About the Winter Haven High School Band
Links to articles about the WHHS Band
 

ABOUT THE WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL BAND
The award winning Winter Haven High School Band provides students many opportunities for musical success. The band program, under the leadership of  band director Tony Mayato, Devilette Instructors Heather Esposito and Susan Banner, and Percussion Instructor John Ostberg, consists of the "Pride of Winter Haven" Marching Band, including the Devilette Dance and Flag Ensemble, the Symphonic and Concert Bands, "Messengers" Jazz Orchestra, Brass and Clarinet Choirs, Percussion Ensemble and many student led ensembles. This well-rounded band program has received awards and recognition at district and state level. Hundreds of graduates have gone on to play in university and service bands. Many have played professionally or have assumed music education positions in schools and universities.

The roots of the Winter Haven band are found in the earliest days of the city when several musicians got together and formed a small town band. A bandstand was built in the community park and the band would play for the locals on Sunday afternoons. The official beginning of the high school band is recorded as 1936, when Miss Esther Mayhall was hired as the school’s first director. Mr. Everett Shortt was director in 1940, followed in 1942 by the legendary Roy V. Wood. Roy directed the band for the next 23 years until 1965. During the height of Mr. Wood’s tenure, the band was the largest in the state with 272 members. Roy Wood was responsible for bringing the Winter Haven band into the national spotlight.

The Winter Haven High School Marching Band, also known as "The Pride of Winter Haven," performs at football games, marching band competitions, community events and local and national parades. This ensemble of over 100 members has an enviable record as a top-level marching organization. In its long history, the "Pride of Winter Haven" has performed in many national events, including, most recently, the 1998 St. Patrick’s Day Parade in New York City. This group consistently receives superior ratings at marching events and has received straight superior ratings at its district marching assessment for the past four years.  The Pride has also won several Grand Championship awards at local and regional marching band competitions including The Crown Jewel Marching Band Invitational in 2003 and the West Coast Marching Band Invitational in 2004.

The Symphonic and Concert Bands are committed to performing the finest band literature at the highest levels of musical achievement. The Winter Haven High School Symphonic Band is the principal concert ensemble of the band program and has earned a reputation as one of the finest symphonic organizations in the State of Florida. The band has received the Florida Bandmasters Association’s Otto J. Kraushaar Award eight years, beginning in 2002 when the band received the award for the first time in school history. This award is presented to a high school band program that receives yearlong superior ratings at marching and concert performance assessments at the district and state levels. The Symphonic Band has performed at the 2004 FMEA In-Service Clinic-Conference, the 2004 Stetson University Band Invitational,  the 2005 Bands of America National Concert Band Festival in Indianapolis, and at Carnegie Hall in 2008.  Members must audition for this ensemble and attend weekly evening sectional rehearsals.  The Concert Band received its first superior rating at District Band Assessment in the spring of 2004 school year, marking the start of a new tradition for that ensemble.

Beginning in the fall of 2003, the Winter Haven HS Band returned Jazz Band to its list of ensembles.  The "Messengers" rehearse as a class during the school day during the entire year.  Members receive one credit per year for jazz ensemble for their participation in this special activity.  The band has received straight superior ratings at District Jazz Band Assessment for two years in a row.

The Brass, Clarinet and Percussion Choirs are comprised of the top wind and percussion players in the band program. These groups perform standard choir literature, and provide an excellent opportunity for young musicians to develop strong ensemble skills. All ensembles have consistently received superior ratings at district and state level assessments. Groups begin to rehearse in October in preparation to participate in the Florida Bandmasters Association Solo and Ensemble Assessment, as well as in a recital concert that takes place in early February.
 

DIRECTORS OF THE WINTER HAVEN BAND

MAJOR PERFORMANCES PAST AND PRESENT
OF THE WINTER HAVEN HIGH SCHOOL BAND

ABOUT OUR DIRECTOR
 

Mr. Tony Mayato
Director of Bands

A Native of Miami, Tony Mayato received a Bachelors of Music Education from the University of North Florida where he was an active member and soloist in both classical and jazz ensembles. During his stay at the University of North Florida he studied conducting under Dr. Gordon Brock, classical saxophone with saxophonist Dr. Michael Bovenzi,  and jazz saxophone with the world renowned Bunky Green.  He also served as the Assistant Director of the UNF Basketball Band. Mr. Mayato completed his Internship in the Fall of 2010 with Asa Jernigan at Mandarin Middle School. 

Prior to arriving at Winter Haven High School Mr. Mayato served as Director of Bands at Lake Shore Middle School. Under his direction, Lake Shore Middle participated in FBA events for the first time in over 20 years. Mr. Mayato has spent many years working with High School aged students in several capacities outside of the normal school day, including taking a youth big band overseas for a 3 week European tour.

Mr. Mayato’s professional memberships include the Florida Bandmasters Association, the Music Educators national Conference, and the North American Saxophone Alliance.