newsletter
July 6, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - July 6, 2026

Sent 7/6/2026, 3:45 PM.
Edit 7/6/2026, 4:30 PM - Fixed family picnic location to be El Oso Grande park.

Welcome everyone!  And a special welcome to all our incoming new students - we are very glad to have you as part of this amazing band program.  My name is Jeremy Dencklau, your band booster president, and I'm very excited to kick off another great year of band at Eldorado.

This is the first of MANY newsletters the boosters will be sending out this year, typically on a weekly basis, usually on Sunday afternoon/evening.  We post these to our website so they can be searched and reviewed at any time.  All the newsletters for the year can be found in our News Archive section of the site.  It is very important that you take the time to read through these newsletters, as this is our primary means of getting information to you.  This particular newsletter is going to have plenty of things to cover, given we are about to start a brand new season of band. 

This is the standard format of these newsletters.  I start with a high-level overview of what is in the newsletter, followed by a run-down of what is happening over the next week with regards to band.  After that is all the details you need.  Last, but certainly not least, will be a word from Mr. Sayre - especially important for the students, as he frequently puts information in there on how the week will be going in class, so ALWAYS make sure to read through his section.

Feel free to explore our website - just know that much of it is still in process of being updated.  Any page with a red DRAFT header on it is still being finalized, but certainly take some time to familiarize yourself with the site - just about any question you have throughout the year can be answered on that site.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Calendar - our calendar is the best way to make sure you have all the information on what is coming - make sure you subscribe today!

• Field Cleanup - this coming Saturday, July 11, we'll be getting the practice field ready for band camp.  Many hands make light work!

• Band Camp - two weeks of intensive rehearsing, all you need to know

• Fundraising Update - details are coming soon

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

This week in band...

Tuesday 7/7

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Percussion Camp

Wednesday 7/8

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Percussion Camp

Thursday 7/9

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Percussion Camp

Friday 7/10

• 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM - Percussion Camp

Saturday 7/11

• 7:00 AM - Field Cleanup/Cage Cleanup

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

Field Cleanup

In order for the students to be able to have a successful band camp, the practice field needs to be cleaned up to get rid of all the dirt, debris, and weeds that gather over the winter, spring, and summer months.

We'll be meeting at the practice field (behind the baseball fields from the east parking lot) at 7 AM.  We're starting early to beat the heat of the day...  Many hands will make this go very quickly, plus you'll get the opportunity to meet other band parents.  Bring gloves and yard tools (like shovels, hoes, weed eaters/weed torches) and make sure they have your name on them so they don't go home with the wrong person.  Don't forget the sunscreen and water, and if you have a truck and can help haul away everything, that would be great as well.  Any parent, guardian, family member, friend, or student is welcome to come help out.

I hope to see you there!

Band/Percussion Camp

Percussion camp begins this week and band camp begins next week!  Two weeks of intensive rehearsal gets new marchers up to speed, returning members back into the swing of things, and a sizable portion of our marching show on the field for the upcoming season.  There are some important things I want to make sure you know beforehand:

1. The calendar has all the band camp dates/times on it - make sure you subscribe.
2. There is a Band Camp page on the website that also has the schedule and other band camp related information, such as what you should bring
3. Speaking of what to bring - 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.
4. Make sure the students are getting outside this next week and a half to help acclimate themselves to the heat a bit before getting out there during band camp.  It will make the week much easier on them.  Also start getting up earlier - it will make the 7:00 AM report times much easier when they get here.
5. Bring a sack lunch, or money to buy lunch at surrounding restaurants near campus.
6. Pay attention to special days, such as marching shoe fitting day, or uniform fitting day for classes.  Those happen during lunch, so plan accordingly.

Also, don't forget the band family picnic on Thursday evening, July 16th at El Oso Grande park.  Bring yourself some dinner, and come hang out with the band community.  The boosters will be there as well to answer any questions and provide opportunities to volunteer this year.  You don't want to miss this - its such a great opportunity to get to know the rest of this amazing community.  I really hope you can make it!

