WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
TRI-STATE BAND FESTIVAL (FSU) - Open to 11th and 12th grade
The Florida State University College of Music is proud to host the 45th Annual Tri-State Band Festival, taking place December 3–6, 2026. This long-standing event brings together approximately 300 exceptional high school musicians for a meaningful and immersive musical experience.
Following a nomination and selection process, students will audition for placement in one of three concert wind ensembles or the select honors jazz ensemble (pre-audition 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.
REGISTRATION PRICES FOR THE 2026 TRI-STATE FESTIVAL
- $395.00 for overnight students
- $295.00 for local/commuter students
PARTICIPATION COST COVERS
- Lodging (For overnight students only)
- All meals during the Tri-State timeline,
- Transportation to and from rehearsals and concerts, instructional expenses including masterclass, rehearsals, and performance, t-shirt, and recording of concerts.
Students selected for the Tri-State Festival must provide their own transportation to and from Tallahassee.
If you wish to be nominated for this year's Tri-State festival, please complete the Google form linked below by Monday, September 14.
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 51st annual Festival of Winds on December 3-6, 2026. 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 or the festival jazz band, students will participate in master classes, attend multiple concerts, play in a chamber ensemble, 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 to be eligible.
The 2026 Concert Band Clinicians are Dr. Travis Cross (UCLA), Mrs. Diane Koutsulis (ret. Green Valley HS Las Vegas), and Dr. Damon Talley (LSU). Our own Ross Strauser will direct the Festival Jazz Band. We are confident that there are no finer clinicians in the country, and that these four exceptional musicians will provide deeply enriching experiences for the participating students. You can see more about them at the bottom of this page. In addition, students will interact with and learn from USF's outstanding School of Music faculty.
An important aspect of our festival is that in addition to the three concert bands and jazz band, students also play in an instrumental choir - flute choir, percussion ensemble, low brass ensemble, etc. The jazz band and chamber ensembles will perform on Saturday evening.
The cost for FOW this year is $390 for resident students, and $290 for commuters.
If you wish to be nominated for this year's Festival of Winds, please complete the Google form linked below by Monday, September 14.
FINANCES AND CUT TIME
PAST DUE BAND PAYMENTS
- WOODWINDS, BRASS, PERCUSSION
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Fair Share Payment - $225 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100.00
- Marching Band Shoe (new students and if needed) - $50.00
- Extra Show Shirt (optional) - $15.00
- COLOR GUARD
- Friday, August 7, 2026
- Fall Fair Share Payment - $325 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
- Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $50.00
- Extra Show Shirt (optional) - $15.00
NOTE: On SchoolCashOnline.com, the Fair Share item will show on the main page with a "no cost" indication because it is an item with an open payment amount. When going to make a Fair Share payment, you will need to enter in the amount you are paying. This is to allow our Band families flexibility between the optional payment plans for Fair Share.
"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
September 18: Football Game
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September 19: All-State Auditions, Ocoee HS
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September 25: Football Game
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October 1: FALL BAND CONCERT
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October 3: Marching Band Rehearsal, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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October 9: Football Game
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October 14: Homecoming Parade & "Roar"
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October 16: Homecoming Football Game
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October 17: West Side Showcase
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October 23: Football Game
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October 29: Fall Orchestra Concert, Orch. Winds & Perc. Only
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October 30: Senior Night Football Game
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November 7: MARCHING BAND MPA, 9 AM - 9 PM
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November 10: FALL FESTIVAL OF BANDS
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November 14: Jazz Ensemble I @ WPAAF, Downtown Winter Park
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November 16: All-County Auditions
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 @winterparkhscolorguard @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