JULY UPDATE!
Thank you so much to all incoming families who joined us at yesterday’s New Student/Parent Meeting! I am so excited for you to be a part of the Gahr Instrumental Music Program. Special thanks to student leaders Sydney Ortega and Iris Ji who spoke at the meeting, as well as booster presidents Diana DeLaTorre and Julie Castro, and new parent coordinators Ammie Goncalves and Ida Barcelos.
While this meeting was geared towards our new students and parents, returning families may also find this information useful! If you were unable to make the meeting, please watch the Zoom recording of the meeting and click here to download the slide deck. The “Next Steps” section below includes the Athletic Physical Form and Popcornopolis Order Form that was referenced in the meeting. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at darren.loney@abcusd.us.
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UPCOMING DATES 📆
If you need to check out any school instruments or equipment, the Band Room will be open this Monday, July 6th from 10AM-2PM. Please bring the $35 Instrument & Equipment Donation. We accept cash, checks made to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can pay it online by clicking here.
Equipment Check-Out
Monday, July 6 from 10AM-2PM
Mini-Band Camp (online)
July 7-9 from 2-5PM
Mini-Band Camp (online)
July 21-23 from 2-5PM
Band Camp (in-person, tentative)
August 3-7 from 8:30AM-5PM
Band Camp (in-person, tentative)
August 10-14 from 8:30AM-5PM
Band Camp (in-person, tentative)
August 17-21 from 8:30AM-5PM
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ONLINE MINI-CAMP STARTS NEXT WEEK!
Mini-Band Camp is for ALL STUDENTS and will be taking place online July 7-9th and July 21-23rd from 2-5PM each day. There will be separate meeting links for winds, battery, front ensemble, and color guard that will be sent out early next week. STUDENTS: Make sure you have a reliable internet connection, access to Zoom, and your instrument/equipment. As a default, please enter the meeting with your microphone OFF and your video ON. For visual rehearsal, put the camera far enough away for the instructors to be able to see your entire body. Because we did not have workshops or auditions, attendance is important to secure your spot in the program.
Band Camp is for all students and is TENTATIVELY in-person starting Monday, August 3rd. As we get closer, we will have detailed procedures that are aligned with the national and district guidelines for marching band practice. Please go through the “Next Steps” listed below, which includes completing the Band Registration and Participation Agreement and turning in the Band Camp Donation of $150 to help pay for July and August instruction.
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NEXT STEPS...
1. BAND REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT ✅
All new and returning students must fill out the Band Registration and Participation Agreement: https://forms.gle/Dc2NkHqjdcQfnjxW8. This tells me that you are in the program and helps me contact you with important information.
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2. GOOGLE CLASSROOM 👨🏫
All new students and returners need to sign up for the “Marching Band” course on Google Classroom using the class code: ppjhupg. This is for ALL SECTIONS in the band program and where we will post important information and assignments.
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3. PAY THE 1ST DONATION OF $150 🎶
The total student contribution for the marching band is $525. Your donation helps cover major items such as instructional staff, equipment and instruments, uniform maintenance, production costs, and tournament entry fees. The deadline for the first donation of $150 is Monday, August 3rd. If you need to work out additional fundraisers or a different donation plan, please speak to Mr. Loney.
We accept checks made to "Gahr Band Boosters," cash, or you can pay online here: https://gahrband.org/store/marching-band-donation. This first donation is crucial to provide instruction for the mini-camps in July and tentative Band Camp in August. This specialized instruction inspires students to keep at it, a valuable skill they can apply to their other classes.
In the event that we are not able to have a competitive field show season, this donation will be used to pay for instruction and music during the first semester. The bare-minimum plan for hybrid or online instruction might still be able to include coaching on a weekly basis.
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4. INSTRUMENT & EQUIPMENT DONATION OF $35 🥁
There is a $35 Instrument & Equipment Donation for all winds players who need a school instrument, in addition to all the members of the battery, front ensemble, and color guard. For percussionists, this helps to cover "consumable" items such as drum heads and cables, and also ensures students have their own sticks or mallets. For color guard, this allows students to have their own flags and rifles. The Band Room will be open on Monday, July 6th from 10AM-2PM for any students who still need to borrow a school instrument or equipment.
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5. POPCORNOPOLIS FUNDRAISER! 🍿
We are once again pleased to feature gourmet popcorn from Popcornopolis! These products make great gifts and are equally welcome as everyday snacks. ALL FAMILIES MUST SELL A MINIMUM OF FIVE (5) BAGS (OR TURN IN $25 PROFIT). The profit from all bags sold thereafter (50% of the cost) go to students’ account. This is a great way to raise money for your marching band donations. Popcornopolis comes vacuum sealed for freshness and safety!
Fundraiser kickoff: Tuesday, July 7th
Orders due: Wednesday, July 22nd
Sell a minimum of five (5) bags
Collect money when taking orders
Make checks payable to “Gahr Band Boosters”
Be sure to write the seller and organization name on the top of your order form
Promote to family, friends, coworkers & social-media circle to maximize sales
The student who sells the most bags will win a $50 Visa Gift Card!!
Popcornopolis is a family-owned business, committed to producing the world’s best popcorn. Their products carry a full 100% satisfaction guarantee, so we can sell with confidence. We are shooting for Popcornopolis orders to arrive the first day of Band Camp, Monday, August 3rd, and it is your responsibility to distribute popcorn to the people you sold to.
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6. SIGN UP FOR REMIND 📲
We use Remind as one of our primary methods of communication. Simply text the message in the green bubble below to the phone number 81010. Please sign up using the grade you will be entering this coming school year.
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7. SIGN UP FOR AMAZON SMILE! 😀
Support the Gahr Instrumental Music Program by shopping on Amazon! Just go to smile.amazon.com Select “GAHR BAND BOOSTERS” from the list of charitable organizations. You can now use Amazon Smile on the Amazon app on your smartphone too! Just go to “Settings” and click on “Amazon Smile.”
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8. GET YOUR BAND CAMP GEAR! 🧢
Water jug (labeled with your name)
Hat (with a brim)
Athletic clothing
Athletic shoes (no Vans)
Sunscreen
Mask (worn at all times)
Black 3-ring binder with sheet protectors
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9. BUY A FACE MASK… OR THREE! 😷
As wearing face masks has become a regular part of daily life, do your part to slow the spread of the virus while supporting the Gahr Marching Gladiators! This cotton mask is super comfortable and breathable. It is recommended that reusable face masks be washed daily, so consider getting enough for the week. Save money when you purchase a 3-pack!
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10. STAY IN CONTACT 📣
WEBSITE: www.gahrband.org
INSTAGRAM: Follow us @gahrband
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/gahrband
REMIND: Freshmen text "@music2024” to “81010”
EMAIL: darren.loney@abcusd.us
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