NEWS & EVENTS

Band Event CalendAR

Midwood Bands Event Calendar 2025-26

Midwood Arts Department Newsletters

Special thanks to Media teacher Mr. Mei for producing these amazing department newsletters that cover the exciting news and events in the Arts Department at Midwood:

Current Newsletter:

Midwood Arts Department Newsletter Summer 2025

Previous Newsletters:

Weekly BEFORE & After-School Band Activities:

MONDAYS 3:30-4:30pm ➔ Music Tutoring (B15)
TUESDAYS 2:45-4:30pm ➔ Jazz Band Club (B19)
WEDNESDAYS 8:00-9:00am ➔ BK Steppers Drumline (B19) // 2:45-4:30pm ➔ Jazz Band Club (B19)
THURSDAYS 3:30-4:30pm ➔ Chamber Music Club (B15) *Chamber Music hasn't started yet

Band Gigs

Is there a Midwood event or sports game that could use some extra musical pep?

The band program is open to expanding our performance/gig calendar. A variety of ensembles and individual band students may be available depending on the opportunity. Email Mr. Hayen with your ideas: thayen2@schools.nyc.gov

Past band News & events Archive [2024-25]

BAND NEWS 2024-25 [Archive]

NEW Midwood Jazz Band Club is a student-organized "big-band"-style ensemble that is forming in the fall term 2025-26. Check out the promo video and complete this short interest form to get involved!
Midwood Selected for NEW Ensemble Connect Partnership 2025-27 ➔ New two-year partnership established with coveted Ensemble Connect Program in collaboration with Carnegie Hall and the Juilliard School.
Expanded Music Track leading to Arts-Endorsed Diploma ➔ Students in Humanities and LASI (Liberal Arts and Sciences) programs are eligible for the Music Track that is being expanded to lead to a specialized Arts-Endorsed Diploma upon graduation! This exciting development is years in the making. More details to come.
New Marching Percussion Instruments and Equipment for Drumline ➔ On February 24th the Midwood Band program received a large shipment of new marching percussion instruments and equipment! Special thanks to BK Steppers Drumline partnership for their support in setting up, tuning, and maintaining these great new drums.
2024 Winter Concert Video Recording and Argus Article ➔ The Midwood Band Winter Concert on December 12, 2024 is now available on the Midwood YouTube channel. A glowing review of the concert was also published in the Midwood Argus school newspaper: Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band Bring Winter Vibes to the Auditorium
Midwood Arts Department Newsletter Fall 2024 ➔ Check out the Fall 2024 Newsletter from the Arts Department at Midwood High School. Special thanks to Mr. Mei for producing the newsletters.
Band Renovation Featured in Midwood Argus Article ➔ New school newspaper article outlines the renovations including upgraded floors, shelving, acoustic panels, and expanded student practice space. Classroom setup continues to improve as we fully migrate back to B15 after over four months without access to the band room due to construction. Stop by to see the newest upgrades! Article online: New Band Room and Air Conditioned Gyms Greet Returning Hornets
Homecoming Promo Video featuring Band Students ➔ Three students from Wind Ensemble were featured in a popular Homecoming Promo Video directed and produced by Mr. Bruffee and starring Midwood Principal Dr. Quinlan. The pep band music at the end was performed and recorded by the Midwood Wind Ensemble. Check out the video promo here.
Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect Partnership ➔ We are honored that Mrs. Duffy brought us this new partnership to Midwood this year. The program includes weekly sessions with Ensemble Connect fellow Anjalie Shinde, collaborative performances brought to the Midwood auditorium, and free Carnegie Hall concert tickets for band students.
BK Steppers Drumline Partnership ➔ Weekly hour-long sessions for Wind Ensemble percussion students with two expert marching percussion instructors from BK Steppers. Special thanks to Mr. Jordan for bringing this new partnership to Midwood.
Chamber Music Club Expansion ➔ Student organized Chamber Music Club has expanded to officially meet twice per week (Thursdays and Fridays after school). Interested band students should complete the Chamber Music Club Interest Form.
Band Student Leadership Opportunities ➔ New Wind Ensemble section leaders have been announced and other band student leadership opportunities expanding this term. Interested band students should complete the Midwood Band Student Leadership Form

BAND EVENTS 2024-25 [Archive]

Graduation Ceremony on June 25th featured the Midwood Wind Ensemble! ➔ Back again after a year hiatus, the Wind Ensemble performed at the Graduation ceremony at the beautiful Kings Theater. Congratulations to all the graduating seniors!
Symphonic Band earned SILVER at NYSSMA Festival on June 7th ➔ Symphonic Band performed a challenging program of music at Murrow High School NYSSMA Festival Site, earning the SILVER rating.
Midwood Drumline performed at the 2025 Next Wave Percussion Festival on June 3rd ➔ This special event at LaGuardia Community College was a full day of percussion masterclasses and hands-on sectional clinics, culminating in student drumline performances. The Midwood Drumline received the “Outstanding Bass Section” award for their performance at the festival.
Symphonic Band performed at Juilliard through Ensemble Connect on May 28th ➔ Bringing together Ensemble Connect schools from around NYC, the Symphonic Band performed at the Juilliard School for this special concert. Special thanks to Mrs. Duffy for bringing this amazing partnership to Midwood!
Wind Ensemble awarded GOLD at May 1st, 2025 NYSSMA Majors Festival! ➔ The Midwood Wind Ensemble traveled to Harlem School of the Arts on May 1st to perform and receive adjudicated feedback from NYSSMA Judges. They earned the coveted GOLD rating (the highest rating category).
Ensemble Connect March Collaborative Concert ➔ On March 4, 2025 during 9th and 10th periods, a second group of professional musicians from Carnegie Hall's "Ensemble Connect" partnership visited Midwood for a special collaborative concert for Midwood Band students in the auditorium (Symphonic Band and Beginner Band students in particular).
Annual "Caroling" in Lobby Thursday December 19, 2024 during second period ➔ Wind Ensemble students playing holiday/winter-themed music in the lobby as students enter the building during second period on Thursday, December 19th.
Winter Band Concert: Thursday December 12, 2024 5:00pm ➔ Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, and Drumline performed a variety of music in formal concert in the Midwood auditorium.
Preview Wind Ensemble Performance: Wednesday December 11, 2024 3:45pm ➔ Wind Ensemble "preview" performance in the auditorium featured music from the Winter Concert.
Ensemble Connect Performance: Tuesday, December 3rd 2024 during 4th and 5th period ➔ Professional musicians from Carnegie Hall's "Ensemble Connect" partnership visited Midwood for a collaborative concert presented to Midwood band students in the auditorium on December 3rd during 4th and 5th period. Students were engaged in interactive listening and collaborative composition activities as part of this unique concert. Special thanks to Mrs. Duffy and Ensemble Connect fellow Anjalie Shinde for this exciting opportunity.
Midwood Open House Thurs Nov 7 2024 ➔ Midwood Open House Performance. Wind Ensemble played in the auditorium before Open House starts and helped to kick off the event for prospective students and families.

Homecoming Sat Nov 2 2024 ➔ Homecoming parade and football game performance! Wind Ensemble played and marched in the parade from Midwood to the stadium. The band performed the National Anthem and played pep band music in the stands during the first half of the game.
Marching/Parade Practice Tues Oct 29 and Wed Oct 30 2024 ➔ Wind Ensemble Marching/Parade Practice around Midwood and Annex buildings during 2nd period.

Report abuse