BACK TO SCHOOL UPDATE!
WE ARE PLAYING PEP TUNES AND DRUMLINE WARM UPS TOMORROW – THURSDAY, AUGUST 8TH – TO WELCOME TEACHERS 1ST DAY BACK ON CAMPUS! PLEASE MEET IN THE BAND ROOM AT 7:59AM WEARING YOUR NEW “KUBRICK” FIELD SHOW SHIRT, JEANS, AND BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT AND MUSIC. WE WILL RUN THROUGH THE “FIGHT SONG,” “LET ME CLEAR MY THROAT,” “NOT LIKE US,” AND ADD “CRAZY IN LOVE.” THIS IS A BIG DEAL THAT THE PRINCIPAL ASKED US TO PLAY AND KICK-OFF THE SCHOOL YEAR! WE NEED EVERYONE THERE!!! WE WILL BE DONE APPROXIMATELY 9:15AM AND HAVE DONUTS AFTERWARD. THANK YOU FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN!!! :)
Congratulations on a great Band Camp! The students and instructors worked incredibly hard and made tremendous progress over the past two weeks. It was great seeing all the new and familiar faces helping out at check-in and lunch, last week’s parent/student meeting, the family beach bonfire, Friday’s sneak preview concert, and Saturday’s car wash. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered over the past two weeks! We could not have done it without you. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the Gahr High School custodians, teachers, administrators, and our new principal Dr. Moore for working to accommodate us on campus. We’re gearing up for an amazing year!
School starts this Monday, August 12th. We will begin our normal 7th period after school rehearsal schedule. Make sure you bring your instrument, equipment, music, change of athletic clothes/shoes, hat, and 1-gallon water jug DAILY. Continue hydrating 24 hours before and make sure you eat breakfast and meals throughout the day.
REHEARSAL THIS SATURDAY 8/17 — We have an important marching band rehearsal this Saturday, August 17th from 9AM-5PM. We will be covering A LOT of new material and will begin learning drill. Make sure you always hydrate the day before because we are usually out on our practice field the entire day. This will be a similar schedule to a day of Band Camp and we will have lunch available for just $5. PARENTS: Please click here to sign up to donate and volunteer.
MARCHING BAND WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Make sure you always bring your equipment, a hat, athletic clothes/shoes, and water jug every day to rehearsals. Hydrate 24 hours in advance and always eat a good breakfast and meals throughout the day. Rehearsals start and end at the scheduled time. Please allow up to 15-20 minutes after rehearsal for students to put away equipment and walk back.
MONDAYS
3:40-6:00PM Winds, Front Ensemble, and Color Guard
6:00-9:00PM Battery only (eat dinner and do HW after school)
TUESDAYS
3:40-4:30PM Optional sectionals
WEDNESDAYS
5:30-8:30PM Everyone (eat dinner and do HW after school)
THURSDAYS
3:40-6:00PM Everyone
SATURDAYS
9:00AM-5:00PM Everyone (click here for the full calendar)
SCHOOL REGISTRATION & CLASS SIGN UPS – All students in the music program should have one class during the school day (periods 1-6) – either Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion, or Color Guard. All wind students (woodwinds and brass) are assigned to either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble. All students in the program should also have 7th period Marching Band. You also have the option to take Jazz Ensemble (zero period, before school). We are still looking to add more students to Jazz Ensemble, especially trumpets, upright bass, and electric guitar. If there is an error/schedule conflict and are missing any of these classes or believe you are in the wrong class, please email Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us. If you did not pay for your ASB Card ($60) and Transportation Fee ($60) during registration, please make sure you turn this into the Finance Office when school starts.
MARCHING BAND AND COLOR GUARD ORDER FORMS — Please fill out the Marching Band Order Form (all winds, battery, and front ensemble) or the Color Guard Order Form. There are several required items you will need to be in the marching band. Many of these items should be a one-time purchase that can be reused year after year. If you are in the wind or percussion sections, you will need a BLACK Gahr Marching Gladiators Hoodie and Drillmasters Marching Shoes. If you are in the color guard section, you will need all of the items listed on the color guard order form. THE DEADLINE FOR ALL ORDER FORMS AND PAYMENT IS THIS FRIDAY, AUGUST 16TH.
There are three payment options for both forms:
Cash (please turn in with physical order form)
Check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters” (turn in with physical order form)
Pay online through the website (and still turn in physical order form)
https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/make-a-donation
Please enter the grand total as the quantity amount.
REQUIRED ITEMS — In addition to the black marching shoes on the Marching Band order form, ALL BAND STUDENTS WILL NEED A BLACK SLEEVELESS COMPRESSION T-SHIRT, BLACK COMPRESSION SHORTS, AND LONG BLACK SOCKS. You can find these items even cheaper at Big 5 Sporting Goods. ALL MARCHING MEMBERS (WINDS, BATTERY, AND COLOR GUARD) WILL NEED A DOT BOOK (3x5 spiral-bound index card notebook available from Mr. Loney for $3). You can get a dot book and lanyard together for just $5.
At rehearsals, all students must wear a hat, athletic clothes, athletic/tennis shoes (no sandals or converse), sunscreen, and bring a 1-gallon water jug. You may keep these items in the Band Room and change at lunch or after school. Continuing to hydrate 24 hours ahead, eat breakfast & lunch, and get plenty of rest.
BOOSTER UPDATE — Please join us at our Kick-Off Booster Meeting this Tuesday, August 13th at 6:30PM in the Band Room! This is a great time to get in the loop and involved in what your student will be doing this year.
It’s not too late to become an official Gahr Band Booster Member! You’ll receive a 2024 field show t-shirt and NEW drawstring bag. You can wear your show shirt to home football games and get in FREE when you volunteer at our concessions stand! Membership is just $25 per person. Click here to get your membership.
Please click below to access the handbook, flyers, and handouts from the information meeting:
JOIN THE AWARD-WINNING GAHR HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE — Jazz Ensemble counts for honors credit and rehearses zero period at 7:17AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. If you play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum set, guitar, bass (electric/upright), or piano – WE WANT YOU! Please let Mr. Loney know if you’re interested. Our first Jazz Ensemble rehearsal is this Tuesday, August 13th at 7:17AM in the Band Room.
BAND JACKET — Get your official Gahr Marching Gladiators Band Jacket! Jackets are $135.00 each. We accept checks to “Gahr Band Boosters” or cash. Please fill out a separate order form for each jacket you order. THE DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD. Click here to download the jacket order form.
ATHLETIC CLEARANCE DUE — All NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS must complete their athletic clearance to be admitted into the band or color guard before school starts. Here are the steps:
STEP 1 - Get a physical exam. You need to print and bring the Physical Evaluation Form for the physician to fill out. It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to use a walk-in clinic instead of scheduling this with your doctor. Anderson Chiropractic Care does athletic physicals for $20 cash and can be reached at (714) 952-0673.
STEP 2 - Take a photo of the form. Click here for instructions on how to use your iPhone as a document scanner.
STEP 3 - Register and upload your form on the Family ID website:
https://students.arbitersports.com/organizations/gahr-high-school
ALL NEW AND RETURNING STUDENTS must fill out the 2024-25 Band Registration & Participation Form. This must be completed before Band Camp. Please have a parent or guardian fill this out with the student. This takes about 10 minutes to complete and is crucial for us to get off to a good start.
2ND DONATION DUE FRIDAY 8/16 — The 2nd Marching Band donation of $150 is due Friday, August 16th. This is crucial for us to be able to pay for instructors, production costs, competition fees, and more. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can click here to pay online with a credit card. We will be kicking off our annual Popcornopolis fundraiser this Tuesday, August 13th that you can use to raise funds for your account. Please communicate with Mr. Loney if you have any issues.
TWO GREAT WAYS TO RAISE MONEY — Use the fundraisers below to raise money for your marching band donations! This can also go towards Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion. This is the BEST TIME to do it before we get busy with school starting.
Field Show Program Ads - Earn 90% of the profit from all field show ad sales. The ad prices range from $25 to $175. Many local businesses are looking for ways to advertise to the community. See Mr. Loney to get a past field show program that you can use as an example when selling ads.
Student Sponsorship Letter - 100% of the money sponsorships goes directly to your student account. These take a few hours to complete and mail out, but the return on investment is HUGE if you can make $400-500! This is a great way your family and loved ones can help support.
SIGN UP FOR REMIND ANNOUNCEMENTS — Please take a moment to sign up by your student’s grade level. This is our primary method of communication for both students and parents.
FRESHMEN: Text "@gahr2028" TO: 81010
SOPHOMORES: Text "@gahr2027" TO: 81010
JUNIORS: Text "@music2026" TO: 81010
SENIORS: Text "@music2025" TO: 81010
**STUDENTS ONLY — Please sign up to use “Slack” for important rehearsal communication:
https://join.slack.com/t/gahrband/shared_invite/zt-2k0yfdl7n-G6pdn12arttystk2pRU83A
FUNDRIVE CLOTHING DRIVE 9/28 — SAVE THE DATE – Our FUNDrive clothing donation event will be Saturday, September 28th! Clean out your closets and help raise money for the program. WE ARE ASKING FOR EACH FAMILY TO PLEASE DONATE AT LEAST THREE (3) KITCHEN-SIZED TRASH BAGS OF CLOTHING/BEDDING. We will be raffling off gift cards to the students who donate the most!
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 8/12
SCHOOL STARTS!
THE BAND ROOM WILL BE OPEN TO DROP OFF EQUIPMENT, REHEARSAL CLOTHES/SHOES, AND WATER JUG.
NO ZERO PERIOD
Arrive early to pick up your class schedule in the morning.
3:40-6:00PM Winds, Front Ensemble, and Color Guard rehearsal
6:00-9:00PM Battery rehearsal
TUESDAY 8/13
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz Ensemble – everyone meet in the Band Room
3:40-4:30PM Optional sectionals (memorize Mvt. 1 top to G)
6:30PM Kick-Off Parent Booster Meeting in Band Room!
POPCORNOPOLIS FUNDRAISER KICK-OFF
WEDNESDAY 8/14
NO ZERO PERIOD ON WEDNESDAYS
AFTER SCHOOL: Do your homework, eat dinner, and keep hydrating.
5:00PM Set up for rehearsal
5:30-8:30PM Wednesday Night Rehearsal (everyone)
THURSDAY 8/15
7:17AM Jazz Ensemble
3:40-6:00PM Rehearsal (everyone)
FRIDAY 8/16
2ND DONATION OF $150 DUE
MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD ORDER FORMS DUE
7:17AM Jazz Ensemble
NEED DOT BOOK IN CLASS PERIOD
DRINK A LOT OF WATER BEFORE YOU GO TO BED!
SATURDAY 8/17
IMPORTANT SATURDAY REHEARSAL 9AM-5PM
Prop Building Party! All parents welcome – no experience needed!!
ALL MARCHING MEMBERS (WINDS, BATTERY, GUARD) WILL NEED A DOT BOOK (3x5 spiral-bound index card notebook) AND PENCIL. You can buy a dot book from Mr. Loney for $3. Get a dot book + lanyard for $5.
Hydrate and eat a good breakfast. Wear athletic clothes/shoes, hat. Bring water and $5 for lunch.
7:45AM Band Room open
8:59AM-12:30PM Rehearsal Block 1
12:30-1:30PM Lunch (bring $5)
1:30-5:00PM Rehearsal Block 2