WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter

Dear Winter Park Band families,

Congratulations to the SOTW on a first game in uniform and first away game performance at Lake Nona HS! We've made a ton of great progress over the past couple weeks, and will keep working to make improvements every chance we get to make our next show the best one yet!

Congratulations on a successful WiddyUp fundraiser! We raised $17,596 and are receiving a profit of $15,966.24. Thank you to Mrs. Robyn Fodor for coordinating such a successful fundraising effort. Please see her Fundraising Update below in the this Newsletter for even more details on the successful campaign.

Both Spirit Wear and Extra Show Shirt orders have arrived, been sorted, and been passed out. If we missed you or your student after the game on Friday for pickup, we will hand out the item(s) in class this week.

A couple highlights from me for the week ahead:

• All-State Auditions will take place Saturday, 9/20 at Ocoee HS. Best of luck on a great performance to our students who are taking the audition!
• Tri-State & Festival of Winds student nomination information available. Nomination requests due Monday, 9/15.
• MIDDLE SCHOOL NIGHT - Next Friday, 9/26 we welcome our Future 'Cats to WPHS and Showalter Field to join the Sound of the Wildcats for the evening. This is a vital, community event and we can't wait to spend the evening together!
• Chris Gaines Photography will be on campus on Thursday 9/25 - Friday, 9/26 taking Student Portraits taken for our Band Composite.
• Last, but certainly not least, please read all the thank-yous and important updates from our Band Booster Board below in this newsletter

Schedule Update:

The Prism Concert that was included on the "fridge-friendly" calendar given out during Band camp is no longer on our Band calendar. Unfortunately, our Performing Arts team could not find a suitable venue for this performance and we will be looking to have a Prism-style concert next fall in our newly-renovated auditorium.

As always, please visit the Band Calendar early and often so your student's Band activities are factored into your family schedule. As stated in the Band Handbook, the directors must both be notified by parent/guardian email a minimum of 60 days in advance of an absence for the absence to be able to be considered excused. At this point in the year, any absence between this week and the week of Thanksgiving should have already been discussed with Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke. Thank you so much for your continued attention to the calendar and communication!

Let's make it a great week!

Mr. Clemente

TRI-STATE BAND FESTIVAL (FSU) - Open to 11th and 12th grade

The 44th annual Tri-State Band Festival on the campus of Florida State University, Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th. Following a nomination and selection process, students will audition for placement in one of four concert wind ensembles or the select honors jazz ensemble (pre-audition video required). Each ensemble will rehearse and perform under the direction of renowned guest conductors. The festival includes instrument-specific masterclasses and a series of concerts featuring FSU’s premier jazz ensemble, the University Wind Ensemble, and the PRISM concert—showcasing performances from chamber groups to the world-renowned Marching Chiefs.

Additional information can be found on the Tri-State Festival website here.

Festival Highlights for 2025

• Guest Composer Residency — John Mackey

• Each of the four concert bands will perform one of Mr. Mackey’s works, and on Saturday he will lead a special Q&A session for all students and directors.

• Honors Jazz Ensemble with Guest Conductor

• This year, the Honors Jazz Ensemble will welcome a guest conductor: Dr. Jeremy George, Director of Jazz Studies and Assistant Professor of music at Huston-Tillotson University. We are thrilled to expand the experience with a nationally recognized jazz educator.

• Guest Conductors for Honor Bands

• Dr. Patricia Cornett – Temple University

• Dr. Jack Eaddy, Jr. – University of Georgia

• Dr. Jeffrey Miller – Tennessee Technological University

• Dr. Jason Nam – Indiana University Bloomington

If you wish to be nominated for this year's Tri-State festival, please complete the Google form linked below by Monday, September 15.

Tri-State Band Festival Nomination Form

FESTIVAL OF WINDS (USF) - Open to 10th, 11th, & 12th grade

The University of South Florida’s School of Music is proud to host the 50th Festival of Winds on Thursday, December 4th through Sunday, December 7th. FOW was founded by Jim Croft in 1974 and has grown to become one of the finest events of its type in the southeast. In addition to playing in one of three large concert bands conducted by outstanding clinicians, students will participate in master classes, attend multiple concerts, play in a chamber ensemble or jazz band, and experience the thrill of being on a college campus for four days. Participants are nominated by their band directors based on their musical and leadership excellence, and must be high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors in order to be eligible.

