THIS WEEK 2-17

Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2025 ABCUSD Honor Band on an amazing performance! Thank you to all the students and parents who helped make our 2025 Sax-y Grams a huge success! We also appreciate everyone who supported the music program by going to 7Leaves on Thursday. Thank you to all the Winter Guard parents who came to the WGI San Diego Information Meeting last Thursday.

Winter Guard competing at the WGI San Diego Regional this weekend, February 22nd-23rd. Please note that this is an overnight trip and costs $150 per student — DUE AND PAID IN FULL BY TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online.

Jazz I and II will be performing at the Mayfair Jazz Festival this Friday, February 21st. Both bands will have zero period rehearsals all this week – including Wednesday morning. On Friday, Jazz I and II will perform their set for each other. We need 100% ON-TIME ATTENDANCE in order to be successful. Please make sure you’ve turned in your $50 donation to receive your new tie.

ABCUSD Honor Band Concert – Thank You!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended the ABCUSD Honor Band Concert last Wednesday! Both the middle school and high school bands gave outstanding performances. Videos of the concert will be available soon on this channel: Music Amenities YouTube. Stay tuned! 🎵

Regular Band Rehearsals This Week

With Honor Band behind us, it’s time to focus on our upcoming festival performances! Wind Ensemble will be performing at the CSUF Festival of Winds next Saturday, February 28th. We have rehearsals this week with all winds and percussion:

• Wind Ensemble: Tuesday, 2/18, from 3:30-6:00PM

• Concert Band: Thursday, 2/20, from 3:30-6:00PM

Attendance at rehearsals is mandatory. Please make every effort to avoid scheduling doctor’s appointments, family events, or other commitments on your rehearsal day. Consistent practice is essential—be sure to use a metronome daily and continue listening to recordings to refine your performance. Students who are not at rehearsals may not perform.

Winter Guard @ WGI San Diego This Weekend

📌 ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/ebrb784f
🎟️ SHOW INFO: https://www.wgi.org/event/2025-season-san-diego-regional-c/
📍 ADDRESS: Del Norte HS – 16601 Nighthawk Ln, San Diego, CA 92127

The Varsity Winter Guard will be participating in the WGI Regional Winter Guard competition held at Del Norte High School in San Diego this weekend, February 22-23rd. This event draws the best Winter Guards from throughout the area and gives our students the opportunity to not only compete against these top guards, but also to watch some of the best groups in the nation competing in the world division.

This is an overnight trip and costs $150 per student — DUE AND PAID IN FULL BY THIS TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online. This covers lodging for one night, as well as meals throughout the weekend. Students are still welcome to bring additional money for food and snacks at the competition site.

Please click here to download the itinerary that was given out at the parent meeting. In addition to the $150 to cover the trip, your student must be current on their Winter Guard donations in order to participate in the trip.

As with all trips for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program, students must stay in the hotel with other students. We are asking for all students to carpool with the same students that will be in their hotel room. We ask that students stay together as a group for the entire weekend. It is great that a number of parents and families will be coming to support, but we ask that you please do not pull your child away from the rest of the group.

We’re looking forward to a fun-filled and rewarding trip!

23rd Annual “Blue Dragon” Jazz Festival – This Friday, 2/21

Jazz I and II will be performing at the Mayfair Jazz Festival is this Friday, February 21st. The festival is FREE and open to the public, so invite your friends and family to enjoy an incredible evening of jazz. Please make sure you’ve turned in your $50 donation and bring extra money for concessions. 🎶🎷

📍 LOCATION: Mayfair High School – 6000 Woodruff Ave, Lakewood, CA 90713

3:20PM – Take instruments, mutes, cables, sticks, music, and everything you need.

Change into jazz attire:
Jazz I – Black dress pants, white long-sleeve button-up dress shirt, gray vest, long black socks, black dress shoes, and a grape tie.
Jazz II – Black dress pants, black long-sleeve button-up dress shirt, long black socks, black dress shoes, and a blue/gold tie.

