Director’s Update: January Edition (1/11/26)
Welcome back, Bobcat families! I hope your winter break was fantastic and that the first week back to school was as painless as possible. It may feel like we’ve all made it through the crazy part of the year because marching band is over, but the reality is that the third quarter is much more chaotic because everything is happening, every ensemble is performing/traveling/doing something. I’m going to try to break the next month or so down as much as possible, but if I miss something or details I apologize. I’m breaking this down into sections. Feel free to skip to the parts that apply to your child/family.
Next Booster Meeting: Monday, 1/12/2026 at 5:30 pm in the BAND ROOM
Introducing: Mr. Morgan!
We are fortunate to have a student teacher with us this semester. Most of you will already know Mr. Benji Morgan from his past three seasons with The Cienega Band as our visual instructor. As Mr. Morgan prepares to graduate with his degree in Music Education this May, he’ll be spending this semester at Cienega full-time. As the semester progresses, your child will see more of him on the podium and less of me. We’re excited to have his voice, perspective, and experience in the classroom.
Pep Band Starting This Week:
Students that have been selected for pep band received their game schedule before leaving for winter break. We’re excited to have the pep band under the student leadership of Elise Hatch and Logan Brower this year! We can’t wait to see what shenanigans the band gets up to this season…
Winter Guard is in full-swing!
The Vail Winter Guard (combined with Mica Mountain) is now in season. That program is under the ensemble direction of our guard staff: Natalie Smith, Juan Yepiz, Alex Walker, and Mica’s guard staff. All information for that ensemble will come from the ensemble directors.
Symphonic Band Area Festival Performance: Thursday, March 5 @ 1:15 pm
Upcoming Jazz Ensemble performances:
- Mardi Gras gig at Academy Village retirement home (during school)
- NAU Jazz Fest: Saturday February 21 (time TBD) awaiting confirmation from NAU.
Next Major Concert For All Ensembles: Tuesday, February 24, 2026 @ 6 PM (CHS Student Union)
AMEA Regional Auditions (Band & Orchestra): Saturday, January 24th @ Mica Mountain HS
If your child signed up to audition for regionals this year (and there are A LOT of them), they have already received their audition time. As a reminder, because we are fortunate enough to have auditions in our own district, students are responsible for their transportation to MMHS the Saturday of auditions. Students should arrive with plenty of time to check in at the registration table, double-check the scale requirements for the day, find their audition room, and get a good warm-up in. I always recommend an hour to and hour and a half earlier than their listed audition time depending on their instrument, typical audition nerves, and individual warm-up routine. Students need to present a picture ID at the check-in table. Their digital student ID on Minga counts if needed.
If selected for the 2026 AMEA Southeast Region Band or Orchestra, that honors festival always occurs the weekend closest to Valentines Day. This year that would be: Feb. 13-14, 2026 at Sabino High School. We do not reserve hotels for students the years that the event is held in Tucson.
Band Parents Wanted for CHS BOWLING TOURNAMENT!
Sign-up link: https://cat-frat.square.site/shop/bowling-tournament/V3SO6YWVWKIXQWFOBPQUGMYI
This school fundraiser directly supports our band program. Let’s get a team together and win it!
Student Spotlights:
We have so many awesome students to highlight in the Instrumental program at Cienega. Here are a few that have gone above and beyond recently:
HUGE congratulations to senior, Rachel Campbell on being selected for the 2026 Arizona All-State Jazz Band! Rachel was one of only 10 trumpet players in the entire state selected for the honors after a tough, two rounds of auditions against others from around the state. Rachel becomes the first student from Cienega to make All-State Jazz in the last several years.
Several students were selected for the 2026 Arizona Marching Band Association All-Star Marching Band and recently traveled to Phoenix to perform in the Fiesta Bowl Parade. Congratulations to: Adrien Mortensen, Anabelle Chamberlain, Bella Hurd, Cassidy Wahl, and Elise Hatch!