The Citrus Sale is our largest fundraiser!  Last year we sold over 1900 boxes of citrus fruit and made a PROFIT of over $20,000!  Please help us make this year’s sale even more successful!  Information was distributed and reviewed in class last week. As the sale benefits everyone, we ask that all band students please sell at least 5 boxes. 

* The citrus sale ENDS on Tuesday 10/31.  Envelopes are due in class on Wednesday 11/1

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

Mrs. Kluga is excited to announce that a recording of our YHS Jazz Band is now the YCSD phone system “on-hold” music!  The recording is from our Spring Concert 2017 (“Sonny’s Place”).  Thank you so much for the opportunity, Dr. Hattar!

The WSW is a local professional Wind Ensemble.  They perform high quality band literature and offer free concert tickets to students.  Their upcoming concert is on Sunday 11/5 @ 3pm. Mrs. Kluga can get free student tickets if you are interested. Visit their website here: https://westchestersymphonicwinds.org

This week, students will experience their first video assessment of the year. Students are videotaped performing their homework assignment, and assessed on their ability to demonstrate the musical concepts we have covered so far.  This assessment will act as a base-line for the start of our year together, and help the student and Mrs Kluga form a learning plan – what musical concepts they are confident in, and what concepts they will focus on improving. You will receive your child’s video and score sheet via e-mail.

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, and part of the proceeds also benefit the YHS Music Boosters “general fund” which is used to cover chaperone costs and purchase items that benefit the entire program.

The Citrus Sale is our largest fundraiser!  Last year we sold over 1,900 boxes of citrus fruit and made a PROFIT of over $20,000!  Please help us make this year’s sale even more successful!  Information will be distributed and reviewed in class this week, and is attached FYI.  As the sale benefits everyone, we ask that all band students please sell at least 5 boxes. 

You might be wondering, “What would I possibly do with a 20 pound box (…or…*gasp*… a 40 pound box…!) of citrus?”  As strange as it seems, this fundraiser is extremely successful, with many repeat customers, because of its quality, economy, and shelf-life.  The fruit is literally picked straight off the trees in Florida, loaded into a truck, and arrives at our school about 36 hours later.  Mrs Kluga purchase two 40 pound boxes each year for her little family, and we enjoy the citrus through February (Mrs Kluga keeps it in her garage).  Mrs Kluga also send boxes via USPS as holiday gifts.  So, there’s our sales pitch.  It really is a great product and a great fundraiser.  Happy to answer any questions!

* The citrus sale ENDS on Tuesday 10/31.  All forms and orders are due in class on Wednesday 11/1.

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

Our next Pep Band performance will be at our home game on Friday 10/13 @ 7:00pm.  This will be our first play-off game of the season!  We are looking forward to lending our musical talents to support our team and learning community. A sign-up sheet is available in the band room.

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 10/14 from 9am-2pm.  We will be accepting donations on Friday 10/13 from 3-7pm.  Tell your friends and neighbors!  Many parent and student volunteers will be needed to make this event a success. (FYI, all left over Tag Sale items will be donated to charity.)

A flyer is attached FYI.  Feel free to share with family/friends or post on work or community bulletin boards.  Parent volunteers will be needed.  Please refer to the e-mail from parent-organizer Theresa Ryan-Onatzevitch ([email protected]) to find out how you can help.

Sign-up sheets for STUDENT HELPERS will be available in the Band Room.  We need your help!

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.
• Purchasing supplies for the arts programs in all schools.
• Providing yearly scholarships to outstanding seniors.
• Honoring Performing Arts juniors and seniors at an annual recognition dinner.

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!  Visit their site to register your time and/or donation https://sites.google.com/site/thefirstnightersofyorktown/

Unfortunately, Ms. Kluga was unable to schedule a rehearsal for this week.  Regular Thursday rehearsals will begin on 10/5 from 7:30-9pm in the band room.  Please arrive promptly at 7:20 to set up and warm up.

The October lesson calendar is attached, as well as an alphabetical list of student lesson groups.  If you have questions about this important part of your student’s grade in band, please review the YHS Band Handbook or contact Ms. Kluga.

Seating auditions will take place next week at your student’s band 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 or court, our band will perform and sound best when we have strong players on every part.  If you have questions, please see the attached letter regarding this process.

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 10/14 from 9am-2pm.  We will be accepting donations on Friday 10/13 from 3-7pm.  Tell your friends and neighbors!  Many parent and student volunteers will be needed to make this event a success.

A flyer is attached FYI.  Feel free to share with family/friends or post on work or community bulletin boards.  Parent volunteers will be needed.  Please refer to the e-mail from parent-organizer Theresa Ryan-Onatzevitch ([email protected]) to find out how you can help.

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.
• Purchasing supplies for the arts programs in all schools.
• 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.  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!