1ST DAY OF SCHOOL, 1ST FOOTBALL GAME, 1ST SATURDAY REHEARSAL!
Congratulations on completing (and surviving) Band Camp!! This year was especially difficult given the majority of our students have never done marching band before. On top of that, they had the added challenge of rehearsing with masks on. However, our students rose to the occasion and made huge strides each day!! We have a busy week as we start after school practices, have our first home football game on Friday, and our first Saturday rehearsal from 9AM-5PM! Please note that some class schedules may still be incorrect the first day of school. Just let Mr. Loney know if there’s an error.
ALL WIND PLAYERS NEED A FLIP FOLDER & MUSIC LYRE FOR THE FOOTBALL GAME (available from Mr. Loney for $5 each). ALL MARCHING MEMBERS (WINDS, BATTERY, GUARD) NEED A DOT BOOK (3x5 spiral-bound index card notebook available from Mr. Loney for $2). Students must wear a hat, athletic clothes, athletic/tennis shoes (no sandals or converse), sunscreen, and bring a 1-gallon water jug to ALL rehearsals. You may keep these items in your cubby during school. Make sure you're hydrating 24 hours ahead of time, eating breakfast & lunch, and getting rest. Continue to wash your hands frequently and make sure you wear your mask when indoors.
Thank you to everyone who came to our Band Camp Sneak Preview Concert & BBQ!! Thanks to all the parents who volunteered and made this event possible. We have a fantastic parent team this year and it's not too late to be a part of the fun! Join us next Wednesday, September 1st for our Kick-Off Booster Meeting at 6:30PM in the Band Room. There’s also still time to become an official Gahr Band Booster — click here to purchase your booster membership that includes a 2021 field show t-shirt & lanyard.
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1. MARCHING BAND SCHEDULE — Rehearsals start on time, so please use the restroom and change immediately after school. Make sure you bring dinner to eat before night practices. The normal weekly practice schedule is as follows:
Mondays
3:00-5:00PM Winds & Guard (indoors/practice field)
5:00-8:00PM Battery & Front Ensemble (indoors/stadium)Tuesdays
5:00-8:15PM Winds, Guard & Front Ensemble (stadium)Wednesdays
6:00-8:45PM Battery Only (blacktop/stadium)Thursdays
3:00-5:30PM Full Ensemble (practice field)Fridays
3:00-4:15PM* Run-through for Football Game
*If there is a football game on Friday, the entire Gahr Marching Gladiators will warm up and run the field show from 3:00-4:15 p.m.
**Rehearsals start and end at the scheduled time. Please allow up to 15-20 minutes for students to put away equipment and walk back, depending on the instrument they play and the rehearsal location.
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2. FOOTBALL GAME THIS FRIDAY 8/27 — This Friday we have our first Home Football Game vs. North HS! The band and drumline play pep tunes and cadences throughout the game, and at half-time the Gahr Marching Gladiators will perform some of our 2021 field show production. We have rehearsal Friday after school in the stadium from 3:00-4:15PM to run through the field show music and the Star-Spangled Banner, followed by a dinner break (not provided). Call time is 5:35PM in the Band Room wearing the same attire as the Band Camp Sneak Preview — Winds wear the field show t-shirt, jeans, and athletic shoes. Color Guard wears the field show t-shirt, black leggings, and black athletic shoes.
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3. SATURDAY REHEARSAL 8/28 — We have an important marching band rehearsal this Saturday, August 28th from 9AM-5PM. This will be a similar schedule to a day of Band Camp, and we will also have lunch available for just $5. PARENTS: Please join us for Prop Building & Uniform Sewing while the students are at practice! NO EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED. Thank you in advance for your help!!
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4. JOIN THE JAZZ BAND — We’re excited to reboot the award-winning Gahr High School Jazz Band!! In addition to jazz, we also play latin, funk, rock, and so much more. If you are interested in auditioning for the Gahr High School Jazz Band, our first day is this Tuesday, August 24th at 6:30AM in the Band Room! We are looking for saxophones, trumpets, trombones, drumset, guitar, bass (electric/upright), and piano. Let Mr. Loney know if you are interested or if you have any questions.
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5. 2ND DONATION — The 2nd donation of $125 is due next Friday, September 3rd in the Drop Box. Checks are made payable to "Gahr Band Boosters." If you are making a cash payment, please get a receipt from Mr. Loney before turning it into the drop box. You can also make a payment online here. We cannot pay our instructional staff or for field show competitions without your donation. Please communicate with Mr. Loney if you have any issues with your financial obligation. Thank you.
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6. FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS — THE DEADLINE FOR ALL FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS IS FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8TH. Many local businesses are looking for ways to advertise to the community. This is also a great opportunity to put a "shout-out" for your son/daughter in the program! Students earn 90% of profit from program ads! Click here to download the form.
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7. GET YOUR OFFICIAL BOOSTER MEMBERSHIP — It’s not too late!! Become an official Gahr Band Booster Member! You’ll receive a high-quality embroidered lanyard and a 2021 field show t-shirt. Wear your 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 purchase your booster membership.
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8. BAND JACKET — Get your official Gahr Marching Gladiators Band Jacket! Jackets are $95.00 each. We accept checks to “Gahr Band Boosters” or cash. Please fill out a separate order form for each jacket you order. THE DEADLINE FOR THE FIRST ROUND OF ORDERS HAS BEEN EXTENDED TO FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 3.
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9. ATHLETIC CLEARANCE — 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 ASAP. 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 still looking for a walk-in clinic, this one is available for $30 cash.
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
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10. MARCHING BAND & GUARD ORDER FORM PAST DUE — 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 winds or percussion sections, you will need a Gahr Marching Gladiators Hoodie, a Band Polo Shirt, and Black 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. All order forms & money were due August 10th.
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ADDITIONAL FUNDRAISERS — Have you sold any program ads or sent out sponsorship letters?? This is a great time to raise funds for your fall donations before we get busy with school. It may take a few hours, but you can easily raise $500 or more by selling program ads and mailing out sponsorship letters!
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. Ask Mr. Loney for a field show program booklet to help sell 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. Make sure to include a photo of your band or guard student! This is a great way your family and loved ones can help support.
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THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 8/23
SCHOOL STARTS! BAND ROOM WILL BE OPEN TO DROP OFF INSTRUMENT/EQUIPMENT, REHEARSAL CLOTHES/SHOES, AND WATER JUG.
NO ZERO PERIOD JAZZ BAND
Arrive early to pick up your class schedule in the morning. Please see Mr. Loney at snack/lunch if you are missing a class during the school day or 7th period marching band.
2:45-3:00PM Come to the Band Room, change into athletic clothes/shoes, wear hat, get water jug.
3:00-5:00PM Winds & Color Guard rehearsal
5:00-8:00PM Front Ensemble & Battery rehearsal
TUESDAY 8/24
6:30AM Jazz Band!
STUDY HALL DURING CLASS PERIOD
AFTER SCHOOL: Do your homework, EAT DINNER, and hydrate.
4:45PM Set up for rehearsal
5:00-8:15PM Winds, Color Guard, and Front Ensemble rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 8/25
NO ZERO PERIOD JAZZ BAND ON WEDNESDAYS
3:00-4:00PM Sectionals (optional)
6:00-8:45PM Battery rehearsal
THURSDAY 8/26
6:30AM Jazz Band
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER MEMORIZATION TEST
3:00-5:30PM Rehearsal - Full Ensemble (everyone)
FRIDAY 8/27
NO ZERO PERIOD JAZZ BAND
3:00PM Rehearsal / Run-through
4:00PM Winds run Star-Spangled Banner / Pit stack equipment
4:15PM Dinner Break (not provided)
4:45PM PARENTS MEET AT BOOSTER CLOSET TO START SETTING UP FOR CONCESSIONS. WEAR YOUR FIELD SHOW T-SHIRT!
5:35PM Call time in the band room wearing field show t-shirt (winds wear jeans & guard wear black leggings)
5:40PM Run pep tunes
6:20PM Walk to stadium
6:30PM Set up for pre-game
6:45PM Star-Spangled Banner
7:00PM Home Football Game vs. North (Torrance)
8:00PM Half-time performance - PARENT HELP NEEDED WITH EQUIPMENT
9:45PM Approximate dismissal*
*The end time of a football game varies. The Gahr Marching Gladiators always stay until the end of the game to support our school and team. Please have your student call you for pick-up time or check Remind for updates.
DRINK A LOT OF WATER AND GO TO BED!
SATURDAY 8/28
IMPORTANT SATURDAY REHEARSAL 9AM-5PM
ALL MARCHING MEMBERS (WINDS, BATTERY, GUARD) WILL NEED A DOT BOOK (3x5 spiral-bound index card notebook). You can buy one from Mr. Loney for $2.
PROP BUILDING & UNIFORM SEWING PARTY 9AM-5PM!
Hydrate and eat a good breakfast. Wear athletic clothes/shoes, hat. Bring water and $5/lunch.
7:45AM Band Room open
8:59AM-12:00PM Rehearsal Block 1
12:00-1:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
1:00-5:00PM Rehearsal Block 2