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December 4, 2023

Message from the Reps

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Happy December Music Families!

Hopefully you had a great weekend. The holiday festivities have begun and the Music Studio launched December with a couple of memorable performances.

The Wind Symphony opened the 87th annual NYSSMA Winter Conference in Rochester, NY this past Friday, and the Show Choir kicked off the holiday season with a public performance yesterday, as part of the NYC Holiday Open Streets on 5th avenue.

There's much to celebrate this week! Read on for more highlights from these two amazing performances from our Instrumental and Vocal students and much more.

Have an awesome week!

As always, we look forward to hearing your thoughts, so if you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to us either in the WhatsApp Chat or via email: music@laguardiahspa.org or instrumental@laguardiahspa.org

Connect With Us

Are you on our mailing list? Please make sure you sign up to get on our mailing list so you will never miss a meeting. Meetings will always be posted in the Music Monday newsletter and reminder emails will also be sent.

You can create an account using this link: Membership Tool Kit

Please continue to join us virtually and in-person. We look forward to seeing you!

Hanukkah Sameach!

Hanukkah begins this Thursday, December 7th at sundown. Wishing all who observe, a happy Hanukkah.

Wind Symphony

Wind Symphony rehearsal at Fairport High School Wind Symphony at 87th Annual NYSSMA Winter Conference

Congratulations!

Congratulations goes out to Kimberly Roof Arazosa and David Blumenthal, conductors, and the LaGuardia Wind Symphony on a stellar performance at the 87th Annual NYSSMA (New York State School Music Association) Winter Conference.

This was an amazing honor bestowed upon the Wind Symphony, as they are the first group to ever be invited from NYC to perform as the main event of the conference. Their performance received a well-deserved standing ovation!

In the spring, the Wind Symphony received a Gold, with Distinction for their performance at the NYSSMA Majors Festival.

Please click the photos below to hear the LaGuardia Wind Symphony perform at the 87th Annual NYSSMA Winter Conference.

Program cover art by Wind Symphony students: Bianca Avalon and Isabella Roman

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Wind Symphony perform Dancing Fire

Composer: Kevin Day

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Wind Symphony perform Sanctus

Composer: Ola Gjeilo

Show Choir

Congratulations!

The LaGuardia Show Choir, Conducted by Jeanne Cascio and accompanied by Dr. Chris Koelzer on piano, performed yesterday as part of NYC Holiday Open Streets on 5th Avenue. Click the photos below to hear them perform several beloved holiday classics.

Special edition LAG beanies provided by your Music Studio.

Special thanks to Barbette Leonard, Neil Rosenblatt and Marcee Smith from our parent community, for sharing photos and video footage.

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Show Choir perform Sleigh Bells

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Show Choir perform Like It's Christmas

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Show Choir perform Let It Snow

Click the above photo to hear the LaGuardia Show Choir perform This Christmas

YoungArts 2024

Congratulations!

The Music Studio sends out congratulations to all YoungArts winners and a special shout out to students from the Music Studio:

Winners

Yufei Chen - Classical Music/Piano

Paloma Chesky - Voice/Singer-Songwriter

Bix Cole - Jazz/Piano

Aidan Francia Cotter - Jazz/Piano

Mia Lailani Perez - Voice/Singer-Songwriter

Nigel Swinson - Voice/Jazz & Voice/Classical: Baritone

Winners w/Distinction

Detola Badmus - Voice/Classical: Bass

Bobby Park - Classical Music/Violin

Blurb From Ben

Dear Music Studio Families,

We have so many reasons to celebrate as we close out 2023 in this last month of the year!

