BAND CAMP STARTS MONDAY!

Written By Darren Loney

YAY!!! IT’S ALMOST TIME FOR BAND CAMP!! Please make sure you read all this information carefully so we get off to a smooth start.

Congratulations to the members of the Color Guard on a fantastic mini-camp last week. Also, thank you to everyone who participated in the Spirit Days! Our last weekly Battery and Front Ensemble rehearsal is TODAY, July 20th from 5-8PM at Ross Middle School. As always, hydrate, eat a good meal, and arrive early to set up.

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BAND CAMP FOR EVERYONE STARTS THIS MONDAY AND RUNS FROM JULY 25 TO AUGUST 12 FROM 9AM-4PM EACH DAY. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU READ THROUGH ALL THE INFORMATION IN THE BAND CAMP NEWSLETTER. All students MUST attend band camp to be admitted into the field show for the fall semester. We perform before the school year starts, and it is very difficult to catch up after missing 75+ hours of instruction.

Due to campus construction Band Camp will be held at Ross Middle School — 17707 Elaine Ave, Artesia, CA 90701. Students will need a hat, 1-gallon water jug, and $5 each day for lunch. The $150 Band Camp Donation is due on Monday 7/25. If you are in the Color Guard and have not turned in your Summer Spirit Pack order, please make sure you bring the form and payment as well.

STUDENTS: Use the rest of this week to get used to the heat. Get out of the house, ride a bike, go for a jog, or go to the pool. Get up earlier each day and drink a lot of water. Don’t forget to practice too!

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BAND CAMP LUNCHES — The boosters will provide lunch each day during Band Camp for just $5 cash each day for lunch. THIS YEAR WE WILL NOT BE OFFERING LUNCH TICKETS FOR DONATED ITEMS. The booster organization has been providing lunch for Band Camp since 2013 Click here to download the Band Camp lunch menu. Each week we will send out “Sign Up Genius” links for food donations and parent volunteers. Students receive a free meal ticket when they donate a food item. All food donations for that week must be dropped off on Monday morning.

FOOD DONATION LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-band
PARENT VOLUNTEER LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-band1

If you are a parent interested in taking a more active role in the organization, we are still looking for a Food Coordinator lead. It would be best if you had weekday availability through Band Camp to help cook. Please contact Ammie Goncalves for more info!

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BAND CAMP DONATION — In order to pay for our summer instructors and field show materials, there is a $150 Donation due on Monday, July 25th. We are unable to run Band Camp and pay for our instructors without these funds. We accept cash, checks made payable to "Gahr Band Boosters," or you can pay online. If you are able to pay the full marching band donation of $575 now, it is greatly appreciated! There are many “upfront” costs that have to be covered now, including registration for competitions and the building of props. Thank you!

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REGISTRATION FEE DUE TO WORLDSTRIDES — Hawaii is a GO!! We currently have over 150+ students, parents, and alumni who have signed up! The trip includes accommodations for 6 days and 5 nights, a performance at the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor, a clinic at the University of Hawaii, a visit to Diamond Head State Monument, a dolphin and snorkeling excursion, a luau, and more. Click here to download the itinerary and payment sheet.

IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO SIGN UP! We typically go on this trip every four years, so if you’re an incoming freshmen, this may be your only opportunity in high school to go. ALL PARTICIPANTS SHOULD HAVE SIGNED UP ON WORLDSTRIDES AND PAID THE $269 REGISTRATION FEE. All payments at this point should be made directly to WorldStrides. Your initial deposit of $100 is applied to your final balance (last payment). Please follow the instructions below on how to register:

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ATHLETIC CLEARANCE DUE 7/22 — All new AND RETURNING STUDENTS must complete their athletic clearance to be admitted into the band or color guard. Here are the steps:

STEP 1 - Get a physical exam. You need to bring a print out of Gahr’s Physical Evaluation Form for the doctor to fill out. It is highly recommend to use a walk-in clinic instead of scheduling this with your primary care physician. If you are looking for a clinic, this one is available for $30 cash and they typically do same-day appointments:

Sheila Weddle, DC, CCSP
Phone: (562) 866-8384
Address: 5687 Woodruff Ave, Lakewood, CA 90713

SETP 2 - Take a photo of the form. Click here for instructions on how to use your iPhone as a document scanner.

SETP 3 - Register and upload your form on the Family ID website: https://www.familyid.com/gahr-high-school

All students will eventually need to purchase an ASB card and pay for transportation, but this can also be done in person during Gahr High School registration on Thursday, August 11th.

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INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT DONATION — There is a $35 Instrument/Equipment Donation for all members of the battery, the front ensemble, the color guard, and any wind players who are using a school instrument. For color guard this will help pay for school equipment including flag silks, rifles, and sabers. For percussionists, this helps cover new drum heads, sticks, mallets, etc. Please click here to pay this online. Thank you.

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SIGN UP FOR REMIND ANNOUNCEMENTS — If you’re not getting Remind text messages, please take a moment to sign up now by your student’s grade level. This is our primary method of communication.

FRESHMEN: Text "@music2026" TO: 81010
SOPHOMORES: Text "@music2025" TO: 81010
JUNIORS: Text "@music2024" TO: 81010
SENIORS: Text "@music2023" TO: 81010

If you are a student, please also sign up to use “Slack” for important rehearsal communication:
https://join.slack.com/t/gahrband/shared_invite/zt-1a9al3s2v-mqytQ9nRPPVnRnZgaE86kQ

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TWO GREAT WAYS TO RAISE MONEY — Use the fundraisers below to raise money for your marching band donations, as well as the Hawaii trip! This is the BEST TIME to do it before we get busy with school starting. STUDENTS MUST BE CURRENT WITH MARCHING BAND, WINTER GUARD, AND WINTER DRUMLINE DONATIONS IN ORDER FOR FUNDRAISERS TO BE APPLIED FOR THE HAWAII TRIP.

  • 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.

  • 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.

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Darren Loney
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BAND CAMP STARTS TOMORROW!
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SUMMER UPDATE