Winter Park Band Notes
March 5, 2017
From Mr. Blackmer
Dear Band Families,
Congratulations to all of our concert bands on a very successful and rewarding Music Performance Assessment weekend at Edgewater High School! I was very pleased with the performance of all three bands, and their hard work paid off as they performed for a very tough adjudicator panel! Very proud of our students!
When considering the ratings for each band, I think that it's important to consider the FBA's definition of a "Superior" and an "Excellent" rating, as defined in the FBA adjudicator's manual:
The rating of "Superior" is comparable to the grade of an "A". This rating reflects the finest conceivable performance for the event and class of participants being evaluated - worthy of the distinction of being recognized as among the very best. While the adjudicator may find some minor points to criticize and make helpful suggestions for improvement, his/her comments sheet would show a majority of "A" grades for each category, and his/her remarks would be generally complimentary for outstanding work.
The rating of "Excellent" is comparable to a grade of a "B". This rating reflects an unusually high level of performance in many respects, but one not worthy of the highest rating due to minor defects. Yet it is a performance of distinctive quality. The band receiving this rating usually shows the results of sound fundamental training, but the performance lacks the polish and finesse to qualify for a Superior rating. The squares on the Comment Sheet should contain a majority of "B" grades, with the possibility of one "A" or one "C", but with an overall "B" average. It is usually very easy for an adjudicator to comment on such a performance since the weaknesses stand out clearly in a generally first-rate performance, and suggestions can be focused on something specific and helpful.
Listing to our three bands, I think, while playing for a very tough and critical panel, their performances very much match these descriptions above.
One other thing that I would caution both students and parents from doing is to compare a band's ratings from one year to the next. There are so many different variables, from the student make-up of the band, to the music being played, to the adjudicators making the evaluation, that it is really an apples to oranges comparison, and not a wise one to make!
Let's celebrate the hard work of our students as we move on to our next performance - always striving to be better than the last performance!
All the Best!
Mr. Blackmer
CONCERT BAND MPA RESULTS
Concert Band
- Performance: Superior, Excellent, Excellent
- Sight-Reading: Superior
- Overall Rating: Excellent
- Performance Recordings / Adjudicator Comments
Symphonic Band
- Performance: Excellent, Excellent, Excellent
- Sight-Reading: Excellent
- Overall Rating: Excellent
- Performance Recordings / Adjudicator Comments
Wind Ensemble
- Performance: Superior, Superior, Superior
- Sight-Reading: Superior
- Overall Rating: Superior
- Performance Recordings / Adjudicator Comments
Gator's Dockside Spirit Night - March 9
Please come out and support our fundraiser at the Baldwin Park Gator’s Dockside this Thursday, March 9, 2017, from 5 PM - 9 PM. Enjoy your dinner while listening to some of our high school band students play light jazz on the patio. Gator’s will donate 15% of the proceeds of any receipt turned in at the door. Thank you for supporting our Band Program!
Band Fair Share 4 / Guard Fair Share 8
Just a reminder that our final Fair Shares for the 2016/2017 school year was due this past Wednesday, March 1. All Band families should have received a Band Account summary from Mr. Blackmer last Tuesday that reflects all current payments and credits. If you did not receive this statement, please first check your spam folders, and then contact Mr. Blackmer directly if it is not there. All outstanding balances not covered by spring break will be forwarded to the WPHS Administration and placed on the school's Obligations List. Thank you for making this a priority today!
2017/2018 Band Calendar
The 2017/2018 Band Calendar is beginning to take shape! We have several dates already in place for next school year, including Band Camp, home/away football games, Marching Band MPA, Door-2-Door Fundraiser, Jazz MPA, Solo & Ensemble MPA, Guest Conductor Workshop, Concert Band MPA, and much, much more! Please check it out and sync with your family calendars!
Upcoming Auditions
If there are any questions about any of these auditions, please contact Mr. Blackmer!
Final Band Booster Meeting - March 14
We will have our final Band Booster meeting of the year on Tuesday, March 14 at 7 PM in the Band Room. Please come to learn about our activities and volunteer needs for the remainder of the school year. We will also be discussing the Band Banquet and Band Registration night among other upcoming events. See you there! As with our December gathering, the general meeting will only run around 45 minutes.
Winter Guard Rehearsal
Monday, Mar 6, 2017, 05:00 PM
Winter Park 9th Grade Center, Huntington Avenue, Winter Park, FL, United States
Senior Concerto Competition Auditions
Wednesday, Mar 8, 2017, 01:30 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, United States
Winter Guard Rehearsal
Wednesday, Mar 8, 2017, 05:00 PM
Winter Park 9th Grade Center, Huntington Avenue, Winter Park, FL, United States
Park Philharmonic Orchestra MPA
7:15 AM: Meet in WPHS Orchestra Room (freshman will report to the Main Campus - DO NOT go to the Ninth Grade Center!)
7:30 AM: Leave for Wekiva HS
9:30 AM: Advanced Orchestra warm up
10:00 AM: Advanced Orchestra performance
10:30 AM: Sight-Reading
10:45 AM: Park Phil eats lunch. Students will need to bring a lunch or bring money for lunch. Please inform Mrs. Bitters by Tuesday, March 7 if you will be using free/reduced lunch as she needs to let the school know.
11:00 AM: Advanced Orchestra eats lunch
11:30 AM: Park Phil warm up
12:00 PM: Park Phil performance
12:30 PM: Park Phil sight-read
1:15 PM: Leave Wekiva HS
2:15 PM: Drop off at Winter Park High School