HONOR BAND AUDITIONS!
Honor Band auditions are THIS WEEK at Gahr HS – Wednesday, January 15th for Woodwinds and Thursday, January 16th for Brass and Percussion. Both days are from 5-8PM, but you are free to leave once you finish your audition. WIND ENSEMBLE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO AUDITION FOR HONOR BAND. Concert Band students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to audition.
We have full band rehearsal this week on Tuesday, January 14th from 3:30-6:00PM to work on the honor band pieces, as well as our festival pieces and sight-reading. All winds and percussion are required to be at this rehearsal (even if you do not plan on auditioning for Honor Band).
The Winter Guard Donation #1 of $220 is due this Friday, January 17th. You can always pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment online with a credit card.
HONOR BAND AUDITIONS THIS WEEK
This year we are thrilled to have Dr. Jermie Arnold as our guest conductor for the 2025 ABCUSD High School Honor Band! WIND ENSEMBLE STUDENTS ARE REQUIRED TO AUDITION FOR HONOR BAND. Concert Band students are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to audition. We will adjust the band and drumline schedule to accommodate for honor band auditions, rehearsals, and the concert. If you are interested in being a student host for the Honor Band auditions, please let Mr. Loney know!
These are the four pieces for the program:
”Infinity” by Katahj Copley
”Shenandoah” by Omar Thomas
”Symphony No. 2, Mvt. III” by Frank Ticheli
”Midway March” by John Williams
This drop box link for the audition excerpts for each instrument:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/m177fampf59n1dltzqg2z/ANeY7FxMbpSMRX3Sj2cl7ps?rlkey=wytzmjhxbh43zmsglpd6u0hwq&st=g9tvrjys&dl=0
Auditions will be held at Gahr HS:
Woodwinds: Wednesday 1/15 from 5-8PM
Brass & Percussion: Thursday 1/16 from 5-8PM
In addition to the excerpts, the auditions will also include some basic sight-reading.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Thursday 1/30 from 6:00-8:00PM at Gahr HS (sectional)
Tuesday 2/4 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS (in Band Room)
Thursday 2/6 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS (in Band Room)
Tuesday 2/11 from 6:00-8:30PM at Whitney HS (on stage)
The ABCUSD Honor Band Concert is Wednesday 2/12 at Whitney HS @ 7:00PM
1ST DONATION PAST DUE FOR GUARD & DRUMLINE
The 1st donation for Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard is past due. This is critical so we are able to purchase new floors for both groups, costumes, props, and pay our instructional staff. While we have the total donation broken down into payments, we highly encourage you to pay the entire amount if you are financially able to do so to help with these up-front costs. You can always pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment online with a credit card.
PARENTS: We had two sets of information meetings for our winter groups before we went on break. Please click here to download the Winter Guard packet and here to download the Indoor Percussion packet. Please stay tuned for how you can help support with prop building, food, and transportation. Thank you!
CONCERT BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE UPDATE
After this week, we will start normal ensemble rehearsals with Wind Ensemble on Tuesdays from 3:30-6PM and Concert Band on Thursdays from 3:30-6PM. Please note that there have been some adjustments made due to the Honor Band. All percussionists will be assigned to either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble (typically based on sight-reading ability and Honor Band preparation/auditions).
Concert Band Festival Repertoire
1. Fanfare for the Third Planet - Richard L. Saucedo
2. Through the Mist - Brian Balmages
3. Foundry - John Mackey
Wind Ensemble Festival Repertoire
1. Sheltering Sky - John Mackey
2. An American Songkran - Kevin Charoensri
LAST CHANCE FOR THESE ITEMS
Get a 2024 limited edition, handmade “KUBRICK” ornament! Features a Room 237 door and REDRUM carpet from “The Shining,” a tiny hat from “Clockwork Orange,” HAL from “2001: A Space Odyssey,” and a “Full Metal Jacket” camouflage ribbon.
Get our official 2025 Gahr Marching Gladiators calendar! This 11” x 17” wall calendar is full of beautiful photos from the marching season. This is a great gift for family and friends and is the perfect way to remember our award-winning show.
This is our first-ever “Gahr Invitational Field Tournament” patch to commemorate the 2024 tournament. This 3” sew-on patch is perfect to add to your band jacket or a shadow box. They also make great gifts. Get one before they’re all gone!
FALL DONATIONS PAST DUE — The total balance of $675 for marching donations is past due. We cannot pay our instructors without your contribution. Students must be caught up with fall donations to participate in the Winter Guard and the Indoor Percussion programs. We accept cash, checks made payable to "Gahr Band Boosters," or you can click here to make a payment online. Please communicate with Mr. Loney if you have any issues with your financial obligation.
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 1/13
WINTER GUARD DONATION #1 DUE ($220)
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I & II – SECTIONALS
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
TUESDAY 1/14
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I & II (EVERYONE)
3:30-6:00PM ALL WINDS & PERCUSSION REHEARSAL
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 1/15
4:00PM Set up for Honor Band auditions
5:00-8:00PM Honor Band WOODWIND Auditions @ Gahr HS
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
THURSDAY 1/16
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I & II TRUMPETS & TROMBONES only
4:00PM Set up for Honor Band auditions
5:00-8:00PM Honor Band BRASS/PERCUSSION Auditions @ Gahr HS
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 1/17
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I and II (EVERYONE)
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
Take instruments and music home to practice festival music.