newsletter
august 20, 2023

Weekly Newsletter - August 20, 2023

What a whirlwind weekend this was! 

First - it was great to finally see our band perform, and they did a great job, both on the field and in the stands.  

Second - a big thanks to the kids and all the parents that helped with the car wash.  It was a fun day - we washed a ton of cars, and made some good money for the band program.  We couldn't have done it without everyone's help.  Also, a huge thanks to Firestone for hosting us - they continue to be a great community partner on this event.

What's in this newsletter?

Here's what I have for you all this week:

• Yearbooks - a reminder to send in your pictures, and an important note for SENIORS

• Some Important Logistics - I have a few points to cover with everyone regarding some logistical stuff

• Band Fees - band fees are up in the Band Store, statements will be sent this week

• Flea Market Update - flea market is coming next weekend, August 26th - get your signup slots and keep saving your donation items

• Spring Trip Commitment - nothing new to report, just including the information for those that are still considering attending

• Volunteer Opportunities - weekly list of open volunteer opportunities

• Corporate Sponsorships/Golden Boosters - we are still taking corporate sponsorships through August (COMING TO AND END SOON!) and we are WAY behind on our expected Golden Booster revenue - please consider helping the program through this campaign

• And a word from Mr. Sayre - as always, make sure to read through this

This week in band...

Monday 8/21

• 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM - Woodwind/Brass Sectionals 

Tuesday 8/22

• 4:10 PM - 6:00 PM - Afternoon Rehearsal

Wednesday 8/23

• 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM - Color Guard Sectional

Thursday 8/24

• 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM - Percussion Sectional

Saturday 8/26

• 6:00 AM - 12:30 PM - Flea Market/March-A-Thon

  • Flea Market setup and item drop-off starts at 6:00 AM, "doors" open at 8:00 AM

  • March-A-Thon student call time is 8:30 AM

Now on to the details...

Yearbooks

Band seniors! It's time to continue the senior picture tradition. This Saturday, plan to briefly meet near the bridge at the end of the March-A-Thon route. This picture will be in the band yearbook, so please do your best to be there.

Band families! Please send your first football game and car wash band photos to yearbooks@eldorado.band . 

Some Important Logistics

I just wanted to remind of some things for everyone.  Much of this was covered at the parent meeting, but I know not everyone was able to be there, so here are a few important logistical things I want to remind everyone of:

• Student Dropoff/Pickup - please make sure you do NOT park in the circle drive when dropping off, or picking up, your student.  With the football bus, there are 5 school buses that need to park there for loading/unloading and even a single car in that circle makes things difficult

• Charms - if you are having ANY issues getting into Charms, please direct those questions/issues to our booster secretary, Anne Claspell.  You can email her at secretary@eldorado.band.  Additionally, I will be putting some Charms usage instructions in the Band Handbook on the website this week to help guide you in using that system

• Website - speaking of the website - please utilize this resource.  We are updating that site regularly, sometimes many times a week.  If there is some information that you feel you are missing (or we forgot to cover in a newsletter/communication), it is likely on the website.  The site is searchable (use the little magnifying glass in the upper right corner) and can help you find answers to just about any question you may have.

Band Fees

You should already know that the band fees are available in the Band Store.  You will need to create an account in the store and link your student to the account.  All the instructions for paying fees in the Band Store are available on the Fee Management page, so please be sure to read them carefully.  Couple of notes to clear up any confusion with this change from past seasons:

• Fees are no longer paid in Charms - the Band Store now facilitates this function.

• Your student's Charms ID is needed to link your student to your Band Store account.  If you do not know it, you can look it up in Charms.  If you are having trouble getting into Charms, contact our booster secretary at secretary@eldorado.band

• The fees listed are not all the fees that will be assessed this year.  Currently available are uniform charges and the spring trip commitment fee.  Performance fees will be assessed once they are finalized toward the end of August and other direct charges are added there throughout the year as they are assessed.

If you have any issues getting setup, please let me know.

Additionally, you should start receiving account statements from me starting this week.  These statements will only be sent out if you have any unpaid fees on the account, and will only show the fees that are unpaid.

Flea Market Update

The Flea Market is coming next Saturday, August 26th.  There is still a need for help with running the late morning shift and cleanup shift - morning shifts are covered well enough.  Please consider grabbing a slot from our signup link below.