4:30PM – Call time at Mayfair HS, unload and stack equipment
5:00 PM – Watch Ross MS (STEAM building)
5:30 PM – Jazz I warm-up (Room 805)
6:00 PM – Jazz I performance (MPB)
6:30 PM – Watch Cerritos HS (MPB)
7:30 PM – Jazz II warm-up (Room 803)
8:00 PM – Jazz II performance (STEAM building)
8:30 PM – Watch Don Lugo HS
9:00 PM – Watch Long Beach City College
9:35 PM – Awards in MPB
10:00 PM – Load up and get picked up from Mayfair HS

Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, and Jazz Band T-Shirt Pre-Orders

Pre-order your Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, or Jazz Band t-shirt ! These exclusive shirts are just $20 each and a great way to support our talented performers while representing the program in style.

Stock is limited, so be sure to place your order before they’re gone! Don’t miss out—grab yours now and wear it proudly at upcoming performances! 🎵🔥

Jazz Band Semester Donation

We are requesting a $50 semester donation from all Jazz Band students to help cover the cost of new ties, jazz t-shirts, folders, coaches, and festivals. Please turn in cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online.

Winter Program Wishlists

Support our Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard students by checking out their wishlists and making a donation! This is the Indoor Percussion Wishlist and this is the Winter Guard Wishlist. Your generosity helps provide essentials needed for a successful season. Thank you!

Upcoming Performances 🎶✨

Fri, Feb 21 – Jazz I & II at the Mayfair Jazz Festival
Sat, Feb 22–Sun, Feb 23 – Winter Guard @ WGI San Diego
Fri, Feb 28 – Wind Ensemble at the CSUF Festival of Winds
Sat, Mar 1 – Indoor Percussion at SCPA Monrovia HS
Tue, Mar 4 – Wind Ensemble at SCSBOA Festival @ Kennedy HS
Sat, Mar 8 – Jazz I & II at the Esperanza Jazz Festival
Sat, Mar 8–Sun, Mar 9 – Winter Guard at WGI Manhattan Beach @ Mira Costa HS
Wed, Mar 12 – Concert Band & Wind Ensemble at ABC District Festival @ Whitney HS
Fri, Mar 21 – Concert Band & Wind Ensemble at SCSBOA Festival @ Rosemead HS
Sat, Mar 22–Sun, Mar 23 – Indoor Percussion at WGI West Coast Power Regional @ Rancho Cucamonga HS
Sat, Mar 22–Sun, Mar 23 – Winter Guard at WGI West Coast Power Regional @ Palm Desert HS
Sat, Mar 29 – Indoor Percussion at SCPA Prelims @ Great Oak HS
Sat, Mar 29 – Winter Guard at WGASC Show @ Huntington Beach HS
Sat, Apr 5 – Indoor Percussion at SCPA Finals @ Coussoulis Arena at CSUSB
Wed, Apr 9 – Jazz I & II at Cerritos College Jazz Festival

This Week’s Schedule 🎶

Monday, 2/17
8:30AM – Band Room open
9:00AM-1:00PM – Winter Guard rehearsal
9:00AM-5:00PM – Indoor Percussion camp (bring $5 for lunch)

Tuesday, 2/18
🔹 Winter Guard WGI San Diego Money Due – $150
🔹 Jazz Band Semester Donation Due – $50
7:00AM – Band Room open
7:17-8:25AM – Jazz I & II
3:30-6:00PM – Wind Ensemble rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM – Winter Guard rehearsal

Wednesday, 2/19
7:00AM – Band Room open
7:17-8:25AM – Jazz I & II
6:00-9:00PM – Indoor Percussion rehearsal

Thursday, 2/20
7:00AM – Band Room open
7:17-8:25AM – Jazz I & II
3:30-6:00PM – Concert Band rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM – Winter Guard rehearsal

Friday, 2/21
7:00AM – Band Room open
7:17-8:25AM – Jazz I & II perform for each other
Take instruments and music home
Jazz I & II at the Mayfair Jazz Festival

Saturday, 2/22
Winter Guard at WGI San Diego Regional
9:00AM-4:00PM – Indoor Percussion rehearsal (bring $5 for lunch)

Sunday, 2/23
Winter Guard at WGI San Diego Regional

Let’s have a great week! 🎵🔥