DON'T FORGET! There will be a very important parent meeting at the end of band camp.  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.  After we get done, we will go up to the practice field and watch the students perform what they learned over those weeks.  Mark your calendars!!

Fundraising Update

We are still working out the final details on our summer fundraising campaigns.  Be on the lookout for an announcement from us soon with all the details.

Our summer campaigns bring in the bulk of our fundraising dollars, and are the best opportunity to lower band program shared costs for all band families, so it will be in the best interest of all families to give this effort some attention when we launch. 

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Welcome Back Eagles!

Dear Eldorado Marching Band Families,

Welcome back! I hope everyone has had an enjoyable and restful summer. We are excited to begin another marching band season and look forward to seeing everyone back together. Please read through the information below carefully as we begin our summer rehearsals.

Upcoming Schedule:

Percussion Camp

Tuesday, July 7 – Friday, July 10
8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

All percussion students should report to the band room by 8:00 AM each day. Students should bring their equipment, a large water jug, lunch, snacks, sunscreen, and anything else they will need for a full day of rehearsals.

Field Cleanup Day

Saturday, July 11

We will spend the morning preparing our facilities for the marching season by:

• Removing accumulated materials

• Organizing the equipment sheds

• Organizing the booster storage cage

• Cleaning and preparing rehearsal areas

Student Leaders and Band Officers are expected to attend and help coordinate these projects. Your leadership will help us start the season organized and ready to go.

Leadership Training

Monday, July 13

Leadership training begins at 7:00 AM.

Please note that Social Chairs only need to attend on Tuesday, July 14, for the organizational day.

Color Guard Camp

Monday, July 13 – Wednesday, July 15, 7:00 AM

Color Guard Camp begins at 7:00 AM each day. Guard members should arrive ready to rehearse and prepared for outdoor activity.

New Member Day

Wednesday, July 15, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

All new members should report to the band room at 8:00 AM. This day is designed to help our newest students become familiar with the program, meet fellow members, and prepare for Band Camp.

Family Picnic

Thursday, July 16

Join us for our annual Eldorado Band Family Picnic at El Oso Grande Park. This is a great opportunity for students and families to meet one another before the season gets underway.

The Band Boosters will send additional information regarding the picnic in a separate communication.

Full Band Camp Schedule

Our regular Band Camp schedule will begin following Leadership Week. Please note that the first two days of Band Camp will follow a modified schedule. Unless otherwise announced, our daily schedule will be:

• • 7:00 AM – Morning visual rehearsal on the marching field

  • 11:30 AM – Lunch

  • 12:30 PM – Afternoon music rehearsals

  • 3:30 PM – Dismissal

Students should plan to be picked up promptly at 3:30 PM each day.

What to Bring Every Day

Students should arrive prepared with:

• Instrument and all necessary equipment

• Music, flip folder, and pencil

• Large refillable water jug (one gallon is recommended)

• Lunch and snacks

• Hat or visor

• Sunscreen

• Athletic shoes and socks

• Any necessary medications

Hydration begins before rehearsal. Please make sure students are drinking plenty of water before arriving each morning.

What to Wear

Marching Band is an outdoor athletic activity. Students should wear:

• Lightweight, breathable clothing

• Athletic shorts

• Athletic shoes with socks

• A hat or visor is strongly encouraged

Please do not wear sandals, Crocs, or jeans during rehearsals.

Looking Ahead

Band Camp is one of the most important parts of our season. Every rehearsal helps us build the musical and visual foundation that will carry us through performances and competitions this fall. Arriving prepared, on time, and ready to work makes a tremendous difference for both individual success and the success of the ensemble.

Thank you for your continued support of the Eldorado Band Program. We are looking forward to an outstanding season with all of you.

See you soon!

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre