IN-PERSON REHEARSALS CONTINUE THIS WEEK!
Congratulations on a great 1st week of in-person rehearsals!!! After not hearing the band play together for over a year, it was so exciting and emotional to have nearly 100 band and color guard students practicing on campus. I know it has not been easy to purchase band PPE, arrange for transportation in the middle of the school day, and for the students to push through rehearsal wearing masks the entire time. Overall, everything from the check-in process to the rehearsal have gone smoothly and the students didn’t miss a beat. I’m especially proud of our upperclassmen for setting an awesome example and instilling the culture that we have worked so hard to build. We are putting together a socially-distanced, outdoor showcase on Thursday, June 3 to give our students an opportunity to perform — as well as a final concert for our seniors. In order for students to participate at the in-person showcase performance, they are required to attend our in-person 7th period rehearsals.
I am hoping that all the students can be screened and temperature checked by 12:50PM when they come for in-person 7th and 8th period rehearsals. Unfortunately, I have to wait at the gate until the last student shows up, which was around 1:00PM on Thursday (and I was unable to get to the rehearsal zone and start rehearsal until closer to 1:10PM). I appreciate your help to get to Gahr ASAP from your 5th period class ending at 12:07PM — which should give you about 40 minutes if you leave right away. Thank you!
STUDENTS: Just a friendly reminder that even though the majority of the band is coming to in-person rehearsals, we still need to MAX OUT our classes when we’re online. That means logging in early, warming up, being visible ON CAMERA with your instrument/equipment, and participating 100%. The Zoom classes can be a valuable tool so we’re further ahead when we have our in-person rehearsals — which ultimately means our showcase performance will be even better!
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VACCINATIONS THIS TUESDAY 4/27 FOR ANYONE 16 AND OLDER
Any students and their family members that are 16 and over can get vaccinated this Tuesday, April 27 from 2:30-4:00PM at The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy, located at 11515 Artesia Blvd. Suite 101, Artesia, CA 90701.
1. You must register prior to the event using this link for our group:
https://www.caprepmod.org/reg/0411362995
2. You must be 16 and older only. It is okay to register family members as well. A parent must accompany anyone under the age of 18.
3. DAY OF: You must bring proof of age that shows date of birth. This could be a birth certificate, passport, or even the school “Aeries” portal showing D.O.B. School IDs are not accepted because they typically do not have the date of birth on them. If possible, please also bring a copy of ID and your insurance.
If you have any questions, please email or call the pharmacy at (562) 402-1000 and ask for the coordinator, Elizabeth Fuller, or manager, Jaime Vos.
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UPDATED REHEARSAL CHECK-IN PROCEDURE
Please walk all the way up to the check-in table WITH YOUR MASK ON so that Mr. Loney can scan your forehead for your temperature. Then head directly to your rehearsal zone and set up ASAP for practice:
- Winds on dot grid (behind the Rally Platform)
- Color Guard in the MPR
- Battery outside the portable (under the E-Z UPs)
- Front Ensemble in the Band Room
All students will be outdoors for some amount of time, so it is highly recommended to wear athletic shoes/clothes, and bring water, a hat, and sunscreen. You may not share any of these items (including sunscreen), so make sure you bring your own. Towards the end of rehearsal, we will stop early to get everything put away, and then go to the ATTENDANCE BLOCK (percussion/guard in the 1st quad and winds at the rally platform) for final announcements and dismissal.
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FAQS
Are in-person rehearsals mandatory?
They are not required; however, only students who attend in-person rehearsals will be able to participate at the in-person showcase performance. Students who come to in-person rehearsals will also not need to submit any more video assignments (as long as they are actively participating in our online classes too).What if my student has a required AP study session or tutorial from 2-2:30PM?
Bring your laptop fully charged and headphones, and we’ll have a room set aside for you go online. Your teacher may run tutorial on other days, so if possible please try to go on another day instead. After your AP study session or tutorial ends, please hop back into rehearsal ASAP for the last 25-30 minutes.Are we doing temperature checks?
Yes. All students are to come onto campus through the BAND GATE and we will use an infrared thermometer to scan their forehead.What if my wind student doesn’t have a musician mask or bell cover yet? Should they come to practice?
Yes!! It is very easy to make one. For the face mask, use a cloth or disposable mask and cut a slit for the mouthpiece. For the bell cover, you can use a shower cap or make one out of an old t-shirt. Morey’s Music also has them in stock - 4834 Woodruff Ave, Lakewood, CA 90713.Is band safe?