• Flea Market Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48adaa2da1fb6-flea1#/

Additionally, we have secured some space in the choir storage room to hold some donations.  If you want to send your donations with your student, they can leave them in that storage room up until the event.  You can drop off items on Saturday morning starting at 6:00 AM - come through the north parking lot gate off of Montgomery and drop your items off there.

Remember - no mattresses, large appliances, or tube TVs will be accepted.  See the Flea Market page for details.

Spring Trip Commitment

I will be including this information regularly in the newsletter until the commitment deadline on 9/15/2023.

The details:

• When: April 17-21, 2023

• Where: San Diego, CA

• Cost: $950, with $150 commitment fee due by 9/15/2023 (commitment fee is part of the total balance) - this cost is worst case, and as you heard at the parent trip, our spring trip coordinator, JP, is working diligently to bring down the total cost of the trip.  Once things get firmed up over the next few months, this number may go down.  No promises, but we will try very hard.  If the costs do go down, and you have already paid the balance, we will refund the difference.

In order for your commitment to be complete, I need 2 things for each student going:

1. Pay the commitment fee in the Band Store fee management - after paying this fee, I will add your student to a list of committed students, after which the remaining trip balance will become available in the band store.

2. Fill out the Spring Trip 2024 Commitment Form - this is a way for us to reinforce the requirements around spring trip commitment and ensure parental understanding

If you have any questions, please let me know.

Volunteer Opportunities

Here is a list of all active volunteer opportunities, including a new opportunity helping our Spiritwear chair sell gear at football games.  These are also always available on the Volunteering page.

• Flea Market Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48adaa2da1fb6-flea1#/

• March-A-Thon Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48adaa2da1fb6-marchathon1#/

• Football Game Chaperone Signup Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0d48adaa2da1fb6-football#/

• Football Game Spiritwear Assistant Link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-football2

Corporate Sponsorships/Golden Boosters

Remember - the more corporate sponsorships we get, the lower the band fees will be for the year.  On the link below is a letter you can print or send to any businesses you own, relative's businesses, businesses you frequent, etc.  We will be taking these through August, after which I will be finalizing the fee schedule for the year.

Students - you can get involved as well.  The section that raises the most ($ / student) will win a prize.  The standings haven't changed in a couple weeks - are you all really gonna let the Baritones win this??

1st - Baritones
2nd - Trumpets
3rd - Saxophones

• Corporate Sponsorships: https://www.eldorado.band/fundraising/sponsorships

Additionally, as we talked about during the parent meeting, becoming a Golden Booster is a way for you to directly support your band program.  Thanks so much to those of you who have donated so far, but we are behind in our budgeted goal for Golden Boosters.  Please consider supporting the program through this campaign.  See the Golden Boosters page for all the details.

Have a great week!

Go Eagles!

JD

AND a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band!

Great job at the performances this weekend!  I truly enjoyed seeing all of you working so well together at the carwash. I have a few reminders for the upcoming weeks:

1. The March-A-Thon and Flea Market is coming fast this weekend.  Be sure to look for items to donate.  

2. There are still a good amount of the class fees to turn in.  Let me know if there is anything I need to know or help with regarding those.  

Download the plan for the week.  

Here are our director recognitions: 

Most Improved

Tania Loera Quiroz: Freshman Percussionist

• For having a great attitude and laying down some great bass grooves in the battery. 

Sustainer Award

Mia and Luke Hollister!

• For making sure that the staff  has popsicles and they are taken care of.  Thank you for sustaining our lives!

Most Improved Section

Mellophones!

• You are nailing your music and doing a fantastic job.  We hear great things from you! You get better and better EVERY DAY!

Outstanding Section

Color Guard!

• For knowing your sets, choreography, and changes all throughout.  You hustle to every set and add so much to the performance.  

Early Is On Time Award

Front Ensemble!

• For coming early to set up and starting to set up and warm-up.  For working overtime to make sure you know your 2nd movement.  For rolling with new possibilities and doing it with a smile. 

Exemplary Member

Weston Barenberg: Freshman Mellophone and Bassoonist

• Weston knows all his music and plays it confidently!. He also marches with a style and confidence of someone that has done it for many more years than he has.

Go Eagles!  Have a great week!

Mr. Sayre