WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
April 19, 2026
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Events This Week đ
Event Information
Orchestra Winds & Percussion only.
CALL TIME: 6:00 PM
DRESS: Concert Uniform
Event Information
Required for all 26-27 Percussionists.
Instrument placement for 2026 Sound of the Wildcats will be determined by attendance and performance at all four clinics.
Event Information
All Jazz Ensembles and Percussionists.
CALL TIME: 6:30 PM
DRESS:
- Jazz Ensembles - Jazz Uniform
- Percussionists not already in Jazz: Concert Uniform
Event Information
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
We had a very nice Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers & Parent Informational Meeting this past Tuesday. Thank you to everyone who made it possible including Christina Armendariz, Robyn Fodor, and Beth Lybarger who coordinated dinner for the students, and Laura Cambridge, Erica Diltz, Vanessa Fleming, Damaris Lima, Lisa Schreiber, and Jen Mullins for welcoming incoming parents at the meeting and staying after to answer questions. We are looking forward to welcoming the class of 2030 into our community over the coming months!
The first Percussion Clinic was very successful and had a great turnout! The next clinic will take place this week on Wednesday, April 22. These sessions are required for all percussionists and students interested in playing percussion on either drumline or front ensemble for the 2026 SOTW. Please spread the word to our incoming percussionists as well!
Congratulations to Liam Clisby, Will Somers, and Ryan Strickland on a wonderful job at All-County Jazz festival last week at Freedom HS. Both HS Jazz 1 & 2 sounded great, and I hope you learned lots from the guest clinicians, as well as your peers and new friends from other OCPS schools!
THIS WEEK:
- Tuesday, April 21: Spring Orchestra Concert (Orchestra Winds and Percussion only)
- Concert Uniform
- Thursday, April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT
- Jazz Uniform (same as Jazz MPA) for Jazz Ensembles
- Percussionists not in a jazz ensemble: Concert Uniform
LOOKING AHEAD:
- Thursday, April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT
- Concert Uniform
- Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7: 26-27 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I Auditions
- Friday, May 8: Band Banquet
- Tuesday, May 12: Band Registration Night
- Wednesday, May 13: "Final Roar" Pep Band
- 26-27 Student Leadership Team
- 26-27 Drumline
- Saturday, May 16: Mini Camp
- All 26-27 Students
Together, let's make it a great week!
Mr. Clemente
From our Band Booster President
Band Families,
This week, please make time to come and see the Jazz & Percussion Concert on Thursday!
As we get closer to the end of the year, please start working on your registration packets. Schedule your sports physicals if you haven't already -- see the registration packet for resources around the area.
ADDitions for Band Camp is open; please see Jen Mullins' section for the link.
Please reach out with any questions
Laura Cambridge
Call for Photos & Video - Band Banquet Slideshow
We're starting to collect media for the Band Banquet's end-of-the-year slideshow! We'd like everyone to be featured, so please upload any band-related pictures and video clips you have from this year. Please keep video clips to a maximum of 3 seconds, and make sure everything is school appropriate! The final date to submit media will be Thursday, April 23rd.
UPDATED Band Banquet Photo Upload - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfjwBg6_qR7ZBBdClKn3eK8_Rg8ZkcRNh8CeijN26lTPdll1A/viewform?usp=publish-editor
From our Volunteer Coordinator
đ€đ§ĄVOLUNTEERSâACTION NEEDED!đ§Ąđ€
Band Camp will be here before we know it and itâs time to get your OCPS ADDitions completed for summer volunteering!
Even if youâre unsure, go ahead and sign up NOW. The ADDitions link will close June 1 and once it closes, you wonât be able to volunteer for Band Camp in July.
Bonus: This ADDitions approval carries you through the end of August, covering Band Camp and the first few football games... win win!
Coming Soon: A SignUpGenius link will be sent out so you can pick the days that work best for you. And yes⊠weâre bringing the fun this year with themed volunteer days like:
*Freshman Family Day - welcome our newest Wildcat families!
*Senior Family Day - one more round of âlast firstsâ.
*Dads' Day - where the dad jokes are free and the help is priceless.
These will all be built into the sign-ups when selecting Band Camp meal shifts - so grab your day and join the fun!
Once school starts, a new ADDitions link will open for the 2026-2027 school year but this one gets you set for all the summer fun and kickoff events.
Letâs get ahead of it and kick off the season strong... because Band Camp magic doesnât happen without YOU!
https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/opp_details/111620
Jennifer Mullins
WPHS Band Volunteer Coordinator
From our Uniform Chairs
Hello Wonderful Band Families,
As we look ahead to the April 30th Spring Bands Concert, weâre also preparing to wrap up a fantastic concert season on a high note! đŒâš With that in mind, itâs time to start planning for concert uniform care so everything stays performance-ready for years to come.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION :
đ¶Return Dates: Starting Monday May 4th: Students can return their newly dry-cleaned uniforms to the Band Room. Place them on the rack that matches the grade you are currently in.
Final Due Date: Tuesday May 12th: Bring Newly Dry-Cleaned Uniforms to the Band Room during Registration Night. ALL UNIFORMS from ALL GRADES are due by 9pm on May 12th!
đș Professional Dry Cleaning Required
All Concert Tuxedos and Concert Dresses must be professionally dry-cleaned after the final concert. This is the responsibility of each student/family, as outlined in the Band Handbook.
đ Proof of Cleaning - Must be attached to be counted as Returned!
You will need to keep the dry cleanerâs tag or receipt attached to the bagged uniform when returning it to the Band Room. It is very Important that when returning uniforms, make sure they are clearly labeled each item with your student's First and Last Name
đŒ Accessories â Yours to Keep (Encore!)
Purchased items such as tuxedo shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, and jewelry are yours to keep and can be reused next seasonâno need for a final curtain call on those!
đ· Borrowed Items â Take a Bow, Then Return
If you borrowed any accessories (shirts, bow ties, cummerbunds, jewelry), please plan to return them along with your freshly cleaned uniform. Now is a great time to start checking closets, garment bags, and instrument cases so everything is accounted for.
Bonus!
Have any gently used accessories your student no longer needs? We'd love your donations! Bring them along on May 12th and help stock our Uniform Room for future band members.
Thank you for helping us keep our concert attire in top-notch conditionâyour efforts truly help our program look as polished as it sounds! đȘđ¶
With appreciation,
Your Uniform Chairs
Vanessa Fleming & Jen Randolph
From our Provisions Coordinator
ÂĄFiesta Time!
Itâs officially time to trade the practice field for a night of music, memories, and some serious flavor. We are beyond proud to announce the Spanish Images 2026 SOTW Banquetâa high-energy celebration of everything weâve achieved this season. This is our final chance to get the whole group together, celebrate our wins, and wrap up the year in style.
Please take a moment to check out our Band Booster Presidentâs newsletter information for all the essential details regarding the location, date, time, and ticketing information for this yearâs event.
đ„ The Cuban Feast
To match the fire and intensity of our "Spanish Images" theme, we are serving up an epic Cuban-style buffet. Seriously, you donât want to miss this spread. Please take a moment to check out the amazing menu selections we have this year for the banquet:
2026 SOTW SPANISH IMAGES CUBAN STYLE BUFFET-MENU
Allergy Info & Special Requests
Every dish at the buffet will have a tented sign next to it listing all the ingredients, so youâll know exactly whatâs in everything. If you have new or specific allergies to report, or need a special dietary accommodation (such as the advanced request for a vegetarian main entree), please make sure to email our Provisions Coordinators before the event. Weâve got your back and want to make sure youâre taken care of!
We canât wait to celebrate with everyone and send this season off the right way. See you there!
With Gratitude & Wildcat Pride,
Your Provisions Team
wphsbandprovisions@gmail.com
26-27 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I Auditions
Information for 2026-2027 Wind Symphony and Jazz Ensemble I auditions is now available at http://www.winterparkhsband.com/auditions.html. Auditions will take place after school Monday, May 4 - Thursday, May 7. Start preparing now and don't hesitate to reach out to the directors for help. Happy practicing!!
"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.
âUnlike a full band rehearsal experience, studying with a private teacher focuses in on the studentâs 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
April 14: Incoming Freshman Ice-Breakers/Parent Information Meeting, 6 - 8 PM
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April 15: Percussion Clinic
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April 16-18: All-County Jazz
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April 22: Percussion Clinic
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April 23: SPRING JAZZ & PERCUSSION CONCERT
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April 29: Percussion Clinic
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April 30: SPRING BAND CONCERT
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May 4 - 7: 26-27 Wind Symphony & Jazz Ensemble I Auditions
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May 6: Percussion Clinic
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May 8: Band Banquet
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May 9: 26-27 Student Leadership Retreat, 9 AM - 1 PM
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May 12: Band Registration Night, 6 - 9 PM
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May 13: "Final Roar" Pep Band, 26-27 Leadership & Drumline Pep Band
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May 16: Mini-Camp, all 26-27 Band students, 12 - 6 PM
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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
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
- 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
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