WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
July 10, 2023
From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
It was so much fun to gather the entirety of our Winter Park Band community at the 10th Annual Fall Festival of Bands this past Wednesday. The evening included outstanding performances by the Glenridge Middle School Symphonic Band, the Maitland Middle School Wind Ensemble, the Winter Park Wind Symphony, combined students from APS, GMS, and MMS along with the Wind Symphony, the SOTW Color Guard, and the SOTW Marching Band! The community we have is so special, and this event each year provides a chance for us all to both get together in celebration and welcome new families from the middle schools. Thank you to Robyn Fodor and her team of volunteers for coordinating concessions after the concert to help raise money for the end of the year Band Banquet. Thank you to Jenniffer Randolph, Andrea Rediske, and the uniform crew for helping our students look sharp and putting plumes into shakos during the concert.
SOTW did a great job at the rescheduled football game on Thursday night! Thank you to Laura Cambridge and the chaperone team for helping our students stay safe. Thank you to Ellen Deloach and the provisions team for coordinating pizza, concessions, and keeping our students fueled for their performance. Since the football team won that game, they have moved into the playoffs. The playoff game this week is scheduled for Friday, 11/15 at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. For playoff football games, the band attends as a full band pep band and the dress is the Summer Uniform - just like we wore last Thursday. Looking at the weather, Friday's high temperature is 80 degrees with a low of 62 degrees. Students may wear long tan/khaki colored pants and bring along sweatshirts or jackets that either say Winter Park of have WPHS colors - black, white, grey, orange. Students may also wear long sleeves under their BEATLEMANIA shirt in WPHS colors, like we did for the Homecoming parade in October. A full itinerary for the playoff game can be found on the Band website.
All-County Auditions are next Monday, 11/18. Auditions will take place at Lake Buena Vista HS, and the schedule should be released on Monday, 11/11. This week, playing assignments are due and directors are available to help before school, during lunches, and after school. It's time to really lock in and polish the final performance of your audition - prepared exercise, major scales, chromatic scale, improvisation (for jazz), and sight reading. See below for links to audition requirements, and please ask your directors for help!
CHICAGO TOUR PARTICIPANTS - Please see the Chicago Tour section below for information on Payment 3 due on Monday, 11/11 and the Traveler Information Google Form that is due this week on Wednesday, 11/13.
Our annual SOLO & ENSEMBLE project is coming up as we head toward Thanksgiving Break. Please find detailed information below in this Newsletter.
In case you haven't had the chance to look, Mrs. Adkinson took 400 (!) pictures during our MPA day last Saturday. You can view them by clicking on this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1VRPbSpaSJ9mSJTCax87sHvRjU-DghvCP?usp=sharing
Together, let's make it a great week!
Mr. Clemente
Chicago Tour Update
DUE THIS WEEK - MONDAY, 11/11
- Payment 3 - $510 student, $490 chaperone
- Payment can be made either on SchoolPay.com or with a check/money order made out to WPHS Bands
- If you have credit to use toward this payment, please contact Kim Somers to authorize the credit usage
- TRAVELER DATA GOOGLE INFORMATION FORM
- ALL PARTICIPATING STUDENTS & CHAPERONES must complete the google form below by this Wednesday, 11/13.
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeCRUkmgiwEzrEiecWUP6j_lDsUGUZlB78u9VvAeLyBcDW5wA/viewform?usp=sf_link
For up to date information on the Chicago Tour 2025, please visit http://www.winterparkhsband.com/chicago-tour-2025.html.
SOLO & ENSEMBLE
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 allows our students to have 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.
Band students have two performance options to complete the Solo and Ensemble project:
- Option 1(preferred): 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 February 7 and 8. This event is put on by the Florida Bandmasters Association (FBA), and allows students to perform for an adjudicator for a rating. Adjudicators for this event are 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/one of their 4 entries. Entrance fees are paid for by the Band program as a part of Fair Share.
- Option 2: Solo and Ensemble Recital Option. For students who choose not to perform at 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 29, 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 Mrs. Deane. Students who wish to choose this option must have their choice cleared by both Mr. Clemente and Mrs. Deane.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The next step is choosing which option you prefer and 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 or the Solo and Ensemble Recital Option, follow the links below. If a student chooses to play a solo, they are responsible for providing a piano accompanist or pre-recorded accompaniment. If you are in search of an accompanist, please consult this list of piano accompanists on the Band website.
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 12/5/24
Solo and Ensemble MPA Registration
- Due no later than 12/5/24
Solo and Ensemble Recital Option sign-up (if approved by Mr. Clemente & Mrs. Deane)
- Due no later than 12/5/24
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.
From our Fundraising Chair, Mrs. Robyn Fodor
Butter Braid orders have been submitted, totaling $7,856 in sales and raising $2,946 to be credited directly to sellers' band accounts. Way to go!
Our delivery is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 21 and soon, I will give more details about how pick up will work.
No additional fundraisers are planned until Door 2 Door on February 1, our biggest fundraiser of the year. Later this month, watch for more details from our volunteer coordinator, Laura Cambridge, on how to sign up as a driver. There are two great reasons to drive:
- It's a fun day!
- Drivers earn credits for their student’s band account. It's a win-win for drivers!
Everyone has worked so hard this fall and made this fundraising season a huge success!
A huge thanks to all!
Robyn Fodor
Fundraising Chair
From our Uniform Co-Chairs, Mrs. Jenniffer Randolph and Mrs. Andrea Rediske
🎶 Hello, Marching Band and Guard Families! 🎶
What a fantastic finale to our Beatlemania show! With straight superiors at MPA and rocking performances at the Fall Festival of Bands, our amazing ensemble really hit all the high notes! The whole Uniform Crew is bursting with pride for each and every Band and Guard member.
🎶To our Uniform Crew Volunteers: You all deserve a standing ovation! From those who measured, fitted, and "tailor" uniforms at each event, to the heroes keeping stray hairs in check and plumes on shakos to perfection—your dedication and hard work have truly made our band look as sharp as they sound. Thank you for making the magic happen behind the scenes!
🎶To our Uniform Washers and Ironers: Thanks for taking those uniforms under your wing and making them shine! Your hard work ensures our students look crisp and show-ready for every beat, every step, and every show-stopping formation. Just a reminder—please return your freshly washed and ironed uniforms to the Uniform Room on Thursday, November 14th, between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.
🎺 Uniform Washing Instructions: Need a refresher? No problem! Just click here for the details.
🎶 Reminder about Marching Band Summer Uniforms: Our Summer Uniform consist of the Beatlemania show shirt, khaki/tan shorts, a brown or black belt, comfortable athletic shoes, socks, and your SOTW water jug. The uniform room does not have extra belts, shorts, or jugs, so please make sure your student is ready to roll with all their essentials!
Thank you for helping our musicians shine and for being part of this harmonious ensemble! 🎶
With endless gratitude and style,
Andrea Rediske (andrea.rediske@gmail.com) & Jenniffer Randolph (jenrandolph13@gmail.com)
WPHS Uniform Co-Chairs
From our Chaperone Coordinator, Mrs. Laura Cambridge
UPCOMING EVENTS
November 13: Winter Guard Tryouts
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November 18: All-County Band & Jazz Auditions, Lake Buena Vista High School
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November 25-29: Thanksgiving Break
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December 7: Winter Park (morning) & Baldwin Park (evening) Holiday Parades
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December 10: Winterfest (Orch Winds & Perc. only)
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December 12: WINTER BAND CONCERT, 7 PM, WPHS Auditorium
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
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024
- Fair Share Payment - $225 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
- Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $45
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024
- Fair Share Payment 2 - $50
- COLOR GUARD
- Wednesday, July 31, 2024
- Fall Fair Share Payment - $325 OR Fair Share Payment 1 - $100
- Marching Band Shoe (if needed) - $45
- Wednesday, August 28, 2024
- Fair Share Payment 2 - $125
Private Lessons
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.
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