WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

What a great Middle School Night on Friday - a full evening of activities with our Future Wildcats! It was so much fun seeing everyone get together, get to know each other, and make music together in the cafeteria and in the stands at the game. The band directors from Audubon, Arbor Ridge, Glenridge, and Maitland all had wonderful feedback to report and lots of "This was so much fun" and "Thank you for having us" comments heard after the game on the bus ride back. We look forward to seeing many of those students again at our annual Fall Festival of Bands in November!

A shout out to Jen Mullins and our incredible team of chaperones for helping out with about 150 additional friends and chaperones from the middle schools. Great work as always!

A couple highlights from me for the week ahead:

• It's HOMECOMING WEEK! the SOTW will perform at the Homecoming parade on Tuesday, 9/30 and at the Homecoming football game on Friday, 10/3. We're also excited to welcome back the Winter Park Alumni Band to join us for the national anthem on the field and in the stands throughout the game.
• For Tuesday's Homecoming Parade, students need to wear their Summer Uniform to school and to rehearsal. Our tight itinerary that day doesn't allow for time to change. In addition, students need to bring something to eat after school so they are able to make it through the end of the pep rally. As always, students should be eating a good breakfast and lunch, as well as a snack before rehearsal so their body has enough fuel to help them perform at their best.
• Last, but certainly not least, please read all the thank-yous and important updates from our Band Booster Board below in this newsletter. Thank you Band Booster Board for your time and dedication to the Band program!!

Looking ahead at our Band calendar:

• On Saturday, October 18 we will join up with our friends in the bands from Freedom HS, Apopka HS, Horizon HS, Ocoee HS, Dr. Phillips HS, and West Orange HS at WOHS for the annual West Side Showcase. This is by far one of my favorite events of the whole school year. For those who haven't been to the Showcase before, it is a non-competitive, no rating, super supportive pre-MPA style event. We will bring in a few FBA trained adjudicator’s whose sole purpose will be to provide feedback on ways to improve our shows going into Marching MPA. Each band will get to perform for all the other bands and then have a short clinic time with wind, percussion and guard adjudicators on the field after their show. SOTW performs Spanish Images at 6:45 PM, and a complete itinerary will be available on the Band website soon. Special this year The West Side Showcase will conclude with a performance by the FSU Marching Chiefs!

• Our journey with Spanish Images is Marching Band MPA on Saturday, November 1 at Boone HS. This performance culminates the students' hard work and journey creating this show from Band Camp until now. This is another one of my favorite days of the school year, and I can't wait to see where the show ends up for this performance! Performance time and itinerary TBA.

Let's make it a great week!

Mr. Clemente

Red: Do not park or drive near the band room doors when picking up your student after a football game.

Orange: Do park in "A Lot" and wait for your student to change and clean up after a football game.

Yellow: Do enter campus through the gate off of Bellwood Dr., not Summerfield Rd.

Green: Walking path for students, parents, chaperones, and directors to get to and from the Band room after a football game.

Greetings Band Families! This week we have an exciting set of events: Homecoming! The band will perform at the Homecoming parade down Park Ave in Winter Park followed by a pep rally, come watch if you can! Please send your student to school with a snack to eat between practice and parade. The Homecoming game will be on Friday; please note that since Homecoming events happen at halftime the band will perform after the game. Students must wear their Summer Uniform (khaki shorts, belt, show shirt) for the parade and Marching Uniform (spandex shorts, gloves, show shirt, long socks) for the game.

As a reminder, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you do not park in the bus loop by the band doors after games. The students need the area clear in order to safely bring their instruments inside. The correct pickup location is "A Lot." If you can see the band room doors from your car you are TOO CLOSE and endangering the safety of our students, staff, and volunteers. Thank you.

wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

Laura Cambridge

🎺 Homecoming Week: Uniform Notes & Reminders

Greetings Band & Guard Families!

The “Spanish Images” Marching Season is in full swing! 🌞🎶 The Guard is dazzling in their Spanish-inspired costumes and drill, while the Band is sounding sharper each week as they add more show music and polish their visual performance. The energy is high and the hard work is paying off!

This week is Homecoming Week—which means the spotlight is on our students! Please review the uniform details below carefully so everyone steps off looking sharp and show-ready.

🎼 Tuesday’s Homecoming Parade Look: Summer Uniforms

All Instrumental Students – Parade Ready =

• 2025–2026 “Spanish Images” Show Shirt (tucked in)

• Khaki/beige shorts + black or brown belt

• Black crew socks + athletic sneakers

• SOTW Water Jug – Yes, this is part of the uniform! March hydrated. 💧

⚠️ Please note: The Uniform Room is not stocked with extra belts or khaki/beige shorts.

Color Guard Students – Parade Ready =

• 2025–2026 “Spanish Images” Show Shirt

• Black jazz shoes

• Plain black shorts

• Nude tights

• Team jacket & team bag

• Hair & makeup supplies

• SOTW Water Jug – Guard strong, guard hydrated!
  
