YHS Bands Update: 15 September 2025
| This Week | Monday 9/15 | Tuesday 9/16 | Wednesday 9/17 | Thursday 9/18 | Friday 9/19 | Saturday 9/20 |
| Odd | Even | Odd | Even | Odd | ||
| United Sound | Interest Meeting: Patriot Period | |||||
| YMB | Video Assignment: Part 4 is due before rehearsal Tuesday | Leadership Mtg: 3:15 pm – Rehearsal: Winds 4:30 – 7; Percussion & Guard 6 – 8:30 pm Field 2 | Rehearsal: 6 – 9 pm Stadium Turf | Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5 pm Field 2 | Home Football vs. Langley (Rising Patriots Night): 4:45 report (Dinner provided) |
Director’s Notes:
THANK YOU so much to all who participated in Band Day! As we said in the lead-up, it is a massively important day. All reports are that the participating students and parents were amazing. We are well on our way to our budgeted goal for the day, so please encourage your neighbors to donate online if we missed them on Saturday. Special thanks to Maija Lawler and Jamie Pilot, Band Day coordinators, and Barbara Brawner, treasurer.
YMB – Friday
This week’s game is our “Rising Patriots Night,” when we welcome eighth-grade band students who will attend YHS next year to spend the evening with us. “Spin with the Patriots” is also part of this game, and we will have students in fourth through eighth grade participating in that event. Due to these special activities, report time is 4:45 for YMB members. Pizza will be served due to the early report time.
YMB – Competition Schedules
The YMB competition schedules are starting to come together. These are drafts until each event finalizes the performance schedule, but should be pretty close for planning purposes. Available draft schedules are linked on the season calendar, as well as the band’s Google calendar which can be seen on the band website or added to your own Google calendar (directions below).
Tri-M Music Honor Society – Last call for applications
Tri-M Music Honor Society is open to 10th, 11th, and 12th graders. Admission requirements include at least a cumulative A average grade or equivalent in music, with at least a cumulative B average grade or equivalent in other academic subjects. Returning members must reapply and be in good standing for continued membership. Applications were due by Friday, September 12, but we will accept them through Wednesday, September 17.
United Sound – Interest Meeting
There will be an interest meeting for our chapter of United Sound on Wednesday during Patriot Period in the band room. Come see what it’s all about!
Yorktown Jazz Ensemble Auditions
Audition information and materials are now available for the Yorktown Big Band. Audition dates are Monday, October 6, for the rhythm section, and Monday, October 27, for winds. Information about reserving an audition time is in the linked materials.
All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble Auditions
AVJE audition registration is Sep. 2 – Oct. 2 and virtual auditions are to be recorded and submitted Oct. 3 – 6. Link to info. Students planning to audition for All-Virginia Jazz must register with Mr. Witkowski.
| Next Week | Monday 9/22 | Tuesday 9/23 | Wednesday 9/24 | Thursday 9/25 | Friday 9/26 | Saturday 9/27 |
| Even | Holiday: Rosh Hashana | Odd | Even | Odd | ||
| YMB | Leadership Mtg: 3:15 pm – Rehearsal: 4 – 7 pm Field 2 | Rehearsal: 4:45 – 7 pm Stadium Turf | Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5 pm Field 2 | Possible after-school rehearsal if needed | Competition: VMBC Herndon Showcase of Bands schedule |
Parent/Caretaker Info
Please fill out this form to share/update adult information for Yorktown Band Boosters. If you have not received emails through CutTime, please make sure you do this.
School-owned Instrument Rental
A contract must be completed for each school-owned instrument a student uses at any point during the school year (including marching band season). If your student is using or needs to use a school-owned instrument, please complete the contract electronically attached to this Parent Square message. Alternatively, a hard copy of the contract can be downloaded here and either electronically or physically returned to Mr. Witkowski.
On the Horizon:
- September 29: SRO Auditions @ TJHSST
- October 2: AVJE Registration Closes
- October 4: YMB Competition: VMBC Rock Ridge Regionals
- October 10: Home Football vs. West Springfield (Homecoming)
Outside (Non-YHS/APS) Opportunities
- September 27 – NOVA Community College Music Department at Alexandria Campus – Percussion Residency with Professor Lee Hinkle, Associate Professor of percussion at Penn State University. He will be hosting a masterclass, rhythmic workshop for high school and college music students. This will be followed by an evening percussion recital that will also feature NOVA Faculty Corey Sittinger. Flier
- Same day as YMB Competition @ Herndon. Schedule TBA.
- The Cathedral Brass is currently enrolling students for their brass youth ensemble. This is an opportunity for brass players with 2+ years of experience at all levels to work under the tutelage of John Cradler, retired tuba player with “The President’s Own” USMC Band. No auditions are required, and students will work in a non-competitive, teamwork environment. Flier
- UVA Band Day – November 8—experience what it’s like to be a Cavalier Marching Band member on a gameday!
- Washington Performing Arts 2025-26 season
- Oct. 18: Third Coast Percussion with Salar Nader, tabla
- (likely to conflict with YMB Competition)
- Nov. 8: Twincussion
- Oct. 18: Third Coast Percussion with Salar Nader, tabla
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!
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:
- On your computer, open Google Calendar.
- On the left, next to “Other calendars,” click Add
From URL. - Enter the YHS Bands calendar’s address.
- 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 Instagram by following @yorktownbands today!