The Wind Symphony performed at the 2023 New York State School Music Association Conference in Rochester! They represented LaGuardia as well as NYC, as they are the first NYC group asked to perform at the “main event” of the conference!
We celebrate LaGuardia’s 18 YoungArts winners, 8 of which represent the Music Studio!! “Every year thousands of performing, visual and literary artists aged 15-18 apply to YoungArts through their national competition. Award winners with distinction attend National YoungArts Week to collaborate with peers and develop their crafts with internationally recognized leaders in their fields. Award winners with distinction in their senior year are further eligible for nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts—one of the nation’s highest honors for high school students.”
Elementary Chorus and Cambiata recently participated in the Brooklyn College Conservatory Choral and Voice Invitational! Students participated in master classes, choral workshops and had the opportunity to perform for choral groups from the NYC community.
There are so many events that occur daily to celebrate at LaGuardia. We have compiled a listing of our Master Classes and Special Guests

One of the best ways to both support our program and have a great night out is to attend ourconcerts! All concert proceeds go directly to support our program. Our program needs include the upkeep of instruments, purchasing of music for our ensembles, and funding teaching artists that work with our students. We have multiple concerts in the month of January. Tickets for January concerts can be purchased athttps://www.tix.com/ticket-sales/laguardiahs/699.

IMPORTANT REMINDERS:

Junior and Senior Juries: The junior and senior juries will be held at the end of January. Juniors and seniors should review the 2024 Instrumental Jury Letter or 2024 vocal Jury Letter and join the google classrooms indicated in the letters.

Senior NYCDOE Music Commencement Assessment: Please review the 2024 Commencement Exam Intro Letter to Students and Families and fill out the registration form linked in the letter.
- In order to perform at LaGuardia, students must be present in school on the day of the performance. If a student is too sick to attend school then they should not perform and should take care of their health. Please also refer to the ensemble syllabus for more information regarding performance eligibility.
- In order to perform at LaGuardia, students must complete the DOE media release.
- Parents can sign it digitally here: https://www.schoolsaccount.nyc/
  - Families should login and click on forms
  - Click on “sign” for the media consent

Please do not hesitate to contact me at Bschott@schools.nyc.gov if you have any questions or concerns.

Benjamin Schott

Assistant Principal - Music

Don't Forget!

Future Dates:

December 10 - Jazz Orchestra performs as part of the NYC Holiday Open Streets event at the stage located on 5th avenue between 57th and 58th street, 3:30pm

December 12 - Show Choir performs with the New York City Opera at the main stage at Bryant Park beginning at 6pm.

December 13 - LaG Swag Spirit Shopping Day, 2:45-4:30pm

December 17 - Music Studio Karaoke, 2:45 to 5 pm at Karaoke City at 22 West 32nd Street, 7th floor. Cost $16 for two hours of singing and fun - food and beverages available for purchase separately.

December 18 - Music Studio General Meeting, 7:30 via Zoom

January 5 & 6, 2024 - Winter Semi-Annual Concert, 6:30pm

January 8, 2024 - Music Studio General Meeting, 7:30 via Zoom. 1st year LaG Alum College Freshmen will share their college experiences.

Music Studio Funding Appeal

The Music Studio thanks you for your continued donations and support for our students and studio. Your donations assist in covering the many expenses of the Music Studio, which in turn helps our students. While we work to continuously support our students and teachers, we definitely cannot achieve this without your help. These necessary funds are used to purchase the music our students perform, workshops, master classes, professional development, accompanists and so much more.

Click HERE to read our fundraising letter - WE NEED YOUR HELP!!

Music Studio Merchandise!!

Our online store is now open!!

Shop now! Order pick-ups happen Friday afternoons.

If you have questions or comments please email lagmusicstudiostore@gmail.com

Resources

FIND YOUR BEST POST SECONDARY MUSIC SCHOOL

Get all the details you need for your best music school choice, from audition requirements to financial aid and career help - and what makes each school unique.

Click the photo to download the 2023-24 Guide to Music Schools.

View the guide online here.

SUMMER PROGRAMS

Below you will find a list of organizations who offer summer programing for high school students. Click on any one to be taken directly to their websites for more information.

