Join York Music Boosters, and you can be a part of a decades-long tradition of providing support to the York High School music and dance programs. YMB proudly boosts students in band, orchestra, choir, music production and dance.

Become a YMB member

How does YMB help the Performing Arts students, teachers and programs at York?

• Grants, scholarships and private lessons for students to pursue opportunities in the performing arts

• Year-end award programs to honor exemplary students in the performing arts

• The hosting of concert receptions

• Support for York's one-of-a-kind Fine Arts Week and the York Album Project

• Help for students to offset the costs of school-sponsored travel, including by organizing fundraisers such as the traditional Holiday Greens Sale and Lou Malnati's Pizza Sale

  • During the 2024-2025 school year, for example, YMB organized fundraisers that deposited thousands of dollars into individual student escrow accounts. It also provided help for students in need of financial assistance to take part in school-led, out-of-state trips.

• Partner with District 205 on projects to improve the performing arts experience at York High School.

  • YMB, for instances, reached its "Dream Grand" goal (with Elmhurst Music Boosters), raising $22,000 to help bring a concert-worthy piano to the York auditorium.

YMB looks forward to carrying on this tradition, but these successes are only possible with your membership, donations and help.

Become a YMB member

Shoutout to These Award-Winning Performing Arts Students at York!

York Music Boosters congratulates all of the exemplary students in band, choir, dance, music production and orchestra who here honored with year-end awards for the 2024-'25 school year. The following York students won these YMB-sponsored awards. (Award winners are chosen by the York High School Performing Arts teachers.)

Riddle Award*

Band | Liam Fahey

Choir | Lola Torson

Dance | Dayne Crow

Music Production | Kai Ramsay and Angel Morales Corona

* The William Riddle Award is awarded to outstanding York Performing Arts sophomores or juniors who put the needs of others first and help their peers to develop, learn and succeed. Winners can use the awards for lessons, summer camps, and instrument upgrades or for additional music and leadership enrichment opportunities. The award is named after William (Bill) Riddle, who led the Performing Arts Department for 11 years.

Ostwald Award*

Ignas Zemaitaitis

* This scholarship award is presented to a sophomore, junior, or senior orchestra student who consistently demonstrates dedication to musicianship; dependability; a positive attitude; leadership by example; and a kind, helpful spirit. It honors the legacy of Ray Ostwald, who retired as York High School orchestra director after 27 years of service at the school.

York Performing Arts Memorial Award*

Alexa Klein

* The York Performing Arts Memorial Award is a testament to YMB’s deep commitment to fostering a vibrant community and nurturing a rich cultural heritage within the York Performing Arts Program. It is bestowed upon a senior student who not only showcases outstanding leadership and citizenship, but also exemplifies exceptional musicianship. This memorial scholarship is our way of honoring the enduring legacy of York music students whose contributions have gone beyond mere performance, embodying leadership and service to our community.

YMB also congratulates these other year-end award winners in the Performing Arts:

• Band — Matthew Markwald: Sousa Award; Anthony D'Alessandro: Paulus Award; and Justin Anderson: Louis Armstrong Award

• Dance — Brooklyn Nuss: Outstanding Senior in Dance

• Orchestra — Noah Choi: Inez Mittelstadt Orchestra Service Award; and Zhihanna Liu: National School Orchestra Award

Check Out the Latest York Album Project

The talent, creativity and hard work of our York students can be heard throughout the 28-track “do you believe in ghosts,” the title of this year’s York Album Project. It was released on May 16 and is available on all streaming platforms. Under the direction of teacher Chris Gemkow, the York Album Project has been releasing original student songs for 10 years. The latest album continues to highlight the talent of these young songwriters and music producers.

The cover art was designed by senior Connor Thibos.

The York Album Project is an extracurricular activity -- all of the students put in considerable time outside the school day to record their songs. Almost all of the songs were entirely recorded and mixed at York.

Give it a listen

Seeking New YMB Board Members: Join Us and Help the Performing Arts at York

Are you interested in contributing to the continued success of York’s band, choir, dance, music production and orchestra programs? Would you like to join our fun and dedicated group of York Music Boosters serving on the YMB Board? We need people to serve for the school year ahead. Please contact us at yorkmusicboosters@gmail.com.

Highlights of York Orchestra's Spring Break Trip to Nashville

What an amazing few days that York Orchestra students had this past spring break. The "Yorkestra" trip to Nashville was filled with music enrichment, learning, and fun. The itinerary included visits to the Grand Ole Opry, the Parthenon, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, where students wrote a song about the trip. Lyrics to that song are now hanging in the orchestra room. YMB's work includes support for school-based travel for York students.

Fifty York Students Invited to Participate in ILMEA Festivals, a Huge Achievement for These Young Musicians and York Performing Arts

Just how special is the York Performing Arts program? One of the latest examples is the large number of York students — 50! — invited to participate in the Illinois Music Education Association's District 1 Senior and Jazz festivals held in November. YMB congratulates these band, choir and orchestra students for their achievements.

View the full list of students here

York Music Boosters Holds Pop-Up Pantry to Help Families in Need

YMB extends its sincere thanks to everyone in the York community who participated in our Pop-Up Pantry in November. York Music Boosters hosted the event last weekend as a way of helping local families in need and giving students and their families the opportunity to work together on a community service project. York Music Boosters much appreciates all of the donations and the student volunteers who helped at the Pop-Up Pantry. The volunteer students are pictured at the event.

Salute to the Seniors: Members of Color Guard and Marching Band honored at Sept. 13 football game

All the Performing Arts in One Night

Watch the 2024 York Collage Concert

A board of dedicated — and fun — individuals from the York community serve on the YMB Board, helping lead and advance the mission of York Music Boosters. Below is the list of members who served on the YMB Board during the past school year; the list of YMB members for the 2024-25 school year will be posted here soon.

We are always looking for people who are interested in helping YMB and/or joining the YMB Board.

Please contact us here.