WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
February 22, 2026
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Events This Week ๐
Event Information
Park Philharmonic Rehearsal 2:30 - 4:30 PM
Orchestra Winds & Percussion only
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
We had such a wonderful time with Mr. Michael Kaufman Thursday - Saturday during our annual Guest Conductor Workshop. While we still have a long way to go and many things to improve before our next performance at Concert MPA, each group is beginning to come together and setting themselves up well to give outstanding performances in two weeks. Mr. Kaufman was very complimentary of the students throughout the weekend, and wishes all the ensembles the best going forward for the remainder of the school year.
Unfortunately, there were issues with student attendance throughout the weekend - in particular with the younger bands. I urge, implore, ask in every way I am able that all of our Winter Park Band families re-familiarize themselves with pages 5 - 9 of the Band Handbook and the entirety of the Band Calendar. Not only was it rude to our guest to miss his instruction, but more so to your peers who followed through with their commitment and planned appropriately to be seated, warmed up, and both mentally and physically prepared for rehearsal. Each member of our community - students and parents/guardians - must consistently work to be informed, communicate effectively, and actively participate for our Band program to continue to thrive. As a rising tide raises all boats, all boats must also be in the same harbor. I trust that moving forward we will no longer have these issues.
"To be early is to be on time, to be on time is to be late, to be late is unacceptable."
The final Fair Share Payment along with any past due Band payments for the 2025-2026 school year are due this Wednesday, February 25. Payments may be made either on School Cash Online or by check/cash turned in to the Band office. To view your current financial information with the Band, please log into your Cut Time account. If you have questions or concerns, please email both Mrs. Kim Somers (kimrosesomers@gmail.com) and Mr. Clemente (michael.clemente@ocps.net).
This week, Orchestra Winds & Percussion will perform with Park Philharmonic twice as they complete their Orchestra MPA concert cycle. Please see the calendar and all paperwork from Mrs. Bitters and Mrs. Lubaroff for complete details.
- Tuesday, February 24: Orchestra After School Rehearsal, 2:30 - 4:30 PM
- Tuesday, March 3: Orchestra Pre-MPA Concert, 6:00 PM call time, 7:00 PM concert begins
- Wednesday, March 11: Orchestra MPA, 8:45 AM - 2:00 PM, 12:00 PM performance at Dr. Phillips HS
Looking ahead to next week - we are finally to Concert MPA! This assessment is foundational to our concert bands and our classroom curriculum, and provides our students with crucial feedback and data points on their current performance trajectory and how they can continue to take it to the next level. The itinerary can be found on the Band website here.
- Thursday, March 5: Wind Symphony performs at 4:50 PM
- Friday, March 6: Concert Band performs at 10:00 AM & Symphonic Band performs at 4:20 PM
- All performances, followed by sight-reading, will take place at Lake Buena Vista HS.
STATE SOLO & ENSEMBLE MPA:
The following students are registered for State Solo & Ensemble:
Wednesday, March 18 @ Seminole HS
- Aiden Mellick, solo
- Jhayla Mitchell, solo
- Jacob Owens, solo
- Jazz Combo
Virtual State Recording Tuesday, March 31
- Brass Choir
Together, let's make it a great week!
Mr. Clemente
From our Band Booster President
Band Families,
What a great concert! I know that the students will have learned a lot from our Guest Conductor Workshop. Coming up this week we have a Spirit Night at Cane's on Semoran: Wednesday from 2-8pm. Please see below for more information.
As we look toward the banquet, please keep in mind that all of the budget for decorations and photo booth and all the extras that make it special come from private donations. If you are interested in contributing some money towards the banquet fund, you can send it to Kim Somers by Venmo (@KimberlyRoseSomers) or Zelle, (407.451.2191)
Have a great week everyone!
Laura Cambridge
From our Fundraising Coordinator
Hello Band Families!
We have a new spirit day coming up at Raising Cane's next Wednesday the 25th from
2pm-8pm so pop on over after school with friends for a snack/2nd lunch or for dinner-- or both! Our band receives 15% of all sales! 100 S Semoran Blvd. Mention you're there to support the band's fundraiser!
Our Chipotle Fundraiser amount finally came in this week and it totals $136.39 It was great to take advantage of not having to cook dinner after such a long day driving. Your support is greatly appreciated!
With appreciation,
Robyn Fodor
"Step Up" Your Sound with Intermediate/Professional Instruments
This time of year, many families consider purchasing a higher quality instrument for their student. While the rental instruments or student instruments many students had during middle school served them well during that time, high school music and musicians need instruments with higher quality make and materials to continue to improve. Please especially do not buy an instrument for your student from discount websites like Amazon. We music teachers refer to instruments sold on those websites as ISOs - Instrument Shaped Objects.
If you are able and considering a "step-up" instrument for your student (sometimes referred to as "intermediate" or "professional" instruments by manufacturers), please feel free to reach out for guidance. We will be happy to point you in the right direction and give options for quality instruments at fair prices.
Local music stores:
Underwood Music - 4949 N Pine Ave, Winter Park, FL 32792
Music Shack - 702 S US Hwy 17 92, Longwood, FL 32750
Allegro Music - 851 E State Rd 434, Longwood, FL 32750
Music & Arts - 4676 Millenia Plaza Way, Orlando, FL 32839
A few websites to peruse:
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.
โUnlike a full band rehearsal experience, studying with a private teacher focuses in on the studentโs 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
March 3: Orchestra Pre-MPA Concert, Orch. Winds & Perc. only
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March 5 - 6: CONCERT MPA
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March 10: Senior Concerto Competition Auditions
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March 10: Orchestra MPA, Orch Winds & Perc. only
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March 13, 16 - 20: Spring Break
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March 26: 26-27 Drum Major Auditions
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April 2: 26-27 Student Leadership Team Interviews
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April 7: All-County Jazz
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April 8: Wind Symphony @ Music for All UCF/Orlando, Steinmetz Hall
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April 10: Jazz 1 @ Maitland Jazz & Blues
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April 14: Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers/Parent Information Meeting, 6 - 8 PM
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April 16-18: All-County Jazz
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April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT
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April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT
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
UPCOMING BAND PAYMENTS
- WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION
- Wednesday, February 25
- Fair Share Payment 3 - $75.00
- COLOR GUARD
- Wednesday, February 25
- Winter Guard Fair Share Payment 3 - $100.00
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
- Wednesday, 8/27
- Fair Share Payment 2 - $75.00
- Wednesday, 10/1
- Jazz Fair Share (jazz students only) - $25.00
- Semester 1 Instrument Maintenance (if applies) - $75.00
- Wednesday, 1/14/26
- Jazz Fair Share (jazz students only) - $25.00
- Semester 2 Instrument Maintenance (if applies) - $75.00
- 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
- Wednesday, 8/27
- Fall Color Guard Fair Share Payment 2 - $125.00
- Wednesday, 10/1
- Fall Color Guard Fair Share Payment 3 - $100.00
- School Equipment Semester 1 Maintenance - $75.00
- Wednesday, 12/3
- Winter Guard Fair Share Payment 1 - $150.00
- Wednesday, 1/14/26
- Winter Guard Fair Share Payment 2 - $125.00
- School Equipment Semester 2 Maintenance - $75.00
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