May 2022

YORK MUSIC BOOSTERS

Newsletter #052522

 

SPRING CONCERTS
We enjoyed a full slate of spring concerts this year! Some performances can still be streamed on the "YTV Productions" YouTube Channel. Thank you to junior Jack Borchers and the YTV team for working so hard to livestream music events!

Looking for a more permanent copy of a concert? Order a professionally-recorded CD. More info here.

Photo: York Symphony Orchestra, 2022 graduates

 

AWARD WINNERS
YMB proudly funds the William Riddle Scholarship and Cathy Carson Award. Recipients are selected by the Performing Arts teachers. Learn more.

Congratulations to the following students:

William Riddle Scholarship
Brandon Cello (Orchestra)
Will Fisher (Choir)
Ben Mehta (Band)
Erin Pahl (Dance)
Matt Ramirez (Music Production)
Luke Wallace (Band)
Sam Yungmann (Choir)

Cathy Carson Award
Andrew Prather (Band)
Kate Krupa (Band)

 

YORK ALBUM PROJECT RELEASES 10TH ALBUM
York Album Project dropped its latest release - "Younger Than Tomorrow" - on May 23. Enjoy 14 tracks of original music by York students in styles ranging from rock to pop to rap, and more. Available wherever you stream your music.

Spotify or Apple Music
Bandcamp

Click here to see YTV's coverage of this latest album, including interviews with some of the artists.

YMB is a proud sponsor of the York Album Project.

 

SUMMER PROGRAMS
District 205 offers summer arts enrichment for incoming 5th - 9th graders. Classes include dance, band, orchestra, ukulele, music production, and more, all held at York High School. Check out the program here.

Elmhurst's Summer Community Band and Jazz Band are led by York's own Mr. Pavlik and Mr. Riddle (retired). The bands are open to all ages - middle school through adult. Sign up today!

 

CONGRATS TO THE CLASS OF 2022
Our board members delivered "Performing Arts" signs to seniors all over town just before graduation. It was our way of acknowledging students' dedication as performers in band, orchestra, choir, music production, and dance. Thank you to this year's York graduates who brought so much joy to the Elmhurst community! We wish them all the best for the future!

Our mailing list and memberships reset each fall. Did your youngest just graduate, or has your student decided to move out of the Performing Arts program? You can still be in-the-loop on the latest York music news. Just send us an email requesting to be added to our friends-and-family list and you'll continue to receive the newsletter and other important announcements. You can unsubscribe from the mailing list anytime.

 

MORE BAND TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
Band students traveled to New Orleans in March. We're excited to share more video footage and photos from their performance in Jackson Square - here. Thank you to YMB Membership Chair Mary Young for the footage!

 

ANNUAL CONCERTO / ARIA COMPETITION

Plan ahead for the 2022-2023 York Symphony Concerto/Aria Competition! Auditions will be Tuesday, September 13, 2022, after school, ending around 5:30 or 6:00pm.

  • The competition is open to junior and senior strings, woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano and voice students enrolled in a York performing ensemble course.
  • Contact Mr. Ostwald with questions about appropriate pieces, difficulty, movements, cuts or length.
  • Winners, if selected, will perform accompanied by the York Symphony if possible.

Applications are due Thursday, August 25. Contact Mr. Ostwald for more information.

 

STUDENTS RECOGNIZED IN STATE COMPETITION
Congratulations to drama and choir students Owen Espinosa ('22) and Regan Wright (junior) who were nominated as Best Actor and Best Actress at the Illinois Musical Theatre Awards. It's a huge honor to be nominated. Regan went on to WIN the Best Actress award for 2022!

 

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE 2021-22 YMB BOARD

  • Outfitted 100 orchestra students in formal concert uniforms.
  • Contributed to the York Album Project.
  • Organized fall fundraisers (i.e. Greens Sale, Lou Malnati's Coupon Sale) resulting in more than $12,000 deposited into individual student escrow accounts.
  • Managed escrow payments for students attending the orchestra trip to Madison and band trip to New Orleans.
  • Provided lobby helpers for every band, orchestra, and choir concert throughout the year.
  • Sponsored part of Fine Arts Week.
  • Approved more than $6,000 for private lessons, summer scholarships, and year-end awards.
  • Created and distributed "Performing Arts" signs to graduating seniors.
  • Hosted receptions after all spring band, orchestra, and choir concerts.
  • Created monthly newsletters, eBlasts, and social media posts throughout the year to announce, celebrate, and promote activities happening with York Performing Arts students.
  • Approved expenditure for future soundproofing project in the York practice room areas.

We can't do what we do without our generous YMB members and donors. THANK YOU!

Also key to our success are YMB advisers Patrick Baker (D205 Fine and Performing Arts Director) and Mike Pavlik (York Band Director). We greatly appreciate their participation in our meetings and their guidance throughout the year.

We have a vibrant and creative board leading York Music Boosters. Click here to see who was on the board this year, and to see who's serving next year. Whether it's a board position or just a few hours of your time once a year, we always welcome volunteers! Contact us to learn more about how you can help.

 

GO DUKES! HAVE A GREAT SUMMER!