WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

Congrats to Orchestra Winds & Percussion who performed with Park Philharmonic at Orchestra Pre-MPA this past Tuesday! This week, they will travel to Dr. Phillips HS for FOA District 8 Orchestra MPA. Please see the calendar and all paperwork from Mrs. Bitters and Mrs. Lubaroff for complete details.

• Wednesday, March 11: Orchestra MPA, 8:45 AM - 2:00 PM, 12:00 PM performance at Dr. Phillips HS

On Thursday and Friday, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Symphony gave outstanding and musical performances at Lake Buena Vista HS. The adjudicator panel, as well as other band directors from our area, were overwhelmingly complimentary of our students both on the stage and in the audience. Congratulations on all the growth you have exhibited over the course of the school year up to this point and on such an impressive, musical, and satisfying culmination to the Concert MPA cycle!

Concert MPA provides our program an important data point on our trajectory throughout the school year. We talk often in rehearsals that the most important performance is the one you are currently preparing for, and that we recognize the progress from beginning to end of each concert cycle and from beginning to end of the school year. From both Ms. O'Rourke & me, congratulations on everyone's work throughout the process leading up to this performance! As we embark on the final concert cycle(s) of this school year, let's continue to build skills and find 1% to improve each time we get the chance to be together making music.

We would not have been able to have such smooth trips to and from LBVHS without the amazing assistance of our parent chaperones! An enormous thank you to Jen Mullins for organizing and to

Sandra Clisby, Griselle Monzon, Christina Armendariz, Jennifer Randolph, Lisa Schreiber, Sarah Chule, Vanessa Fleming, and Margaret Shultz for sharing their time and keeping our students safe on our trip. An additional thank you to all of the parents who made the drive out to LBVHS to be in the audience for the three performances. I know it is difficult to coordinate schedules, take time off work, and make it to the performance, but please know how deeply thankful the students, Ms. O'Rourke, and myself are.

One area I know we continue to work to improve is consistent attendance in all ensembles. Research tells us - over and over again - that students learn best and make the most progress when they are consistently in class in all subject areas and at all levels of education. That matters even more when students are part of a musical ensemble where consistent, daily practice and active listening and music-making in rehearsal are critical to the progress and success of not only the individuals making up the ensemble but also the ensemble as a whole. We as a community must strive to operate as close to 100% attendance as possible for us to give our students the best opportunities to be successful. I'd encourage everyone to take 6 minutes of your time to listen to this audio recording entitled, "Why Music Matters" by a conductor and clinician named Jack Stamp. In the recording, he and the ensemble he is conducting demonstrate the difference between striving and operating as close as possible to 100% in a piece of music versus what it would sound like at 90-95%. As you'll hear, the difference is striking. One of my favorite quotes from the recording, "You see, music demands perfection. Now, we don't always get there - in fact seldom do we get there - but it's one of the few things in their [the students'] lives that demands they be perfect." I can think of not many more noble goals than to come together as a group of people, a community, have high expectations of progress towards success, and strive day-in and day-out for the betterment of the community as a whole and the individuals who comprise it.

• Jack Stamp - Why Music Matters

Juniors: Good luck as you sit for the SAT on Monday! You'll do great.

Auditions for this year's Senior Concerto Competition will take place after school on Tuesday, March 10. Seniors: last day to sign up is Monday, 3/9. The panel for this year has been updated and will be:

• Mr. Brannock (Glenridge MS)
• Mr. Watford (FSYO, retired director from Dr. Phillips HS)
• Ms. O'Rourke
• Mr. Clemente

The final Fair Share Payment along with any past due Band payments for the 2025-2026 school year came due Wednesday, February 25. 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 4 days of school before Spring Break!

Mr. Clemente

Band Families,

Congratulations on successful MPAs and welcome to (almost) Spring Break! We have a few events coming up; please reach out if you have any questions. Please make an effort to attend the Color Guard Friends and Family show March 27 at 7pm at the 9th Grade Center and show our support for our Guard students!

March 11 - Yoga and Social to benefit the Band Banquet, 6pm

March 13-22 - Spring break

March 27 - Color Guard Friends and Family Show.

April 7 - Q&A Zoom 7pm

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.

🧡🖤 VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT 🖤🧡

A big thank you to the volunteers who chaperoned our Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, and Freshman Jazz Band during MPA on Thursday and Friday. Your time and support helped make these important performances run smoothly, and we truly appreciate you being there for our students.

While there are no sign-ups at the moment, please keep an eye out for upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thank you for being such an important part of the Sounds of the Wildcats family! 🖤🧡

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator

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

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March 11: 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

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