Winter Park Band Notes
February 26, 2017
From Mr. Blackmer
Dear Band Families,
Just a few more days until Concert MPA! Mr. Clemente and I are really looking forward to some outstanding performances from the three concert bands this coming Thursday and Friday! However, the bands are not quite "MPA ready" yet! Everyone needs to be putting 110% effort this week to nit-pick their parts and refine all of the rough edges. Parents - you should be hearing at least 15 to 20 minutes of practice every night at home this week. It's a cliche, but an accurate one, that the bands will only perform as strong as their weakest link.
Congratulations to the Winter Park Winter Guard on their second FFCC performance of the year this past Saturday at Apopka HS! The Guard earned a score of 60.23 which is 17.26 points higher than their Premiere performance back in mid-January! Excellent work to everyone! Also, a huge thanks to all of our Guard volunteers who helped chaperone and move floors and equipment!
Please review the itinerary for this week's concert MPA, and try to be there for your child's performance! They are free and open to the public, and it is important for you to be there to support them! Again, if your son or daughter is not traveling back to the school with their band following MPA, we must have an e-mail no later than one day prior to the event. Please e-mail both Mr. Clemente and myself - regardless of which Band.
Finally, I want to wish all of our juniors the best of luck with their testing this coming Wednesday. Also, a reminder to everyone that Wednesday is a "regular day schedule." Wind Ensemble juniors are asked to report to the regular Wind Ensemble rehearsal following the completion of their test, as well as the after-school sectional. Because of the MPA schedule on Thursday and Friday, this will end up being our final rehearsal before MPA. Thank you, in advance, for your commitment to this!
All the Best to everyone on a terrific week!
Mr. Blackmer
PS - We received a very kind letter from the St. Olaf College Band earlier last week, and I thought I'd share it with everyone below:
Concert MPA
CONCERT MPA - THURSDAY, MARCH 2 - EDGEWATER HS (Itinerary)
- Symphonic Band 1:40 PM
CONCERT MPA - FRIDAY, MARCH 3 - EDGEWATER HS (Itinerary)
- Concert Band 12 PM
- Wind Ensemble 7:10 PM
An important part of MPA is listening to other groups' performances. Just as we would like a good audience for each of our performances, we want to show that courtesy and support to our fellow local Band programs. Because of this, each Band's MPA itinerary includes some listening before and after their individual performance.
If it is absolutely necessary to take a student from MPA early (following their performance), an e-mail needs to be sent to both Mr. Blackmer and Mr. Clemente at least one day prior.
Gator's Dockside Spirit Night - March 9
Please come out and support our fundraiser at the Baldwin Park Gator’s Dockside on 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 is due this coming Wednesday, March 1. The individual student share for Door-2-Door will be announced either Monday or Tuesday this week. Be sure to check Band account balances before making payments!
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.
Track Shack Volunteer Fundraising Opportunity
Volunteer for Track Shack and earn $10 credit in your Band account for every person who volunteers on your behalf at the WPHS Band volunteer location. Many of our band families enjoy working together at these events. You must follow the directions below to earn financial credit. Spaces fill up fast!
Event details:
- Event: Smile Mile
- Date: Saturday, March 4, 2017, 6:30am – 11:30 am
- Location: Blue Jacket Park
- $10 credit per volunteer (must be 13 or older to volunteer)
Volunteer sign up instructions:
· Go to the WPHS Band Volunteer Spot link: http://signup.com/go/ScW7Jn
· Click on the Sign Up! Icon and follow the instructions.
· Print the volunteer waiver, fill it out and bring it to the race location with you.
By signing up you are making a commitment to Track Shack and to the WPHS Band. No shows put the financial credit for the group and our future participation in these events in jeopardy. Check your calendar before you sign up.