newsletter
september 27, 2026

Weekly Newsletter - september 27, 2026

Sent 9/27/2026, 4:30 PM.

Busy Saturday, and Band-tober is right around the corner!  Proud of the effort the kids put into that all-day rehearsal.  Also thanks to all the parents that helped and all that came out to support the band at Chipotle.

Our focus this week is our performance at Los Lunas this Saturday. Because we are transporting ourselves to this event, we HAVE to have our ducks in a row with APS requirements.  ALL DRIVERS must submit some form of paperwork.  ALL STUDENTS need to have coordinated a ride.  Mr. Sayre has outlined the details in his section below, so PLEASE read through that and make sure you are compliant, and PLEASE do that ASAP.

Also, our volunteer opportunities for this event are open as well.  This coming Saturday is the primary focus of this week - make sure you read through Mr. Sayre's section, alot to cover there.

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

What's in this newsletter?

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

• Volunteer Opportunities - Los Lunas Invitational signups are open.

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

This week in band...

Monday 9/28

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

Tuesday 9/29

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

Wednesday 9/30

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

Thursday 10/1

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

Saturday 10/3

• LOS LUNAS MARCHING INVITATIONAL - Here is the itinerary.  Details below in Mr. Sayre's section.

Now on to the details...

Volunteer Opportunities

Currently available signups:

• Los Lunas Invitational - chaperones and food/fun

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.

Go Eagles!

JD

a word from Mr. Sayre...

Hello Hard Working Eagles!

Our full-day rehearsal yesterday was a lot of work, and thank you for staying focused and making the most of the day. We still have a lot to do to get the show ready, and unfortunately, the weather does not look like it is going to be especially helpful this week either.

I have included at the end of this message the specific areas of the show where we need to make visual additions. Please take some time to review these so you know what we are working toward.

Our first marching event, the Los Lunas Invitational, is this Saturday! We have limited time and a lot to get ready, including some important paperwork that every driver must complete ASAP.

THIS WEEK AT A GLANCE

• Monday: After-school sectionals

  • Priority is new visuals and new drill. You may practice at the marching field if you choose.

• 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: Get some rest and be ready for Saturday.

• Saturday: Rehearsal at 9:00 AM at the marching field

  • Drivers meet at 2:00 PM in the EHS courtyard

  • Los Lunas Invitational in the evening

LOS LUNAS TRANSPORTATION PAPERWORK

Please get your transportation paperwork submitted as soon as possible. The paperwork requires a signature from our principal, and I would like to get everything to them as early as possible.

If you do not have access to a printer, you can email Mr. Sayre pictures of the completed documents and he can print them for you.

Here is the itinerary for Saturday:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z06Dr8zLv13x4MyzqESXanQa_S_QjCN782zjwTb_LvE/edit?usp=sharing 

Saturday (Los Lunas Invitational) Schedule:

• 9:00 AM – Call time for pre-rehearsal at marching field

• 12:00 PM – Full group photo in the EHS courtyard

• Lunch – On your own. Pack a lunch or get something quick from nearby.

• 1:45 PM – Student meeting and inspection

• After inspection – Meet with drivers to verify that every student has a ride

In order to make the driver verification process go quickly, please make sure you get your paperwork submitted ASAP. Our booster secretary, Mr. Cruver, is volunteering a significant amount of time and energy to make sure all of this information is compiled and organized.

Reminder: We are NOT taking a bus to Los Lunas, as none are available.

Transportation Requirements:

• Parents driving only their own children must complete the APS transportation form and submit a copy of their driver's license and insurance with the paperwork.

• Adults transporting other students must have an APS unsupervised clearance on file, in addition to completing the required transportation paperwork.

• Student drivers must complete the APS transportation form and submit a copy of their driver's license and insurance.

APS transportation form:

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

APS policy requires this paperwork so that we can verify that students attending an APS event or field trip are being transported legally.

We understand the redundancy and frustration of having to complete paperwork to transport children you may already transport every day. However, because this is an APS field trip, we are required to follow APS policy regarding the transportation of students. We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your help in getting this completed.

ALL-STATE AUDITIONS

All-State audition registrations will be posted soon through Cheddar Up. All Screamin' Eagles and Golden Image Jazz students are required to audition.

Last year, we had more students make All-State than any other school in the state, so make sure you are preparing your auditions. All students are expected to prepare the audition materials regardless of whether they are required to submit an audition.

Audition registrations must be submitted by October 12.

JAZZ CONCERT – OCTOBER 6

The Jazz Concert will be Tuesday, October 6 at 6:30 PM in the PAC.

Jazz students will have a 5:30 PM call time in the PAC after Tuesday's rehearsal. We will end rehearsal a little early for Jazz students at 5:00 PM. All other students will stay and work on visuals with the staff.

Jazz students:

• Plan on bringing something to eat.

• Do not wear your jazz performance attire all day, especially during the evening marching band rehearsal.

• Be prepared to head directly to the PAC after rehearsal.

All students are invited to come to the Jazz Concert that evening! Entry is free, and our jazz performers would appreciate having you there to support them.

VISUAL ADDITIONS FROM SATURDAY REHEARSAL 2ND MOVEMENT:

Below are the visual additions we worked on Saturday, along with the areas that still need to be added.

2nd Movement

1. Opening – Pose when the band hits the spot. COMPLETE

2. Measure 34 – Set 18 going to 19. COMPLETE

• Visual that follows the percussion line

• Ripple from front in trumpets

• Ripple front to back toward percussion

• Dip down and push pelvis forward

3. Measure 49 – Set 22 going to 23. COMPLETE

• Everyone except high brass needs to copy the moves.

4. Measure 55 – Set 23 going to 24 / tempo change. COMPLETE

• Tempo change: horn down, then horn up on impact.

5. Measure 62 – Set 24 going to 25. COMPLETE

• Band visual with hits on 1.

6. Measure 70 – Set 26 going to 27. NEED TO ADD

• Travel to the spot with style.

7. Measure 86 – Set 27 going to 28. NEED TO ADD

• Hit on percussion strike

• Lift point tall, flutter to spot, then point

8. Clarinet Solo. NEED TO ADD

• Measure 98 – Brass dance

• Needs to be waltz-like

• Travel while waltzing

• Arms point on 1, alternating arms

9. Measure 106 – Set 30 going to 31. NEED TO ADD

• Visuals that accentuate the melodic material in the brass

• Down 2-3 to the side, opposite directions in the lines

• On piano crescendo: turret to side and slow front 6

10. Measure 116 – Set 31 going to 32. NEED TO ADD

• Down on 1

• Side on 1

• Side on 1

• Kick out on 1

11. Measure 120 – Set 32 going to 33. NEED TO ADD

• Move 12:

• Arms out on 1

• Spin around on 3, left

• Down/hide on 7-8-9

• Up on 10-11-12 and play

12. Measure 136 – Set 36. NEED TO ADD

• Step out on 1

• Right out on 1 of the next measure – open stance

• Left back on 1 of the next measure – feet together

• Right together on 1

• Out on 1 – lunge with horn up

13. Roar and claw, then pose aggressively toward the audience like we're angry.

Thanks, Eagles! Let's be ready for Saturday!

Go Eagles!

Mr. Sayre