newsletter
november 2, 2025

Weekly Newsletter - november 2, 2025

Sent 11/2/2025 4:50 PM

We made it!  Another marching season is in the books.  We are all so proud of the kids and all the work they put into this year's show.  They absolutely killed it yesterday at Zia - their best performances of the season.  Congratulations to all.

And we could not have done it without all the parental support.  Huge thanks to every parent for supporting your kids through this season.  And additional thanks to any and all parents that volunteered this season!  Special thanks to those chairing the various programs - Anayeli Olivas with food/fun, Cami Cook with spiritwear, Heather Fitzgerald with hydration, Clint Hobart with pit crew, Lori Van Note with uniforms, Beth Whiston with popsicles and yearbooks, and Essie Stewart/Addison Cruver with fundraising.  These individuals, along with their spouses in many cases, and each of their volunteer crew made the season the success that it was.  And of course, the rest of the booster board and all they do - Robby and Anne Claspell, Judie Youngman, Shelby Cruver, and Lorrie Black.  We all come together to make this program the best it can be, and I couldn't be more proud to be part of such an amazing community.  Thanks everyone!

Now as we enter November, and things slow down a bit - enjoy the extra space in your schedules and make sure to take the time to rest up.

Let's look at what I have for you this week.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Zia Gear - If you did not order your Zia gear yesterday, here is the info for getting patches, etc.

• Marching Awards Ceremony - This Saturday, we'll be celebrating the students and all the hard work they put into this season

• Spring Trip - Spring trip updates

• Volunteer Opportunities - Take a look at all the volunteer opportunities, and consider helping where you can.

• And a word from Mr. Sayre - Important upcoming schedule information

This week in band...

Tuesday 11/4

• ELECTION DAY - NO SCHOOL

Wednesday 11/5

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

Thursday 11/6

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Percussion Class

Friday 11/7

• Playoff Football Game - Report Time: 6:00 PM @ Wilson Stadium.  Dress in band shirts (and dress warm!).  You need to arrange your own transportation to and from the stadium - no buses will be provided.

Saturday 11/8

• Marching Awards Ceremony - Report Time: 10:00 AM, Ceremony begins at 11

Now on to the details...

Zia Gear

If you want to order any Zia gear, and did not have the opportunity yesterday, you are in luck.  We have the details for you!

You can order patches, shirts, and hoodies through Zia Graphics using the link below.  You can also order patches for past Zia events, if needed.

https://ziaeventtees.com/collections/zia-marching-fiesta

Marching Awards Ceremony

This Saturday we will have our Marching Awards Ceremony.  This is an event we do at the end of each marching season where we take a little time to celebrate all that the students accomplished this year - and hear the show music one last time in the gym.

We will also be turning in marching uniforms, so please make sure you have all your uniform parts collected and ready to be turned in.  You can check what is assigned to you in Cut Time and ensure that you have all those pieces.  If something doesn't match up - don't panic - someone else likely has it and is turning it in.  We'll work it out during turn-in.

Also, make sure you are wearing clothes under your uniform on Saturday so you will be ready to take the uniform off and turn it in.

We'll be asking for some volunteer help - stay tuned this week for an announcement and signup for that.

Hope to see you all there!

Spring Trip

Spring Trip registration has closed.  We have a great turnout, and I'm certain the trip will be a great time.  

If you registered, you should now see a Spring Trip Balance assigned to your account in Cut Time.  If you don't see that balance and you registered for the trip, please let me know ASAP.  Also let me know if you did NOT register, but were assigned the cost in Cut Time so we can get that straightened out.

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.

• Nothing right now - enjoy!

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band Community!

What a great marching season! Congratulations on your performances at Zia, earning 3rd in your class and 6th overall in prelims, and 7th overall in finals. We are so proud of the work you’ve done and thrilled that you delivered your best performances of the season—twice in one day! We truly have the best students, parents, and supporters in this program. There’s so much to be proud of and even more to be thankful for. This Saturday, we’ll recognize our students and celebrate the end of our marching season at the Marching Awards Ceremony.

A special thank-you to our amazing parents and supporters who stepped up to help the West Mesa Band students with dinner when they unexpectedly advanced to finals. Your kindness made a big difference. For some context, their director has been in the hospital, managing what he could from his hospital bed, and many of those students were my former students from Tres Volcanes—so it was really meaningful to see them doing so well.  Thank you for doing right by these students. 

We’ve got a busy week ahead! I’ll be out on Monday, but I’ll be available Tuesday afternoon in the band room starting at 3:30 PM to record audition materials. You should use Monday to record any remaining portions you need to submit. Please remember the election is happening in the gym, so enter through the back band room door. Use the opportunity of these two days to complete and upload all your recordings.

Playoff Game – Friday, November 7th

We’ll meet at Wilson Stadium at 6:00 PM. Come support the team and help bring some spirit to the game! You’ll need to arrange your own transportation to and from the stadium—no buses are planned for this game and no transportation forms are needed for this event.

All-State Auditions

All-State submissions are due this week—no late submissions accepted. I must record the sight-reading portion, but students may record their other sections on their own. Plan on getting these to me AS SOON AS POSSIBLE Please follow these rules carefully:

• Scales: One take only. Include the All-State range chromatic and your two major scales.

• Concert: Two etudes.

• Jazz: Improvisation (backing track must be audible), lead trumpet assessment (if applicable), and two etudes (swing and funk).

• Each portion must be in one continuous take, not spliced.

• File naming format: firstname.lastname.date.content.mp3

  • Example: josephine.gonzales.October29.No10.mp3

Zero Hour Band Placements

Recordings are due by Wednesday for all woodwind, brass, and percussion students. These are required to perform in the December concert and allow us to adequately plan for part placement and repertoire selection for each band. Mr. Snowden and I will use them to place students in the Zero Hour band that will meet their needs the best.  

Marching Awards Ceremony – Saturday, November 8th

• Student report time: 10:00 AM

• Ceremony begins: 11:00 AM in the EHS Main Gym

• Wear your full uniform. We’ll turn in uniforms after the ceremony and have some fun with games and activities. If you’d like to help speed up the uniform check-in process, we’d love some volunteers! Thank you for your patience as we account for all parts of the uniforms and get them checked in.

This Week’s Rehearsal Schedule

• Wednesday – Zero Hour in the BAND ROOM; Color Guard Class 4:00–6:00 PM

• Thursday – Percussion Class 4:00–6:00 PM

• Friday – Playoff Game, call time 6:00 PM at Wilson Stadium

• Saturday – Marching Awards Ceremony- call at 10AM show at 11AM.

You’ve worked incredibly hard this season, and it shows. Let’s finish strong, stay focused, and carry the same pride and teamwork that got us this far into everything we do next. 

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre