WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
April 12, 2026
📅 Events This Week 📅
Event Information
Incoming Freshmen and their parents meet current students, parents, and the directors. 26-27 Drum Majors, Field Commander, and Section Leaders attend.
6- 8 PM
Event Information
Required for all 26-27 Percussionists.
Instrument placement for 2026 Sound of the Wildcats will be determined by attendance and performance at all four clinics.
Event Information
Event Information
Event Information
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
WOW, what a busy week! It was such a great week for our band community.
An enormous THANK YOU to all the students and parents who helped make Concert MPA 2 a success Monday - Wednesday. Through rain, fire alarms, and the other odd bumps in the road our community shined bright and we got many compliments from the students, directors, adjudicators, and district officers. Ms. O'Rourke and I were so impressed with our student volunteers who helped the event run smoothly like they do this every year, not for the first time. A special shout out and thank you to Christina Armendariz, Laura Cambridge, Robyn Fodor, Beth Lybarger, Jen Mullins, and Aaron Strickland. They stepped up to lead the charge on concessions and it was a great success!
Congratulations to Wind Symphony on a very fine performance at Steinmetz Hall on Wednesday morning. They received a wonderful 30 minute clinic from Gary Hill, retired director of bands from Arizona State University, where he gave our students lots of actionable feedback and things to work on to take our performances to the next level.
Congratulations to Jazz Ensemble I on a great performance at the Maitland Jazz & Blues Festival on Friday evening. It was a beautiful night, and we had such a great crowd come out to spend an hour with us. See you next at the Spring Jazz & Percussion concert on Thursday, April 23!
A kudos to all the students who expressed interest and interviewed for the 2026-2027 Student Leadership Team. We heard many thoughtful responses to the interview questions. Although we select students to be section leaders from those interviews, it is always important to remember that leadership is a choice, not a rank or position. Everyone has the awesome opportunity to make that choice every day and with every activity they choose to be a part of, especially as we restructure our Leadership and work to make it the best it can be for your Band. When we all make the choice consistently, the rising tide raises all our boats!
We get the opportunity to welcome our incoming Wildcats and their parents onto campus for our annual Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers & Parent Informational Meeting on Tuesday, April 14 from 6 - 8 PM. The 2026-2027 Drum Majors, Field Commander, and Section Leaders will welcome, get to know, and play games with our incoming freshman Band students. At the same time, their parents will meet with the directors, and current Band Booster Board members to explain what it's like to be a part of the Winter Park Band and how to join the Band community. Please spread the word on your neighborhood's apps, such as "Nextdoor," and feel free to use the image in this Newsletter in your post so that we can catch everyone coming to WPHS next year!
The first Percussion Clinic will take place on Wednesday, April 15. 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!
THIS WEEK:
- Tuesday, April 14: Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers/Parent Information Meeting
- Thursday, April 16 - Saturday, April 18: All-County Jazz @ Freedom HS (for those students who auditioned and were selected)
- Friday, April 17: SOTW will perform at the Pep Rally
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Tuesday, April 21: Spring Orchestra Concert (Orchestra Winds and Percussion only)
- Concert Uniform
- Thursday, April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT
- Jazz Uniform (same as Jazz MPA)
- Thursday, April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT
- Concert Uniform
- Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7: 26-27 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I Auditions
- Friday, May 8: Band Banquet
- Tuesday, May 12: Band Registration Night
Together, let's make it a great week!
Mr. Clemente
From our Band Booster President
A tremendous thank you to all the students and family members who helped the middle school MPA be a rousing success! I am so thankful for all your efforts. I was impressed by the work ethic of all of the band and color guard students all three days.
We are in the home stretch of the school year! To keep in mind as we look ahead, please be prepared to dry clean your student's concert uniform after the 4/30 concert in order to turn it in the following week. The uniform crew will have more details soon. In addition, please plan your child's annual sports physical if you haven't already. They must be dated after April 1 and turned in by early June in order to participate in Band Camp.
As always, get in touch with any questions
Laura Cambridge
Call for Photos & Video - Band Banquet Slideshow
We're starting to collect media for the Band Banquet's end-of-the-year slideshow! We'd like everyone to be featured, so please upload any band-related pictures and video clips you have from this year. Please keep video clips to a maximum of 3 seconds, and make sure everything is school appropriate! The final date to submit media will be Thursday, April 23rd.
UPDATED Band Banquet Photo Upload - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjwBg6_qR7ZBBdClKn3eK8_Rg8ZkcRNh8CeijN26lTPdll1A/viewform?usp=publish-editor
From our Uniform Chairs
🛑Uniform Public Service Announcement: Time to Get Acquainted with Your Local Dry Cleaners! 🎶
Hello Wonderful Band Families,
As we look ahead to the April 30th Spring Bands 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.
What you need to know for now :
🎺 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
You will need keep the dry cleaner’s tag or receipt attached to the dry cleaner's clear bag/hanger when returning it to the Band Room.
⚠️ Return Details Coming Soon
Specific return dates and detailed return instructions will be shared in an upcoming newsletter—stay tuned so you don’t miss a beat! 🎶
🎼 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!
🎷 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.
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
From our Volunteer Coordinator
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT: FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART… THANK YOU!
There are not enough words to fully capture what our volunteers accomplished this week. For three full days, Winter Park High School hosted over 50 schools from across Orange County and with that came everything you could imagine… and then some.
Crowd surges. Locked gates and buses rerouting. Delays. Severe weather every single day. And yes… even a fire (and just to be clear; that was at the school, not caused by us 😅). And yet through every unexpected moment YOU showed up.
You adapted. You stayed calm. You supported one another. You stepped in wherever needed without hesitation. Many of you gave hours upon hours of your time some even 15-hour days and never once lost your spirit.
In just three days, our volunteers gave an incredible over 416 hours to make this event happen. The truth is… none of us knew exactly how this would go. But what we did know was that we had each other and that made all the difference. Because of you, this event was not just successful… it was something truly special.
You showed what it means to be part of the Sound of the Wildcats family. From the bottom of my heart... thank you for your flexibility, your dedication, your patience, and your unwavering support. I am beyond grateful for each and every one of you.
OUR INCREDIBLE VOLUNTEERS
Laura Cambridge • Beth Lybarger • Christina Armendariz • Robyn Fodor • Vanessa Fleming • Aaron Strickland • John Fleming • Emily Spotts • Kim Somers • Heidi Ciaramella • Erica Diltz • Lisa Schreiber • Aisha Ellis • Angela Kerst • Kirstin Cowan • Sarah Chule • Griselle Monzon • Damaris Lima • Sandra Clisby • Misty Mills • Anjali Kramer • Nicole Ostertag • Kerry-Ann Gayle • Jenniffer Randolph • Melodee Mullins • Deanna Glidden • Margaret Shultz
We could not have done this without you. Not even close. Thank you for being the heart behind it all!🧡🖤
Jennifer Mullins
WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator
From our Provisions 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
26-27 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I Auditions
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!!
"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.
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.
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 14: Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers/Parent Information Meeting, 6 - 8 PM
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April 15: Percussion Clinic
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April 16-18: All-County Jazz
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April 22: Percussion Clinic
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April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT
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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 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
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July 31: 2026 SOTW Premiere Show, 7:15 PM
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
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
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