Meet the directors
Jordan Sayre, Director of Bands
Mr. Sayre is in his first year of teaching at Eldorado High School. Originally from Aztec, NM, Mr. Sayre has called Albuquerque home since 2002 when he started at the University of New Mexico (Go Lobos!). He is a tuba player and proud to have been the first student in the tuba studio of Dr. Richard White when he started at UNM. While at UNM, he was a marching band staff member at several schools, including Eldorado High School. After graduating with a Bachelor of Music Education, he started his professional teaching career at Valencia High School and the adjoining cluster programs. After Valencia High School, he then taught at Las Cruces High School as the Head Band Director. He moved back home to Albuquerque where he opened the Tres Volcanes band program, and more importantly married the love of his life, Josephine Gonzales (Ms. G), who is the venerable band director at Highland High School and one of the most active proponents of music education in our community.
Together they have 3 doggos named Beans, Peanut, and Tater that all look similar, but have very different personalities. When he is not doing music, he also enjoys woodworking, camping, and memorizing trivial knowledge about movies and 90s pop songs.
Steve Snowden, Assistant Director
Education: Bachelor of Music Education, University of New Mexico; Master of Music Education, University of New Mexico
Years of Experience: In his 22nd year of teaching band in APS. Music clinician and drill instructor at area schools for more than 29 years; past member of the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps; taught at Cibola HS, and Polk Middle School. 10+ years of teaching elementary music during summer school. Current Band Director in his 20th year at Jackson Middle School and also Assistant Band Director at EHS for the past 21 years.
FROM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome, or welcome back as the case may be, to another exciting year in the Eldorado Band Program. We are looking forward to another great year at Eldorado! I am excited to welcome Mr. Sayre to the helm of our band program here at Eldorado. I am confident that he will continue the tradition of excellence that is the Eldorado Band Program!
Marching band is unlike anything that any of the Freshmen have ever experienced before. You may feel overwhelmed at first. Don’t worry! It is normal and completely expected for you to have those feelings. Remember that everyone, including your fellow section members, section leaders, staff, and even your directors were once in your position and that we are all here to help you and the entire band improve and succeed!
I have had many performance and teaching experiences directly related to marching groups outside of the public-school setting: including marching with the Blue Knights Drum and Bugle Corps and being on staff with the UNM Spirit Marching Band. I look forward to sharing those experiences with the group. While earning my undergraduate degree at UNM, I performed in the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Band, Jazz band 1 and Jazz band 2. With the Spirit Marching Band, I served as section leader for 4 years and also as a drill writer and staff member for one. In addition to those duties, I ran the Soundpack Basketball Band for the Lady Lobo Basketball games. I earned my Master’s degree in music with an emphasis in education in December of 2008 from the University of New Mexico.
We will gauge the success of the marching band by looking for improvement with every performance. This goal can be achieved by carefully evaluating each performance and having focused, efficient rehearsals to address concerns.
I am excited for another year at EHS! I am starting my twenty-first year of teaching at Eldorado High School, and my twenty-second year of teaching overall. In addition to my duties as the Assistant Band Director at EHS, I am also the band director at Jackson Middle School.
Remember to bring the following very important things to band camp: Lots of water, hat, sunscreen, good athletic shoes, athletic clothing, an open mind, energy, and most importantly, A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. (Your instrument and supplies as well)
See you at Band Camp!
Mr. Snowden