WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
March 29, 2026
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Events This Week đ
Event Information
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
I hope everyone has had a nice first week of the 4th marking period!
Congratulations to the WPHS Winter Guard on finishing their FFCC competitive season with a FIRST PLACE place finish at FFCC Championships this past week at Cypress Creek HS! What a wonderful week to culminate the season, congratulations to all the performers and their directors Ms. Young and Ms. Bierbrodt!
Thursday, we had 6 very prepared candidates perform for the 2026-2027 Drum Major Auditions. Ms. O'Rourke and I had some difficult decisions to make, and we want to congratulate all the candidates on their work and the courage to put themselves out there and audition for the role. Congratulations to the following students who were selected!:
2026-2027 Drum Major
- Khloe Cassidy
- Landon Mullins
- Benjamin Nguyen
2026-2027 Field Commander
- Jadalyn Santiago
Student Leadership Interviews will take place this Thursday, April 2 after school. If you have any questions before your interview, please see Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke.
Looking ahead:
- We are excited to welcome 50 bands from across Orange County to WPHS on April 6, 7, and 8 as the WPHS Band hosts Concert MPA 2. This MPA features mostly our middle school bands with a small number of high school ensembles too. See below for volunteer information from Jen Mullins, and please consider helping make the event run smoothly!
- Students who auditioned into All-County Jazz will have their first rehearsal on Tuesday, April 7 from 6:30 - 9 PM at Freedom HS. Music was handed out this week during class.
- Wind Symphony will perform at the UCF/Orlando Concert Band Invitational in Steinmetz Hall on Wednesday, April 8. We were one of 12 bands chosen from over 30 applicants! This is a wonderful opportunity to perform (again) in a world-class concert hall and to receive a clinic from Prof. Gary Hill, retired Director of Bands, Arizona State University. Itinerary can be found on the Band website.
- Jazz Ensemble I will perform at the annual Maitland Jazz and Blues Festival on Friday, April 10 at 6 PM. Bring a lawn chair and come enjoy an hour-long set from our awesome students!
Thank you to the families who made payments to their past due balances this past week. Again, please make payments on School Cash or by check made out to WPHS Bands to alleviate any past due balances as soon as possible - especially to avoid issues with prom tickets, transcripts, etc. Any past due obligations for underclassmen must be alleviated before Band Registration Night. 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
From our Band Booster President
Band Families,
We have several important events coming up. WPHS is hosting middle school MPA April 6,7,8 and we are looking for any volunteers who can help us run concessions. Adults, please sign up through the Sign Up Genius in Jennifer Mullins's section, and students please fill out the google form from Ms. O'Rourke.
Please come celebrate all our students at the band banquet May 8! There will be food and fellowship from 6-7:30; tickets are free for band/CG students and $18 for friends and family. The awards will begin at 7:30 in the auditorium and are free to all. I strongly encourage you to join in and really celebrate the community of our band.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe5zPoHdvcVdzt3Cw3M7lDDgPv_VrEkoaGlytP6Ws7rVrpIJQ/viewform?
Congratulations to the Winter Guard for their wonderful work this season and the fantastic Friends and Family Show!
Upcoming dates:
April 6,7,8 MS MPA at WPHS
April 7, 7pm Q&A zoom; last day to sign up for banquet tickets
April 8, 8:40am Wind Symphony at Steinmetz Hall, tickets required for the audience
April 23, Jazz & Percussion Concert
April 30, Band Concert
May 8, Band Banquet; dinner 6, awards 7:30
Laura Cambridge
From our Volunteer Coordinator
đ§Ąđ¤WE STILL NEED A FEW MORE HANDS!đ¤đ§Ą
Weâre gearing up for something BIGâWinter Park High School will be hosting Middle School MPA on April 6-8, and itâs all hands on deck! This is a fantastic opportunity to support our students and raise funds for our band and color guard through concessions.
We need all kinds of helping handsâfrom grill masters and food prep crews to stock runners and cashiers. Whether youâve got a little time or a lot, every role matters and keeps things running strong.
Jump in where you can and be part of the action!
April 6-8
đ Sign up here:
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/5080A49A8AE22A02-62890875-concessionsâ ďż˝
Jennifer Mullins
WPHS Band and Colorguard Volunteer Coordinator
From our Provisions Coordinator
ÂĄFiesta Time!
Itâs 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 Banquetâa high-energy celebration of everything weâve 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 Presidentâs newsletter information for all the essential details regarding the location, date, time, and ticketing information for this yearâs event.
đĽ 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 donât 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 youâll know exactly whatâs 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. Weâve got your back and want to make sure youâre taken care of!
We canât 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 Student Leadership Team Interviews
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. Donât hesitate to ask Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke
As a reminder, students on this past yearâs Leadership Team do not have to interview again form the coming year. This school year has been/currently is your interview.
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.
âUnlike a full band rehearsal experience, studying with a private teacher focuses in on the studentâs 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 2: 26-27 Student Leadership Team Interviews
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April 6 - 8: Hosting Concert MPA 2 @ Winter Park HS, see volunteer blocks for schedule
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April 7: All-County Jazz, 6:30 - 9 PM, Freedom HS
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April 8: Wind Symphony @ Music for All UCF/Orlando, Steinmetz Hall, 8:45 AM performance
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April 10: Jazz 1 @ Maitland Jazz & Blues, 6 PM performance
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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