WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
Wow! That's the impression I was left with after the last two weeks of work that our students have done and Thursday's Premiere Show. I'm very proud of them each individually and as a whole for such a successful Band Camp. A big congratulations and thank you to our marching band staff as well on their great work. I am even more excited for the year ahead than I was before camp started!
It was wonderful to see so many people in the audience for the Premiere Show. Performing itself is always fun, but it is a whole different experience when you are able to perform in front of a packed audience. Thursday night the bleachers were full, the space behind was filled, and the fence had 3-4 people deep. I know I speak for everyone in the Band when I say thank you so much to all the family, friends, and Band alumni who were at GMS to cheer this year's Band on. We hope every single one of you will be at our future football games and concerts!
I'd like to say thank you to our 2025 Band Camp Staff for their work over the last two weeks. This awesome crew gave so much time and outstanding examples for our students to emulate: Emma Spencer, Emily Strickland, Colin Anderson, Mr. Murphy, Charlie Schmitt, Ms. Luciano, Mr. Roberts, Taylor Ribaric, Mr. Dekle, Mr. Cross, Mrs. Harris, Gabby Batas, Ms. Young, and Rissy Bierbrodt.
Additionally, congratulations to Ms. O'Rourke on her first Band Camp with the SOTW!
Thank you to Mr. Brannock, Mr. Dekle, and the entire Glenridge Middle School Administration Team, especially Dr. Bispott, for allowing us to use their campus the past two weeks. They were extremely accommodating to our needs and helped us with everything they could for our camp to go successfully. We're also thankful for the City of Orlando for allowing us to use the field next to GMS for our outdoor rehearsals.
Thank you to our Band Booster Board lead by Laura Cambridge for putting together an outstanding Band Booster Meeting before Thursday's show. Our program doesn't go anywhere or do anything - both literally and figuratively - without all our Band Boosters. Your help will make this the best year yet for our program!
I'd like to especially point out and say thank you to Christina Armendariz and her team of volunteers who have come in each day to feed a bunch of hungry teenagers! It was great to see both new and veteran band parents helping out each day - we couldn't do it without you.
This past Thursday, July 31, the first financial obligations of the 2025-2026 school year came due. The first Fair Share Payment (all students), the Marching Band Shoe Payment (if needed), and the Extra Show Shirt (optional) all come due on Thursday. Payments must be made on School Cash. If you would like to refresh your memory of "what is due when" for the school year, please visit www.winterparkhsband.com/register.html and click on the information packet under Step 3. Have questions? Email both wphsbandtreasurer@gmail.com and michael.clemente@ocps.net.
Fundraising: Please take note of the Sponsorships & Student Dedication Fundraiser section of the newsletter this week. Sponsorship collection deadlines have been extended, so get out there, ask our community for their support, and sell some ads!
Schedule Notes:
- Our regular after school marching band rehearsals begin on Tuesday, 8/12. Weekly rehearsals will take place Tuesdays from 3:15 - 6:30 PM and game days from after school - 5 PM.
- Our first football game performance is scheduled for Friday, 8/15 at the Preseason Kickoff Classic at Showalter Field. We will wear the summer uniform, same as the Premiere Show.
- We also have a performance at the "Meet the Cats" Pep Rally on Thursday, 8/21.
- Our first regular season home football game is on Friday, 8/22.
- The rehearsal originally scheduled for Tuesday, 8/5 has been cancelled due to construction and moving schedules. Optimistically, Ms. O'Rourke and I will be back in the Band room on Wednesday, 8/6. However, we will have lots of organizing and moving to do with new furniture, instruments, and equipment to put back into the correct storage places.
- The Senior Night Football Game originally scheduled on Friday, 10/31 has been rescheduled to Thursday, 10/30.
Physicals and ECGs:
Thank you to all the families who have acted quickly and ensured their student is cleared for Band. We did, however, still have a handful of students who are not yet cleared to fully participate outdoors and are unfortunately required to sit out and not learn their marching part in the field show until they are cleared through FHSAA. This requirement is of the utmost importance for the health and safety of our students. Please reach out to Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke if you need assistance with the clearance process.
See everyone on the first day of school!
