THIS WEEK 1/21
Awesome work last week at Honor Band auditions, Indoor Percussion camp, and Winter Guard camp! Thank you to all the parents who helped with Honor Band auditions, prop building, and lunches/dinners for the camps. We have a busy week as we dig into festival music for Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz I, and Jazz II! Keep PRACTICING DAILY and show up to all rehearsals prepared.
Please join us for a Dinner Night Fundraiser this Thursday, January 23rd at Frantone’s Spaghetti and Pizza Villa anytime from 4-9PM! Make sure to show the flyer for either dine-in and to-go orders to support the band and color guard.
CONGRATULATIONS to all of the Gahr High School students who auditioned and earned a spot in the 2025 ABCUSD Honor Band! This was the most freshmen students we’ve ever had make the group – some even earning 1st chair positions. Thank you to all the students who practiced and auditioned – regardless of making the group. Way to represent Gahr!!
If you are in Wind Ensemble and did not make the honor band, we will have a separate wind/percussion rehearsal on February 4th and February 11th from 3:30-6:00PM to work on our festival music. This will be part of your grade in place of going to the Honor Band rehearsals.
This Dropbox link has PDFs of all the music and recordings:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/eibphc9e2lpaww0gpy888/AM-FC3j0nCOmNJfbbdeRmvU?rlkey=biwf9rxlmf9acla4r97m5s8az&dl=0
These are the four pieces for the Honor Band:
”Infinity” by Katahj Copley
”Shenandoah” by Omar Thomas
”Symphony No. 2, Mvt. III” by Frank Ticheli
”Midway March” by John Williams
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 @ 7:00PM in the Whitney MAC Theater.
CONCERT BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE UPDATE
Every wind and percussion student will be assigned to be in either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble. Wind Ensemble rehearses on Tuesdays from 3:30-6:00PM and Concert Band rehearses on Thursdays from 3:30-6:00PM. This is part of your 7th period attendance and grade. These rehearsals are SUPER IMPORTANT and are the only time that we combine our winds and percussion students together.
Please avoid scheduling orthodontist/doctor appointments, private lessons, family events, etc. during these rehearsals. Both groups are performing high-level literature and we have a limited amount of time before festival performances. While the expectation is the same for both groups, Wind Ensemble students who are not regularly showing up to rehearsals or who are not prepared on their music may be moved to Concert Band. Show up ON TIME with your music prepared, ready to work, and let’s have an amazing festival season!
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
WINTER GUARD UPDATE
Great improvement at Saturday’s camp continuing learning our 2025 production, “SQUAWK!” Please make sure you’re caught up with both the Costume Deposit of $120 and the 1st Donation of $220. If you are able to get ahead, we are trying to have enough money to continue paying for production costs like the costume, floor, and props.
We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or pay online with a credit card: https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/winter-guard-donation
We are looking for donations for the team! Please check out the wishlist here if you’re able to help:
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-54498433-color#/
Please click here to download the Winter Guard packet that was given out at the parent meeting.
INDOOR PERCUSSION UPDATE
Great progress so far learning our 2025 production, “Make What We Can.” Please make sure you’re caught up with all outstanding fall donations and have paid your first donation of $200. If you are able to get ahead, we are trying to have enough money to continue production costs for the floor, costumes, and props.
We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or pay online with a credit card:
https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/indoor-percussion-donation
Please click here to download the Indoor Percussion packet that was given out at the parent meeting.
INDOOR PERCUSSION SHOES (ordered separately):
BATTERY/VIS ENSEMBLE SHOE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09XBV1X8S/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1
FRONT ENSEMBLE SHOE: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B081PK215H/ref=ewc_pr_img_2?smid=A1N1HYMNTFQ2YK&psc=1
JAZZ I AND II UPDATE
Great work last week Jazz I and Jazz II! Regular and reliable attendance is absolutely essential going forward to build the band cohesiveness. Avoid staying up late on your phone and go to bed after you finish your homework. The Band Room is typically open at 7:00AM so that you can help set up and get a good warm up so we can start on time. Make sure you set aside time EVERY DAY to listen to jazz artists (find one you really like on your instrument), practice soloing/improv (use backing tracks and try transcribing solos), and work on the charts with a metronome. The Mayfair Jazz Festival is coming up on Friday, February 21st and we want to have a solid set for both Jazz I and II!
605 ALL-STAR BAND RECOGNITION
On Tuesday, January 28th, the 605 All-Star Band will be recognized by LA County Supervisor, Janice Hahn, for our performance in the Rose Parade. Students who are going would need to miss school from approximately 6:45AM until 12:00PM. Please note that this is also minimum day and Open House.
Please note that students will NOT be playing and will not be recognized individually. We will be receiving certificates for all students, regardless if they go to the recognition.
Students who were in the 605 All-Star Band have the option of going to the recognition. This is NOT required, and so far there have only been approximately 8 students who expressed interest. If your student wants to go, call time will be 6:45AM at Gahr wearing their black/red 605 all-star band t-shirt and jeans.
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:
TUESDAY 1/21
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I & II (EVERYONE)
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 1/22
3:20PM Band Room open to practice and have sectionals
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
THURSDAY 1/23
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I and II (EVERYONE)
3:30-6:00PM Concert Band rehearsal
4:00-9:00PM Frantone’s Dinner Night Fundraiser!
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 1/24
7:17-8:25AM Jazz I and II (EVERYONE)
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
TAKE INSTRUMENT AND MUSIC HOME TO PRACTICE JAZZ/FESTIVAL/HONOR BAND
SATURDAY 1/25
Winter Formal