newsletter
APRIL 13, 2025

Weekly Newsletter - APRIL 13, 2025

Sent 4/13/2025, 5:40 PM.

It's spring trip week!  But that doesn't mean all the news is spring-trip related...  So make sure you read through everything.  I've got details on senior scholarships, our band banquet, as well as some spring trip reminders.

If you are going on the Spring Trip this week, DON'T FORGET YOUR PERMISSION SLIPS TOMORROW.  You can not get on the plane without one.

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:

• Spring Trip Reminders - Some final reminders for those going on the spring trip

• Band Banquet Tickets - We are now selling tickets for our annual band banquet - I have all the details for you

• Yearbooks - TOMORROW is the last day to order your yearbook and have it available at our band banquet

• Band Booster Scholarship - Seniors - we are now taking applications for the band booster scholarship - details below

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

This week in band...

Tuesday 4/15 - Saturday 4/19

• Spring Trip! - See the Spring Trip 2025 page for details

Now on to the details...

Spring Trip Reminders

This Tuesday, early in the morning, begins our spring trip. I have some important reminders:

• Bring your permission slips TOMORROW - you can not get on the plane without one

• Speaking of getting on the plane, I can not express enough how important it is that you get to the airport ON TIME.  The chaperones are not going to be able to wait, and the plane certainly is not going to wait.  Please just make this part of the trip as easy as possible for all of us and arrive when you are scheduled.  If Mrs. Claspell is your chaperone, you are Group 1 - everyone else is Group 2.  We will be meeting in the central area, near the Southwest ticketing, and will move through security in your chaperone groups once everyone has arrived.

  • Group 1 needs to arrive at the airport at 5:15 AM

  • Group 2 needs to arrive at the airport at 5:50 AM 

• Here is a packing list, in case you need one.

  • If possible, carryon your luggage - it will make things a little easier for you

  • If you are carrying on - remember 3 oz bottles - no larger - for anything liquidy or goopy to get through security, in a Quart-sized bag

  • IF you are checking bags, you can NOT have any batteries in the luggage.

• Your chaperones will be contacting you tomorrow with confirmation numbers so you can get your boarding passes.  You can get the Southwest app and get your pass in there, you can print at home, or you can print them at the airport.

• Be sure to get the Life 360 app on your phones before Tuesday.  Your chaperones will send you a link to join a group in that app on Tuesday and you can take the app off, or leave the group when we get back on Saturday

• It is HIGHLY recommended to bring a power bank or portable charger for phones.  We will be spending a lot of time away from chargers, and unfortunately, Life 360 - when combined with picture taking and other phone usage - does drain batteries faster than normal.  These batteries can NOT be stored in checked luggage - they must be brought on board with you.

• Earbuds or headphones are required on the plane - if you want to watch videos, listen to music, or play games with sound, you must have them.

• Bring your spring trip hoodies with you - they help with identifying our group, and will serve us well in the ever changing weather of D.C.

• If you are 18, you MUST have your ID with you.  If you are 17 and under, you don't HAVE to have an ID, but please bring any ID you have, even a school ID, just in case.

• Please, PLEASE bring good walking shoes - we will be doing a TON of walking.  It is D.C., after all.

• Remember - the airport and TSA are NOT the place to goof around or say anything you shouldn't.  Follow directions and be smart.

• If you have ANY questions at all, please get a hold of your chaperone (you should have their contact info by now) or JP at springtrip@eldorado.band

Oh, and one more thing - DON'T BE LATE!

Band Banquet Tickets

It's April, and that means it's time to start selling tickets to our annual end-of-year band banquet, hosted by the band boosters. This banquet is an opportunity to celebrate all the hard work our students put in this year.

This is a such a great community event, where we get to dress up a little, enjoy a delicious catered meal together with family and friends, reminisce about the year, and hand out a ton of awards.

This year it is happening on Saturday, May 10th at the Berna Facio building located at 3315 Louisiana Blvd NE.

Ticket price is $23 per person and can be purchased at the link below. Children aged 0-3 are free, as are graduating seniors. Everyone needs to have a ticket (even graduating seniors and children aged 0-3, at no charge, so we can have accurate numbers).

Purchase Tickets here: https://eldorado-band-banquet-2025.cheddarup.com

When purchasing your tickets, please make sure you give us any dietary restrictions you may have so we can adequately accommodate everyone.

I truly hope you are all able to make this - these students put in so much work this year, and this is a great time to celebrate that with family and friends.

The deadline to order tickets will be April 28th.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask!

Yearbooks

Tomorrow, April 14th, is the LAST DAY to order a yearbook and have it arrive for distribution at the band banquet.

Yearbooks are 90 pages of full color photos from the entire band year. Books can be ordered online for $24.54 plus tax & free shipping. Books will be handed out at the May 10th Band Banquet. 

To order a yearbook visit: www.treering.com  AND enter passcode: 1016667234694117

Email yearbooks@eldorado.band with any questions.

Band Booster Scholarship

SENIORS - Our band booster scholarship(s) are awarded to help graduating seniors continue their music performance education in college.  For all the details, see the Scholarships page from the band handbook.

Send your submissions to president@eldorado.band by 5/3.

Have a great week!

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band!

Congratulations on a successful Solo and Ensemble Festival! Our soloists and small ensembles represented Eldorado with musical excellence and true professionalism. The performances showcased not only strong musicianship but also a great deal of preparation, poise, and pride in our program. Big shout out to Mr. Snowden for hosting the event at Jackson Middle School and for providing such a supportive space for music-making!

Coming up this week:

We are headed out on our Spring Trip this week! We will be meeting at the airport on Tuesday morning—please refer to the detailed info from JP or Jeremy for your arrival time and airline instructions. Be early, be prepared, and bring all necessary travel documents.

For students who are not attending the trip, please report to Ms. Johnson (choir) on Tuesday. You'll have a space to work on homework or other school-related tasks.

Wednesday and Thursday are Parent-Teacher Conferences. If any parents would like to discuss their child’s progress or grades, feel free to email me—I’d be happy to set up a time for a phone call, even while we’re on the trip.

Please note:

• No Color Guard Class or Percussion Class this week.

• Friday is the Vernal (Easter) Holiday. For those not traveling, we hope you enjoy a restful few days off!

Jazz Auditions will be from THIS MATERIAL.  A more detailed packet of specific excerpts will be sent out soon.  

Let’s keep the momentum going and finish this semester strong.

Go Eagles! 🦅🎶

Mr. Sayre