Welcome to Yorktown! We’re looking forward to your participation in the Yorktown Bands. As a new student at Yorktown, you have an opportunity to join one of the finest music programs in the country. The Yorktown Band program has been named a GRAMMY Signature Schools semi-finalist and has been honored with a SupportMusic Merit Award from The NAMM Foundation for outstanding commitment to music education. The Yorktown Band is the only Arlington program to have participated in Music For All’s National Concert Band & Percussion Ensemble Festival, and offers the greatest number and variety of instrumental ensembles in Arlington County!
Resources
Joining the Yorktown Wind Bands
If you are a 10-12th grade student transferring to you Yorktown, contact Mr. Bersh to set up an audition. All 9th grade students will be members of the Concert Band.
The two ensembles that are offered according to the Program of Studies are the Intermediate Band (Concert Band) and the Advanced Band (Wind Ensemble). 9th grade students sign up for Intermediate Band on their CRF, plus the Marching Band if they are interested in performing as a part of that ensemble. The Marching Band meets as an ensemble after school twice a week during the 1st marking period, and performs at home football games and about four competitions in the fall. For more information on any of these ensembles, check out their pages under the Ensembles tab.
My Music Office
As soon as you have a User Name you will be able to update your contact information through My Music Office. Click on the My Music Office tab to find out more about this program. It will serve as the primary means of communication between the band director and the students/families.
Marching Band
Members of the marching band should be aware that there is a summer commitment involved. We learn the majority of the show before the first day of school arrives, and all members must attend Band Camp. There is a cost for our Band Camp at Mercersburg Academy, and financial assistance are available for students. Please plan your vacations around the dates that the band travels to Mercersburg Academy for camp. View Marching Band Video Trailer Here to get a behind the scenes view of what Marching Band and Band Camp are all about!
Audition for Jazz Band
Audition requirements for the jazz band can be found on the jazz band page. Auditions will be held within the first two weeks of school, but audition details will be posted the previous spring. You do not need to have previous jazz experience to try our for a jazz ensemble. Now is the time to learn and receive instruction on how to perform in the jazz style!
Student participation in music ensembles is dependent on enrollment in a full-credit music course. Exceptions are only made for those students where there is not a course option for their instrument (e.g. color guard with marching band, and rhythm section instruments for jazz ensembles).