CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONCERT BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE!

The Gahr High School Concert Band and Wind Ensemble gave outstanding performances this past Friday at the SCSBOA Festival held at Rosemead High School. We’re proud to share that both ensembles earned a “Unanimous Superior” rating – the highest possible score! In addition, each group received a “Superior” rating in sight-reading. We would also like to congratulate Mr. Lopez and Ross Middle School on earning a Unanimous Superior as well!

The Wind Ensemble had the special opportunity to meet the composer of “An American Songkran, Kevin Charoensri. Mr. Charoensri offered kind words to the students, led a thoughtful Q&A session, and even took the time to autograph their music. It was a memorable experience and a great reward for all the hard work the students have put in. The Wind Ensemble also had a wonderful clinic on Tuesday with collegiate professor, Dr. Christine Lundahl!

We would like to extend a huge thank you to all the parents who supported us on Friday, whether by chaperoning or helping with transportation and equipment. Special thanks to Gahr High School Dean, Mr. Ariel Legaspi, for attending the festival and accompanying our seniors to Six Flags, and to parent Angie Cruz for making a heroic trip back to retrieve two forgotten French horns – just in time for Concert Band’s performance!

WINTER GUARD & INDOOR PERCUSSION – SHOUT OUT!

Both the Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion had strong showings this past weekend at the WGI West Power Regionals, proudly representing Gahr on the national stage. Thank you to all the parents who made this weekend possible—through carpooling, equipment help, and more. We truly appreciate it!

As we head into the final weeks of the winter season, we’re excited to continue improving our productions. Winter Guard will compete this Saturday at a WGASC event at Huntington Beach High School, and Indoor Percussion will head to Great Oak High School for the SCPA Scholastic World Prelims. Keep up the great work!!

FINAL INDOOR PERCUSSION DONATION DUE THIS FRIDAY (3/28)

The final $200 Indoor Percussion donation is due this Friday, March 28. This contribution is critical – we are unable to cover the costs of the Indoor Percussion season without your support. Please submit payment in cash, by check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online: https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/indoor-percussion-donation

PACIFIC SYMPHONY YOUTH WIND ENSEMBLE – "COLLABORATIONS"

William Wu and the Pacific Symphony Youth Wind Ensemble will be performing their program “Collaborations” tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25th at 7:00PM at the Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall! This concert features an artistic collaboration with the ~NOIS Saxophone Quartet, and the Fullerton College Concert Choir and Chamber Singers! Tickets are FREE and available here: https://tickets.pacificsymphony.org/main/seats/29599?_gl=1*3805j0*_gcl_au*MTQ5OTY0MTkxNS4xNzQyNTEwODky

INDOOR PERCUSSION @ SCPA CHAMPIONSHIP PRELIMS – THIS SATURDAY 3/29

Indoor Percussion will be performing at SCPA Championship Prelims this Saturday, March 29th.

ITINERARY: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/10800jj49XnQJm1Bj43xhk8lwDQfIhPRnHHuelpya1c8/edit?usp=sharing
LOCATION: Great Oak High School
ADDRESS: 32555 Deer Hollow Way, Temecula, CA 92592
CALL TIME: 8:00AM at Gahr HS
WEBSITE: https://scpauploads.s3.amazonaws.com/hosts/1375167062-Weekend2PrelimsParticipantInformation.pdf
GENERAL ADMISSION: $20.00

VARSITY GUARD @ WGASC HUNTINGTON BEACH – THIS SATURDAY 3/29

The Winter Guard will be performing at the WGASC Huntington Beach show this Saturday, March 29th.

ITINERARY: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13qZFsAOkwTze3478YCcNauW0OxLj15WmJW4dWmDMuMo/edit?usp=sharing
LOCATION: Huntington Beach High School
ADDRESS: 1905 Main St, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
CALL TIME: 12:00PM at Gahr HS
WEBSITE: https://wgasc.org/events/32989/
GENERAL ADMISSION: $15.00

SEE’S CANDIES SPRING 2025 FUNDRAISER!

We are so excited to begin our See’s Candy Online Fundraiser – Yum-Raiser!! This fundraiser is to help students raise money for their accounts, as well as give your family and friends an opportunity to purchase some delicious chocolate! Students can earn 20-50% profit (depending on item). Profits earned will go towards the participating student’s account. Items ordered will be shipped as soon as the order is placed. The last day to order is Friday, April 4th, so there will be enough time for delivery before Easter.

Band and Guard members and parents should have received an email with a personalized link from the Yum-Raising site. This link is sent you directly to the storefront that is already set up for our Gahr Band and Color Guard Spring 2025 Fundraiser. The first few letters of your first name should appear in your link. If you did not receive the link and want to participate, please reach out to Vickie Gonzales at wvw3@ymail.com.

ℹ️ Flyer: https://www.gahrband.org/s/Sees-Spring-2025-Flyer.pdf

📅 Deadline: 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!

If you would like to support the overall Gahr Instrumental Music Program, you can use or share this link: https://www.yumraising.com/secure/gahrhsb_gahr_band_and_color_guard__spring_fun60/DarDar8273/candy

Please note: The emails from Yum-raising will probably state that “Julie Castro has invited you to help…” Julie Castro is one of our alumni parents who initially set up the See’s Candies Yum-Raising account. In the interest of time, Vickie will be using Julie’s account to send out See’s Candy Yum-Raising Information.

MANDATORY PARENT/STUDENT MEETING – APRIL 2ND @ 6:30PM!

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

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.

DRUMLINE & GUARD “SPRING SHOWCASE” – THURSDAY 4/10

The annual ABCUSD Drumline & Guard Spring Showcase is Thursday, April 10th in the Gahr HS Gym! If you've never seen drums or flags in a gym, you will definitely want to check this out. We are super excited to be adding Ross MS Indoor Percussion and Artesia HS Winter Guard and Artesia HS Indoor Percussion this year!

Doors open at 6:00PM and the first group performs at 6:30PM. PLEASE NOTE THAT PERFORMANCE TIMES/ORDER ARE STILL TBA. This event is FREE and open to the public! Please bring money for concessions and merchandise!

JAZZ BAND – 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.

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.

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES/EVENTS

3/28 Indoor Percussion Donation #4 Due
3/29 Indoor Percussion @ SCPA Championship Prelims
3/29 Winter Guard @ WGASC Huntington Beach
4/2 Important Parent/Student Meeting @ 6:30PM
4/4 See’s Candy Fundraiser Ends
4/5 SCPA Championship Finals @ CSUSB Coussoulis Arena
4/9 Cerritos College Jazz Festival
4/10 ABCUSD Drumline & Guard Spring Showcase
4/11 Winter Guard Donation #4 Due
4/12 Winter Guard @ WGASC Finals
4/13 Winter Guard @ WGASC Championships
4/14 ABCUSD Jazz Showcase @ Artesia HS Gym
4/15 Basket Donation Due
4/17 Spring Pep Rally (Winter Guard & Indoor Percussion)
4/30 Monthly Parent Booster Meeting @ 6:30PM
5/3 Mattress Fundraiser & FUNDrive event
5/7 Gahr Area Concert @ 6:30PM

THIS WEEK:

Monday 3/24
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal

Tuesday 3/25
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT
3:30PM Senior Candle Rose Rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
7:00PM Pacific Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts (FREE!)

Wednesday 3/26
5:30-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal

Thursday 3/27
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT
3:30-6:00PM Full Combined Band – “Godzilla Eats Las Vegas”
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal

Friday 3/28
FINAL INDOOR PERCUSSION DONATION DUE ($200)
7:17AM JAZZ I & II DOWNBEAT
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal

Saturday 3/29
SCPA Championship Prelims @ Great Oak HS
Winter Guard @ WGASC Huntington Beach HS