Winter Park Band Notes
August 13, 2017
First Week of School Reminders
A few reminders as we enter into our first week of the school year:
Marching Band: The first week of school also brings the first week of regular Marching Band rehearsals. Mondays 2:45 PM - 6 PM and Wednesdays 1:45 PM - 5 PM. As was mentioned at the Preview Show last Thursday, school day rehearsals are generally released 10 minutes before the scheduled conclusion time - allowing students time to move from D-Lot back to the 600 Building.
Change of Clothes: Students will need marching band appropriate clothing for after school rehearsals beginning on Monday. Light colored shirt and athletic shoes/socks are a must. Also, don't forget water bottles (make sure it is labeled with the student's name), hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen!
Instruments: Students will need instruments on the first day of school. We will not be using them in class, however, they will need them for after-school Marching Band rehearsal. As a rule, "marching band music" is never worked on during the school day, so students will always need their concert instrument. For freshman: the Music Room at the Ninth Grade Center will be open for storage starting at 7:05 AM (the first bell). Don't forget to stop by that room to retrieve your instrument on the way to your bus!
Bus Schedule: All freshman families will need to check two different routes on the Transportation Services website. "WINTER PARK 9TH GR CTR" for the morning route, and "WINTER PARK HIGH" for the afternoon. For non-marching band rehearsal days (generally Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays), students will be taking their bus home from the Winter Park Main Campus.
Laptop Devices: Laptop devices will be used on the first few days of school. Be sure to charge them Sunday night!
Band Handbook and Acknowledgement Form: The 2017/2018 Band Handbook has been posted to the Band's website. Please read through the information carefully as there have been some changes made from previous years - especially in the area of grading. The Student/Parent Handbook Acknowledgement Form is also on the website and is due no later than this Friday, August 18. Acknowledgement forms may be brought to school beginning Monday.
All-State FREE Audition Clinics
The University of Central Florida will be offering their annual FREE All-State audition clinic on Saturday, August 26, between 9 AM and 4 PM on the UCF campus.
Information on the clinic can be found HERE. Sessions on materials for the 9/10 Concert Band, 11/12 Symphonic Band and Jazz Ensemble will be presented.
Please take advantage of this FREE workshop! Even if you are not auditioning for the Florida All-State (which you should be), the same etudes and scales are used for the All-County Band auditions in November.
Band Fees Past Due
Our second round of Band Fees were due on Wednesday, August 2. If you haven't yet done this, please take care of these fees today. Band Fee payments should be made through SchoolPay.
Brass & Woodwinds
- $100 Band Fair Share
Percussion
- $100 Band Fair Share
- $50 Percussion Sectionals
Color Guard
- $80 Band Color Guard Fall Accessories Package (Required)
- $60 Color Guard Warm Ups (optional)
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.
Program Ads & Sponsors Deadline Approaching!
The deadline to submit business ads, student dedication ads and sponsorships for the Band Program is Friday, September 1. 50 - 60% of the dollars earned from your ads submitted will be credited to your student’s Band account. This fundraiser is the best way to significantly reduce your Band fees! We have students who pay for their entire four years by selling ads.
Instructions can be found on our website at http://www.winterparkhsband.com/program-adssponsors.html. Contact Jay McPherson at wpbandprogram@gmail.com if you have questions.