YHS Bands Update: 29 September 2025
| This Week | Monday 9/29 | Tuesday 9/30 | Wednesday 10/1 | Thursday 10/2 | Friday 10/3 | Saturday 10/4 |
| Even | Odd | Even | Holiday: Yom Kippur | Odd | ||
| YMB | Leadership Mtg: 3:15 pm – Rehearsal: 5:30 – 8:30 pm Field 2 | Rehearsal: 5 – 7 pm Stadium Turf | Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5 pm Field 2 | Competition: VMBC Rock Ridge Regionals UPDATED schedule | ||
| Honors Events | SRO Auditions | AVJE Registration window closes | AVJE audition window opens |
Director’s Notes:
It was great to see many parents at Back to School Night on Thursday! As I said at each session, my goal is for the students in the YHS Bands to have a great experience while challenging them to reach their potential. I hope to be a partner in that quest with parents/guardians. Please help me to better serve your student by communicating concerns.
Thank you to the members of the YMB for putting in the extra time this past week to prepare for our first competition. It is unfortunate that the event got moved inside—a different performance scenario than we spent the bulk of our time preparing for. I am pleased with the performance and am really looking forward to getting it on the competitive field on Saturday.
YMB – Tuesday
As communicated to the students on Friday and families on Sunday, Tuesday’s YMB rehearsal will be a full ensemble rehearsal from 5:30 – 8:30 instead of a split rehearsal.
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 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).
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 10/6 | Tuesday 10/7 | Wednesday 10/8 | Thursday 10/9 | Friday 10/10 | Saturday 10/11 |
| Even | Odd | Even | Holiday: Yom Kippur | Odd | ||
| YMB | Leadership Mtg: 3:15 pm – Rehearsal: Winds 4:30 – 7; Percussion & Guard 6 – 8:30 pm | Rehearsal: 6:30 – 9 pm Stadium Turf | Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5 pm Field 2 | Home Football vs. West Springfield HS (Homecoming): 5:30 report | ||
| Tri-M | Meeting: 3:15 Patriot Hall | AVJE Registration window closes | AVJE audition window opens |
Band Costs
Costs are explained in this document. Costs can be paid through SCO or via check to Yorktown High School. Cost should never prohibit student participation. Financial Assistance is available for those in need. Requests for financial assistance should be made directly to the Band Director prior to the due date for the related fee. Contact me for more information.
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:
- October 17: Away Football @ Wakefield
- October 18: YMB Competition – VMBC Oakton Classic
- October 24: Home Football vs. Herndon
- October 25: YMB Competition – VMBC Championships
Outside (Non-YHS/APS) Opportunities
- 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.”
From URL.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!