newsletter
July 20, 2025

Weekly Newsletter - July 20, 2025

Sent 7/20/2025, 5:30 PM.

It was so great to see everyone at the picnic this week!  Thanks to all those that braved the weather and came to hang out with us.

Also, thanks to all those that have already donated to our summer fundraising campaign that kicked off yesterday with the student Call-A-Thon.  As of the time I wrote this newsletter, we already have over 130 donations for over $10,000!  An amazing start - but don't stop, we still have a ways to go to reach our goal.  More on that below.

We have a FULL week of band camp this week - a lot going on.  There are uniform fittings this week, spirit days, band camp parties, and of course, the very important parent meeting on Saturday.  Details below.

I have a TON to cover again this week - so please make sure to take the time to read through it all.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Calendar - This is the last time I'm going to remind you to subscribe to our calendar.  It truly is the best way to make sure you have all the information on what is coming - make sure you subscribe today, if you haven't already

• Forms - You still have time to fill out our uniform sizing and parent volunteering forms - Please fill these out ASAP

• Uniform Distribution - we have a lot of uniforms to distribute, and will need some volunteers to help out

• Band Camp - Very full week this week - make sure you know what is coming each day - All the details on the Band Camp page

• Fundraising - Our summer fundraiser is launched - here are all the details

• Volunteer Opportunities - all our current volunteer opportunities will be listed here throughout the season

• And a word from Mr. Sayre - always make time to read through this section

This week in band...

Monday 7/21

• 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Band Camp - Uniform Fitting: Seniors

Tuesday 7/22

• 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Band Camp - Uniform Fitting: Juniors

Wednesday 7/23

• 7:30 AM - 3:30 PM - Band Camp (Note the change in end time...) - Uniform Fitting: Sophomores

• 5:30 PM - 7:30 PM - Pep Band Night

Thursday 7/24

• 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Band Camp - Uniform Fitting: Freshmen

Friday 7/25

• 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM - Band Camp - Uniform Fitting: Everyone without a uniform by this point in time

Saturday 7/26

• 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Band Camp Showcase/Parent Meeting

Now on to the details...

Calendar

The band Google calendar is the best way to keep track of everything upcoming regarding band and color guard.  We work very hard to keep it as up-to-date as possible.  All the important dates for the year have already been added, and if anything new comes up or anything changes, that will be reflected on that calendar.

If you haven't yet, I highly recommend you subscribe to the calendar.  You can subscribe by doing the following:

1. Go to the Calendar page of the website (https://www.eldorado.band/Calendar)
2. In the lower-right corner of the embedded calendar is a little blue plus sign - click on the plus sign
3. The Eldorado Band calendar will now be joined to your own Google calendar

Forms

We currently have 2 forms that need your attention - one is for uniform sizing and the other is for getting parent volunteer clearances.

Please fill out the uniform sizing form ASAP (uniform distribution is THIS WEEK).  This drastically helps with getting all our uniforms distributed quickly and correctly.  The form contains instructions on what to measure and how.  Click on the link below to submit:

• Uniform Sizing Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1MIRQG6hMpo06rFdEqPtIf_UHAKwH37GWQD11SnAp7tU/edit 

Also, it takes a ton of parental volunteer support to make this program a success.  And in order to volunteer, we need you to be cleared with APS.  If you think you will help out at all this season, please click on the form below to start the process of getting your APS unsupervised background clearance.  We have funds to reimburse you for the cost, if needed, so save those receipts to submit to our treasurers.

• Unsupervised Volunteer Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ue6yoIjxiFdz-eoZFkF5o8gyYQHmcV0fmVB3BZcMxlc/edit 

Uniform Distribution

This year we have brand new uniforms!  This is very exciting, but with a band of our size, it takes a lot of effort to ensure all those uniforms get to the students.  Uniform distribution will start on tomorrow, 7/21 and go through Friday, and happens during the lunch break of band camp.

Monday: Seniors
Tuesday: Juniors
Wednesday: Sophomores
Thursday: Freshmen
Friday: Anyone else who did not receive a uniform during the week

We need a number of volunteers to help make this happen, so if you can be there for about an hour during the lunch break those days, please consider signing up for a slot.  You can volunteer using the link below.  NOTE: You do need to have your unsupervised background clearance with APS on file with our VP, Robby Claspell.  If you have questions about your clearance, please contact Robby at vicepresident@eldorado.band

• Uniform Distribution Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-marching1#/ 

Band Camp

We have a very full band camp week this week.  Remember, a sizable portion of our marching show for the upcoming season is put on the field during band camp, so make sure you are in attendance at all scheduled sessions.

You can get all the band camp details on the Band Camp page, but here are some highlights for this week.

1. The calendar has all the band camp dates/times on it - make sure you subscribe.
2. Make sure the students are wearing cool, light-colored clothing and athletic/tennis shoes (no sandals, boots, crocs, flip-flops).  Bring LOTS of water (i.e., the largest water bottle you have) and sunscreen/hats.  And of course, all the supplies they need to play and maintain their instrument.
3. We have some spirit days this week, and a couple of band parties:

• Monday: Section Color Day, Potluck and Game night (in the music building)

• Tuesday: Beach Day

• Wednesday: Dress like directors/staff

• Thursday: Anything but a water bottle (still bring your water bottles...)

