Winter Park Band Notes
September 17, 2017
From Mr. Blackmer
Dear Band Families:
Needless to say, I am looking forward to getting back to school and to some normalcy! I hope that this message finds everyone in good spirits and with power!
Due to the schools being closed down for nearly a week and a half, there have been many adjustments to Band events, including All-State auditions, fundraisers, and football games. Please have a careful look over the Band Calendar and make note of modifications to the schedule.
Among these rescheduled events are two football games. The game originally scheduled for this past Friday, September 15 at Colonial HS has been moved to Monday, October 9, and the away game at Olympia HS originally scheduled for Friday, October 6 has been moved up to Thursday, October 5. Many of you have expressed concern about the number of football games now occurring on a school night, and the impact on homework and studying. Please know that I will be meeting with Mr. Smith on Monday to find a way to mitigate the situation and alleviate the scheduling pressures. As soon as I know what the plan is, I will forward it along to everyone!
All the Best,
Mr. Blackmer
All-State Auditions Rescheduled
As you know, the All-State auditions originally scheduled to be held yesterday were rescheduled for this coming Saturday, September 23. The auditions will still take place at Ocoee HS, and the audition schedule should be made available sometime later today or on Monday. Once the schedule is published, Mr. Blackmer will send out a Charms e-mail message with a link.
Fundraising Date Changes
Our Program Ads and Sponsors fundraiser has been extended, again, to this Friday, September 22. You have a few more days to submit your ads, sponsorships and payments. The deadline applies to personal ads recognizing 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. Remember that the profit return to a student's Band account is between 50% and 60%!
The Save-a-Round Coupon Books fundraiser will begin Thursday, September 21 and end Friday, October 6. 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!
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!
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!
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.