WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

We hope that you've had a wonderful, restful, and relaxing Spring Break! We have an exciting quarter ahead of us with lots of fun events, performances, celebrations, and new beginnings.

Congrats to Orchestra Winds & Percussion who performed with Park Philharmonic at Orchestra MPA the Wednesday before break! They were given a challenging program, and through hard work leading all the way up to the concert gave a wonderful performance at Dr. Phllips HS. Congratulations!

Congratulations to Santiago Rojas for winning this year's Senior Concerto Competition! Santiago will perform his piece accompanied by the Wind Symphony on the Band Spring Concert Thursday, April 30.

The final Fair Share Payment along with any past due Band payments for the 2025-2026 school year came due Wednesday, February 25. As of the week prior to Spring Break, there is a total of $28,244.60 past due. Students with past due school obligations are unable to buy tickets for special events like Prom, Grad Bash, etc. Past Due Balance reminders were sent out through Cut Time on March 1 with updated past due balances, and fundraising credit shares from Door-2-Door have been added to accounts. Payments may be made either on School Cash Online or by check/cash turned in to the Band office as soon as possible to alleviate any past due balances. 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 (wphsbandtreasurer@gmail.com) and Mr. Clemente (michael.clemente@ocps.net).

Together, let's make it a great last quarter of the school year!

Mr. Clemente

Attention all current Junior, Sophomore, and Freshmen students interested in being considered for the 2026/2027 WPHS Band Student Leadership Team:

Interviews for the 2026/2027 Student Leadership Team will take place Thursday, April 2 in the Band Office. Students who wish to interview for a leadership position must complete two tasks:

• Take a Student Leadership Interview Form, complete it, and turn it in to Mr. Clemente & Ms. O'Rourke before Tuesday, March 31. Forms are available in the Band room.

• Sign up for an interview time through this Google form: 26-27 Student Leadership Team Interview Sign-Up

If you have any questions, consider asking your current section leaders, drum majors, and other leaders in your life as they are great resources. Don’t hesitate to ask Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke

As a reminder, students on this past year’s Leadership Team do not have to interview again form the coming year. This school year has been/currently is your interview.

Information for 2026-2027 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I auditions is now available at http://www.winterparkhsband.com/auditions.html. Auditions will take place after school Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7. Start preparing now and don't hesitate to reach out to the directors for help. Happy practicing!!

Welcome back band families!

We have an exciting and busy few weeks ahead of us.

First, WPHS is hosting Middle School Concert MPA April 6,7,8, and the Band Booster organization (that's you!) is being asked to help with concessions. Please see Jennifer Mullins's segment to sign up for a volunteer time if you are able. We are especially in need of anyone who might be available during the school day; I know that is a big ask.

Second, we will be sending a link to purchase banquet tickets via CutTime later this week once we have the payment link up and running. The banquet is May 8 at the WPHS Cafeteria at 6 and the Awards follow at 7:30 in the Auditorium. As always, the banquet dinner is free for all WPHS Band and Color Guard students. Parents/Siblings/Friends over the age of 10 are $18. The Awards portion is free to all and we encourage families to attend. Please see the segment from the Provisions Team for menu and allergen information!

March 27 - Color Guard Friends and Family Show.

April 7 - Q&A Zoom 7pm

As always, please reach out with any questions!

Laura Cambridge

wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

The WPHS Winterguard team has been performing their show, "Wonders of my World" during the 2026 FFCC competition season. This year the team was promoted to AAA and they have been having an amazing time as they have been sharing in memorable moments. This weekend they travel to Apopka HS. The team would love to invite everyone to share in their successful season as they perform the Sendoff Show on March 27, 2026 at 7pm in the WPHS 9th grade center gym. This is a free event for family and friends during which the team will perform their show and two seniors will perform their solos. This event is special as it also provides support to the team before they head to championships the following day, March 28.

🧡🖤 CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS! 🖤🧡

Big news—Winter Park High School is hosting Middle School MPA for the very first time on April 6–8, and we need our incredible band & colorguard family to jump in and help make it unforgettable!

This is a major event (and fundraiser!), and our concessions team will be in full swing all three days. Whether you’ve got a couple of hours or can hang with us longer, every bit of help keeps things running smoothly and showcases our amazing SOTW spirit.

Morning, afternoon, or evening--grilling to prep; cashier to stocker--there’s a spot for you! Let’s show everyone how SOTW does it!

April 6–8

👉 Sign up here:

https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080A49A8AE22A02-62890875-concessions⁠�

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band and Colorguard Volunteer Coordinator

¡Fiesta Time!
It’s officially time to trade the practice field for a night of music, memories, and some serious flavor. We are beyond proud to announce the Spanish Images 2026 SOTW Banquet—a high-energy celebration of everything we’ve achieved this season. This is our final chance to get the whole group together, celebrate our wins, and wrap up the year in style.

Please take a moment to check out our Band Booster President’s newsletter information for all the essential details regarding the location, date, time, and ticketing information for this year’s event.

🥘 The Cuban Feast
To match the fire and intensity of our "Spanish Images" theme, we are serving up an epic Cuban-style buffet. Seriously, you don’t want to miss this spread. Please take a moment to check out the amazing menu selections we have this year for the banquet:

2026 SOTW SPANISH IMAGES CUBAN STYLE BUFFET-MENU

Allergy Info & Special Requests
Every dish at the buffet will have a tented sign next to it listing all the ingredients, so you’ll know exactly what’s in everything. If you have new or specific allergies to report, or need a special dietary accommodation (such as the advanced request for a vegetarian main entree), please make sure to email our Provisions Coordinators before the event. We’ve got your back and want to make sure you’re taken care of!

We can’t wait to celebrate with everyone and send this season off the right way. See you there!

With Gratitude & Wildcat Pride,
Your Provisions Team
wphsbandprovisions@gmail.com

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:

www.allcountymusic.com

www.musicmaninconline.com

www.musicandarts.com

www.steveweissmusic.com

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

March 10: Senior Concerto Competition Auditions

_____________________

March 11: Orchestra MPA, Orch Winds & Perc. only

_____________________

March 13, 16 - 20: Spring Break

_____________________

March 26: 26-27 Drum Major Auditions

_____________________

April 2: 26-27 Student Leadership Team Interviews

_____________________

April 7: All-County Jazz

_____________________

April 8: Wind Symphony @ Music for All UCF/Orlando, Steinmetz Hall

_____________________

April 10: Jazz 1 @ Maitland Jazz & Blues

_____________________

April 14: Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers/Parent Information Meeting, 6 - 8 PM

_____________________

April 16-18: All-County Jazz

_____________________

April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT

_____________________

April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT

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
  

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

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