WINTER PARK BAND Weekly Newsletter
May 26, 2020
THIS WEEK
Last Day of School
Wednesday, May 27, 2020, 02:30 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Summer Instrument Check-Out
For any rising 9th - 12th grade student who would like to check out a school-owned instrument for summer practice. Please wear a face covering and practice physical distancing while on campus to check out an instrument.
If you are unable to make it onto campus during the 11 AM - 1 PM window, please email Mr. Clemente and Mr. Smith to set up a separate appointment.
Thursday, May 28, 2020, 11:00 AM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
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From Mr. Clemente
Dear Winter Park Band families,
Happy Last week of school! I hope everyone was able to enjoy the extended weekend, and also to take time to reflect on the Memorial Day holiday.
As we enter the summer months, please do not completely "unplug" from information for the upcoming school year. While the break is most certainly a time for rest and relaxation, this summer is one that will contain much information on how OCPS will approach the beginning of next school year. I will not be sending out formal newsletters every week like I do during the school months, but I will be sending updated information from the state and county once we are given direction how to proceed for next school year.
This Thursday, May 28 the Band room will be open for rising 9th - 12th grade students to check out instruments for summer practice. As with last week's uniform return, please wear a face covering while on campus and practice physical distancing while inside the Band room.
Summer Instrument Check-Out Sign-Up
Current High School Students (rising 10th - 12th graders) - Please check both your Google Classroom and Skyward accounts. You have only two days this week to complete assignments for the 4th quarter so they can be graded before I must submit grades to the administration. If you have any incomplete work, please promptly complete and submit it. If you have completed work that has not yet been graded on Skyward, please email both Mr. Clemente and Mr. Smith to alert us in case we have either missed it or not yet been able to grade your work.
Les Miserables Recording: For anyone unfamiliar with the music of Les Miserables, the long -standing Broadway production from which the music for next year's marching band show is taken, check out this video of a performance from the 10th Anniversary Concert - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0c2sx47p31M.
I hope you continue to stay healthy and safe, and have a wonderful summer break!
Mr. Clemente
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From the Band Booster President
Week of May 24, 2020
Congratulations to all of the graduating seniors! Know that you will be missed, but we wish you the best in your future endeavors and hope you come back to visit.
Along with graduating seniors are graduating senior parents, so please join me in thanking the two “graduating” senior band booster board members—Mary Bernard (Uniforms) and Jay McPherson (Security). Words cannot express how much we appreciate their time, dedication, enthusiasm for band, and willingness to help. Mary has worked to coordinate, measure, clean, put away, sort, etc. etc. to make sure the band looks great on the field and on the stage. Jay always made sure that our band was safe and where they needed to be. Thank you, Jay and Mary, for supporting the band during your time at WPHS. You will be missed.
There are many parents of graduating seniors who volunteered their time regularly to support the band, so a huge thanks to each and every one of you! We will miss you, and we hope you all come back to visit.
Thank You "Graduating" Booster Board Members!
Mary Bernard - Uniforms
Plans after this year: I plan to spend time with my grandson until he joins band, so I need to start helping him making noise (Sorry mommy).
Favorite band memory: I have many great memories so it is hard to pick one, but I enjoyed the Christmas parades, marching MPA, and especially the operations crew gathering, the concert at Carnegie Hall, the LA Concert, and when the band sang Happy Birthday to me one Friday night after a game. And Maleysha’s shout out.
Words of advice for other parents who want to be involved in band: I definitely encourage all the parents to get involved in any way they can. It doesn’t have to be every game or every time but at least once to support your kid and the program. For me it was an incredible experience that I will cherish always. I’m grateful for the friends I made through these years, for the opportunity to see the students grow, mature and for witnessing all the amazing things they’ve accomplished.
Favorite piece: West Side Story show-Into the Blue
Special Thanks to Mr.Clemente, Mr.Smith, the parents and the students who trusted me. To Jessica who said yes when I asked her to fill my position next year. To the operations crew, you guys were incredibly helpful. To all the moms who helped me plume (I bet all of you had as much fun as me). To the band leadership especially the drum majors Topher and Blake you were so good to me!! And of course to Neff for joining band and staying all four years.
Jay McPherson - Security
Favorite Band memory: When I heard judges weeping as they spoke about the MPA performance Josh's sophomore year.
Words of advice to parents: Volunteer because it's a chance to be a part of your child's passion and it's over before you know it.
Favorite piece: Symphony #4
Plans after this year: Continue to follow Josh and his music at Samford.
Special Thanks: to those parents who volunteered at a higher level and took control, sacrificed their time and effort to lead.
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FINANCIALS
For a description of the Band fair share, as well as any other charges throughout the school year, please consult the 2019-2020 Band Handbook. Earlier this year (beyond the pandemic), WPHS had already purchased uniforms, hired professional staff, as well as purchased classroom and event resources, so your payment not only fulfills your obligation, but also ensures the continued viability of our program.
TOTAL BALANCE DUE indicates the amount a student owes on the account. CREDIT BALANCE indicates a surplus of funds. Credits can be saved for future Band fair share, expenses, trips, etc. If you have fundraising credits or a credit under the “Student Miscellaneous Ledger” in your account and would like it applied to a specific item, then please use CHARMS to submit a Transfer Request. This alerts us to apply the money to that specific charge. Please note that partial payments cannot be applied to an item until after full payment is received.
Please direct any questions to both Mr. Clemente at michael.clemente@ocps.net and Mary Beth Johnston at mbkjohnston@gmail.com. If you need a reminder regarding "what is due and when," you will find it on the Band's website at www.winterparkhsband.com > Resources > Forms > Registration Forms 2019-2020 and in each week's newsletter.
Finally, we certainly recognize that this is a difficult time for everyone. If you have financial concerns, please reach out immediately with a description so we can evaluate our scholarship resources. We want to work with you, but you must communicate. Thanks for your communication and understanding!
Viewing your Student's Financial Account in Charms:
There is a direct link to Charms in "Quick Links" on the band website.
- Our school code is winterparkhsband
- The Student Area Password would be a unique password that either the student or parent have set up. (If you don't know the password it can be reset by one of the band directors).
- Once you have logged into the Student Area, click on the round, red $ symbol on the top menu bar to view your student's account
- If your student has earned Band Account Credit (in the Miscellaneous Ledger) this credit can be transferred to pay for many band fees: Fair Share, School Instrument Maintenance, Registration Fees for All-State, All-County and Solo Ensemble.
Requesting a Credit Transfer to pay for Fixed Payments Due:
- Click on the "Transfer Request" tab just below the round, red $ symbol. Select the fixed payment you would like to pay for using the credit. The request is sent to the band directors and the band booster treasurer.
- SENIORS: Please check your credit balance and use it accordingly during the year. Credit for Seniors left at the end of the year can only be transferred to siblings.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS PAYMENT SCHEDULE
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2020-2021 BAND REGISTRATION
Register for the 2020-2021 Winter Park Band
A link to the Band Registration form is also located on the Band Website at www.winterparkhsband.com.
It is not too late to register for the 2020-2021 Winter Park Band! Please complete the above form at your earliest convenience so Mr. Clemente and Mr. Smith can plan on having you with us. Thank you!
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Congratulations Seniors from the Performing Arts Department!
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COLOR GUARD OPEN RECRUITMENT
Color Guard Open Recruitment is happening NOW for the 2020-2021 school year. The Color Guard is the visual ensemble of the Winter Park Band. In the fall, the Color Guard performs with the “Sound of the Wildcats” Marching Band, adding visual flair and impact to the marching band show. In the winter and spring, the Color Guard performs on the FFCC competitive circuit, competing with other color guards in the Central Florida region. Interested in performing, traveling, and competing? The Color Guard may be the place for you!
NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED.
Please fill out this Google form to receive more information about the upcoming season. You can also email Mrs. Johnson, the Color Guard Sponsor, at Anne.Johnson@ocps.net.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Monday, July 20 - Tuesday, July 21 - PERCUSSION AND COLOR GUARD CAMP
For all students in the Color Guard and the Marching Percussion (Drum Line and Front Ensemble). 9 AM - 12 PM both days.
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Tuesday, July 21 - NEW MARCHERS AND STUDENT LEADERSHIP
Rehearsal for all new marchers (incoming 9th grade and new to the Band) along with the 2020-2021 Student Leadership. 9 AM - 12 PM
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Wednesday, July 22 - Thursday, July 23 - MARCHING BAND CAMP WEEK 1
All "Sound of the Wildcats" Marching Band students (SOTW). 9 AM - 5 PM both days.
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Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31 - MARCHING BAND CAMP WEEK 2
All "Sound of the Wildcats" Marching Band students (SOTW). 9 AM - 9 PM all days.
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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