newsletter
september 7, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - september 7, 2026

Sent 9/7/2026, 2:30 PM.

Happy Labor Day everyone!  I hope you all had a restful end to your long weekends.

This past weekend was a busy one - thanks to all the students and volunteers that put in so much work.  We had a VERY successful car wash.  Special thanks to Jeanette Sanchez for creating flyers for our car wash and handing them out at the football game.  Her efforts definitely led to us washing the most cars we ever have and raising the most we've ever raised.

This week is lighter weight, so take advantage of the break and rest up when you can.

Also - 8 DAYS LEFT to register for spring trip.  Get those registrations in ASAP.

We have also finalized and approved the costs and charges for student accounts, so look for those to start showing up this week in Cut Time.

Let's get into this week.

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Spring Trip Registration - Spring Trip registration is only open for 8 more days - registrations are due by 9/15!

• Volunteer Opportunities - Nothing new right now...  more opportunities to come

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

This week in band...

Tuesday 9/8

• 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Tuesday Afternoon Rehearsal

Wednesday 9/9

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

Thursday 9/10

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

Now on to the details...

Spring Trip Registration

Spring Trip registration is closing soon!  Only 8 days left.  

We're going to San Antonio, TX this year, and it's shaping up to be a great trip.  Deadline to register is 9/15.  Please register as early as possible so we can properly plan around numbers - this can be difficult if everyone signs up in the last couple of days.

You can get all the details, plus a link to the registration, on the Spring Trip 2027 page.  

If you have any questions, you can contact our trip coordinator JP at trips@eldorado.band. 

Volunteer Opportunities

We are now using Cut Time to manage our volunteer signups.  This system allows you to signup for volunteering at events within the same place as you get your announcements, finances, etc.

Remember, if you want to volunteer at any time this year, please get your background clearance started now so you are ready to go.  It's easy - all the details are on the How To Volunteer page.

Currently available signups:

• Nothing right now - stay tuned for more opportunities

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagles!

Great job at the Middle School Game on Friday evening and at the carwash on Saturday! That was a ton of work and effort, and we hope you were able to get some much-needed rest afterward. Thank you for your great attitude and work ethic throughout the weekend.

The next few weeks are all about preparing for our marching band events in October, as well as our Jazz Concert on October 6. We have a lot ahead of us, but we are getting beyond some of the hardest parts of the season and moving into the really fun part.

Instrument Drive

We will be collecting used musical instruments as part of a donation drive to benefit our program and potentially other APS band programs as well.

If you have an old instrument sitting in storage, or know a friend or family member who would like to donate an instrument to benefit APS students, please consider donating it. Every instrument has the potential to help a student get involved in music.

Additionally, if you know of an instrument that may actually be the property of APS and would like to return it so that it can get back into the hands of students, we will accept those instruments with complete amnesty—no questions asked. We will work to return them to the school they belong to.

Help us support our students and music programs throughout our community!

Captain Robert “Seph” Coates – U.S. Navy Band Visiting Wednesday

Captain Robert “Seph” Coates, Commander of the U.S. Navy Band and an Eldorado High School alumnus, will be visiting Eldorado Wednesday morning. He will work with us during rehearsal and provide feedback to the band. He will also be presenting in the PAC during 1st period.

You can learn more about Captain Coates here:

https://www.navyband.navy.mil/navymusic/roster/coats-bio

Los Lunas Invitational – October 3

The Los Lunas Invitational is less than a month away!

We will not be providing buses for this event. With Balloon Fiesta taking place at the same time, buses are extremely difficult to obtain, and the buses that are available are being offered at extraordinarily high prices. At this point, the cost does not provide enough value to justify the expense.

For the last several years, we have been working to establish a process for families to complete the appropriate transportation forms. I am working with our Activities Director to clarify exactly what needs to be completed so that families can get everything taken care of as soon as possible.

Parents may transport their own students. However, any adult who carpools with multiple students will need to complete the required unsupervised volunteer/background check.

More information and instructions will be coming soon. Please watch for those details so we can get everyone squared away well before October 3.

This Week at a Glance

• Monday: Labor Day – No School

• Tuesday: Normal Tuesday; after-school rehearsal, 4:00–6:00 PM

• Wednesday: Captain Coates, U.S. Navy Band Commander and EHS alumnus, visits in the morning; Color Guard Class, 4:00–6:00 PM

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

• Friday: Take instruments home to practice

• Saturday: UNM Band Day for students who registered

• Sunday: All-State Etude #1 test due; Color Guard – entire Movement 2

College Music Opportunities

For students who are beginning to think about college music programs, Eastern New Mexico University has two upcoming opportunities that may be worth considering.

ENMU Department of Music High School Visitation Day

Tuesday, November 10, 2026

8:30 AM–4:30 PM MST

Target audience: High school students who are considering or committed to pursuing a music major.

Registration and schedule: https://www.enmu.edu/academics/colleges-departments/college-of-fine-arts/academic-departments/department-of-music/events/high-school-visitation-day#registration 

ENMU Greyhound Sound Marching Band – Hound For A Day

Saturday, November 14, 2026

11:00 AM–End of Game MST

Target audience: High school students interested in learning more about college marching bands. Directors are also invited to attend.

Registration: https://www.enmu.edu/academics/colleges-departments/college-of-fine-arts/academic-departments/department-of-music/events/hound-for-a-day 

I am looking forward to hearing your great work this week. We are getting beyond some of the hardest parts of the season and getting to the really fun part.

I am thankful every day for the amazing community that I get to be a part of. Eldorado is a special place, and I hope that the skills, friendships, and memories you make here are things that you carry with you for the rest of your lives.

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre