THIS WEEK 3/17
A huge congratulations to the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble for their fantastic performances at the ABC District Festival this past Wednesday! Both groups received high praise and valuable feedback from our adjudicators, and they also had amazing clinics with Dr. Whitmore. A special thank you to the family, friends, and alumni who came out to support the bands, including Gahr HS Dean, Mr. Ariel Legaspi! We would also like to extend our gratitude to the parents who helped provide dinner for both Gahr HS and Ross MS – your support means so much to our students.
We have a big week ahead with our final rehearsals leading up to SCSBOA Festival on Friday and the WGI Power Regionals for Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard this weekend! Please note that even though the WGI Percussion Power Regional is normally a two-day event, Scholastic World (our division) will only be competing on Saturday 3/22 (no Sunday).
Winter Guard still has a two-day WGI Regional this weekend in Palm Desert – and all members must be fully caught up with their donations in order to participate in this overnight trip. We have a Mandatory Guard Parent Meeting on Thursday 3/20 at 8:30PM in the staff lounge (this will only take 30 minutes and will be done by the end of Winter Guard practice). Please click here for the WGI Palm Desert Regional itinerary.
⏰ Jazz Band Update – Commitment to Excellence
Jazz Band Students & Families – We are incredibly proud of the progress Jazz I and II have made this year, and we want to continue building on that success. However, we need to address an important issue regarding attendance and punctuality.
The Expectation: Rehearsal begins at 7:17AM sharp — this means you are warmed up, set up, and ready to play when the tardy bell rings. You need to arrive however much earlier is necessary for you to accomplish this. Arriving at 7:17AM is already late. If you are walking in, setting up, or still arriving at school at this time, you are missing valuable rehearsal time and affecting the group’s progress.
For nearly a decade, zero period Jazz Band at Gahr started at 6:30AM—a full 47 minutes earlier than now. That level of dedication helped shape the high standards and strong musicianship that we expect from this program.
Important Reminder: Jazz Band is a class, and habitual tardiness or absences will have a significant impact on your grade. Skipping Jazz Band while still attending school is considered truancy, just like ditching any other class. Additionally, we are fortunate to have professional musicians working with us daily, but maintaining a professional rehearsal environment is essential. If we do not uphold these expectations, we risk losing these valuable opportunities.
We know you are capable of more, and we believe in what both groups can achieve. However, success is only possible if everyone commits to being on time and fully engaged. Let’s step up, hold ourselves accountable, and ensure Gahr Jazz remains a program of excellence.
SCSBOA FESTIVAL THIS FRIDAY 3/21 AT ROSEMEAD HS
This week, we are gearing up for the SCSBOA Festival on Friday, March 21st at Rosemead High School! This is our last performance of the festival season, where we will play for a panel of adjudicators for a rating and be evaluated on sight-reading. As a special highlight, Kevin Charoensri, the composer of “An American Songkran,” will be traveling to see our performance in person on Friday!
After the Wind Ensemble joined the Concert Band for last week’s ABC District Festival, we saw how beneficial it was for both groups, and we have decided to continue this approach for the SCSBOA Festival. By having all students perform together, we can create a stronger, more cohesive ensemble and provide everyone with a more rewarding and successful festival experience. We’re excited for a great performance!
Final MANDATORY Rehearsals Before Festival:
🎼 Tuesday (3/18) – Wind Ensemble Rehearsal (3:30-6:00PM)
Dr. Christine Lundahl will be joining us for a clinic to help refine our festival music!
🎼 Thursday (3/20) – Combined Band Rehearsal with ALL STUDENTS (3:30-6:00PM)
We will review Concert Band pieces, practice sight-reading, and do a final review/run-through of the Wind Ensemble pieces.
Attendance is crucial – students must be in attendance for these rehearsals or they may not perform at festival.
📌 Important Festival Information:
Field trip forms will be handed out by Mr. Loney and must be signed for an excused absence from periods 2-6.
Departure: We will leave from Gahr immediately after 1st period, so please come to school already wearing your all-black concert attire.
Bring money for lunch and dinner
Senior Privilege Day: If you are a senior planning to attend senior privilege day at Six Flags magic mountain, we have worked it out for you to be able to leave on one of the buses immediately after Wind Ensemble is done performing/sight-reading at festival. Seniors in Concert Band will still be able to attend the festival with the group; however, since Concert Band performs later in the afternoon, you will need to choose between performing or attending Six Flags (your grade will not be affected for missing the Concert Band performance).
SCSBOA Festival Itinerary – Friday, March 21st
📍 Location: Rosemead High School – 9063 Mission Dr, Rosemead, CA 91770
🎼 Attire: Wear all-black concert attire to school – Solid black, long-sleeved, collared, button-up dress shirt, black dress pants/slacks, long black socks, and black dress shoes
💰 Meals: Bring money for lunch & dinner.
8:30AM – Seniors report to gym
8:45AM – Cap & gown distribution
9:15AM – Senior panoramic photo (wear all-black concert attire under cap & gown)
9:31AM – Students report to Band Room (2nd period) in all-black concert attire
9:45AM – Load buses ASAP (one bus for seniors going to Six Flags)
10:00AM (or earlier) – Depart for Rosemead HS
10:45AM – Arrive / Unload ASAP!
11:00AM – Wind Ensemble warm-up / Concert Band eat concessions ASAP
11:30AM – Wind Ensemble performance
12:00PM – Wind Ensemble sight-reading
12:30PM – Seniors & Wind Ensemble put away instruments & get concessions
1:00PM (or earlier) – Senior bus departs for Six Flags Magic Mountain
2:15PM – Concert Band warm-up
2:45PM – Concert Band performance
3:15PM – Concert Band sight-reading
3:45PM – Debrief & put away instruments
4:00PM – Dinner at In-N-Out (across the street)
5:00PM – Return to theater (audience concert ettiequte)
5:15PM – Watch Rancho Bernardo HS Wind Ensemble
5:45PM – Load buses
6:00PM – Depart for Gahr HS
6:30PM – Arrive / Unload ASAP / Dismissal
📢 See’s Candies Spring 2025 Fundraiser – Yum-Raiser! 🍫
We’re excited to kick off our See’s Candies Online Fundraiser – Yum-Raiser! This is a fantastic way for students to earn money for their accounts while giving family and friends the chance to enjoy some delicious chocolate.
📅 Fundraiser Dates: Monday, March 17 – Friday, April 4
💰 Student Profit: 20-50% (depending on the item)
🚚 Shipping: Orders ship as soon as they are placed. Be sure to order by April 4th to ensure delivery before Easter!
Each band and color guard member will receive an email with a personalized link to their online storefront, already set up for the Gahr Band & Color Guard 2025 Spring Fundraiser. Your link will contain the first few letters of your first name for easy identification.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Vickie Gonzales at wvw3@ymail.com.
⚠️ Important Note: Emails from Yum-Raising may say, “Julie Castro has invited you to help…” Julie Castro is a dedicated alumni parent who originally set up the account, and in the interest of time, Vickie will be using her account to send out fundraiser details.
Thank you for your support, and happy fundraising!! 🎉
Senior Graduation Stole Payment Due This Friday (3/21)
The Senior Graduation Stole payment of $50 is due this Friday, March 21st. To be eligible, seniors must have been enrolled in the Gahr Instrumental Music program for all 8 semesters and have maintained a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
Winter Guard Donation #3 of $220 was due Friday, March 14th. All members of the Winter Guard must be caught up with all outstanding donations in order to participate in the WGI West Power Regional this weekend. Please submit payment in cash, by check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or pay online here: https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/winter-guard-donation
The 3rd Indoor Percussion Donation of $200 is past due. Please submit payment in cash, by check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or pay online here: https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/indoor-percussion-donation
SAVE THE DATE! We need ALL PARENTS to come to an important meeting on Wednesday, April 2nd at 6:30PM. In addition to our general booster meeting with information for upcoming fundraisers and performances, we’ll be kicking off a Mattress Fundraiser. If we have over 100 parents in attendance, our program will automatically receive $1,000! Let’s make it happen!
Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, & Jazz Band T-Shirts – Get Yours Now!
Show your support and rep the program in style with our Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, and Jazz Band t-shirts! These shirts are just $20 each and a perfect way to cheer on our talented performers at their upcoming events.
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, Mar 21 – Concert Band & Wind Ensemble at SCSBOA Festival @ Rosemead HS
Sat, Mar 22 – 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
Thu, Apr 10 – Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard Spring Showcase @ Gahr HS Gym!
THIS WEEK:
Monday 3/17
Happy St. Patrick’s Day! 🍀
NO JAZZ BAND
See’s Easter Candy Fundraiser Starts!
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
Tuesday 3/18
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT — Arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up and warm up.
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble final rehearsal and clinic with Dr. Christine Lundahl
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
Wednesday 3/19
7:30AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT — Arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up and warm up.
5:30-9:00PM Indoor Percussion
Thursday 3/20
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT — Arrive 10-15 minutes early to set up and warm up.
3:30-6:00PM Combined Band – final rehearsal & sight-reading
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
8:30PM Mandatory Winter Guard Parent Meeting for WGI Palm Desert Regional trip
Friday 3/21
SENIOR STOLE MONEY DUE ($50)
NO JAZZ BAND
SCSBOA FESTIVAL @ ROSEMEAD HS
Show up wearing all black concert attire and bring money for lunch/dinner. Seniors please wear your all black concert attire under your cap and gown for the senior panoramic.
9:31AM Concert Band & Wind Ensemble students report to Band Room 2nd period
10:00AM Depart for Rosemead HS – 9063 Mission Dr, Rosemead, CA 91770
11:00AM Wind Ensemble warm up time
11:30AM Wind Ensemble performance
12:00PM Wind Ensemble sight-reading
2:15PM Concert Band warm up
2:45PM Concert Band performance
3:15PM Concert Band sight-reading
6:00PM Head back to Gahr HS
6:30PM Arrive / Unload ASAP / Dismissal
Saturday 3/22
Indoor Percussion @ WGI West Percussion Power Regional
Winter Guard @ WGI West Power Regional
Sunday 3/23
Winter Guard @ WGI West Power Regional