Dear YHS Band Students and Parents,
I love this time of year, spring is finally in full bloom…and so are our students’ musical skills! The work we have done together these past 7 months has transformed their muscle memory, musicality, and confidence – each so evident as students prepare to take auditions, and our ensembles get ready to represent Yorktown in local and regional music festivals. I’m so proud of their progress!
WIND ENSEMBLE BOSTON FESTIVAL TRIP IS THIS WEEK!
This Monday-Wednesday 4/20-22. I am so excited to share this experience with you! We are happy to welcome our staff chaperone Mr. Altman, and our parent chaperones Mrs. Jacobs and Mrs. Mezzancello. Thank you for traveling with us!
HANDBOOK ATTACHED (updated with final itinerary and packing list!)
Please review this packet, which contains our trip guidelines and expectations. Copies were sent home (and the signed expectation contracts were returned to me – thanks!). The students and I also reviewed these expectations together in class.
MONDAY 4/20: LUGGAGE DROP OFF & BUS PACKING
Drop your luggage in the Band Room at the start of the day. Students have been asked to please put all items (their luggage, instrument, music, accessories) together along the back windows inside the Band Room.
During period 7, if your student has free, please help us pack the bus. All students have been asked to please be on-time to period 8. Our prompt departure will determine our prompt arrival in Boston!
BUS SNACKS AND WATER, PLEASE?
The students would very much appreciate having a few cases of water and snacks for our trip. If you are able to contribute, please e-mail me and send in items on Monday morning. Thank you!
We are looking for individually wrapped nut-free snacks, please. Some favorites include: Black Forest gummy bears, Pop Corners, Skinny Pop, Lays chips, and Oreos.
MUSIC REMINDERS
1. Make sure your festival music is marked/measures numbered.
2. Put our music on your daily playlist. Listen while you are getting ready/studying/on the bus. It’s an easy way to help yourself learn phrasing, musicality, tempo, and balance!
PARENTS DRIVING TO THE FESTIVAL
Our performance and clinic are open to the public – we are excited that you will be in the audience to support our students! Thank you so very much for attending!
CONCERT BAND – BRING HEADPHONES TO CLASS
We will be using some of our class time this week for active listening. Please pack headphones. Thanks!
APRIL LESSON CALENDAR ATTACHED
FYI
PERIOD “0” JAZZ JAM!
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!
IT’S GO TIME ~ WE AUDITIONS AND NYSSMA SOLO FESTIVAL
· Drill your scales/rudiments
· Work on the sections of your solo that still need attention
· Run your solo from top to bottom without stopping to fix
· Practice sight reading factory. You will be glad you did!
WIND ENSEMBLE AUDITIONS
Auditions for the 2026-2027 Wind Ensemble will take place from Tuesday 4/28 through Friday 5/1, during the student’s lesson period. More information on the sign up and blind audition process will be shared later this week.
NYSSMA REMINDER: Make sure you have purchased an original of your music to bring with you to your audition. (Ms. Kluga has a limited number of originals that you can borrow – first come first served – please see me to sign one out!).
Performance permits and your original paperwork will be distributed the week of NYSSMA.
NO JAZZ BAND REHEARSAL THIS WEEK
Due to our Boston trip, we will not rehearse this week. Please make sure you are practicing your music!
**Our next rehearsal will be TUESDAY 4/28** This is a change to our rehearsal calendar due to the NHS Induction on 4/30. Please mark your calendars. We only have 2 rehearsals left!
YHS BAND SPRING DATE REMINDERS
Please mark your calendars!
4/20-22 (Mon-Wed) Wind Ensemble Festival Trip to Boston
4/27-5/1 (Mon-Fri) ’26-‘27 Wind Ensemble Auditions
5/9 (Sat) YHS Concert Band, Orchestra, Choir Festival Trip to Six Flags NJ
5/12 (Tues) @7pm YHS Spring Band Concert
5/25 (Mon) @10am Memorial Day Parade and Annual YHS Band BBQ
5/29 (Fri) @ 7:15pm Jazz Band performs at Relay for Life (Evening)
5/29-30 (Fri-Sat) Up-County NYSSMA Solo Festival @ Somers HS
6/25 (Thurs) 6:30pm Graduation (Wind Ensemble 26-27 students will perform)
CONCERT BAND SIX FLAGS – FINAL PAYMENT DUE MONDAY 4/20
Itinerary details and final payment info was sent home last week. Thank you for your patience!
SENIOR STUFF!
Can you believe it? Now is the time for senior bios and senior wills! We would love to feature your bio in our spring concert program, and your will in our YHS Band Yearbook. Worksheets to help you are attached. Please e-mail your completed bio and will to Ms. Kluga by Friday, 5/1.
MUSIC & DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
Flyers are attached for your review and listed below. Some interesting musical opportunities for our students!
· Teen Swing Dance Class at TDC
· GWYOA Auditions for 2026-2027 season
· Bennett Conservatory – Summer Jazz Institute
· Summer Music Camps
· Jazz Forum – Westchester’s premier Jazz club, located in Tarrytown, NY. Free tickets for students – use the code STFREE at checkout to redeem the tickets at www.jazzforumarts.org/events.
We are so lucky to have these musical opportunities here in Yorktown – THANK YOU all for your support!
Musically Yours,
Ms. Kluga