• Friday: Frat boys vs. Sorority girls, Movie night (in the music building) - bring a snack to share

• Saturday: Wear band shirts for performance

DON'T FORGET! There will be a very important parent meeting at the end of this week.  While the students are rehearsing that morning, the boosters and parents will be meeting in the Eldorado PAC at 9 AM and will be going over EVERYTHING you need to know as a parent (not just new parents, but returning parents as well), including finances/fees, schedules, rules, chaperoning/volunteering, uniform care - literally everything.  We have some new things going on this year, so it is very important for everyone to be in attendance.  After we get done, we will go up to the practice field and watch the students showcase what they learned over those weeks.  Mark your calendars!!

Fundraising

We have launched our summer fundraising campaign, and yesterday, the students kicked it off with their call-a-thon.  In one day, we've had over 130 donations raising over $10,000!  This is an amazing start, but we still have a long way to go to get those student shared costs down as low as possible.  We need everyone to spread the word to their friends, families, and communities.  Here is what we need you to do.

There are 2 ways to support us in this campaign - as individual donors (Golden Boosters) and as businesses (Sponsorships).  We are looking to raise at least $45,000 during this campaign - if we can raise more, the student shared costs go down that much further!

For the Golden Boosters, we need you to ask your family, friends, co-workers, and others in your communities to see if they would like to support us.  You can simply send them to our website, the Golden Boosters page, and all the information on how to participate is there.  If everyone asks 10-20 people they know to help out, we should have no problems reaching our goal - and probably more!

We love partnering with our local businesses, so for Sponsorships, we simply need you to think of any businesses you frequent, businesses owned by family members, or any businesses that you think may simply want to support this band program, and bring/send them our sponsorship letter (link below).  The letter has all the information they need, and sends them to the website (the Sponsorships page) to participate.  Dentists/Orthodontists, realtors, mechanics, restaurants, music stores, construction/contractors - all good ideas.  We promote their businesses on our website and during our concerts, so it's a win-win for everyone.

Sponsorship Letter: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RmGsfQzd1pQrI98ocrdNnCKG67yJY5kT/view?usp=sharing

Last year, through this fundraiser, we were able to cut the student shared costs in HALF!  So please get out there over the next few weeks and help us raise the funds needed to run a program of this size.

Thanks!

Volunteer Opportunities

Here is a list of all our current volunteer opportunities.  You can also see these anytime on the Volunteering page of the website.

• Uniform Distribution Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-marching1#/ 

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eldorado Band Community,

What a fantastic first week of band camp! We want to take a moment to thank our students for showing up with great energy, focus, and enthusiasm. You’ve been an absolute pleasure to work with, and your efforts are setting us up for an incredible season. Keep up the great vibe!

We also appreciate everyone for following through with the guidelines—bringing plenty of water, wearing lightweight clothing, and staying on top of sun protection. It’s made a real difference, and we’re proud of how seriously you’ve taken your own safety and well-being.

As we head into Week 2 of camp, here are a few important reminders to help you stay prepared and finish strong:

Band Camp Schedule

We continue with full band camp every day this week through Saturday, July 26.

• Report time: Be at the marching field by 7:30 AM each day.

• Come prepared for both indoor and outdoor rehearsal blocks.

• Attendance is expected and essential—we are continuing to build our marching show and every member matters.

Daily Preparation Reminders

To help you stay healthy and productive throughout camp, continue following these guidelines each day:

• Wear appropriate footwear. No sandals, Crocs, slides, or Converse. Athletic shoes with socks only.

• Bring a LARGE water container—enough to stay hydrated through several outdoor blocks.

• Apply sunscreen before arriving, and reapply during breaks. Hats and sunglasses are helpful too.

• Dress for the heat. Lightweight, breathable clothing is best. Avoid heavy fabrics and dark colors.

• Adjust your routine. Make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating a solid breakfast each morning.

Upcoming Events

Pep Band Night – Wednesday, July 23

We’ll take a break from rehearsal from 3:30 to 5:30 PM, then resume with our evening block until 7:30 PM. This is a great time to bring energy and spirit to the stands while still making progress on the field. More details will be shared during camp.

Band Camp Parent Meeting & Showcase – Saturday, July 26

• Parents will meet in the PAC at 9:00 AM for important program information and updates.

• Students will meet at the marching field for the final band camp rehearsal and showcase.
  This is an exciting opportunity to see the progress students have made and to get a glimpse of what’s ahead for the season.

Stay Informed

Schedules, updates, and past newsletters are all available on the band website: https://www.eldorado.band 

If you have any absences to report, please make sure you fill out the Absence Documentation form.

Thank you again for a great start to the season—we’re proud of the work you’ve done so far, and we’re looking forward to building on it together this week. 

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre