Winter Park Band Notes
October 8, 2017
From Mr. Blackmer
Congratulations to the "Sound of the WIldcats" Marching Band on their terrific performance this past Saturday night at the Merritt Island Space Coast Island Classic! The Band ended up with a score of 69.49, and earned an overall 5th place ranking. Most importantly, however, is that the Band was only 0.15 points away from earning the "Outstanding Music" caption award for the show! Our "individual music" critique was also very high, and our drumline section earned praise from the percussion adjudicators. The student's work ethic has been very good this year as we pushed to our first show performance. Keep it up! Make sure that everyone is prepared and looking toward presenting our entire "West Side Story" show this coming Friday at Homecoming!
A huge thank you to all of our parent volunteers who helped chaperone, serve lunch, and move equipment on Saturday! And, although I did not have a chance to acknowledge him with the entire Band, our semi-driver on Saturday was actually a Band parent from Colonial High School who volunteered his entire day to help transport our trailer to and from Merritt Island! My hope is that Mr. Cruz will be at the away game on Monday, and that we can recognize him at that time!
Well, it's Homecoming week, and thanks to our rescheduled football game schedule, a typically crazy week has been made a little more difficult this year. Of course, it is also the final week of the marking period! Because of all of this, it is extremely important that everyone stay on top of their homework and budget time accordingly this week. I know that it can be a stressful time of year, especially for our freshman students who are still trying to figure out how to balance and organize a high school schedule.
A few things to help out this week...
- First, please note that I have adjusted Monday's away football game itinerary to allow for a later arrival time. I have also changed the uniform to our "summer uniform" which will help with the time it takes to leave the school once we get back.
- There is nothing on the schedule for Tuesday.
- The Homecoming parade on Wednesday is for the entire Marching Band, however, if you need an accommodation with the parade, please (parents) e-mail me sometime on Monday or Tuesday this week. Along those lines, if parents would like to pick-up their child from Central Park immediately following the parade, you are welcome to do that. However, I will need an e-mail indicating that by Wednesday morning.
Hang in there everyone! There are only 7 Marching Band rehearsals left in the marching season, and the final performance is Marching MPA on November 4.
Finally, I would like to recognize two of our Band parents who were both recently recognized by their colleagues for their excellence! Annette Gidus has been named "Teacher of the Year" at Brookshire Elementary School, and Lee McBurney was named "Support Person of the Year," also at Brookshire Elementary! Congratulations to both!
All the Best,
Mr. Blackmer
Sav-a-Round Coupon Book Fundraiser
Please remember that the Sav-A-Round books/orders were due this past Friday. The FINAL deadline to turn in all orders or sample books is tomorrow (Monday). After tomorrow, it will be assumed that any sample book not turned in is being kept and will be charged to the student's Band account in the amount of $25.
Freshman Afteroon Bus - Wednesday
Because of the testing schedule this coming Wednesday, the Freshman Band students will not be transported to the Main Campus. And, since there is no Marching Band rehearsal this Wednesday, students will need to take their "morning route" bus home that day. However, please keep in mind that the report time for the Homecoming parade is 4:30 PM, if students do not have a ride back to the Main Campus, they may want to consider taking the after-school "activity bus" that day. Please also remember that there is no early release this Wednesday. Mr. Blackmer will also go over this in rehearsal on Monday and Tuesday.
Band Fees
- Band/Guard Fair Share
- School Instrument Maintenance Fee
Please stay on top of fees! All fees and due dates can be found on the Band Calendar. Fees may be paid through SchoolPay.com.
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 all 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!
Senior Night
On "Senior Night," we honor our Band seniors’ years of dedication to the Winter Park Band. This year's "Senior Night" is Friday, October 20. Special traditions and activities are planned throughout the football game at Showalter, including a family photo with the Band directors and principal during the first quarter, recognition on field just prior to pre-game, and our name banners held by each senior parent during the final Alma Mater at Showalter sung by our seniors. Parents will want to be on the track area of the south end zone around 6:45 PM.
Senior parents—please mark the date on your calendar and plan to attend and support your senior!
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.