*DISCLAIMER*

The LaGaurdia PA does not endorse any of the below organizations. Resource listing is provided simply as a means to share information with our Music Studio Community.

ArtsBridge Summer 2024

Applications Are Now Open For Our 15th Summer

Join us next summer at Baldwin Wallace University for the ArtsBridge Summer programs you already love, plus our newest addition!

Learn More & APPLY NOW

2-Week Programs: July 19 - August 2, 2024

4-Day Add-on Programs: July 15 - July 19, 2024

New Program Spotlight

ArtsBridge Summer Screen Acting

We are thrilled to announce our newest program: ArtsBridge Summer Screen Acting! Led by Chapman University faculty John Benitz, students in this 4-day add-on program will discover a whole new world of acting for the screen. Through a series of exercises and hands-on experience, students will build foundational screen acting skills. The program will culminate in the filming and screening of partnered scenes, allowing students to experience the entire process from rehearsal to professionally edited work.

Contact: 1-855-788-ARTS (2787)

info@artsbridge.com

ArtsBridge.com

Do you have additional resources to share with the LaGuardia Music Studio Community?

Please email us at musicstudiocomms@laguardiahspa.org

Other Music Opportunities

NEW YORK YOUTH SYMPHONY JAZZ CONCERT

Sunday Night Jazz Vibes in Brooklyn

Director Michael Thomas will lead the NYYS Jazz Band in his inaugural season as director at the Shapeshifter Lab for the first time on Sunday, December 10th, at 5:30PM! The band will be showcasing the legacy of Thad Jones; from his early days with the Count Basie Orchestra, to his work as a co-founder and leader of the Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra. This concert will feature works from Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Thad Jones, as well as NYYS First Music Commission from Ben Beckman titled Dream Logic.

Shapeshifter Lab is located at 837 Union Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.

Tickets

THE B-SIDE AT CARNEGIE HALL

The B-Side is a program for young people (ages 14-22) that provides an entry-level look at different career opportunities in the music industry. Whether participants are aspiring artists or future music-industry leaders, this program will provide essential industry related skills, and connections with performing artists, music industry executives, accomplished producers, songwriters, and more. You do not need to be a musician to apply. The B-Side is open to any young person who is interested in learning about the music industry. Apply by January 4, 2024

MET ORCHESTRA MASTER CLASSES 2023-24

Since its founding in 1883, the MET Orchestra's performances have encompassed not only the entire opera's repertoire, but symphonic and chamber programs at Carnegie Hall, international tours, and countless musician activities outside of the Metropolitan Opera House. Lessonface is proud to be hosting online masterclasses and more activities with Met Orchestra musicians. Now accepting applications and enrollments for masterclasses for 2023-2024 for Trombone and Flute - free for performers and viewers.

Sign up to watch and learn more about MET Orchestra Musicians on Lessonface.

Apply to perform in upcoming masterclasses. Accepting applications for trombone and flute

Trombone: January 14, 2024 (for the February 4 live masterclass)

Flute: March 30, 2024 (for the April 21 live masterclass)

NYO-USA

Each summer, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Music Institute (WMI) brings together the brightest young players from across the country to form the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA), a free program for all participants. Following a comprehensive audition process and a multi-week training residency with leading professional orchestra musicians, these remarkable teenagers embark on a tour to some of the great music capitals of the world while serving as dynamic music ambassadors.

Applications NOW OPEN for 2024 National Youth Ensembles

Deadlines vary; visit the links for more info.

NYO2 - application deadline December 11, 2023

NYO Jazz - application deadline January 19, 2024

NYO Orchestra - application deadline December 4, 2023

NYO Apprenticeship - application deadline December 4, 2023

Do you know of an opportunity to share with the LaGuardia Music Studio Community?

Please email us at musicstudiocomms@laguardiahspa.org

Upcoming Events on the LaG School Calendar

Tuesday, December 5

6:30p PA EB Meeting @ 6:30 PM

Wednesday, December 6