newsletter
FEBruary 8, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - february 8, 2026

Sent 2/8/2026 7:00 PM

We are hitting our Spring busy season... Jazz Festival, Winter Guard Invitiational, Spring Trip deadlines.  Lots going on.  

Huge thanks to all who have signed up to volunteer at this years Jazz Fest - we can't do it without you!  And let's not forget our Jazz Festival chairs - Liz Strot and Beth Whiston.  They have put so much into getting this year's event together - be sure to thank them if you see them 🙂.

Make sure you take some time to read through Mr. Sayre's section (as always...) as there is a lot going on this week.

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 - Still a few days left to bring in donations for our spring events.  It takes everyone pitching in to make it work!

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

• Student Accounts - We are a month out from the deadline to pay off student accounts.  Please make sure you get those accounts to $0 soon.

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

This week in band...

Wednesday 2/11

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

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

Thursday 2/12 - Saturday 2/14

• Jazz Festival - Check the Jazz Festival pages for details and performance times 

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

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 - THIS THURSDAY. 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

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#/ 

Student Accounts

We are just about a month out from the deadline to pay down student accounts.  All student accounts should be brought to $0 by March 6th, and for spring trip participants, this is mandatory to remain eligible to go on the spring trip.  You can view an itemized list of charges on student accounts in Cut Time.

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band Community!

This is a big week. Our Jazz Festival begins Thursday morning, and we have important preparation to complete before then. Following Jazz Fest, we will host our annual Fine Arts Assembly on Tuesday, February 17. Let’s jump right into what needs to happen before Thursday.

First, a few big thank-yous

If you haven’t already, please take a moment to thank Beth Whiston and Elizabeth Strot for their outstanding leadership as Jazz Festival chairs. Each year the festival improves because of their dedication. If you are interested in helping with the festival in future years, please reach out to the booster board.

A big thank you as well to Lorrie Black, Judie Youngman, Jeremy Dencklau, and the rest of the booster board for their continued work planning and supporting this event. We are incredibly fortunate to have such a strong parent organization.

Additional thanks to Javana and Dave Buehler of DB Productions for providing essential technical and audio support for the festival and our partners Dr. Chris Buckholz and Glenn Kostur for all they do to continue to support this festival.

Thank you all!

Jazz Festival Setup and Preparation

Setup will begin immediately after school on Wednesday, February 11. All festival workers and student leaders should plan to attend and assist in the following areas:

• Stage: Platforms, instruments, sound setup, lighting, amps, backstage organization, and cleanup

• Warm-Up Room (Orchestra Room): Platforms, instruments, amps, organization, and cleanup

• Clinic Room (M4): Platforms, instruments, amps, space organization, and cleanup

• Storage Rooms: Move couches for the worker lounge; organize music library and choir storage for adjudicators and directors

• Signage: Posting directional signage throughout the building for guest navigation

One important request for ALL Community Members

Please personally invite someone to attend the finale concert on Saturday evening. As people plan their weekend, help plant the idea that a world-class jazz concert is a great option for a date night.

Required Jazz Performance Attendance (Festival Schedule here)

All jazz students should plan to attend the masterclasses on Friday and Saturday at 1:00 PM.

All percussionists must also attend the Samuel Torres masterclass on Saturday.

ALL BAND students are required to attend the Eldorado jazz performances each evening, as well as the Educator Big Band performance.

Watching Jazz Performances During the School Day (Thursday & Friday)

If a teacher allows you to attend jazz performances during class time and you are not scheduled for a work shift, you must sign in with Mr. Sayre or a parent volunteer in the band office before watching any groups.

Basketball Game – Wednesday, February 11

After Jazz Fest setup, we will still perform at the basketball game.

• Call time: 6:00 PM

• Wear your band shirt

Fine Arts Assembly – Tuesday, February 17

Setup will begin in the gym after Zero Hour during 1st period.

Winter Guard, Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band, and Wind Symphony will perform at two assemblies.

Schedule This Week

• Monday, February 9: Sectional time after school

• Tuesday, February 10: —

• Wednesday, February 11: Winter Guard class (location based on M4 setup); Jazz Fest setup after school

• Thursday, February 12: Jazz Fest Day 1; Percussion class in the Choir Room; Swing Wings performs at 6:25 PM

• Friday, February 13: Jazz Fest Day 2; Golden Image Jazz Band performs at 6:00 PM

• Saturday, February 14: Jazz Fest Day 3

  • Educator Big Band – 3:30 PM

  • Screamin’ Eagles Jazz Band – 5:30 PM

  • UNM Jazz 2 – 6:00 PM

  • UNM Jazz 1 & Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra – 7:00 PM

  • Tickets: $5 students / $10 general admission

We will welcome over 900 performers from across the state to our campus this week. Your professionalism, preparation, and willingness to help are essential to making this event successful. Thank you for everything you do to represent the Eldorado Band program at a high level.

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre