Read the director’s update in full

YHS Bands Update: 11 December 2023

This Week: Dec. 11 – Dec. 16Concert BandsJazz BandYMB/AIP/YHSWG
Monday, December 11CB Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5:30 AIP Rehearsal: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday, December 12YSO Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5WE Rehearsal: 6 – 7:30Rehearsal: 7 – 8:05 a.m.YHSWG: 6 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 13YSO Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5 AIP Rehearsal: 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 14Band Concert: CB report @ 5:45; 6 p.m. sound check on stage; 7 p.m. ConcertJazz report @ 6:30; 7 p.m. ConcertWE & YSO report at 6:50; 8 p.m. Concert
Friday, December 15  YHSWG: 5 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, December 16  YHSWG: 8 a.m. – 12 p.m.AIP: 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Director’s Notes:

It’s concert week! I look forward to seeing our students’ friends and families at the concert on Thursday!

Class Happenings

We are focusing on polishing our concert repertoire at this time.

YSO & Jazz Band Elementary Tour

On Wednesday, December 20, the Yorktown Big Band and Symphony Orchestra are doing a tour performance at Jamestown, Nottingham, and Discovery Elementary Schools. Students in those ensembles (and their parents/caretakers), should see this letter and complete the permission slip. Hard copies of the permission slip are available in the band room under the TV. Please try to complete the permission slip and turn in by Friday.

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. 

APS Winter Music Workshop

Apply to participate in a FUN, One-Day workshop for developing high school musicians who want to play new and interesting music together. This Honors-style event is geared towards students who are excited about music, but have not been accepted into Senior Regional/All-District Ensembles. Applications are due Wednesday, December 20. Event is Saturday, February 12.

Next Week: Dec. 18 – Dec. 23Concert BandsJazz BandYMB/AIP/YHSWG
Monday, December 18 Rehearsal: 7 – 8:05 a.m. 
Tuesday, December 19YSO Rehearsal: 3:30 – 5WE Rehearsal: 6 – 7:30 AIP Rehearsal: 6 – 8:30 p.m.YHSWG: 6 – 9 p.m.
Wednesday, December 20YSO & Jazz Band Tour: 8 – 3:45 
Thursday, December 21Winter Break
Friday, December 22
Saturday, December 23

On the Horizon:

  • December 20: APS Winter Music Workshop Application Deadline
  • January 6: All-District Band Auditions @ McLean

Financial Statements

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.

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

  • Check-in will begin at 9:30am, and the day should end around 4pm. Registration is $30.00.
  • Any interested student should fill out this interest form

YMB Portraits 

The individual portraits from YMB Picture Day are up and available for purchase hereALL proceeds from photo sales benefit the Yorktown Band Boosters.

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   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:

Instrument Rental Form

YMB Picture Day Photos

Emergency Care Contact Form