YHS Bands Update – 20 Nov

Director's Update

YHS Bands Update – 20 Nov

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Read the full director’s update

This Week: Nov. 20 – 24Concert BandsJazz BandYMB/AIP/YHSWG
Monday, November 20  AIP: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 21 Rehearsal: 7 – 8:05 a.m.YHSWG: 6 – 9 p.m. 
Wednesday, November 22Thanksgiving Break
Thursday, November 23
Friday, November 24

Director’s Notes:

I am sorry I did not manage to get an update out last week. The upcoming band concert originally scheduled for Thursday, December 7 will now be held on December 14 with our orchestra program. December 7 is the first night of Hannukah, which I missed when doing the original scheduling. The Concert Band, String Orchestra, and Jazz Band will perform at 7 p.m. on the 14th, the Wind Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, and Symphony Orchestra will perform at 8 p.m. I have included another after school rehearsal below during the week of the rescheduled concert, but that is not finalized yet.

Class Happenings

We are focusing mainly on learning our concert repertoire at this time.

Spring Trip – Announcement

CLICK HERE to find out where we are going.

After-School Rehearsals – Mark your calendars (or add the YHS Bands calendar to your Google Calendar)!

Since our winds and percussion do not all meet together in class, it is necessary to have some after school rehearsals so we can play as an entire ensemble. Absence requests should be made to Mr. Witkowski via email as soon as you know about a conflict. Aside from personal illness or family emergency, excused absence requests made within 48 hours of a rehearsal will be denied.

Concert BandWind Ensemble
Wednesday, November 29: 3:30 – 4:45 p.mWednesday, November 29: 4:45 – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, December 5: 3:30 – 5 p.m.Monday, December 4: 4 – 6 p.m.
Tentative: Monday, December 11: 3:30 – 5 p.m.Tentative: Tuesday, December 12: 6 – 8 p.m.

YMB Banquet

We will celebrate a great YMB season with our banquet for students and families on Thursday, November 30 in the YHS Cafeteria from 7 – 8:30 p.m. Please be on the lookout for an email from YBB with potluck sign ups. This is a semi-formal event.

Instrument Upgrades

A few students have recently upgraded from their beginner instruments to intermediate or professional line horns. The holidays can be a great time of year to upgrade your student’s instrument. I recommend consulting a professional and trying out multiple options before you buy. I can put you in touch with someone if you need guidance. Foxes Music is a great locally owned shop. Music & Arts is also having an event, called Upgrade Your Sound. There will be exclusive one-day-only discounts and 36-month 0% interest financing available for qualified buyers at Music & Arts Chantilly on Saturday, December 16th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 

Financial Statements

You may have gotten an email from the ShoolCash Online system regarding available items. Not all costs that you can pay on SchoolCash Online apply to your student, your statement from MyMusicOffice is your official balance and should be your guide. I am pushing out statements today from MMO. Please pay balances via SchoolCash Online or check. Students need to have a zero balance on their financial statements with the band to be eligible for the spring trip.

Next Week: Nov. 27 – Dec. 1Concert BandsJazz BandYMB/AIP/YHSWG
Monday, November 27  AIP Rehearsal: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 28YSO Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5:30Rehearsal: 7 – 8:05 a.m.YHSWG: 6 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, November 29CB Rehearsal: 3:30 – 4:45WE Rehearsal: 4:45 – 6 AIP Rehearsal: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 30 Rehearsal: 7 – 8:05 a.m.YMB Banquet: 7 – 8:30 p.m.
Friday, December 1  YHSWG: 5 – 8 p.m.

On the Horizon:

  • November 29: CB/WE After School Rehearsals
  • November 30: YMB Banquet
  • December 4: WE After School Rehearsal
  • December 5: CB After School Rehearsal
  • December 14: Band Concert

Opportunity for Percussionists

The Arlington Community Orchestra is part of the adult education program through Arlington County. The ensemble is playing a show tunes program and desperately need percussionists.  They need drum set, timpani, mallets, and a few extras like gong, wind chimes.  They are looking for two percussionists. They rehearse Monday nights from 7-9 at Kenmore in the band room and the concert is Monday, Dec. 4 at Kenmore at 7. Let me know if you are interested.

Student Happenings

If you/your student have any events coming up like recitals, concerts with outside groups, sporting events, etc., let me know and I am happy to include them in the updates so we can support you!

Outside (Non YHS/APS) Opportunities

  • Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps
    1. Pre-auditions @ Fairfax High School: November 21 – 4 – 7 p.m.
  • Shenandoah University – Mid-Atlantic Honor Band
    1. January 26 – 28. Guest composer Kelijah Dunton
    2. Students/families will be responsible for their own transportation and lodging in Winchester
    3. If you are interested in being nominated to participate, email Mr. Witkowski by Friday, December 1
  • Clarinet Christmas
    1. YHS on Dec. 9 at 1:30 with performance starting at 4pm 

YHS Bands Calendar

The most up-to-date calendar can always be viewed at https://yorktownband.org/WP/calendar/. I have also created a “list” calendar that is available at https://bit.ly/yhs-band-cal.

Also, you can add the YHS Bands Google Calendar to yours. Follow these steps:

  1. On your computer, open Google Calendar.
  2. On the left, next to “Other calendars,” click Add Add other calendars and then From URL.
  3. Enter the YHS Bands calendar’s address.
  4. Click Add calendar. The calendar appears on the left, under “Other calendars.”

Tip:It might take up to 12 hours for changes to show in your Google Calendar.

Social Media:

Join our followers on Twitter and Instagram by following @yorktownbands today!

Useful Links: