Directors’ Notes: Aug.10-15, 2026

By Reed Bailey | August 9, 2026

Happy August! There is lots of information in this week’s edition since marching band is back in full-swing. As always, I’ve tried to label each sub-heading so you can easily identify what is applicable to you/your child. Please read thoroughly:

Fundraising Efforts (ALL)

This past week, the boosters kicked off our 2026 Calendar fundraiser and it is going very well so far! It is crucial that each family participates in this fundraiser. As a reminder, running the level of program that the Cienega Band & Orchestra operate under takes a significant budget. We’re fortunate that the Vail School District and CHS help considerably with this, but the boosters take on a lot of expenditures for each child and your help in making sure they can continue to do that is appreciated. Each student is responsible for filling their calendar with donations (Day 10= $10 donation, etc) with the goal of this being complete by Saturday, August 15, 2026, but we will leave the fundraiser open through the end of the month if necessary. If your child has not brought information on the fundraiser to you or you just have additional questions, please reach out to the boosters.

Meet Me In The Stands (Marching Band)

Weekly Marching Band Agenda

Monday 0 Hour- Drill rehearsal on field

Monday PM- Finish part 1 of the show!

  • Meet Me In The Stands for Parents

Tuesday 0- Clean Part 1 on field

Wednesday 0- Music rehearsal (indoors)

Thursday 0- Clean Part 1 on field

Thursday PM- Sectionals (4-6 pm): Start Part 2 music

Friday- COPPER/NAVY SCRIMMAGE!

  • Attire: Jeans, closed-toe athletic shoes, 2026 show shirt (or Copper/Navy Cienega shirt)
  • Call Time: 4:30 PM (EHS/APHS get to CHS as soon as possible)
  • Game Info: This is a varsity vs. JV scrimmage that does not follow the normal AIA clock rules for football games. We will not perform at half-time for this scrimmage; only in the stands. We will plan to dismiss the band at the end of the 4th quarter on the clock, regardless of what the football decides to do about ending the game.
  • Reminders:
    • The only people allowed in the band section at football games are band members, staff members, and boosters with a volunteer badge. Please do not try to hold/reserve seating for your family in the band section. Most families sit in the section directly to the left of the band.
    • Students may not eat or drink anything while in uniform (water is the exception). Please do not purchase concessions or snow-cones for your band member. We will make them throw it away.

Saturday- Saturday Camp #1

  • 7:30 am- band room opens
  • 8:00 am- rehearsal begins: on field, pre-show through part 1
  • NOON- dismissed
  • Note: I told the band this earlier last week and just so everyone knows I am serious about, I am putting it in writing here: We always schedule 3 Saturday camps at the beginning of the season. However, the band has proven to work harder this year than previous years and have been more productive in rehearsals so far than we have anticipated. IF the band meets the goals for the week and for this Saturday camp as the staff has outlined them, I will feel confident enough about the trajectory of the season to CANCEL the other 2 Saturday camps. I firmly believe in rewarding hard work when student exhibit it and I am confident they can meet those expectations. Please view this week as an investment week for your student; the harder we work now, the less weekend commitment we have to give later.

On The Horizon (concert ensembles)

The Fall Concert is scheduled for: Tuesday, October 20th at 6:30 PM

You and your child have access to each concert date for the entire year on their Schoology page. Please know that concert dates are subject to change if necessary, but are always communicated as far in advance as possible.

On The Horizon (Marching Band)

Please make sure you’re regularly viewing the calendar on the website to stay up to date on upcoming events.

Bands of America- 9/25-26/2026

This BOA Regional in Flagstaff (NAU) is a two-day event. A formal itinerary will go out after governing board approval, but everyone should plan for this basic format:

  • 9/25 (Friday)- band will depart from CHS (charter buses are funded by CHS administration and band budget) for Flagstaff in the afternoon and stop for dinner in the north Phoenix area that evening. Student hotel rooms are funded by the booster organization (please participate in the fundraiser).
  • 9/26 (Saturday)- students will perform in prelims around mid-day Saturday and will remain at the stadium through prelim awards. After that we will follow one of two itineraries:
    • If Band Makes Finals (Top 12): students will return to buses for a dinner break, change into uniform again, and compete again in finals competition that night. This puts our return timeline at early Sunday morning
    • If Band Does NOT Make Finals: band will return to the buses, eat dinner, and depart directly for CHS. This puts our return timeline at late Saturday night.
  • Ticketing information for BOA- Flagstaff will be released once Bands of America confirms stadium details, but please note that separate tickets are required for both prelims and finals.
  • PLEASE travel for the band! This is a huge opportunity for the CTMB to get national recognition and we want as many supporters in the stands as possible!
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