WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

Welcome to our incoming 9th grade families! We are so glad that you are here and we're excited to welcome you into the Winter Park Band community. This newsletter is jam-packed with information going into the summer. If you missed our Band Registration Night on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, complete the quick and easy 3 steps in the Band Registration section below as soon as possible before May 22 to register for the Winter Park Band Program for the 2026-2027 school year. Thank you for taking a moment to read all of the information below!

Thank you to all the parent volunteers and 26-27 Student Leadership Team for helping to make Band Registration Night a success!

Thank you to the Drumline and 26-27 Student Leadership Team for performing at the Final Roar on Wednesday, May 13!

MINI CAMP this past Saturday was a ton of fun! It was awesome to see and hear the 2026 Sound of the Wildcats for the first time. We're looking forward to making next year the best year yet!

If we missed you at Mini Camp, please reach out both Mr. Clemente at michael.clemente@ocps.net and Ms. O'Rourke at raegan.orourke@ocps.net. We will be able to get you music to practice for the summer, and check in if you need to use a school instrument for summer practice.

If you were at Mini Camp and checked out an instrument for the summer, we need your Instrument Check-Out Form completed and signed by both parent and student by Monday, 5/18. Please email a copy of the completed form to both Mr. Clemente at michael.clemente@ocps.net and Ms. O'Rourke at raegan.orourke@ocps.net.

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 20. Please upload your physical and ECG documents to the FHSAA clearance website by June 1.
• New students - you will need a physical and ECG dated after April 1, 2026. 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!

CURRENT 9 - 12 GRADE STUDENTS:

• Concert Uniforms were due to be returned last week. Thank you to everyone who turned in their uniform by the deadline. If a student's uniform was not returned to the Band room by the end of the school day Friday, 5/15, your student's account has been charged the cost of the replacement of the uniform. This cost will remain on their account until the uniform that they were lent is cleaned and returned. All uniforms must be dry cleaned before they are returned, and be clearly marked with the students name when hung on the racks in the Band room. Please read the Uniform Crew's section of this Newsletter below.
• All Band lockers must be clear of everything but school-owned instruments by the end of school Thursday, 5/21. Your instruments - both personal instruments and checked-out-for-summer, school-owned instruments (if applies) must go home by Thursday, 5/21 as well.

Let's make it a great week! Only 7 days of school left!

Mr. Clemente

Hello band families!

We are in the home stretch of the year! Good luck to all our students as they finish exams. Don't forget to upload your physicals, ECG forms, and NFHS certificates.

I would like to give welcome to all our incoming freshman families! We are looking forward to getting to know you all.

Save the date: July 9 at 7pm - Q&A zoom meeting; a link will be sent out via CutTime

As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Laura Cambridge

wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

🎺 Sponsorship & Dedication Season is HERE! 🎶

As the school year starts winding down, it’s already time to start thinking ahead to the 2026–2027 Winter Park High School Band season — and Sponsorship & Dedication season is officially open!

☀️ Summer is one of the BEST times to start reaching out to businesses for sponsorships. Many companies plan their community giving and marketing budgets during this time, so start building your sponsor list now!

✨ Think about:

• Family businesses
• Restaurants you frequent
• Parent workplaces
• Doctors, dentists, salons & gyms
• Realtors & local shops
• Family friends & community connections

You never know who may want to support our amazing band students!

Sponsorships help fund instruments, travel, uniforms, music, meals, competitions, and so much more — while also giving students fundraising credit back to their band account.

🎼 Sponsorship levels range from $125–$2500 and include program ads, social media recognition, website features, and more!

📅 Important Dates:

• Sponsorship Deadline: Monday, August 11
• Student Dedication Deadline: Monday, August 25

🔗 Full Sponsorship Packet & Forms:

Copy of 26:27 Full Sponsorship Packet.pdf

Questions? Reach out anytime!

Erica Diltz, Sponsorship Chair
Winter Park High School Band
wpbandprogram@gmail.com I 407-784-4361

🖤THANK YOU FOR BEING PART OF THE SOTW FAMILY!🧡

A special thank you to all the volunteers who came out for Band Registration Night! It was wonderful seeing so many families excited and ready for the 2026-2027 school year. We also want to give a huge welcome to all our new band and colorguard families-we are so happy you are part of the band and colorguard family!

To our graduating Senior families, thank you for the years of love, support, volunteer hours, dedication and memories you poured into this program. You helped make this, the special family it is today and while you may be moving on to new adventures, you will always have a home here. Once a Wildcat, always a Wildcat!

As we gear up for Band Camp and summer activities, now is the perfect time to complete your OCPS ADDitions approval for summer volunteering. Even if you are unsure of your availability, please go ahead and complete it now because the current link closes on June 1. Once the link closes, Band Camp volunteering in July will no longer be available.

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

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

A SignUpGenius will be coming soon so volunteers can choose the days that work best for them including themed volunteer days like Freshman Family Day, Senior Family Day, and Dads’ Day.

Thank you for helping kick off the season with so much spirit-we are so excited for the year ahead!

Jennifer Mullins

WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator

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

• 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

• 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

• 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 20. Please upload your physical and ECG documents to the FHSAA clearance website by June 1.
• New students - you will need a physical and ECG dated after April 1, 2026. 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!
  

• 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.

The annual Maitland Shores 4th of July Band is recruiting players for the 52nd performance and picnic to help celebrate our 250th year as a country. If you are going to be in town for the 4th of July, available for 3 rehearsals - June 7, 14, and 28 from 1:30-3:30 PM, and want to bring your family to hear great patriotic music then eat lunch together on Lake Maitland, please contact me. Spots fill up fast, and you must be able to rehearse and sight read well. Rehearsals and performance will be in Maitland. (90% of our band members are WPHS Band Alumni!)

Jane Claus

WPHS Band Alumni Association President

JaneClaus@live.com

407-496-6050

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

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

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

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