2008
February: Presented songwriting and music business clinics with Grammy award winning songwriter, Joanne Shenandoah.
Fonda Fultonville Jazz Festival, Gold Medal YCCA Jazz Combo. All Star award winners: Alyssa Zionc-Piano, Kenneth Cobble-Alto Sax, Tom Fleming-drums, Mark Tardugno-Trumpet
March: NEW WEBSITE, www.yccamusic.org is finally created and launched by Percussion Director, Corey Colmey
New Hartford Festival, Gold Medal YCCA Jazz Combo. All Star Award Winners: Mark Tardugno-Trumpet, Tim Grossman-Tenor sax, Tom Fleming-Drums, Tim Grossman-Tenor Sax, Kenneth Cobble-Alto Sax, Gold Medal YCCA Jazz Ensemble. All Star Winners: Amit Goel-Alto Sax l, Tim Grossman-Tenor Sax l, Shelby Bird-Flute, Kenneth Cobble Bari Sax, Mark Tardugno-Trumpet 2, Cameron Kondella –Trumpet 3, Drums-Scott Madonia, Tom Fleming-Percussion, Piano-Stephanie Mata, Most Outstanding Saxes-YCCA, Most Outstanding Trumpets-YCCA, Most Outstanding Rhythm section-YCCA, Most Outstanding musician award: Mark Tardugno YCCA Trumpet l
Oneida Jazz Festival: Gold Medal YCCA Jazz Combo, Gold Medal YCCA Jazz Ensemble, Perfect “100” score from festival judge and count Basie trumpeter Derrick Gardner. All Star Awards: Tim Grossman Tenor Sax 2, Mark Tardugno-Trumpet2, Cameron Kondella-Trumpet4, Scott Madonia-Drums, Tom Fleming-Drums, Outstanding Rhythm Section: YCCA
IAJE Awards: Mark Tardugno-Trumpet, Scott Madonia-Drums, Tom Fleming-Drums, Tim Grossman-Tenor Sax
Lisa MacArthur Flute Clinic, Masterclass
April: presented and opened for The Yellowjackets in Concert
Recorded and performed with legendary jazz saxophonist, Bob Mintzer
YCCA Rock Ensemble and Percussion Ensemble perform exhibition at YMCA Open House "Healthy Kids Day"
May: Organized and performed "Where Are They" at "The RIDE" with Denise Morgan: Benefit to Missing Children
YCCA Wind Ensemble performance with MVCC Concert Band @ Capitol Theater
Vocal Masterclass with indie R&B artist, Ian James
YCCA holds its first Sponsorship Gala. YCCA Rock Ensemble performs
African Drumming Ensemble performs a 4 day exhibition at Staley Jr. High School.
June: YCCA Jazz Ensemble performs at Syracuse Jazz Fest
Spring Concert featuring Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Jazz Combos, Percussion Ensemble, Rock Ensemble, Vocal Ensemble, and New Orleans Ensemble
July: YCCA Wind Ensemble performs at the Great American Irish Festival
August: YCCA brings in world class drummer, Will Calhoun, and hosts a clinic.
September: YCCA Wind Ensemble performs on the steps of NYC Public Library with Harlem Boys and Girls Alumni Ensemble, featuring Jazzical creator and pianist, Joel Martin.
YCCA Rock Ensemble performs at Latino Heritage Festival
October: YCCA hosts annual Gala at the Beeches, featuring legendary songwriter/recording artist, Brian O'Neal.
YCCA Rock Ensemble rehearses and records "Ain't That A Shame" with Brian O'Neal
YCCA Rock Ensemble performs at Digital Dream Film & Video Festival
January: Received 2007 Gibson Excellence Award for outstanding YCCA Arts programming
January: presented percussion workshop and clinic with NYC session drummer, G.Calvin Weston
March: New Hartford Jazz Festival: Gold Rating Class A, High score in all classes, All Star Awards: : Mark Tardugno-Lead Trumpet, Christian Victorio-Lead Trombone, kevin Li –trombone 4, Tim Grossman-Tenor Sax 2, Kenneth Cobble-Soprano Sax, Gary Balch-Baritone Sax, Greg Wood-Bass, Hector Gonzalez-Percussion and Kevin O’Connell drums. Outstanding Saxophone section all classes, Outstanding Rhythm section all classes, Outstanding musician all classes: YCCA drummer Kevin O’Connell
March: Oneida Jazz Festival: YCCA Jazz Ensemble 1st place with a Gold Rating Class AAII, All Star Awards: Amit Goel- Alto Sax l, Kenneth Cobble-Baritone Sax, Christian Victorio-Trombone ll, Kevin Li-Trombone lll, Mark Tardugno-Trumpet l, Kevin O’Connell-drums
IAJE Awards: Amit Goel, Christian Victorio, Mark Tardugno, Kevin O'Connell, Greg Wood
March: presented and opened up for Grammy award winner Dr. John and his band the Lower 911 at the Landmark Theater in Syracuse
2007 Spring B# contest awards winners from the YCCA: Andrew Milewski- Piano first place $600, Mike Wade-3rd Piano $300, Heather Bell-Woodwind second place $450. These students presented a concert on April 15 for hundreds at the Munson Williams Proctor Institute.
March: Recorded Li’l Darlin” and “Got Rhythm” with Trumpeter Sean Jones from the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra and the YCCA Jazz ensemble
April: presented the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra String Quartet in Concert for 500 local schoolchildren.
April: April 12-17 Recorded “Jazzmatazz” and “Rainin in My Heart” with legendary New Orleans accordionist/vocalist “Jo El Sonnier"
May: May 4th, Performed and competed in the Ocean City, MD Festivals of Music Competition: Wind Ensemble –First place Class AA Outstanding Concert Band in all classes, Jazz Ensemble-first Place Class AA, Jazz Combo-2nd place class AAA, Awarded “Esprit De Corps” Award Given to the group of students who exhibit exemplary character and outstanding attitude towards their fellow musicians.
May: May 10, Performed at the IMAX Theater in Syracuse with academy Award nominee and New Orleans musician Amanda Shaw. Recorded St. Louis Blues and Long Lonesome Blues with Amanda for upcoming YCCA C.D.
May: May 30 YCCA Jazz students performing and recording live in Concert with The Jordan family from New Orleans at MVCC Theater in Utica. Recorded “Summertime” Bernie’s Tune” and “It Ain’t My Fault” with Jordan Family for upcoming YCCA CD.
June: June 2nd, Darien Lake Music Festival: YCCA Wind Ensemble, 1st place AA, High Scorer in all Instrumental Classes with a99.5%. YCCA Jazz Band 2, 1st place Class A, Jazz All-Star Awards: Ankur Desai-Alto Sax, Barry Li-Baritone, Cameron Hall-Trumpet, Jack Chesebro-Trumpet, Stephanie Mata-Piano, Scott Madonia-Drums
June: YCCA Jazz Ensemble performing and recording live with trombone supergroup “Bonerama” at RFA Auditorium in Rome. Recorded “Spooky” and “Hocus Pocus” with “Bonerama”
July: July 23rd-27th, held fourth annual Band camp for students throughout the central new york area.
New courses added to YCCA programming. Percussion Ensemble, African Drumming, Steel Drumming, Rock Ensemble.
October: Harlem Boys & Girls Choir and the YCCA Wind Ensemble in Concert Rome Free Academy
November: presented Drumming clinic with Jason Marsalis. Recorded "Cute" with Jason and the YCCA Jazz Ensemble.
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2006
New Hartford Jazz Festival: Jazz Ensemble: Gold Medal. 7 outstanding soloist awards
Oneida Jazz Festival: Silver Medal. 7 outstanding soloist awards
January: Implemented Wynton Marsalis Jazz Curriculum Jazz for Young People
Festivals of Music: Montreal, Canada, Wind Ensemble 2nd Place class AA, Jazz Ensemble 1st Place Class A, Most Outstanding band in all classes, Most outstanding section (trumpet section), Most outstanding Instrumental soloist: Mike Lombardo-Piano
Darien Lake Music Festival and Competition: Wind Ensemble: 1st place Independent class AA, Jazz Ensemble: 1st place Independent Class AA, All four outstanding section awards, 8 YCCA Outstanding Soloist awards
March: Presented Louis Armstrong vocalist Jewel Brown in Concert
March: presented Campbellsville University flute professor Dr. Lisa McArthur in a series of clinics, concerts
April: presented the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Brass Quintet in Concert
July: presented trombone clinic and workshop with Memphis University trombone professor, Dr. John Mueller
August: Held the Louis "Satchmo" Armstrong Summer Jazz Camp in Rome
September: Opened for the Brubeck Brothers, Cazenovia Jazz Festival
September: Presented original member of the Supremes Mary Wilson at 2006 Breaking Barriers dinner
October: YCCA Wind Ensemble performed and recorded the World Premiere of “Katrina” with New Orleans trumpeter Leroy Jones
November: presented New Orleans clarinetist/vocalist Doreen Ketchins in Concert
December: Performed and recorded with Gospel Legend Topsy Chapman
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2005
Festivals of Music Competition, Boston Mass: Wind Ensemble: 2nd place Class AA, Jazz Ensemble 1st place class AA, Esprit de Corps Award, 5 outstanding soloist awards
New Hartford Jazz Festival: Jazz Ensemble: Gold Medal ,7 musicians named to All Star band
Oneida Jazz Festival: Silver Medal, 5 outstanding soloist awards
Darien Lake Music Festival and Competition: Wind Ensemble: 1st place class AA, Grand Champion (1st place in all classes), Jazz Ensemble: 1st place Class AA, Grand Champion (1st place in all classes) 8 outstanding soloist awards
March: presented Campbellsville University flute professor Dr. Lisa McArthur in a series of clinics
April-Presented the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Percussion Ensemble
May: Presented and opened for the Yellowjackets in Concert
June: YCCA Director of Music Scott Rutledge wins KEYS Music teacher of the Year
July: presented Memphis University Trombone professor Dr. John Mueller in a workshop and clinic
July: YCCA Jazz Ensemble performed at Jazz in the Square, Syracuse NY
July: Presented the Ellis Marsalis trio in concert. YCCA Jazz Ensemble was the opening act for this concert.
August: presented and opened for Grammy nominated vocalist Jane Monheit at Jazz along the Mohawk
September: presented Dance workshop with famed New York choreographer, Mercedes Ellington
October: presented and opened up for The New Orleans ALL-Stars, A Concert to benefit displaced New Orleans Musicians
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2004
January: Presented and opened for the Marcus Roberts Trio in concert
May: Darien Lake Music Festival : Wind Ensemble 2nd place Class AA, Jazz Ensemble 2nd place Class AA
May: Presented Maynard Ferguson in Concert
July: Presented and opened for Jane Monheit, Jazz Along the Mohawk
August: Opened for Christian rockers Audio Adrenaline
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2003
September: Presented two drum clinics with Jason Marsalis
October: Presented the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Quintet in Concert and a series of workshops
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