YES!!! In early April, the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health finally clarified what we knew all along, that band is a “low-contact” activity and is in the safest tier of sports (along with archery, biking, and running). We are continuing to follow our district’s protocols with social distancing and masking out of an abundance of caution.
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PHOTO DAY RECAP!
Thank you to everyone who came to our band and color guard photo day! Everyone looked great in their black festival attire and we are looking forward to the proofs in the next few weeks. STUDENTS: The bottom of the form has a QR code that will be a link to your photos when they are ready. They will also use our roster to email you your link so that you can see your photos before you buy them. If you were unable to come to the photo day, we are trying to schedule a make up day based on the photographer’s availability - most likely on a Monday or Thursday from 1-3PM when we normally have in-person rehearsal.
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2ND SEMESTER DONATION PAST DUE
The 2nd semester donation of $150 was due Friday, February 5th. We need your help with this in order to afford instruction, student awards, and field show registrations for next year. This donation is also critical for us to be able to have in-person rehearsals and summer practices. If you need to work out additional fundraisers or a payment plan, please email Mr. Darren Loney, Director of Bands, at darren.loney@abcusd.us. Thank you.
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DINNER NIGHT FUNDRAISER - NEXT THURSDAY 5/6
Support the Gahr Instrumental Music Program on Thursday, May 6th by eating at Panda Express, Baja Fresh, or Cold Stone Creamery! Make sure you show the flyer when placing your order and a portion of your purchase will be donated to our program. All three are located in the Cerritos Promenade at the corner of South St. & Gridley Rd. Thank you for your support!!
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GAHR MARCHING GLADIATORS WEB STORE UPDATE!
This is your last chance to order your senior graduation flags! The turn around is FAST and you’ll be supporting the band program. Check them out, along with all the new merch: http://www.gahrband.org/store
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THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 4/26
HYBRID/ONLINE PERIODS 1/3/5
IN-PERSON 7TH PERIOD REHEARSAL!
12:20PM Check-in with Mr. Loney @ the Band Gate
12:50PM Set up for rehearsal / Warm Up
12:59PM Rehearsal downbeat
1:55PM Break
2:05PM Rehearsal resumes
2:45PM Clean Up / Put Away Equipment
2:55PM Final Announcements / Dismissal
TUESDAY 4/27
HYBRID/ONLINE PERIODS 2/4/6
IN-PERSON 8TH PERIOD GUARD REHEARSAL
12:20PM Check-in with Mr. Loney @ the Band Gate
12:50PM Color Guard set up in MPR
12:55PM Rehearsal downbeat
2:30-4:00PM VACCINATIONS FOR BAND & GUARD FAMILIES
REGISTRATION: https://www.caprepmod.org/reg/0411362995
The Medicine Shoppe Pharmacy
11515 Artesia Blvd. Suite 101
Artesia, CA 90701
WEDNESDAY 4/28
9:45AM Check-in 3rd Period Online
2:00PM Jacob Collier - LBCC Zoom - ASK MR. LONEY IF YOU’RE INTERESTED!
THURSDAY 4/29
ALL ONLINE PERIODS 1/3/5
IN-PERSON 7TH PERIOD REHEARSAL!
12:20PM Check-in with Mr. Loney @ the Band Gate
12:50PM Set up for rehearsal / Warm Up
12:59PM Rehearsal downbeat
1:55PM Break
2:05PM Rehearsal resumes
2:45PM Clean Up / Put Away Equipment
2:55PM Final Announcements / Dismissal
FRIDAY 4/30
ALL ONLINE PERIODS 2/4/6/8
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IMPORTANT DATES 🗓
4/28 Jacob Collier - LBCC Zoom
5/4 Star Wars Virtual Concert @ 6:30PM
5/5 Parent Booster Meeting @ 6:30PM
5/6 Dinner Fundraiser Night - Rubios, Panda, Cold Stone Creamery
5/27 ABCUSD Band-O-Rama @ 6:30PM on Zoom
6/2 New Student/Parent Meeting @ 6:30PM
6/3 Band & Color Guard End-of-Year Showcase
TBA Senior Celebration & Awards
6/6 End-of-Year Awards Banquet
6/15-6/17 Band & Color Guard Workshops 5-8PM