Mr. Clemente
Sponsorships & Dedications Fundraiser Update
🚨 LAST CALL for Sponsorships! 🚨
The final deadline to secure business sponsorships for the Winter Park High School Band is Monday, August 4th, 2025. This is your last chance to have your business featured in our concert programs, at football games, and highlighted on our social media this season. If you’ve been meaning to get involved, now is the time to support our band students and gain valuable community exposure!
As we wrap up sponsorships, we are now turning our attention to Student Dedications for the upcoming concert program. This is a meaningful way for parents, family, and friends to celebrate their band student (any grade level!) with a personalized dedication ad. Dedications range from $75 for a small ad to $350 for a full-page tribute.
💡 60% of the purchase price is credited back to the student’s band account—and just like sponsorship credits, any unused balance can roll over to next year! This is a great way to help offset Fair Share costs and other band expenses.
📝 Dedication Form Link: http://www.winterparkhsband.com/uploads/2/3/8/5/23853324/ad_dedication_form.pdf
📅 Dedication Deadline: Friday, August 30th, 2025
Let’s make this year’s program a celebration of our amazing students’ hard work and dedication!
Questions? Contact Erica Diltz at wpbandprogram@gmail.com or 407-784-4361.
All-State Audition Materials Available NOW
All-State Auditions - Saturday, September 20 at Ocoee HS
Concert Band (9th & 10th grade)
Symphonic Band (11th & 12th Grade)
Piano (9th through 12th Grade)
High School Jazz Band (9th - 12th grades)
Sight-Reading Guidelines and Past Sight-Reading Excerpts
Start practicing now!
Private Lessons - Invest in Your Future!
Whether a student is learning a musical instrument to pursue a career in music, or simply for personal musical fulfillment and recreation, private lessons are one of the best investments that a parent can provide for their musical child. When working with a private teacher, students receive one-on-one instruction from a professional musician who specializes on that instrument.
Unlike a full band rehearsal experience, studying with a private teacher focuses in on the student’s individual needs. Students who study privately once a week from a professional musician are usually those who excel and find Band more enjoyable. These students frequently earn positions in honor groups like All-State and All-County, and make entry into our more advanced bands like Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I. Some even go on to earn college scholarships, even if they are not majoring in music!
Below is a link to a list of local private teachers. This list is not exhaustive, and there may be other individuals who are not on the list. If you are a private teacher who would like to be added to our list (or deleted), or know a private teacher who should be added, please contact Mr. Clemente at michael.clemente@ocps.net.
UPCOMING EVENTS
August 5: CANCELED - Marching Band Rehearsal
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August 11: First Day of School
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August 12: Marching Band Rehearsal, 3:15 - 6:30 PM (continues every Tuesday until Marching Band MPA)
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August 15: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM
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August 21: "Meet the 'Cats" Pep Rally, 6 - 8 PM, WPHS Gym
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August 22: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM
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August 28: Thursday Marching Band Rehearsal, 2:45 - 5 PM
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September 1: No School/Labor Day Holiday
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September 4: Thursday Marching Band Rehearsal, 2:45 - 5 PM
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September 12: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM
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September 19: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM
Band Calendar
Since the Cut Time software has been updated, the synced calendar link has changed. Copy the link below to subscribe to the Band public events calendar in Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Outlook, or other calendar app:
FINANCES AND CUT TIME
PAST DUE BAND PAYMENTS
- WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION
- Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Fair Share Payment - $225 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100.00
- Marching Band Shoe (new students and if needed) - $45.00
- Extra Show Shirt (optional) - $15.00
- COLOR GUARD
- Thursday, July 31, 2025
- Fall Fair Share Payment - $325 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
- Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $45.00
- Extra Show Shirt (optional) - $15.00
WPHS Band Social Media
We've been posting lots of photos our social media platforms, and we will continue to post updates, photos, video, and other media to those pages throughout the year. Follow the Band!
- Facebook: @winterparkhsband
- Instagram: @winterparkhsband @wphs_flutes @wphsclarinets @wpsaxes @wphs_trumpets @wphs.trombones @wphstubas @winterparkhspercussion @winterparkcolorguard @wphs.drumajors
- YouTube: @winterparkhsband
- Twitter: @wphs_bands
- Tik Tok: @winterparkhsband
Winter Park High School Band
Email: michael.clemente@ocps.net
Website: www.winterparkhsband.com
Location: 2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Phone: 4076223200
Facebook: www.facebook.com/winterparkhsband