newsletter
september 13, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - september 13, 2026

Sent 9/13/2026, 5:00 PM.

I hope everyone enjoyed the slow week!  This week we get back into it a bit with a football game - remember, it's at Community Stadium this week.

First things first - the spring trip registration deadline is THIS TUESDAY, 9/15.  If you haven't yet had time to get your registration in and want to go, you have just a couple days left to make it happen.

Second, you may have notice that student accounts have been updated with charges.  If you've registered for spring trip, the remaining balance is charged there as well.  Student account balance is readily available in Cut Time.

Otherwise, we have a few things to look at this week, including an updated Amazon Wish List, a drumline performance, and prepping for the Los Lunas Invitational.

Let's get into this week - keep in mind, it's looking to be a wet one...

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 2 more days - registrations are due by end of day on 9/15!

• Los Lunas Invitational Transportation - We get ourselves to this event because of balloon fiesta, but there is paperwork involved.  Read up on the details.

• Amazon Wish List - Band and Color Guard have small odds and ends that come up during the year, and we put them in an Amazon Wish List in case you are able to help.

• Yearbooks - a quick word from our yearbooks team reminding you to send your pictures in.

• Volunteer Opportunities - The upcoming Hobbs game has signups ready!

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

This week in band...

Monday 9/14

• 3:45 PM - 4:45 PM - Woodwind/Brass Sectionals

Tuesday 9/15

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

• SPRING TRIP REGISTRATION DEADLINE - Register by the end of the day

Wednesday 9/16

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

Thursday 9/17

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

Friday 9/18

• 7:00 PM - Football Game vs. Hobbs (Home) - Community Stadium - Report Time: 4:45 PM in the band room.  Full uniform, including gold shirts and hats.

Now on to the details...

Spring Trip Registration

Spring Trip registration is closing soon!  Only 2 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. 

Los Lunas Invitational Transportation

Because this event takes place during balloon fiesta, there are not buses available to us to use.  This means students have to get themselves to the event.  We accomplish this through carpooling, but this takes extra paperwork and planning, and it has to be completed by next Saturday.  The forms and details are below in Mr. Sayre's section.

Amazon Wish List

If you are able to help us out with some small donations, we have an Amazon wish list compiled for the small odds and ends that come up for band and color guard needs.  It's an easy way to help us out.  Take a look at the list and consider helping in any way you are able.

Amazon Wish List: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/HJ90GRWW3WD?ref_=wl_share 

Yearbooks

Got some awesome band pictures? We’d love to have them for the yearbook! Send us your favorite photos from band camp, to the car wash, and everything in between. We’re looking for the fun moments that make the year special!

When sending photos, please label them by event, such as Band Camp, Car Wash, or Game One. This will make it much easier for us to sort through everything!

Send your photos to: yearbooks@eldorado.band

ALSO: It’s never too early to order your 2026–2027 Band Yearbook! TreeRing is offering an Early Bird Sale with 10% off book orders through October 31st.  Order at treering.com, and use passcode: 1016667234694117.

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:

• Friday, 9/18 - Football Game vs. Hobbs (Chaperone, Hydration, Food/Fun)

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Eagles!

Thank you to the students who turned in your tests on time. We still have quite a bit of work to do on the show, and getting the memorization completed sooner will make our process much smoother in the coming weeks. The sooner we have the music learned, the more time we can spend improving the actual performance.

I also want to remind everyone that registration for the Spring Trip is coming up. This is an incredible opportunity to see a new city and state, and JP is already working on planning an even better trip than last time. More information about registration will be coming soon.

This Week at a Glance:

• Monday: Sectionals after school — Work on memorization of the 3rd and 4th movements.

• Tuesday: Full Band Rehearsal, 4:00–6:00 PM

• Wednesday: Color Guard Class, 4:00–6:00 PM

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

• Friday: Game vs. Hobbs — Home Game at Nusenda Community Stadium

Weather

The weather this week is looking to be rainy. Plan on getting some work done outside by dressing accordingly. We will plan to have normal rehearsal every day, and I will let students know if rehearsal locations need to change due to weather.

APS Board of Education Performance

The Drumline will be performing at the APS Board of Education meeting on Wednesday at City Center at 4:00 PM.

Friday, September 18 — Game vs. Hobbs

This is a home game at Nusenda Community Stadium.

• Uniform: Full uniform with gold, including hat and chicken.

• Call Time: 4:45 PM

Please make sure you eat a full meal or bring a full meal with you before call time. 

All-State Auditions

All-State audition registration will be opening soon. This is a special opportunity for students to be included in honor ensembles with many of the best and brightest musicians in New Mexico.

Last year, Eldorado had more students selected for All-State than any other school in New Mexico, and we want to continue that great trajectory.

Registration will be handled through Cheddar Up. All students are required to learn the audition materials anyway, so you might as well consider auditioning since you're already doing the work.

Los Lunas Invitational Transportation

Once again, we will be unable to secure buses for the Los Lunas Invitational because it takes place during Balloon Fiesta, which monopolizes nearly all of the bus companies in the area.

Students will need to arrange their own transportation to and from the event. The required Transporting Students Form and packet must be completed one week before the event.

The packet must be completed by anyone transporting themselves, their own children, and/or other students. Additionally, if you are transporting students other than your own child, you will need to have a completed APS Unsupervised Background Check.

It is quite a bit of paperwork, and we apologize for the inconvenience. APS is pretty clear on this policy.  Please get the completed paperwork to me or our Booster Secretary at secretary@eldorado.band, and we will make sure it gets to the appropriate administrator for approval.

Thank you for being thoughtful about getting this paperwork completed and submitted on time.

Transportation Form:

https://www.aps.edu/risk-management/documents/travel-forms/Notification%20of%20Responsibilities%20and%20Liabilities%20When%20Transporting%20Students.pdf/view 

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre