newsletter
FEBruary 1, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - february 1, 2026

Sent 2/1/2026 6:45 PM

Anyone else feeling it is a bit crazy that we are already in February???  I know I am...  February means Jazz Festival.  A lot of information below on that - especially with regards to volunteers and Mr. Sayre's section has plenty on student expectations.

Here is what I have for you this week.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Donations Needed - We still need lots of donations for our spring events

• Jazz Fest Volunteer Needs - The Jazz Festival committee needs your help!

• A word from Mr. Sayre - As always, make sure to read this

This week in band...

Tuesday 2/3

• Basketball (Band B) vs. Capital Boys - Call Time: 6:00 PM, Game @ 7

Wednesday 2/4

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

Thursday 2/5

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

Friday 2/6

• Basketball (Band A) vs. Manzano Boys - Call Time: 6:00 PM, Game @ 7

Now on to the details...

Donations Needed

We are still seeking concession donations to be sold at the annual ABQ/UNM Jazz Festival and other spring events. 100% of all proceeds from concession sales go directly to support the band.  It takes all of us to make this a success!

All donated items may be dropped off in the band room anytime before February 12th. Thank you for helping support our musicians!  Please bring items based on current year in school, as below:

• Freshman: Canned or bottled drinks (Not bottled water, please)

• Sophomores: Candy or Sweet Treats (not individually wrapped candies)

• Juniors: Salty Snacks (individual packs)

• Seniors: Drinks and/or Sweet Treats

Jazz Fest Volunteer Needs

We still need a number of parent volunteers to make this event a success - concession sales, apparel sales, lunch helper, registration desk...  Please consider checking out our parent volunteer signup and see if there is a slot you are able to help with:

Jazz Festival Volunteer Signup: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D48ADAA2DA1FB6-61816418-jazz#/ 

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band Community!

Jazz Fest is just a week and a half away! We have a lot ready and still plenty to prepare. This event will bring over 900 performers to our campus, along with some of the finest jazz musicians in the world, and it promises to be a truly memorable experience.

Please encourage friends, family, and jazz lovers to attend our finale concert on Saturday, February 14, featuring UNM Jazz 1 and the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day than a world-class jazz concert?  Please share the flyer as well on your social media. 

Required Performance Attendance (Jazz Students)

All Eldorado jazz students must attend the concerts for the other Eldorado jazz bands. An Eldorado band will close each day, followed by a brief facility reset to prepare for the next day.  EHS students will need to stay at help tidy up for the next day of festivities.  

(ALL Students) 

On Saturday, February 14, ALL EHS BAND STUDENTS are required to attend the Educators Big Band performance at 3:30 PM. After this performance, we will clean up the facility (except for the stage). All jazz students must remain for UNM Jazz 2 and the Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band at 5:30 PM, followed by the finale concert at 7:00 PM.

EHS Jazz Band Performance Times – Jazz Fest

• Swing Wings Jazz Band will perform on Thursday, February 12 at 6:25 PM.

• Golden Image Jazz Band will perform on Friday, February 13 at 6:00 PM.

• Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band will perform on Saturday, February 14 at 5:30 PM.

Jazz Fest Worker Information

Student worker sign-ups are posted on the white board in the band room. Student leaders and officers will lead festival operations. Jazz students must sign up first; if space remains, other band students may sign up. Only students signed up for a specific shift will receive an Eagle Absence, and only students on the list are permitted to assist.

If a teacher provides a pass for you to observe performances, the pass must be given to a parent volunteer or to Mr. Sayre in the Band Office (Festival HQ) so your presence can be logged.

Jazz Fest Setup

Setup will take place on Wednesday, February 11 after school. We will set up the stage, warm-up rooms, band room, clinic room, and storage areas. This is A LOT of work so the more hands the better.  

Basketball Games This Week

We have two games this week: Tuesday, February 3 and Friday, February 6. Call time for both games is 6:00 PM. Any game switches must be communicated in advance.

This Week’s Schedule

• Monday, February 2: Open after-school practice time

• Tuesday, February 3: Dr. Emily Moss will be working with Wind Ensemble, Boys Basketball vs. Capital HS – Call time 6:00 PM

• Wednesday, February 4: Winter Guard class after school

• Thursday, February 5: Percussion class after school

• Friday, February 6: Boys Basketball vs. Manzano HS – Call time 6:00 PM

Coming Up

• Albuquerque / UNM Jazz Fest: February 12–14

• Fine Arts Assembly: February 17 (Wind Symphony, Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band, Winter Guard)

• Pre-Festival Concert Bands Concert: February 25 (Jackson MS, Eisenhower MS, Hoover MS)

• Winter Guard Invitational: February 28 – EHS Gymnasium

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre