WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

Congratulations to the Percussion Ensembles, Aiden Mellick, Freshman Jazz Band, Jazz Ensemble II, and Jazz Ensemble I on their performances at our Spring Jazz and Percussion Concert this past Thursday! All ensembles gave great performances, and concluded their performance calendar for the 2025-2026 school year. What a great year for WP Jazz and Percussion!

Congratulations to all the WP Band students of the Orchestra Winds and Percussion who performed as a part of Park Philharmonic at last week's Spring Orchestra Concert! An extra special congratulations to Mrs. Bitters and Mrs. Lubaroff for another wonderful year leading the Orchestra program. The students selected to perform with Park Phil each year are outstanding musicians in the Wind Symphony. This wonderful, "real-world" orchestral playing experience is one of the unique offerings that we're able to provide at WPHS, and one that prepares our students to step into roles playing in orchestras at their next school or community.

The next Percussion Clinic will take place this week on Wednesday, April 29. These sessions are required for all percussionists and students interested in playing percussion on either drumline or front ensemble for the 2026 SOTW. Please spread the word to our incoming percussionists as well!

Upcoming Auditions

Information for both 2026-2027 Wind Symphony and 2026-2027 Jazz Ensemble I auditions is available at http://www.winterparkhsband.com/auditions.html. Auditions will take place both during classes and after school Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8.

THIS WEEK:

• Thursday, April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT, 6:30 PM call time
• Concert Uniform

LOOKING AHEAD:

• Monday, May 4 - Friday, May 8: 26-27 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I Auditions, during school
• Friday, May 8: Band Banquet, dinner at 6 PM, Awards Ceremony begins at 7:30 PM
• Tuesday, May 12: Band Registration Night
• Wednesday, May 13: "Final Roar" Pep Band
• 26-27 Student Leadership Team
• 26-27 Drumline
• Saturday, May 16: Mini Camp
• All 26-27 Students

Together, let's make it a great week!

Mr. Clemente

Band Families,

It is time for our last concert of the year! I look forward to seeing you on Thursday. After that, we have a busy few weeks until the end of the school year.

May 5 - 7pm Color Guard showcase

May 8 - 6pm Band Banquet 7:30 Band Awards (Please attend the 7:30 Band Awards; they are free and celebrate every one of our band students)

May 12 - Registration Night

May 16 - Mini Band Camp

Please check in with the Uniforms and Volunteer Coordinator sections for important information about the end of the year.

Please email me with any questions,

Laura Cambridge

wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

🧡VOLUNTEERS–ACTION NEEDED!🧡

Band Camp will be here before we know it and it’s time to get your OCPS ADDitions completed for summer volunteering!

Even if you’re unsure, go ahead and sign up NOW. The ADDitions link will close June 1 and once it closes, you won’t be able to volunteer for Band Camp in July.

Bonus: This ADDitions approval carries you through the end of August, covering Band Camp and the first few football games... win win!

Coming Soon: A SignUpGenius link will be sent out so you can pick the days that work best for you. And yes… we’re bringing the fun this year with themed volunteer days like:

*Freshman Family Day - welcome our newest Wildcat families!

*Senior Family Day - one more round of “last firsts”.

*Dads' Day - where the dad jokes are free and the help is priceless.

These will all be built into the sign-ups when selecting Band Camp meal shifts - so grab your day and join the fun!

Once school starts, a new ADDitions link will open for the 2026-2027 school year but this one gets you set for all the summer fun and kickoff events.

Let’s get ahead of it and kick off the season strong... because Band Camp magic doesn’t happen without YOU!

https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/opp_details/111620

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator

Hello Wonderful Band Families,

As we look ahead to the April 30th Spring Band Concert, we’re also preparing to wrap up a fantastic concert season on a high note! 🎼✨ With that in mind, it’s time to start planning for concert uniform care so everything stays performance-ready for years to come.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION :

🎶Return Dates: Starting Monday May 4th: Students can return their newly dry-cleaned uniforms to the Band Room. Place them on the rack that matches the grade you are currently in.

Final Due Date: Tuesday May 12th: Bring Newly Dry-Cleaned Uniforms to the Band Room during Registration Night. ALL UNIFORMS from ALL GRADES are due by 9pm on May 12th!

🎺 Professional Dry Cleaning Required
All Concert Tuxedos and Concert Dresses must be professionally dry-cleaned after the final concert. This is the responsibility of each student/family, as outlined in the Band Handbook.

🌟 Proof of Cleaning - Must be attached to be counted as Returned!
You will need to keep the dry cleaner’s tag or receipt attached to the bagged uniform when returning it to the Band Room. It is very Important that when returning uniforms, make sure they are clearly labeled each item with your student's First and Last Name

🎼 Accessories – Yours to Keep (Encore!)
Purchased items such as tuxedo shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, and jewelry are yours to keep and can be reused next season—no need for a final curtain call on those!

🎷 Borrowed Items – Take a Bow, Then Return
If you borrowed any accessories (shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, jewelry), please plan to return them along with your freshly cleaned uniform. Now is a great time to start checking closets, garment bags, and instrument cases so everything is accounted for.

Bonus!
Have any gently used accessories your student no longer needs? We'd love your donations! Bring them along on May 12th and help stock our Uniform Room for future band members.

Thank you for helping us keep our concert attire in top-notch condition—your efforts truly help our program look as polished as it sounds! 🪉🎶

With appreciation,
Your Uniform Chairs

Vanessa Fleming & Jen Randolph

We're excited for you to join/continue with the Winter Park High School Band Program! Complete the quick and easy 3 steps below and bring the completed paperwork to the Band room for Band Registration Night on Tuesday, May 12, 2026 to register for the Winter Park Band Program for the 2026-2027 school year.

Registration Step 1

• Complete the 2026-2027 Band Registration Google Form by Band Registration Night on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.

Registration Step 2

• Make the $50 Registration Payment on either the below SchoolCashOnline.com link or by check made out to WPHS Bands.
• Make the $90 Band Camp Meals (optional) payment on the below SchoolCashOnline.com link or by check made out to WPHS Bands.
• 2026-2027 Band Registration and Band Camp Meals SchoolCashOnline Link

Registration Step 3

• Complete the forms in the following 2026-2027 Band Registration Forms packet that applies to your student's main instrument and return the completed and signed forms at Band Registration Night on Tuesday, May 12, 2026.
• Woodwind/Brass/Percussion Registration Packet
• Color Guard Registration Packet

Before Band Camp

• All Band students must have an up to date Physical and a valid ECG on file with the school and must be cleared to participate before Band Camp on July 21. Please try to upload your physical and ECG documents by June 1.
• New students - you will need a physical and ECG dated after April 1, 2025. The physical will be good for Band, ROTC, and any sport you play your freshman year, and the ECG will be good for all four years of high school.
• Returning students - Only an up to date physical and a copy of your ECG from a previous year need to be uploaded before Band Camp. Your ECG from a previous year is good for the remainder of high school.
• ​Physical and ECG Information Packet English Instructions - Please complete and upload by June 1. Thank you!
  
• ​Physical and ECG Information Packet Spanish Instructions - Please complete and upload by June 1. Thank you!
  

​Hi Parents and Athletes,
As we prepare for summer conditioning and the upcoming 2026-27 school year, please take note of the following opportunities for sports physicals and ECG screenings.
1. Orlando Health Physical DatesStudents can attend any Orlando Health location, but the closest to us is at the Downtown Location

• Saturday, May 9

Note: Registration fees for these physicals are donated directly back to our school’s athletic program. ECG screenings will also be available on-site during these physicals.
2. Middle School ECG Screenings (Incoming 9th Graders)We strongly encourage all 8th graders to complete their ECG requirements now at one of the local middle school hosting dates:

• 4/29: Glenridge MS
• 5/6: Maitland MS

Sign up here: Who We Play For - Screening Registration
3. Athletic Clearance & Paperwork

• 2026-27 Clearance: The portal for Summer 2026 and the next school year will open in May.
• Forms: Please find the required forms attached to this message.
• ECG Form Update: A new ECG form is required starting July 1, 2026. However, the form in the attached packet is valid for use until that date.

Please get these scheduled early to ensure your athlete is cleared for summer conditioning!


​Have questions? Contact both Mr. Clemente at michael.clemente@ocps.net and Ms. O'Rourke at raegan.orourke@ocps.net.

¡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

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!!

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

April 29: Percussion Clinic

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April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT

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May 4 - 7: 26-27 Wind Symphony & Jazz Ensemble I Auditions

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May 5: Spring Color Guard Showcase

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May 6: Percussion Clinic

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May 8: Band Banquet

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May 9: 26-27 Student Leadership Retreat, 9 AM - 1 PM

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May 12: Band Registration Night, 6 - 9 PM

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May 13: "Final Roar" Pep Band, 26-27 Leadership & Drumline Pep Band

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May 16: Mini-Camp, all 26-27 Band students, 12 - 6 PM

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July 14 - 16: Leadership, Percussion, & Color Guard Camp, 9 AM - 3 PM

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July 20 - 23 and 27 - 31: BAND CAMP, 8 AM - 5 PM

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July 31: Mandatory Band Booster Meeting, 6 PM

_____________________

July 31: 2026 SOTW Premiere Show, 7:15 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
• 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
• Wednesday, February 25
• Fair Share Payment 3 - $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
• Wednesday, February 25
• Winter Guard Fair Share Payment 3 - $100.00

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