WHHS Music Parents (WHIP)

Welcome to the Walnut Hills High School Music Program. Our music department is supported not only by Cincinnati Public Schools, but also by the parent booster group W.H.I.P (Walnut Hills Instrumentalists' Parents). For those of you unfamiliar with the activities and purpose of WHIP, listed below are the answers to some of parents’ most frequently asked questions.

Q: Just what exactly is WHIP? WHIP is the Parent Booster group for all music programs and music performing groups at Walnut Hills High School. The purpose of WHIP is to help sustain a music department of sufficient size and quality so as to provide the students at WHHS the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of music classes and groups and to attain the highest level of music education and performance experiences possible. In addition, through publicity and special events, WHIP works to increase awareness both within Walnut Hills and in the greater Cincinnati community at large, of our outstanding music department and excellent program offerings, as well as the high caliber of our performance groups at WHHS.

Q: Who are the members of WHIP and how is it run? All parents with a child in any music class or performing group at Walnut Hills are automatically members of WHIP. There are no membership dues. WHIP is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization run by a Board of Officers elected each spring.

Q: How does WHIP accomplish its purpose? WHIP generates additional income for the music department by accepting tax deductible donations, encouraging Patron memberships, selling concessions at home football games, participating in the Kroger Gift Card program, collecting General Mills Box Tops for Education, offering a magazine subscription & renewal service, and by assisting with the department-wide Fall and Spring fund raisers, as well as other fundraising endeavors from time to time.

Q: Where does all of this money go? WHIP funds are used to directly impact the music students at Walnut Hills High School. WHIP has purchased new instruments to rent to students who do not own or cannot afford an instrument, new marching band uniforms, concert gowns and tuxedos, concert risers and sound equipment. We have also sponsored special workshops and clinics with guest artists.

Q: How can I be involved? Come to one of our meetings, sign up to help with one or more of the activities listed on the Volunteer Opportunities sheet, serve on or chair one of our parent committees. These are just a few ways to get involved and support your child’s music education. If all of us participate in just one small thing, there is no limit to what we can accomplish together (With Help It’s Possible!).

Q: Can I help by volunteering with WHIP? Of course, and this is also a great way to get to know other WHHS parents and the music teachers, and find out a bit of what is going on in your child’s world! Please visit the Music Department web page for more information about WHIP, or contact WHIP Volunteer Coordinator Amanda O'Bannon at (513) 221-7464 or amarion@fuse.net.

Q. How do I find out more about WHIP or ways to help the Walnut Hills Music Department? Contact WHIP President Penny Poirier at (513) 871-4099 or pspoirier@aol.com