help highlight and celebrate the importance of quality music education for all children. Here in the YCSD, Mrs. Kluga is so thankful for our awesome music program and the music we are able to make together every day!

Offered weekly and hosted by our junior and senior band members (thank you!). Students who lead or attend a session receive 1 point of extra credit. Sessions are held period 9, unless noted otherwise. Mrs. Kluga is also always available for help by appointment. 

This past week, all YHS Band students began learning NYSSMA skills 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 information was reviewed in class. 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.  As previously stated, we will be working on all of these skills in class and lessons for the next 6 weeks.

Additional information and forms are attached. NYSSMA forms and payments are due by Wednesday 3/8.

HONORS CREDIT AVAILABLE

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 2023-2024 Wind Ensemble will take place at the end of April. Students wishing to audition should review the audition information sheet (attached). Mrs. Kluga 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.

Final itinerary details and pricing were shared on Friday. Please send in your final payment with your student.

Final pricing and info will be communicated this week.

Please consider joining this important parent group. Their next monthly meeting will be on Monday, March 6th at 7pm at Starbucks (near Trader Joe’s). They will be brainstorming the Senior Celebration and would love your help.