Dear Winter Park Band families,

Happy first week of school! We are so excited to see everyone back on campus Monday morning to kick off the 2024-2025 school year!

During classes this week, students will be reviewing the Band Handbook. An electronic version of the Band Handbook is available both on the Band website and each band class' Canvas home page. Everyone will also bring home the Band Handbook & Standards of Excellence Acknowledgement Form. After reviewing the Handbook with a parents/guardians, each student and one parent/guardian must complete the Acknowledgement Form with initials and signatures. The form is due back no later than Thursday, 8/15.

This week, our regular after school marching band rehearsals begin on Tuesday, 8/13. Tuesday evenings will take place from 6 - 8:30 PM and Thursday afternoons from after school - 5 PM. As a reminder, these rehearsals only take place during the marching band portion of the year and continue only until Marching MPA on November 2.

The annual "Meet the Cats" pep rally will take place Thursday, 8/15. We will have a slightly shortened Thursday rehearsal beforehand and then feed the entire band dinner before the rally. We will wear the Summer Uniform for this performance which means students need to bring the following to school Thursday morning: 2024 Show Shirt, tan/khaki shorts, belt, athletic shoes, SOTW water jug, flip folder. All students must have all parts of their required uniform for each performance.

Keep up the great work selling Sponsorships. This week we got our first $2,500 sponsorship - amazing! We're so fortunate to have such a supportive community.

Together, let's make it a great week!

Mr. Clemente

Turn onto Woodcrest Dr. from Lakemont Ave. Take a left on Bellwood Dr., followed by a right into the WPHS school gate. Take an immediate left towards the Bus Loop. Drive past the 200 building on your right, and then drop off your student at the first door of the next building, the 600 building. Now you're at the Band room!

You can also park and drop-off in A-Lot immediately when you turn into the WPHS gate off of Bellwood Dr.

Hello Band Families!

We are seeking sponsors for the 2024-25 school year to help contribute to our yearly budget, to help with capital projects that support our band and to reduce the cost of the trip to Chicago.

We receive about 10% of our annual operating budget from the county and the rest is raised through Fair Share payments made by families, funds raised by our students or money raised through sponsorships.

Our operating budget covers normal yearly transportation expenses, new music, instrument repairs, band camp, competition entry fees, food, expert clinicians and more. Our capital needs projects that fall out of the scope of our annual budget include a special invite-only upcoming trip to Chicago, a much-needed trailer purchase to use both for hauling equipment to off-campus events and for our colorguard, and instrument and uniform purchases for our growing band.

Donations or sponsorships can make a significant difference, helping with the resources necessary for our students to thrive.

Here's the important part:

Donors and sponsors are best found through personal contacts. Consider what contacts you have, both personal and professional that may be willing to give to the band. Where do you, friends or other family work? What businesses do you frequent? Who do you know that is an alumni of WPHS or Band? Do you know of a company that does end-of-year philanthropy? End-of-year giving is often coordinated right now as some companies' fiscal year ends at the end of September, October or December. Donors give not expecting anything back. Sponsors receive elevation in some form. Our Sponsorship packet linked below offers details of the different brand or name amplification opportunities that we offer at different sponsorship levels.

Remember that during football season, our sponsors have increased exposure beyond band families. Our audience is all those that come out to watch football-- the greater Winter Park community!

If you have contacts you can share with us, it is greatly appreciated. Or if you need help reaching out to potential sponsors, please reach out to us. We can help with letters and talking points.

We can do this together!

Many of you have asked about more opportunities to solicit out-of-town family and friends with our fundraisers. Right now, family and friends can come together to purchase a student dedication (it's not only for seniors!) or purchase a dedication for your student's section or for the whole band. 60% of the value of the dedication goes back into your student's band account.

In 2 weeks, we are going to kick off a new fundraiser called Widdy Up. That's a fundraiser using a video pitch that your student will be able to send to families and friends no matter where they live. More details will be coming out on that very soon.

Happy fundraising!

Julie Capps, Sponsorship program and Student Dedications Coordinator

Robyn Fodor, Fundraising Chair

Hello Marching Families!

We want to reiterate a couple of important details from the Band Camp meeting regarding uniform policies. We also need your help in being engaged participants in student success for marching and concert uniforms.

