WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
SOLO & ENSEMBLE - Time to Choose!
As we continue into the 2nd marking period of the school year, it's time to begin finalizing selections for the annual Solo and Ensemble MPA. As a reminder from our Band Handbook, Solo and Ensemble is a part of our 2nd - 3rd quarter project for all students in the Winter Park Band. This project affords our students a performance opportunity where they are able to showcase their individual musicianship and take what they are learning in their Band classes and apply it toward a piece of music of their own choosing. It is our firm belief that preparing a piece for performance either individually or in a small group is one of the most effective ways for our students to improve their musicianship. Students' work performing solos and multiple events for Solo & Ensemble MPA is also taken into consideration with ensemble auditions for the upcoming school year. As the saying goes, a rising tide raises all boats, and when all students work to improve their individual musicianship, the Band program benefits as a whole.
Solo and Ensemble MPA. Solo and Ensemble MPA takes place each year at the beginning of February and is hosted by a school in our district, this year Horizon HS on Friday, February 6 and Saturday, February 7. This event is put on by the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), and students perform for an adjudicator for both a rating and individual feedback and recommendations on improvement. Adjudicators for this event are music professors, teachers, and performers from across the state of Florida, and students have the opportunity to receive feedback on their performance from someone who is an expert on their instrument. Students perform either a solo or chamber ensemble piece from the FBA Solo and Ensemble Required Music List, and may perform in up to 4 different events. Performing a solo at S&E MPA is a requirement for the Wind Symphony audition each year, so if your student is planning to take that audition this coming spring, they should select a solo as their entry or one of their up to 4 entries. Entrance fees for Solo & Ensemble MPA are paid for by the Band program as a part of Fair Share.
If a student has an unavoidable calendar conflict with the Solo and Ensemble MPA put on by FBA, those students will perform as part of our Solo and Ensemble Recital at school. This year, that recital will take place in the Band Room on Wednesday, January 28, beginning at 1:30 PM. Students must select a piece from the FBA Solo and Ensemble Required Music List, and the performances will be adjudicated by both Mr. Clemente and Ms. O'Rourke.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The next step is choosing what piece(s) you will perform. Start looking at solo literature, consult your private lesson teacher, and/or get your chamber ensemble together and committed to performing as a group. Once you are prepared to register for either Solo and Ensemble MPA follow the links below.
Woodwind & Brass solos require piano accompaniment. If a student chooses to play a solo, they are responsible for either hiring a piano accompanist or providing pre-recorded accompaniment. If you are in search of an accompanist, please consult this list of piano accompanists on the Band website.
If a students finds a piece on the list they would like to play, but the Band program does not own it in our library, the student may request that the Band purchase the piece to add to the library. Please use the music purchase request form below to submit your request.
Links to all forms/lists below can be found at: http://www.winterparkhsband.com/solo--ensemble.html
Winter Park Solo and Ensemble Library
Solo and Ensemble Music Purchase Request
- Due no later than Wednesday, 12/3/25.
Solo and Ensemble MPA Registration
- Due no later than Wednesday, 12/3/25.
Students should have a close, if not final, idea of what they would like to perform at Solo & Ensemble before we leave for the Thanksgiving break. If a student plans on performing a solo that has piano accompaniment, that student should secure an accompanist before or during the Thanksgiving break.
"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
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, 9GC Gym
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December 22 - January 5: Winter Break
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January 14 - 17: All-State/FMEA Conference
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January 19: No School
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January 20, 22-24: All-County Band Rehearsals & Concert, Innovation HS
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January 31: DOOR-2-DOOR ANNUAL FUNDRAISER, mandatory for all students in band, jazz, and color guard classes
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February 5: JAZZ MPA
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February 6-7: SOLO & ENSEMBLE MPA
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February 16: No School
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February 19-21: GUEST CONDUCTOR WORKSHOP
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March 5 - 7: CONCERT MPA
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March 11: Senior Concerto Competition Auditions
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
- 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
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