newsletter
FEBRUARY 9, 2025

Weekly Newsletter - FEBRUARY 9, 2025

Sent 2/9/2025, 12:30 PM.

We've made to to Jazz Festival week!  And we need your help.

One way we use to help make the event successful and run in the black is selling concessions. That relies on donations from our band community and we need everyone - not just jazz student families - to help pitch in.  This week, we need you to donate from the list below - bring items to the band room.

• Freshmen - Drinks (please, no bottled water, we have plenty of that already)

• Sophomores and Seniors - Candy/Sweets (individually wrapped and no "small" candies like minis or individually wrapped mints - they are difficult to sell)

• Juniors - Salty Snacks (individually wrapped)

On top of that, aside from the performances of the dozens of school ensembles during the day, we will have some amazing evenings of jazz lined up.  Thursday evening we'll have the trio of Eldorado jazz bands playing.  Saturday evening the educator big band will be playing, followed by our highlight concert that night with UNM Jazz I featuring Lewis Nash and the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra featuring Joey Tartell.  You can get all the concert information and a link to pre-order tickets on the Saturday Concert page.  Get the word out! We want to fill the PAC that night.  There is a Facebook event link below you can share.

Students, make sure you read through Mr. Sayre's section below for what is required of you this week.

Let's dig into what I have for this week.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Student Accounts - Quick note about paying student accounts - 2 1/2 weeks left!

• Jazz Festival Saturday Concert - This is a great community event, with opportunity to hear some world-class musicians

• Jazz Festival Help - There are still a few open slots available, and please keep those concessions donations coming

• Volunteer Opportunities - Active volunteering opportunities listed here

• A word from Mr. Sayre - As always, make sure to read through his section

This week in band...

Wednesday 2/12

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Color Guard Sectional

• After School - Jazz Festival Setup Meeting - Mandatory for all Jazz Fest workers

Thursday 2/13

• Jazz Festival

  • 6:25 PM - Jazz III Swing Wings

  • 6:50 PM - Jazz II Golden Image

  • 7:15 PM - Jazz I Screamin' Eagles

Friday 2/14

• Jazz Festival

Saturday 2/15

• Jazz Festival

  • 4:15 PM - Educator Big Band

  • 7:00 PM - Saturday Feature Concert 

Now on to the details...

Student Accounts

There is just 2 1/2 weeks left to get your student accounts paid - due by Feb 27th.

Please note, if you choose to send a check, either in the gray box in the band room or by mail, it may take a few weeks to get that deposited and credited to your account.  This month we will try and stay on top of it more frequently, but it may still be at least a week, so please bear with us.

Jazz Festival Saturday Concert

We end Jazz Festival on Saturday night with a concert.  This is an opportunity to bring together the community, and hear some world class musicians.  

This year, we have UNM Jazz I featuring Lewis Nash, and the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra featuring Joey Tartell.  You can read more about these amazing musicians, and pre-order tickets to the event, on the Jazz Festival Saturday Concert page. 

There is also a Facebook Event that you can share to get the word out: https://www.facebook.com/share/1F421pczTx/ 

Jazz Festival Help

We still have a few signup slots available to for volunteering during Jazz Festival.  Click on the link below to see if there is one that fits your schedule.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-54517822-jazz#/ 

Additionally, we sell concessions during the event to students and families that are attending the performances.  We rely on donations from the entire band community to make that a success.  If everyone brings one donation, we'll have plenty of concessions to last the entire event.  Please donate according to the following:

• Freshmen - Drinks (please, no bottled water, we have plenty of that already)

• Sophomores/Seniors - Candy/Sweets (individually wrapped and no "small" candies like minis or individually wrapped mints - they are difficult to sell)

• Juniors - Salty Snacks (individually wrapped)

Items can be dropped of at school in the band room.

Volunteer Opportunities

Here are the current active signups available.  You can also always see any open volunteering opportunities on the Volunteering page.

• Jazz Festival Volunteers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-54517822-jazz#/

Have a great week!

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello, Eagles!

This week is an exciting and very busy one for our band program as we host the Albuquerque Jazz Festival on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Hosting such a large event is an incredible opportunity to showcase our program and connect with musicians from across the area. Let’s make it a fantastic experience for all involved!

Albuquerque Jazz Festival

Here’s what you need to know about the Jazz Festival this week:

• Required Attendance:

  • All Jazz Students: You are required to attend the Master Class with Joey Tartell on Friday and the Master Class with Lewis Nash on Saturday. Participation in additional festival events will earn lettering points.

  • All Band Students: You are required to attend the Educator Big Band performance at 4:15 PM on Saturday. Please promote this event to family and friends!

• Workers for Jazz Fest – Mandatory Setup Meeting:

  • There will be a mandatory meeting after school on Wednesday to help set up for the Jazz Festival. Everyone who is working must attend. Additional volunteers are welcome as long as they are there to help. 

• Festival Setup Details:

  • Clinic Room & Warm-Up Room:

    • Warm-up room must include:

      • Bass Amp

      • Keyboard Amp

      • 4 Risers

      • Drum Set with Rug

      • 40 Music Stands and Chairs

      • Extension Cords and Power Strips for Amps

      • Electric Keyboard, Acoustic Keyboard

      • Vibraphone, Marimba

    • Stage:

      • Set up as a standard Jazz Concert, with the soundboard and lights adjusted for the event.

      • Consider using shells if needed.

    • PAC Lobby:

      • Set up tables for merchandise sales.

    • Band Room:

      • Tables for registration.

      • Clean and mop the floor.

      • Ensure all percussion equipment is put away.

    • Storage Room:

      • Load all old uniforms onto the truck to be hauled to salvage.

      • Organize percussion equipment.

      • Set up tables for guests.

This Week’s Schedule

• Wednesday, February 12th:

  • Color Guard Class after school.

  • Mandatory Jazz Festival Setup Meeting after school for all workers.

• Thursday, February 13th–Saturday, February 15th:

  • Albuquerque Jazz Festival. Please review the above details for your responsibilities and attendance requirements.

  • Only students that are signed up to work are allowed to work.  We do have additional opportunities for students to help with the Facility Care Team for the event.  See Mr. Sayre for details.  

Thank you all for your commitment and effort in preparing for such a major event. Hosting the Jazz Festival is a team effort, and your hard work is what makes it possible! Let’s make this week an incredible success!

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre