IN-PERSON REHEARSALS MON & THURS 1-3PM!
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY FOR IMPORTANT LAST-MINUTE UPDATES REGARDING OUR IN-PERSON REHEARSALS. MAKE SURE YOU BRING EVERYTHING YOU NEED SO WE CAN BE SUCCESSFUL THIS WEEK!
Thank you to everyone who attended our Parent/Student Meeting this past Wednesday! We covered a lot of important information about our in-person, 7th period rehearsals that start this week - every Monday and Thursday from 1-3PM. If you were unable to attend the meeting, you can access the Zoom recording below:
Congratulations to all the students involved in the ABCUSD Honor Band on an outstanding virtual performance!! Gahr had 65 students audition and participate in the ensemble, and our most number of freshmen ever accepted! If you were unable to see the performance or would like to watch it again, please check out this updated link with a special message from Dr. Arnold:
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
IN-PERSON REHEARSAL & SHOWCASE UPDATE!
As we discussed in the Parent/Student Meeting, we are working on a Band & Color Guard Showcase, tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 3rd in the stadium. This would include a color guard routine, and battery warm ups and cadences, front ensemble warm ups and an etude, pep tunes, and possibly concert music. We would also like to recognize our seniors at this event (similar to “senior night” at the last football game). To prepare for this, we will be running in-person, 7th period rehearsals every Monday and Thursday from 1-3PM. These rehearsals are open to ALL STUDENTS in the program, including ones who opted to stay online during periods 1-6.
In order for students to participate at the in-person showcase performance, they are required to attend our in-person 7th period rehearsals. While we will continue to run the Zoom meeting for any students unable to attend in-person, these students would be missing out on important concepts like ensemble timing, blend and balance, intonation, staging for color guard, and much, much more. Please let Mr. Loney know if you have any issues regarding the practices, and we will do our best to make it work. It’s been over a year since the students last played together, and we would like as many students as possible to be a part of our showcase performance!
ALL STUDENTS: Please know that it is a privilege to be on campus. We will be the largest student organization on campus in over a year. Lead by example and set the standard for the rest of the school. If you’re a freshmen, please follow all the procedures and don’t ruin this opportunity for our seniors to have a final performance. If you’re an upperclassmen, you have a responsibility to show the underclassmen your best rehearsal ettiequte and what makes Gahr one of the strongest music programs in Southern California.
HYBRID STUDENTS: All hybrid students in the band and color guard are part of “Cohort A,” which means you’ll be in-person the rest of the school year on Mondays and Tuesdays. Remember to always bring your laptop to school fully charged. You also want to make sure you bring everything you need for in-person 7th period rehearsals on Mondays (and if you’re in the color guard, 8th period rehearsals on Tuesdays).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
CHECK-IN PROCEDURE
UPDATE: ALL STUDENTS COMING ON CAMPUS FOR 7TH AND 8TH PERIOD WILL ENTER THROUGH THE BAND GATE ON THE SIDEWALK NEAR THE GYM PARKING LOT EXIT. Follow the arrows and head straight down the sidewalk to Mr. Loney for COVID screening and a temperature check. Please come through one at a time and temporarily pull your mask down as you talk past the “thermal scanner” for Mr. Loney to get your temperature. When you see the green light, please put your mask back on correctly covering your mouth and nose. Check-in will run from 12:20-12:50PM (if you are unable to get to campus before 12:50PM, please let Mr. Loney know).
From there, if you are in color guard or percussion, you will head to the 1ST QUAD:
If you are in the woodwind or brass sections, you’ll go to the RALLY PLATFORM:
If you’re in the wind section, bring your instrument in the case with you (tubas will be the only section that may go into the band room and leave cases in there). There are orange tape marks on the ground that are 7’6” apart. We will call this your “Attendance Block” and it will be where we take roll at 12:59PM.
AFTER group announcements from Mr. Loney, we will typically split off into the following rehearsal zones:
- Winds at the Rally Platform
- Color Guard in the MPR
- Battery outside the portable (under the E-Z UPs)
- Front Ensemble in the Band Room
All students will be outdoors for some amount of time, so it is highly recommended to wear athletic shoes/clothes, and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. You may not share any of these items (including sunscreen), so make sure you bring your own. WINDS: You should be able to use the covered areas in the rally platform for your instrument cases and to go under during breaks (as long as you maintain 6’ social distancing).
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
CHECKLIST:
Face mask and instrument bell cover
Instrument/equipment
Black binder & plastic pages
Flip folder and music lyre (for pep tunes)
Clothespins
Pencil
Hat, water, sunscreen sunglasses
REMINDERS:
Wear mask at all times
Practice 6’ social distancing
No food or drinks in the band room (as always)
Practice rooms and guard room off limits
No use of portable without instructor present
Wash hands before and after class
Disinfect and wipe down surfaces
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Are in-person rehearsals mandatory?
They are not required; however, only students who attend in-person rehearsals will be in the live, in-person showcase performance. After we finish our last virtual performance recording, students who attend in-person rehearsals will not need to do any more video assignments.What if my student has a required AP study session or tutorial from 2-2:30PM?
It is absolutely still worth it to come to our in-person rehearsal! Bring your laptop fully charged and headphones, and we’ll have a room set aside for you go online. Your teacher may run tutorial on other days, so if possible please try to go on another day instead. After your AP study session or tutorial ends, you should have time to hop back into rehearsal for the last 25-30 minutes.Can my online student also come in-person to their band class 3rd, 4th, 5th, or 6th period?
No, this only applies after lunch to our 7th period marching band and 8th period color guard.Are we doing temperature checks?
Yes. All students are to come on campus through the BAND GATE one at a time. We will be using the school’s “thermal scanner,” and students are to temporarily pull their face mask down as they walk past the machine for Mr. Loney to get your temperature. Once you see the green light, please put your mask back on correctly covering your mouth and nose.What if my wind student doesn’t have a musician mask or bell cover yet? Should they come to practice?
Yes! It is very easy to make one. For the face mask, use a cloth or disposable mask and cut a slit for the mouthpiece. For the bell cover, you can use a shower cap or make one out of an old t-shirt. If you’re a flute player, Mr. Loney has some flute masks he can give you for free! If you want to buy one, Morey’s Music currently has them in stock.Is band safe?
YES!!! In early April, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health finally clarified what we knew all along, that band is a “low-contact” activity and is in the safest tier of sports (along with archery, biking, and running). We are continuing to follow our district’s protocols with social distancing and masking out of an abundance of caution.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
INFORMED CONSENT AGREEMENT
The following form needs to be completed by a parent/guardian for anyone allowing their student to come on campus. This is for both HYBRID and ONLINE students, and replaces the original paper form we had asked the percussion and guard to fill out.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
BAND PHOTOS THIS SATURDAY 4/24 📸
Our photo day is this Saturday, April 24th in the MPR! EACH SECTION HAS THEIR OWN TIME SLOT FOR THE PHOTOS. Please arrive at least 10-15 minutes before your time in case the photographer is running ahead of schedule. You will come fully dressed with your instrument through the BAND GATE, line up on the sidewalk 6 feet apart, and then enter the back door of the MPR. Artistryfoto is COVID-safe and you’ll be taking shots one at a time in front of a screen. Bring your wind instrument, flag/rifle, and sticks/mallets for your individual and panoramic photo. Once your photo is done, you’ll exit through the front door of the MPR and leave through the GYM GATE.
10:00AM Flutes
10:20AM All Clarinets
10:40AM All Saxophones
11:00AM Trumpets
11:20AM Horns/Tubas
11:40AM Trombones/Baritones
12:00PM Color Guard (make sure we have the same flag)
12:30PM Front Ensemble (and photograph instruments)
1:00PM Battery (and photograph drums)
Please wear ALL BLACK CONCERT ATTIRE - solid black, long-sleeved, button-up dress shirt, black dress pants (no stripes or jeans), long black socks, and black dress shoes (or polished marching band shoes). Color guard will be wearing “concert blacks” (like for the solo festival). STUDENTS NOT WEARING THE CORRECT ATTIRE WILL NOT BE IN THE PHOTO. Please let Mr. Loney know if you have any issues or questions.
Please note that all the order forms and proofs will be sent digitally to you as a link. They will not solicit or advertise, and the only emails/texts you receive will be for your photos. The great part about this is you can see the photos before you buy them. If you would prefer to opt out and not receive any photos or communication, please let me know.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
GAHR MARCHING GLADIATORS WEB STORE UPDATE!
This is your last chance to order your senior graduation flags! The turn around is FAST and you’ll be supporting the band program. Check them out, along with all the new merch: http://www.gahrband.org/store
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
2ND SEMESTER DONATION PAST DUE
The 2nd semester donation of $150 was due Friday, February 5th. We need your help with this in order to afford instruction, student awards, and field show registrations for next year. This donation is also critical for us to be able to have in-person rehearsals and summer practices. If you need to work out additional fundraisers or a payment plan, please email Mr. Darren Loney, Director of Bands, at darren.loney@abcusd.us. Thank you.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 4/19
Hybrid Cohort A / ODD PERIODS
IN-PERSON 7TH PERIOD
12:20-12:50PM Screening & temperature check (for 7th period)
12:55PM Color Guard & Percussion at 1st Quad and Woodwinds & Brass at Rally Platform
12:59PM Attendance/Announcements
1:15PM split into sections and open Zoom breakout rooms
1:55PM BREAK
2:05PM rehearsal continues
2:45PM clean up
2:55PM Announcements/Dismissal
TUESDAY 4/20
Hybrid Cohort A / EVEN PERIODS
IN-PERSON 8TH PERIOD
12:20-12:50PM Screening & temperature check (for 8th period color guard)
12:55PM Color Guard in MPR
1:00PM Color Guard rehearsal
1:55PMPM Announcements/Dismissal
WEDNESDAY 4/21
RISE OF SKYWALKER RECORDING DUE
9:45AM Attendance for 3rd period
Band Room open for percussion recording
THURSDAY 4/22
All Online / ODD PERIODS
IN-PERSON 7TH PERIOD
12:20-12:50PM Screening & temperature check (for 7th period)
12:55PM Color Guard & Percussion at 1st Quad and Woodwinds & Brass at Rally Platform
12:59PM Attendance/Announcements
1:15PM split into sections and open Zoom breakout rooms
1:55PM BREAK
2:05PM rehearsal continues
2:45PM clean up
2:55PM Announcements/Dismissal
FRIDAY 4/23
All Online / EVEN PERIODS
SATURDAY 4/24
BAND & GUARD PHOTO DAY!
8:00AM Set Up
10:00AM Flutes
10:20AM All Clarinets
10:40AM All Saxophones
11:00AM Trumpets
11:20AM Horns/Tubas
11:40AM Trombones/Baritones
12:00PM Color Guard (make sure we have the same flag)
12:30PM Front Ensemble (and photograph instruments)
1:00PM Battery (and photograph drums)
1:30PM Clean Up
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
IMPORTANT DATES 🗓
4/19 In-Person 7th Period Rehearsals Start (every M/Th from 1-3PM)
4/20 In-Person 8th Period Color Guard Rehearsals Start (every Tuesday 1-2PM)
4/21 Videos Due for “Rise of Skywalker”
4/24 Band & Color Guard Photo Day @ Gahr HS
5/4 Star Wars Virtual Concert @ 6:30PM
5/5 Parent Booster Meeting @ 6:30PM
5/6 Dinner Fundraiser Night - PANDA EXPRESS!
5/27 ABCUSD Band-O-Rama @ 6:30PM on Zoom
6/2 New Student/Parent Meeting @ 6:30PM
6/3 Band & Color Guard End-of-Year Showcase
TBA Senior Celebration & Awards
6/6 End-of-Year Awards Banquet
6/15-6/17 Band & Color Guard Workshops 5-8PM