newsletter
march 15, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - march 15, 2026

Sent 3/15/2026 3:20 PM

Spring is officially just around the corner...  

SENIORS - make sure to get your yearbook senior pages in to Mrs. Whiston ASAP.  And Solo & Ensemble registrations are due this Tuesday, so please take care of that today, if possible.

Here is what I have for you this week.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Yearbooks - SENIORS!  Your yearbook pages are due NEXT MONDAY, 3/23.  Please get those in ASAP!

• Solo & Ensemble - Get those solo & ensemble registrations in by this TUESDAY, 3/17.

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

This week in band...

Wednesday 3/18

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

Thursday 3/19

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

Saturday 3/21

• Winter Guard Rio Rancho Invitational

Now on to the details...

Yearbooks

Seniors, your senior pages are due NO LATER THAN NEXT MONDAY MARCH 23. Submissions after March 23rd will not make it to print. If you did not receive the necessary information in an email, PLEASE reach out to Mrs. Whiston very soon!  

Also, if you have not yet ordered, you can still get your 2025-2026 Band Yearbook! Yearbooks are $24.54 with 90 full color pages. In order to receive your yearbook at the May 9th band banquet, please order NO LATER than April 12th. 

To order a yearbook visit www.TreeRing.com and enter passcode: 1016667234694117

If creating an account, make sure to click the "not applicable" option for Teacher/Grade.

Reach out to yearbooks@eldorado.band with any questions. 

Solo & Ensemble

Students that are participating in the solo & ensemble festival on April 18th need to get their registrations in ASAP.  They are due by this coming TUESDAY, 3/17.  You can register using the link below.

Cost is $5 per student per performance.  A solo performance costs $5.  An ensemble performance costs $5 per member.   Each member of an ensemble needs to register and pay their $5 fee.

Additionally, the registration form has a field to request to perform at a certain part of the day.  Given that April 18th is also Prom night, please request an appropriate time for your performances if you are participating in prom.

Registration Link: https://2026-solo-ensemble-registrations.cheddarup.com

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagle Band Community!

Students, as we wind down the busy first part of the semester, take a moment to reflect on what you have accomplished this year and how much you have grown. We are making big preparations for the upcoming year, and you can help by pushing us closer to 200 members next year by referring students to join our Color Guard. We welcome any students who have a desire to perform and learn a new skill.

A big shout-out to the Winter Guard for their performance at the competition this last weekend - we are very proud of you. Thank you to the parents and guard staff for all the work that went into making that performance possible.

We have a lot to prepare for in the next 60 days. Parents and guardians - this may be a great opportunity to get more involved. Upcoming events include the Spring Trip, Banquet and Awards Night, spring fundraisers, spring concerts, graduation, leadership applications, show selection, and Solo & Ensemble, just to name a few. Many of these events occur within the same few weeks on the calendar, so please review the band calendar and make sure your family has planned accordingly.

Solo and Ensemble

Solo and Ensemble registration is due Tuesday. Please follow the registration information through Cheddar Up.

The Solo and Ensemble Festival will take place April 18 at Jackson Middle School.

Looking Ahead to Next Year

You can help by reaching out to any incoming students or families you know and letting them know we are excited to have them join the Eagle Band. As many of you know, Eldorado attracts students from across the city, and we want to make sure they feel welcomed and connected when they arrive.

Physicals for Next Year

Marching band will now require a student physical. Initially this appeared to apply only to NMAA activities, but because marching band occurs outside the regular school day and before school officially begins, we will require it as well.

Students should plan to get a physical sometime before band camp. I will handle the administrative side of verifying these for our students. The safety and health of our students is the top priority, and this helps ensure we are operating responsibly.

Dates to Know for the 2026–2027 School Year

• Student Leader Applications Due — Wednesday, May 6 (to Mr. Sayre)

• Jazz Placements Due — Monday, May 11 (information coming soon)

• Incoming Student Night — Monday, May 11 at 5:30 PM (Band Room)

• Percussion Night — May 19, 4:00–6:00 PM

• Color Guard Night — May 21, 4:00–6:00 PM

• Summer Percussion Camp — July 7–10 (all day, required for percussion)

• Summer Color Guard Camp — July 13–15 (required for color guard)

• NEW Marching Band Members Camp — July 15 (morning)

• Full Golden Eagle Band Camp — July 16–25 (except Sunday)

• Band Camp Finale Performance & Parent Meeting — July 25 (morning)

• SOAR Day — Likely August 6 (confirmation coming)

• First Day of School — August 7

Marching Band Dates and Considerations

Below is the information we currently have. Final scheduling decisions will be made once details for next year are confirmed. Families should plan around a busy second half of September and the full month of October, as marching band will likely have a commitment nearly every weekend during that time.

Scheduling depends on several outside groups including the NMAA, Mountain West Conference, EHS Activities, and others. Thank you for your patience as we finalize details.

• Balloon Fiesta — October 3–11

• Saturday Visual Rehearsals — Late September or during Balloon Fiesta weekend

• Los Lunas Invitational — TBD

• Pageant of Bands — TBD

• ZIA Marching Band Fiesta — October 17

• APS Marching MPA — October 20 or 21

• Tournament of Bands — Likely October 31

This Week at a Glance

Every day this week we will have after-school sectional and rehearsal time available for Solo & Ensemble preparation.

• Monday: Academic Award Ceremony — Chamber Brass Ensemble performing

• Tuesday: After-school rehearsal and sectional time available

• Wednesday: Winter Guard class after school

• Thursday: Percussion class after school

• Friday: After-school rehearsal and sectional time available

• Saturday: Winter Guard Competition at Rio Rancho High School

Thank you for all your hard work, and congratulations on an excellent first nine weeks.

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre