Winter Park Band Notes
September 2, 2017
Fees Due This Coming Week
- Jazz Band Fair Share 1 - $25 - September 6
- Guard Fair Share 2 - $100 - September 6
Charms Accounts
A couple of items regarding the Charms accounts:
First, please remember your password! The only way to re-set a password is to contact Mr. Blackmer directly, and then he has to manually do the reset. This takes time and distracts from teaching during the day. As a result, it make take awhile to get a password reset. Along those same lines, remember that both students and parents need to access the Charms account, so please make sure that the password is one known by both.
Second, beginning today, and then usually once each month, you will receive a Band account statement by e-mail. This statement doesn't necessarily mean that you owe past-due money, however, it is just a "statement of the account." If it does say that you have a "balance due," that does mean that you're behind on a fee payment, and you will need to take care of that balance immediately.
If you have questions about your account, please contact Mr. Blackmer.
Marching Band Tuesday/Thursday Rehearsals
Because of the school calendar, there are a few Marching Band rehearsals scheduled for either Tuesday or Thursday this fall. They are rare, which makes them easier to forget! Please make sure you have the following non-regular rehearsal days in your family's calendar:
- Tuesday, September 5 (due to Labor Day on Monday)
- Thursday, October 12 (due to Homecoming Parade on Wednesday)
- Tuesday, October 17 (due to no school on Monday)
- Tuesday, November 7 (to prepare for Fall Festival of Bands)
These have all been on the Band Calendar since last spring, so this is just a reminder! Our first Tuesday rehearsal is this next Tuesday!
Pep Band / Full Band Change
Please note that the away football games on Friday, September 15 (hosted at Colonial HS) and Friday, September 29 (hosted at Timber Creek HS) are no longer Pep Band performances. The full Marching Band will perform at both of these away football games. Please make note of the change in your family's calendar.
With this change, we are now in need of additional chaperones for those two away games. Please consider signing-up to chaperone for either September 15 or September 29 through the Band Calendar.
Game Day Parking Routine
Last year we implemented a new parking routine for Friday game days. It allows for a smooth transition of equipment and students to and from the Band Room before and after the games without running into traffic congestion issues. Please see the diagram below and make note of where to park (or not to park) on game day Fridays. This will also apply to our three Saturday performances as well: Merritt Island HS (October 7), University HS (October 21), and Marching MPA at Apopka HS (November 4).
All student/chaperone parking should be in either A Lot (green) or on the west side of the drive across from the 200 Building. The yellow area next to the 200 Building is for busses only. Also, please avoid parking in B Lot. The Summerfield Road entry gate is typically locked by the time the Band returns from a performance, and your car may get trapped behind a fence!
A huge thank you to Willson McBurney for putting this together!
All-County Registration
Information regarding the All-County Bands and Jazz Band is now up on the Band's website. The All-County auditions take place in November, and All-County Band is hosted here at Winter Park High School in January. All Winter Park Band students are encouraged to prepare an audition for All-County, however it is an expectation for Wind Symphony students.
Winter Park had over 50 students in the All-County Bands last school year. That's a great number, but we want to make it an even larger representation this year!
Band Fees Over Due
Those students/parents with overdue Band fees should have received an e-mail from Mr. Blackmer this past Friday evening detailing what is due. Please review your Band account through CharmsOffice.com and make appropriate payment through SchoolPay.com. If you have questions about Band fees, please direct them to Mr. Blackmer.
Fundraising
Our Program Ads and Sponsors fundraiser has been extended. You have a few more weeks to submit your ads, sponsorships and payments. The deadline applies to personal ads honoring your Band student as well, so do not miss out. Take advantage of your best opportunity to earn funds for your Band account! The new deadline is Friday, September 15.
The Save-a-Round Coupon Books fundraiser will begin Tuesday, September 12 and end Wednesday, September 27. Sell books full of coupons to some of your favorite restaurants and activities for $25 each. The book more than pays for itself and you will earn $12.50 for each book sold. More information coming soon!
Marching Band Uniforms
Full uniform requirements: Marching shoes, black knee length socks, white gloves, show shirt and compression shorts must be brought to school by the student each Friday to perform. The remaining items for the uniform are stored in our uniform room at school. You must arrive early enough to get dressed and load your equipment into our truck.
Each student will receive one pair of white gloves free of charge next Friday. Replacement pairs cost $5 cash—no exceptions. All marching shoes, socks, gloves, show shirts, etc., look the same. Be responsible with your uniform parts so you will not be purchasing new items each week at your own expense.
Marching shoes, extra gloves and black socks have been distributed to those who ordered them through the website. If you did not order, you did not receive these required items to perform.
Chaperones and Volunteers
All parents who wish to chaperone or volunteer with the Band Program, or any WPHS activities this year, must update their existing ADDitions account (or create one) now. We cannot choose you to chaperone for any Band event unless this has been done. Please take a few minutes to log in and complete this now. You may use the following link to do so https://ocps.samaritan.com/custom/503/index.php.
The Band's first chaperone opportunity is less than 2 weeks away, and we need you! More information is coming at Thursday's parent meeting on how to sign up for specific Band opportunities.