Again this year, the YHS Band program is sponsoring a needy child for the holidays. Her name is Ayden and she is in 2nd Grade. Using the money we have raised from our various fundraisers, the band officers have purchased items from her list to Santa. If you are interested in donating additional items, please contact me. Items are needed by Friday 12/8. Ayden wears a size 3-4 Youth shoe,and 8-10M shirt/pants. She particularly likes sparkly items.
A YHS Band tradition! All band students are invited to attend. Students will spread holiday cheer by caroling around the businesses of Yorktown Center. Students will meet at ACME @ 3PM.Bring your instrument, lyre and dress warmly (and festively). Music will be provided. Interested students should sign up in the band room. Afterwards all band students will head to the diner – please bring money to buy yourself a snack. Questions? Please contact Mrs Kluga.
Many thanks to the 45 Pep Band students who traveled to Syracuse to support our Huskers! We are SO PROUD of our team, and so thankful for the opportunity to support them all the way to the State Finals! CONGRATULATIONS to Coach Rescigno and the Varsity Football team on an amazing season!! Photos are attached.
And, a big thank you also to Dr. Hattar, who traveled with the Pep Band to Syracuse and treated the us to dinner on the way home. Thank you so much for your generosity and support!
At this week’s band lesson, students will have their second video assessment. Using the music for our upcoming Winter Concert, students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the musical concepts we have been studying so far this year: performing the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo with a metronome, playing with good posture, using dynamics, and using correct articulation.
You should hear your student practicing at home (and you should hear improvement!). Students are always welcome to practice during their free periods or after school. If your student has questions, Ms. Kluga would love to help! Please have them see me for an appointment.
It is my pleasure to announce the YHS Wind Ensemble’s participation in the Rhythms International Music Festival held in Washington, DC. The music festival will take place the weekend of Saturday, April 21 through Monday April 23, 2018. Students will receive our tentative itinerary and their personal payment information this week. If possible, a down payment and permission slip are requested by Friday 12/8.
It is Ms. Kluga’s pleasure to announce the YHS Concert Band’s participation in the Rhythms International Music Festival in NJ. The music festival will take place on Saturday 5/12, with our performance at Nutley HS, and then we will enjoy the day at Six Flags Great Adventure. Students will receive our tentative itinerary and their personal payment information this week.
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 12/13, 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. Look for an e-mail in the coming weeks 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 Monday 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 VOLUNTEERS. Parent and student volunteers will be needed from 7:00 – 11:00am to help unload the trucks, and again from 2:00 – 7:00pm to help students assemble and pick up their orders. Please e-mail Ms. Kluga if you are available.
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! 2017 is the 44th anniversary of this event. Flyer is attached with more info. Questions? Speak to Ms. Kluga.
Again this year, the YHS Band program is sponsoring a needy child for the holidays. Her name is Ayden and she is in 2nd Grade. Using the money we have raised from our various fundraisers, the band officers have purchased items from her list to Santa. If you are interested in donating additional items, please contact Ms. Kluga. Items are needed by Friday 12/8. Ayden wears a size 3-4 Youth shoe, and 8-10M shirt/pants. She particularly likes sparkly items.
Saturday and Sunday 12/2 and 12/3, 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/
Huge congratulations to our Huskers on their victory over Burnt Hills at Friday’s NY State Quarter Finals! Big thanks to the 34 band students who attended the game in Middletown to cheer on our team – and special thanks to the band parents who sent in supplies to keep the students comfortable in the cold weather. Extra special thanks to the parents who were able to drive some of our students!
Now, our team is traveling to the NY State Finals at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse!! And, our Pep Band is invited to cheer them on!
WHAT: Pep Band performance at the Varsity Football State Finals (vs. West Seneca) in Syracuse!
WHEN: Friday, 11/24 2017
Report Time: 7:30am @ the YHS Band Room. Bus leaves at 8:00am. Bus ride is approx. 4.5 hours.
Game is at 3:00 at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse.
Return Time: approximately 11:00 PM
WHERE: Syracuse Carrier Dome!
WEAR: Black pants. Black shoes and socks. Band Polo with a white long-sleeved shirt underneath.
BRING: Eat breakfast before you arrive. Bring a bagged lunch and snacks. Bring money for dinner/snacks.
A big thank you to all who attended the Jazz at Lincoln Center outing yesterday!
The concert was extremely well done. It was billed as a “young persons concert” so there were young children in the audience, but the experience was in no way juvenile. The level of information we learned about Benny Goodman, his music, and his influence on the music (and social issues) of the Swing Era was enlightening and engaging. And, the caliber of music and musicianship on that stage was absolutely inspiring! In addition, many of the pieces on the program were ones that our students had performed last year, as we studied Benny Goodman in preparation for the 2017 Swing Dance. It was fun for our students to hear live, professional, versions of the exact music we had played!
Many thanks to our parent chaperones for your valuable time and help: Mrs. Alvarez, Mr. (Charles) Racioppo, Mrs. Ryan-Onatzevitch, Mr. Weitman, Mrs. Whalen, and Mrs. Woodard.
Thanks for a fun day everyone!
At next week’s band lesson, students will have their second video assessment. Using the music for our upcoming Winter Concert, students will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the musical concepts we have been studying so far this year: performing the correct notes and rhythms at a steady tempo with a metronome, playing with good posture, using dynamics, and using correct articulation.