  

🎼 Friday’s Homecoming Game Look: Full Marching Uniforms

All Instrumental Students – Field Ready =

• 2025–2026 “Spanish Images” Show Shirt

• Compression shorts or black athletic leggings/shorts (no pockets)

• Black crew socks

• Marching shoes

• Wind instruments: White gloves
  

• If forgotten/lost: $5 cash is required, day of, for replacements!
  

• SOTW Water Jug – March hydrated. 💧
  
  

Color Guard Students – Show Ready =

• Jazz shoes

• Team jacket & team bag

• Hair & makeup supplies

• SOTW Water Jug – Guard strong, guard hydrated!

⚠️ Very Important!

• Please make sure all uniform items are washed, packed and ready to go by Thursday night so students do not forget any uniform essentials

• On Friday, students dress immediately after rehearsal.

• The Uniform Room is very limited on backup socks, and show shirts to loan out.

When in doubt about what to wear—this weekly Newsletter and the Directors’ itineraries are your go-to guides! 📣

🎺 Uniform Rule Reminders

Parents, thank you for helping reinforce these important expectations:

• 🚫 No eating and no drinking anything other than clear water while in Full Uniform (Marching Jacket & Bibbers).
  
  

• Please resist the urge to deliver snacks or drinks to the stands. Those will get confiscated. Students will enjoy treats during their dinner break, when jackets are off.
  
  

• Students, remember: while in uniform, you are a marching billboard for WPHS and the Band Program—your appearance, words, and actions represent us all.

We can’t wait to see our Band & Guard take the field and parade route polished and with plenty of spirit. Thank you, families, for helping your students stay prepared and performance-ready. Together, we’ll keep this Homecoming week in step and in style! 🎶❤️

💛 Your Uniform Chairs -
Vanessa Fleming & Jen Randolph

wphsbanduniforms@gmail.com

CONCESSION PRE-ORDER INFORMATION FOR SHOWALTER FIELD “HOMECOMING” GAME ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3RD:

This upcoming week, City Barbeque @ Showalter Field Concessions is offering the following menu items for preorder, served post halftime:

• Pulled Chicken Sandwich: $8
• Pulled Pork Sandwich: $8
• Hamburger: $8
• Cheeseburger: $8
• Hot Dog: $6

Additionally, the WPHS Athletic Department Concessions is offering the following drinks and snacks available for preorder, served post halftime:

• Sodas: Dr. Pepper, Coke, Diet Coke, Sprite ($2)
• Gatorade: Glacier Cherry (white), Glacier Freeze (blue), Arctic Blitz (green) ($3),
• Bottled water ($1),
• Candy: Sour Patch, Skittles, Starburst, Twix, Kit Kat, Reese's Cups ($2)
• Chips: All varieties, preferred offered by availability ($1)

Cash collection for ALL STUDENT PREORDERS will start on Monday, September 29th by Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke, and will conclude on Wednesday, October 1st, end of day.

Can’t wait to see you at the game!

Respectfully,

Christina Armendariz, Provisions Coordinator
wphsbandprovisions@gmail.com

🌟🎶 Hello Amazing Volunteers! 🎶🌟

🙌💖 A HUGE, INCREDIBLE THANK YOU to ALL the volunteers who helped out at Middle School Night! 🙌💖

Your time, energy, and dedication made the evening unforgettable, and we are beyond grateful for you.

We also want to thank everyone who’s been stepping up in so many ways—you truly make a world of difference, and we couldn’t do it without you!

We’ve got some exciting events coming up, and we’d love your help to keep the momentum going. Remember, all volunteers must be registered with OCPS ADDitions before signing up:

👉 OCPS ADDitions Registration

https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/opp_details/112867

Here’s what’s on the horizon:

🏈 Football Games – Cheer on the Wildcats while supporting our band and colorguard!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-57686523-football#/

🎉 Homecoming Parade – Join the fun and help us shine in this community tradition.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-58062723-homecoming#/

🎵 Westside Showcase (Pre-MPA) – Be part of a special night as our students perform alongside local bands.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-58063562-west#/

Thank you for being such an awesome part of our band and color guard family!🖤🧡

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator

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

September 30: MB Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Homecoming Parade, 5 - 7 PM

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October 3: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Homecoming Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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October 9: Orchestra Fall Concert w/ Edgewater HS, Orch. Winds and Percussion only, Edgewater HS

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October 10: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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October 11: Jazz Ensemble I @ WP Autumn Art Festival, 9 - 11 AM

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October 13: No School/Teacher Workday

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October 17: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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October 18: WEST SIDE SHOWCASE, Itinerary TBA, West Orange HS

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October 24: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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October 30: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Senior Night Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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November 1: MARCHING MPA, Itinerary TBA, Boone HS

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November 5 FALL FESTIVAL OF BANDS

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November 17: All-County Auditions, as scheduled

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November 24 - 28: Thanksgiving Break

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December 6: Winter Park Christmas Parade (morning) & Baldwin Park Winter Wonderland Extravaganza Parade (evening)

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December 11: BAND WINTER CONCERT, 6:30 PM call time

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

• 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

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