• Uniform instructions and agreement for students: each student is being sent home with this agreement to help remind them of what to wear and bring to football games or concerts.
• Summer Uniforms will consist of the Beatlemania show shirt, khaki shorts, a brown or black belt, comfortable athletic shoes and white socks. The uniform room doesn't have belts or khaki shorts, so please help your student come prepared with these items.
• Marching Uniforms:
• We have started fitting your students for their marching uniforms during the Tuesday night practice.
• Here is the parent flyer from the Band Camp meeting with details about what students will need to wear and bring with them during marching season.
• Please note that if students forget parts of their marching uniform, some items can be borrowed or purchased. If borrowed items aren't returned, students' band accounts will be charged.
• Gloves and black socks can be purchased for $5
• Show shirts and marching shoes can be borrowed, but must be returned
• Concert Uniforms
• Students are also being fitted for their concert uniforms, and the dresses or tuxedos are being sent home
• Here is the parent flyer from the Band Camp Meeting with details about concert dress requirements.
• Please note that concert dresses and tuxedo pants might need to be hemmed to fit your student.
• If you can hem the concert dress or tuxedo pants at home, please do not cut the fabric -- these uniforms will be re-used by future students.
  
• If you aren't able to do the hemming, here is a list of local tailors who can make the necessary alterations.

Thank you for helping us make your students look amazing as they march and play! If you'd like to help out with fitting students during Tuesday night practices, click here for the link to sign up. Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.

Andrea Rediske (andrea.rediske@gmail.com) and Jenniffer Randolph (jenrandolph13@gmail.com)

WPHS Band Uniform Co-Chairs

Hello volunteers!

We are jumping right in to Marching Season with lots of volunteer opportunities. The Uniform Team is looking for volunteers on Tuesdays to help fit the students in their marching and concert uniforms. The sign up for football games and parades are up; please remember to limit yourself to 2 games at a time so everyone who wants to can have a chance to volunteer.

Both Sign Up Genius links are here: http://www.winterparkhsband.com/quick-links.html

Feel free to reach out with any questions, wphsbandvolunteers@gmail.com

If you have not tried to log in as of yet, CUT TIME (our data management platform) is moving to an updated software. Our WPHS Orchestra program has already made the switch, and I've heard many good reviews from Mrs. Bitters.

You should be receiving a text message soon that looks like the message below. Please DO NOT reply "STOP" to these messages. Setup your account as soon as possible to be able to view announcements, calendar events, inventory assignments, and most importantly financials.

August 12: First Day of School

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August 13: Begin regular Tuesday evening MB rehearsals, 6 - 8:30 PM

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August 15: Begin regular Thursday afternoon MB rehearsals, 2:45 - 5 PM

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August 15: "Meet the Cats" Pep Rally, 6:30 - 8 PM, Auditorium

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August 23: Away Football Game, 5 - 10 PM, Jones HS

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August 29: Home Football Game, 5 - 10 PM, Showalter Field

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September 2: No School, Labor Day Holiday

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September 13: Middle School Night Home Football Game, 4:30 - 10 PM, Showalter Field

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September 21: All-State Auditions, Ocoee HS, 9 AM - 4 PM

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September 27: Away Football Game, 4:30 - 10 PM, Freedom HS

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October 1: Away Football Game, 5 - 8 PM, Edgewater HS

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October 10: Home Football Game, 5 - 10 PM, Showalter Field

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October 11: Jazz Ensemble 1 @ WPAAF, 8 - 10 AM, Downtown WP

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October 14: No School

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October 16: Homecoming Parade, 4 - 7 PM, Downtown WP

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October 17: FALL BAND CONCERT & 85th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION, 7 PM, WPHS Auditorium

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October 18: Homecoming Football Game, 5 - 10 PM, Showalter Field

http://www.winterparkhsband.com/calendar.html

PAST DUE BAND PAYMENTS

• BAND
• Wednesday, July 31, 2024
• Fair Share Payment - $225 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
• Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $45

• COLOR GUARD
• Wednesday, July 31, 2024
• Fall Fair Share Payment - $325 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
• Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $45

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 kimrosesomers@gmail.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

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