WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

Happy first week of school! We are so excited to see everyone back on campus Monday morning to kick off the 2025-2026 school year!

Thank you to all the parents and students who came to campus Saturday morning and helped us begin to organize the Band room! While we still have a way to go, Ms. O'Rourke and I appreciate all the help immensely!

During classes this week, students will be reviewing the Band Handbook. An electronic version of the Band Handbook is available both on the Band website and each band class' Canvas home page. Everyone will also bring home the Band Handbook & Standards of Excellence Acknowledgement Form. After reviewing the Handbook with a parents/guardians, each student and one parent/guardian must complete the Acknowledgement Form with initials and signatures. The form is due back no later than Friday, 8/15.

This week, our regular after school marching band rehearsals begin on Tuesday, 8/12. Tuesday rehearsals take place from 3:15 - 6:30 PM and Gameday afternoons from after school - 4:15 PM. Students will be fed between rehearsal and the game, more on that below. As a reminder, these rehearsals only take place during the marching band portion of the year and continue only until Marching Band MPA on November 1.

Our first football game performance of the school year is Friday, August 18. This is a home preseason game at Showalter Field. We will wear the Summer Uniform for this performance which means students need to bring the following to school Friday morning: SOTW water jug, Spanish Images Show Shirt, tan/khaki shorts, belt, athletic shoes, socks, & flip folder. The annual "Meet the Cats" pep rally will take place next Thursday, 8/21, and our next home football game is Friday, 8/22. We will wear the Summer Uniform for both these performance as well. All students must have all parts of their required uniform for each performance.

ATTENTION NEEDED:

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 SchoolCash. 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.

See everyone on the first day of school!

Mr. Clemente

Turn onto Woodcrest Dr. from Lakemont Ave. Take a left on Bellwood Dr., followed by a right into the WPHS school gate (yellow star on map). Park in A Lot (orange star on map). Please do not drive down the bus loop as that road must be clear for buses and trailers. Walk under the covering next to the 200 building (green line on map) and cross the courtyard to the Band room, 06-125 (green star on map).

Please use the Bellwood gate and A Lot for pickup after rehearsals and football games. Thank you!

And a new school year begins! Be sure to sign up for ADDitions and see the Sign Up Genius to volunteer for football games.

Thanks to everyone who made it to our Q&A Zoom last week, the next one will be September 3rd.

Reach out if you have any questions: wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

Laura Cambridge

Band Booster President

Get ready to fuel up for this Friday's game! To keep our energy high, all band members will be provided with complimentary cheese and pepperoni pizza with Gatorade after practice and before the game.

For those who would like a more substantial dinner, we are offering the option to purchase a boxed Chick-fil-A meal at the game, post halftime. Options include:

• Chick-fil-A Sandwich: Sandwich only, $6.00, tax included.
• Chick-fil-A Sandwich Meal: Includes an Or Chick-fil-A sandwich, a bag of waffle chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for $10.00, tax included.
• Medium Mac 'n' Cheese Meal: Includes a medium (7oz) mac 'n' cheese, a bag of waffle chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for $9.00, tax included.
• Large Mac 'n' Cheese Meal: Includes a large (15oz) mac 'n' cheese, a bag of waffle chips, and a chocolate chip cookie for $13.00, tax included.

Nutrition and allergen information for the above meal options can be accessed on Chick-fil-A’s website at: https://www.chick-fil-a.com/nutrition-allergens .

To order, please bring your cash payment to Mr. Clemente or Ms. O'Rourke no later than the end of the school day on Wednesday.

Please note, if you intend on purchasing food from the concession stand, City Barbeque is the new food vendor for Showalter Field. Boxed dinners start at $13.99 up to $19.99 plus tax for this option. Please send your child with cash to the game if this is their preferred choice for a meal to purchase after the halftime show. Cash should also be sent with your child if they want to make additional purchases during the evening (Kona Ice, soda or candy from concessions, etc.)

Thank you and we will see you Friday night for our first game of the season!

Christina Armendariz

Provisions Chair

wphsbandprovisions@gmail.com

🎵 Band Program Update 🎵

Our 2025–2026 Sponsorship Program is officially wrapped up – thank you to every family, student, and business who made it a success!

Now our focus turns to Student Dedications for the concert program. Any grade level can be featured, and 60% of the purchase price goes back to your student’s band account. Extended family can help too!

🗓 Dedication Deadline: August 30th

📄 Forms available at winterparkhsband.com or email wpbandprogram@gmail.com

💳 Pay by check or request a secure credit card link after form submission.

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.

🎺 From your Uniform Chairs getting ready to roll into the Season: Uniforms, Show Shirts & Volunteer Notes!

Greetings Band & Guard Families!

Welcome back to school and to the 2025 “Spanish Images” Marching Season! 🌞🎶

This Friday marks our first field-tastic performance of the year — the students will debut all the sound, style, and swagger they’ve been working hard on all summer long. Let’s help them shine from head to toe with a quick round of important updates and uniform reminders! 👇

🎼 This Friday’s Look: ‘Summer Uniforms’

Reminder for students to bring with them to school on Friday, to change into after Friday’s rehearsal:

🔸 Instrumental Students:
Marching onto the field in style means wearing:

• 2025–2026 “Spanish Images” Show Shirt (tucked in)
  

• Khaki or beige shorts
  

• Black or brown belt
  

• Black crew socks
  

• Athletic sneakers (or your marching shoes)
  

• SOTW Water Jug – Yes, this is part of the uniform! March hydrated. 💧
  
  

🔹 Color Guard Students:
Gliding into the season looking sharp with:

• 2025–2026 “Spanish Images” Show Shirt
  

• Plain black form-fitting shorts
  

• Neutral-colored sneakers and socks
  (🩰 No Converse-style shoes, please – we’re looking for flexible and supportive sneakers only!)
  

• SOTW Water Jug – Guard strong, guard hydrated!
  
  

🎵 Pro tip: When you’re not sure what to wear – these weekly Newsletters and Director itineraries are your go-to guides every week! 📣

👕 Show Shirts

Didn’t pick up your student show shirt at the end of Band Camp?
No worries! Your student can get their student show shirt from the Uniform Chairs Tuesday, August 12th after rehearsal.

Want extra shirts?
We love that so many of you are repping the show spirit; following our recommendations to order extra shirts for your student and /or your family🎉
We are currently working with the WPHS Bookkeeper to fix some hiccups with the School Cash system (like not being able to choose a shirt size or order more than one). Once we get answers, we’ll share them right away. Thanks for your patience — we’re marching as fast as we can!

🎺 Want to Join the (Uniform) Bandwagon?

We heard the buzz at the Summer Showcase Booster Meeting — so many new faces asking how to get involved within the Uniform Crew! We’re thrilled you want to jump in!

Whether you’re a rookie volunteer or a returning uniform rockstar, we’ll be ramping up needs soon and can’t wait to get marching together.

To get connected, reach out to our fabulous Volunteer Coordinator, Jen Mullins at:
📧 wphsbandvolunteers@gmail.com

She’s your go-to guide for all things volunteer-related and has tons of easy, creative ways to plug in and make a difference!

Let’s make this first performance one to remember! 🎶
Thanks for supporting our amazing students as they kick off the season in step and in style!

Let’s keep marching forward together — 👕🥁🎷🖤💛

Your Uniform Chairs -
Vanessa Fleming & Jen Randolph

wphsbanduniforms@gmail.com

🎺 Be Part of the Action – Volunteer Today! 🥁

With school back in full swing, there’s no better time to get involved! Don’t forget—you must be registered with ADDitions to volunteer. (Click the link below to register.)

https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/opp_details/109879

Football games are a fantastic opportunity to jump in and help—we’re always looking for chaperones, uniform squad members, and food crew to keep our band and guard running smoothly. To sign up for a game, click the link below today and be part of the fun! 🥳

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-57686523-football

Every great performance starts with great volunteers—be part of the Wildcat winning tradition! 🖤🧡

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator

All-State Auditions - Saturday, September 20 at Ocoee HS

Concert Band (9th & 10th grade)

• Woodwinds
• Brass & Percussion

Symphonic Band (11th & 12th Grade)

• Woodwinds
• Brass & Percussion

Piano (9th through 12th Grade)

High School Jazz Band (9th - 12th grades)

• Requirement Sheet
• Excerpts & Backing Tracks
• Improv Instructions

Sight-Reading Guidelines and Past Sight-Reading Excerpts

Concert (9th & 10th Grade)

Symphonic (11th & 12th Grade)

Past Years Sightreading

Start practicing now!

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.

http://www.winterparkhsband.com/private-teachers.html

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

http://www.winterparkhsband.com/calendar.html

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:

• https://app.gocuttime.com/program/calendar/c308b229-e7ac-4762-93ef-6112f6f8daf3/ics
  

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

For questions concerning general Band inquiries, Band financial obligations, or to request a payment plan, contact Mr. Clemente, at Michael.Clemente@ocps.net. For questions regarding your CutTime account or statement, contact the Band Booster Treasurer, Kim Somers, at wphsbandtreasurer@gmail.com.

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

Email: michael.clemente@ocps.net
Website: www.winterparkhsband.com
Location: 2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Phone: 4076223200
Facebook: www.facebook.com/winterparkhsband