Winter Park High School Band Notes
December 8, 2018
FROM MR. BLACKMER
Dear Band Families:
Many thanks to all of our parent volunteers for our two parades today! The Marching Band looked and sounded terrific, and we could not have done it without our volunteers!
I'd also like to thank everyone for being so patient while I dealt with the gate issue this morning. Going forward, please remember that we rarely ever use the "Summerfield gate" - especially early in the morning. The Band's primary entrance to the campus, outside of a regular school day, is the "Woodcrest gate," near the corner of Woodcrest Drive and Bellwood Drive. This gate leads directly into the drive that runs behind the 600 Building.
Finally, please take a close look at the "Upcoming" section of the newsletter. Everyone always assumes that the "marching season" is the busiest time of year, but I have found that the winter/spring is really the most intense, partly because every week is a little different than the last, as opposed to the routine of the fall. Take a very close look at the Band Calendar before we kick-off the second semester!
This will be the final newsletter before the start of the New Year, and I wanted to be sure to wish you all a safe and restful winter break! While I'm a firm believer that it is important for everyone to get some "rest" during a break, and to recharge, with MPAs right around the corner when we resume in January, it's critical that the instruments and music get home over the break, and that some wood-shedding take place - even if it is only 15 or 20 minutes each day.
Thank you!
All the Best,
Mr. Blackmer
MISCELLANEOUS
With the holiday season quickly approaching, this is an excellent tool to raise money for the Band every time you shop at Amazon. The Winter Park High School Alumni Band Association is a registered charity on Smile.Amazon.com, so please remember to use this unique link to shop at Amazon every time, and a small percentage of the sale (at no cost to you) will automatically be sent quarterly to the WPHSABAA account and then donated to the Winter Park Band Program. If we all use this link every time, we can raise funds on an ongoing basis to help the band! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/27-0964817
If you have any questions, contact Jane Claus at janeclaus@live.com.
THIS WEEK
WINTER FEST - DECEMBER 11
This annual ticketed event features the Winter Park choirs and orchestras - including the Park Philharmonic which involves many of the winds and percussion from Wind Symphony. Just as a reminder, there is a Winter Fest rehearsal on Monday, December 10, beginning at 2:30 PM.
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WINTER BAND CONCERT - DECEMBER 13
Our last Band event of the calendar year! We will have refreshments in the auditorium lobby following the concert.
Remember that Chris Gaines will be in the auditorium lobby beginning at 5:30 PM this evening for you to view Band picture proofs. Again, you are not obligated to purchase, but this will be your only opportunity to order individual and/or group composite pictures.
UPCOMING
BAND LOCK-IN - JANUARY 18
The Band Council is organizing a Band Lock-In for Friday, January 18, from 7 PM to 2 AM. Students need to RSVP at the link found HERE.
In order to make this a reality, we need 20 parent chaperones for each shift! Please sign-up for a shift (or two) through the Band Calendar. A direct link to sign-up for chaperones can be found HERE. The shifts are 6:45 PM - 10:30 PM and 10:15 PM - 2:00 AM.
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ALL-COUNTY BAND
The week of January 21 is All-County Band week here at Winter Park High School. Please see the calendar for specific rehearsal dates/times.
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DOOR-2-DOOR FUNDRAISER - FEBRUARY 2
Our annual Door-2-Door fundraiser is on Saturday, February 2, and will run from 8 AM until 5 PM. More details to come, but please remember that this is a required event for all Band students.
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JAZZ MPA / SOLO & ENSEMBLE MPA
Jazz Band MPA will be held on Thursday, February 7 at University High School. Solo & Ensemble MPA will also be held at University HS on Friday, February 8 and Saturday, February 9.
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GUEST CONDUCTOR WORKSHOP / PRE-MPA CONCERT
Thursday, February 14 through Saturday, February 16 is our annual Guest Conductor Workshop and Pre-MPA concert. Our guest conductor/clinician this year is Dr. Gordon Brock, retired Director of Bands from the University of North Florida. There are after-school rehearsals scheduled for each Band. Please check the Band Calendar for all details.
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S&E RECITAL - FEBRUARY 12
The S&E recital for those students who did not register to perform at S&E MPA will be held on Tuesday, February 12, beginning at 2:30 PM in the Band Room. The deadline for registration is Monday, December 10. For all information, go to http://www.winterparkhsband.com/solo--ensemble.html.
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BAND MPA - FEBRUARY 28/MARCH 1
Our Concert MPAs will be held at Cypress Creek High School on Thursday, February 28 (Concert Band & Wind Symphony) and Friday, March 1 (Symphonic Band).
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ORCHESTRA MPA - MARCH 8
For members of the Park Philharmonic winds & percussion: Orchestra MPA will be held at Wekiva High School on Friday, March 8.
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BAND PICNIC - MARCH 9
A picnic for the Band students is currently being planned for Saturday, March 9, to be held at Ward Park from 11 AM to 2 PM. More information to come!
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ROLLER SKATING NIGHT - APRIL 13
A roller skating night is being planned for Saturday, April 13 at Semoran Skateway for all of our Band families. This will be a free event for all Winter Park Band students and their families! Look for an RSVP in the future.
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SWIM PARTY - MAY 4
To conclude the school year, the Band Council is organizing a Band swim party for Saturday, May 4, to be held at the home of Maddie Skena. The tentative start-time is 7:00 PM.
FINANCIALS
LOS ANGELES TOUR PAYMENT #3 - JANUARY 10
The third payment for the LA Tour is due on Thursday, January 10. We have had some sizeable contributions come in over the past few weeks, and the total due on January 10 will likely be adjusted a bit based on these contributions. Look for an e-mail update around Monday, January 7.
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BAND FEES
Please make sure that we are paying Band Fees in a timely manner! If you have financial constraints that are preventing you from making your Band fee schedule, please contact Mr. Blackmer directly so that arrangements and/or a payment plan can be made. In addition to this, make sure that you are actively participating in our fundraisers. These are specifically created to alleviate our fees, but you need to take advantage of them! If you have questions regarding which fees are due and when, please go to our website for the Financial Obligations PDFs.
- GUARD FAIR SHARE #5 was due on Wednesday, December 5.
CALENDAR
WINTER FEST REHEARSAL
Monday, Dec 10, 2018, 02:30 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Winter Guard Rehearsal
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2018, 05:00 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
WINTER FEST
Tuesday, Dec 11, 2018, 07:00 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
WIND SYMPHONY REHEARSAL
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 02:30 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Winter Guard Rehearsal
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 05:00 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
BAND CONCERT
Thursday, Dec 13, 2018, 07:00 PM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
WINTER GUARD REHEARSAL
Saturday, Dec 15, 2018, 09:00 AM
2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, USA
Winter Park High School Bands
Email: Christopher.Blackmer@ocps.net
Website: www.winterparkhsband.com
Location: 2100 Summerfield Road, Winter Park, FL, United States
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/121733824572614/
Twitter: @wphs_bands