Winter Park Band Notes
August 21, 2016
From Mr. Blackmer
Dear Winter Park Band Families,
I hope that everyone survived the first week of school unscathed! It was a hectic week with a lot going on, and that can certainly feel overwhelming, especially to our new members. The stark reality that summer is indeed over becomes quickly apparent!
I want to thank the students and our parent volunteers for making our first football game of the year go very smoothly! You all handled the lightning warning evacuation, as well as the very cramped seating upon our return to the stadium, extremely well.
As we start out this school year, I'd like to take a moment to truly thank our students (and their parents) for dedicating themselves to always going above and beyond - something that is required when you belong to a high school Band Program. With the exception of perhaps ROTC, we are one of the only classes in our school that demands such a high amount of hours spent outside of the school day as part of the expectations of the course. Yes, most classes have some type of homework, but our work has to be done as a unit and at the school! I estimate that our students put in nearly 270 additional hours between July and November alone, and that does not include concerts, individual practice time and prepping for All-State, private lessons, or travel to and from the school! Needless to say, I do recognize this fact, and I do appreciate their hard work and dedication!
This is an exciting week as we take our first big step toward making our New York Tour in June a reality! The Wind Ensemble's performance in Carnegie Hall next June 4 will undoubtedly be a life-changing experience for them - one that they will never forget. However, along with the Wind Ensemble students, we will have a limited amount of space for our non-Wind Ensemble students to travel as well. It's extremely important that all participants read through the information found later in this Newsletter (as well as the website), and jump on getting forms and deposits in as quickly as possible!
We are also closing in on the last two weeks of our Program Ads & Sponsors fundraiser. The final day for taking submissions is Friday, September 2! This is one of our best fundraisers of the school year, and the highest profit margin for our students' Band accounts (between 50 and 60 percent of the profit!). Do not pass on this perfect opportunity to help pay for Band fees, or even the New York City Tour!
A gentle reminder to all of our WPHS Band students that All-State audition registration is due by tomorrow, Monday, August 22! This is the audition registration for the 9/10 Concert Band, 11/12 Symphonic Band, and the HS Jazz Ensemble. All-State auditions take place at Ocoee HS on Saturday, September 17.
And, finally, just a reminder that we have our first away football game this week at Lake Nona HS. The Band travels to most of our away football games as a "pep band," and this week's game is with Pep Band A.
All the Best!
Mr. Blackmer
ASIS Convention Marching Band Performance - STILL NEED 50 MORE!
As described in last week's Newsletter, PDI Productions, Inc., out of New York City, has extended an invitation to the Winter Park Marching Band to perform at the 2016 ASIS International convention on Monday, September 12. The Winter Park Bands have an opportunity to earn $3,000 from this event!
They are looking for 110 members of the Marching Band to present flags as part of these opening ceremonies held at the Orange County Convention Center. There will be a rehearsal on Sunday, September 11 (9 AM - 1:15 PM), with the actual presentation taking place on Monday, September 12 (6 AM - 10:15 AM). Food is being provided on both days, as well as all transportation to and from the Convention Center.
To sign-up for this event, complete the Google Form found HERE. Students must use their OCPS-issued e-mail account to access the form! We are still in need of at least 50 students, otherwise, we are out $3,000. We must make this happen, so please sign-up today! If the Google Form is giving you trouble, just e-mail your intent to go directly to Mr. Blackmer at Christopher.Blackmer@ocps.net. There will also be a "hard copy" sign-up sheet going around on Monday this week.
New York/Carnegie Hall Tour 2017
The information for the 2017 New York City/Carnegie Hall Tour is finally ready to roll out!
As noted a few weeks ago in a previous Newsletter, the initial deposit of $100 will be due by this coming Friday, August 26. This is for all participants - both students and potential chaperones.
Because of the Wind Ensemble's Carnegie Hall performance, they and their parents will be given the first spots in the sign-up process. After that, there will be additional spots on the tour available on a first come/first serve basis. This deposit is non-refundable, however, do not let that keep you from making a payment. Those participants who do not make it within our initial sign-up limitations will have their deposit refunded!
If you have questions, or if you have a financial concern, please contact Mr. Blackmer via e-mail right away!
ALL-STATE AUDITIONS
All-State auditions will take place on Saturday, September 17, at Ocoee High School. To register for an All-State audition time, complete the Google Form found HERE no later than Monday, August 22 at 2:30 PM.
September 17 is right around the corner! Be sure to review the All-State audition requirements on the Band website. Also, remember that the major scale pattern has changed this year to the "Circle of Fourths."
The All-State audition fee is $10 per audition. Fees are due by September 17, and can be paid through SchoolPay.com or by check made payable to WPHS Band.
Program Ads & Sponsors
The deadline for Program Ads & Sponsors is Friday, September 2. Now is the time to secure your ads and sponsors. This is the most profitable fundraiser for your student's Band account that we offer! Many students pay for nearly all of their Band fees through this single fundraiser.
Forms can be found on the Band website. If you have questions please email Mary Beth Johnston at wpbandprogram@gmail.com.
Bottled Water Donations STILL Needed
The Marching Band goes through a large quantity of bottled water over the course of the marching band season, and we'll continue to need donations throughout the next three months. Please consider picking up a case of water each week with your other groceries, and donating to the Band Program. Water donations may be dropped-off in the Band Room at any point during the day. Thank you in advance!
Potential Chaperones, Operations Volunteers & Door-2-Door Drivers Updated!
Log on to the ADDitions website: https://ocps.samaritan.com/ and sign up for the Band chaperone opportunities for which you would like to be considered. THIS IS A NECESSARY STEP TO BECOME OCPS-APPROVED. You can choose football games, parades, etc. If you have not yet registered or renewed your ADDitions status this year, you must do so on the same website. This step simply qualifies you to be chosen as a chaperone - it is not a guarantee that you will chaperone.
If you did not sign up to chaperone events at our parent meeting on August 5, you must go to the Band calendar at www.winterparkhsband.com and let us know which dates you are available. You will never be chosen if we do not know your availability. Click on the colorful helping hand icon on the dates for which you are available. Our Band chaperone coordinator, Carla Shuman, will notify you by e-mail of the events for which you are chosen. Every OCPS approved volunteer who wishes to chaperone will get an opportunity. Due to space on buses, and the fact that football games are ticketed events, we are limited on the number of chaperones we can take to each game. PLEASE JOIN US AT THE GAME/EVENT EVEN IF YOU ARE NOT A CHAPERONE. We love your support!