In addition to the three large concert bands and instrumental choirs – (flute choir, percussion, etc) – we also have one jazz band as a primary ensemble. Students who are interested in playing in the jazz band must submit a separate audition, and if selected, will not perform in a concert band, but will participate in all other aspects of the festival – masterclasses, chamber ensembles, etc. The jazz band and chamber ensembles will perform on Saturday evening, and the concerts will be livestreamed. Students who are not selected for the jazz band will perform in a concert band.

The 2025 Clinicians are Dr. Dennis Llinas (University of Oregon), Col. Don Schofield (US Air Force Band) and Alfred Watkins (Lassiter High School, retired). In addition, students will interact with and learn from USF's outstanding School of Music faculty.

If you wish to be nominated for this year's Festival of Winds, please complete the Google form linked below by Monday, September 15.

Festival of Winds Nomination Form

It was really great to see everyone on the field in their Marching uniform! Remember to come to game days Uniform Ready! If you weren't able to make the game, I hope you were able to see pictures. Parents make sure you are in your section group chat (parent version) in order to share photos. Contact Jennifer Mullins if you need help getting connected to your section. wphsbandvolunteers@gmail.com

Speaking of volunteering, check the sign ups that have been added for West Side Showcase and the Homecoming Parade. Both occasions are a lot of fun! West Side Showcase is a Saturday volunteer opportunity if that fits your schedule better.

The next Q&A zoom is 9/24 at 7pm.

wphsbandboosterpresident@gmail.com

Laura Cambridge

Hello Band Families!

Some news about WiddyUp and our Kelly's Spirit Night results:

WiddyUp has ended and it was a success! We raised $17,596 and are receiving a profit of $15,966.24! Way to go!

A couple more cool metrics: we received 320 donations and our average donation was $54.99!

Our four $25 Amazon Gift Card Winners are:

For most $$ fundraised:

Joel Lippert $810.00

Alex Fu 803.83

For largest number of donations:

Lucas Gayle 22

Ethan Jones 15

And the Jeremiah's winning section.... they raised a total of $3,417.29 ...

TRUMPETS!! Great job!

COLOR GUARD came in 2nd place with $2,898.25 and close on their heels were FLUTES raising $2865.89!

Thank you to all the students, families and friends that participated! See the Cuttime message from this past Thursday for additional stats from our student stars!!

Kelly's Spirit Night brought in $201.53! It was great seeing you all there-- be on the lookout for an announcement about our next event!

Go Cats!

Robyn Fodor

wpbandfundraising@gmail.com

🎶 Volunteers Needed – Come Be Part of the Fun! 🎶
A huge thank-you to all of the amazing volunteers who helped this week (Damaris Lima Olmeda, Sandra Clisby, Jill Hoehn, Vanessa Marshall, Griselle Monzon) with fitting our band members in their concert attire and reorganizing the uniform room. Your hard work, dedication, and time have not gone unnoticed—I know our Uniform Chairs, Vanessa Fleming and Jenniffer Randolph, we truly appreciate you! 🧡🖤

Looking ahead, we’d love your help at upcoming events. To volunteer, all helpers must first be registered with OCPS ADDitions. If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to complete your registration here: https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/opp_details/112867

Once registered, check out these opportunities to support our students:

• Football Games – Cheer on the Wildcats while helping the band and colorguard run smoothly. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-57686523-football#/

• Homecoming Parade – Be part of this exciting community tradition. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-58062723-homecoming#/

• Westside Showcase (Pre-MPAs) – Join us for this special event showcasing local bands. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080A49A8AE22A02-58063562-west#/

Your time and support make all the difference for our band and color guard—thank you for being part of our success! 🧡🖤

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

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September 20: All-State Auditions, as scheduled, Ocoee HS

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September 26: Gameday Rehearsal, 2:45 - 4 PM/Middle School Night Football Game, 5 - 10 PM

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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 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

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