VIRTUAL BAND CAMP STARTS TOMORROW!

Virtual Band Camp is this week, Monday-Thursday, August 10-13th from 2-4PM each day! This will be an exciting week of rehearsals with coaches for each section. During the week, the students will record and submit a video assignment on Google Classroom that will be used to create a virtual performance by all the members of the music program! PLEASE USE THE FOLLOWING LINK FOR YOUR SECTION EACH DAY OF REHEARSAL:

WOODWINDS/BRASS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81700544382?pwd=bVlPbnJVU25tb0s0TE55czQwRXJWQT09

BATTERY/FRONT ENSEMBLE: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87460596373

COLOR GUARD: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88390487712

If you haven’t attended any virtual rehearsals yet, OR if you have any friends who still want to be in band, it’s not too late to join us! We have a lot of fun things planned for first semester and are optimistic for second semester. Your attendance and participation at these rehearsals will have an impact on ensemble placement and performance opportunities.

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GAHR HIGH SCHOOL DISTRIBUTION DAYS

“Gahr High School Distribution Days” also takes place this week, from Tuesday, August 11th through Friday, August 14th. If you’re a senior, junior, or sophomore with a last name M-Z, you have special permission to go earlier the day of your grade level so it doesn’t conflict with our Virtual Band Camp.

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FANTASTIC PARENT MEETING! 👏

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last week’s parent meeting! We had 70+ parents tune in and were able to cover a lot of information for the upcoming semester. Our next parent meeting will be Wednesday, September 2nd at 6:30PM.

Our meetings are always open to ANY parent — however, if you would like to become an “official” booster member, please click the button below to purchase your membership! Your membership includes a t-shirt and lanyard. Because we do not have a field show this semester, we are creating a special “Gahr Marching Gladiators” t-shirt that will be included in your booster membership!

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BAND UTILITY GOLF CART FUNDRAISER!

We're raising money to purchase a much-needed, utility golf cart for the Gahr High School band program! Up to this point, every time we have an event, parents and students load up wagons and carry things by hand. Pallets of water, soda, tables, chairs, EZ-UPs, popcorn machines... If you're a current band parent or alumni, you know what we're talking about!

Fundraising events are the lifeblood of the Gahr Instrumental Music Program and your donation will have a real impact on our organization -- making things easier from concessions at football games, the Gahr Invitational Field Tournament, and even daily marching band rehearsals.

The golf cart we're hoping to purchase is a refurbished Cushman "Titan HD" for $4,500. Thanks to the generosity of our family and friends, we’ve currently raised over $3,000!  Please keep the momentum going by making a donation! Every donation makes a difference, no matter the size. Thank you!

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POPCORNOPOLIS PICK-UP ✅

Great job with the Popcornopolis pick-up! We had some incredible parents and students who did a fantastic job sorting, organizing, and distributing orders. Special thanks to current students Analia, Spencer, Katarina, and Mateo for their help. Remember it is your responsibility to distribute the Popcornopolis to the people you sold to! Please email Mrs. Wiittanen at sonya.wiitanen@gmail.com if there were any mistakes with your order. Thank you!

To clarify the amount of credit earned by Popcornopolis sales — Students were required to sell a minimum of 5 bags ($50 in sales or $25 profit/opt-out). After the first $50 of sales, students earned all additional PROFIT from the bags sold thereafter (which is 50% of the sales). Our treasurer, Mrs. Garcia, and bookkeeper, Mrs. Varney, listed any Popcornopolis credit on the statements that were emailed out. This was a mandatory group fundraiser, so if you did not sell any Popcornopolis, please turn in the minimum contribution of $25. If you did not receive a statement or believe there is an error, please email Mrs. Varney at dvarney15@gmail.com.

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FALL SEMESTER DONATION PAST DUE

The fall semester donation of $150 was due August 3rd. Your donation helps pay for coaches, music, and materials during the entire first semester. Specialized instruction inspires students to keep at it, a skill they can apply to their other classes. This will also help us be able to provide instructors for Virtual Band Camp.

We accept checks made to "Gahr Band Boosters," cash, or you can make the first semester donation online. If you raised money by selling Popcornopolis, please use this link to make a donation of a specific amount.

If you need to work out additional fundraisers or a payment plan, please email Mr. Loney, Director of Bands, at darren.loney@abcusd.us. Your donation may be tax-deductible; please consult your accounting professional. Tax ID #45-4683974.

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BAND REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT 📝

All new and returning members must fill out the 2020-21 “Band Registration and Participation Agreement” form. IF YOU HAVE NOT COMPLETED THIS FORM, YOU WILL NOT BE ENROLLED IN BAND, PERCUSSION, OR COLOR GUARD CLASSES!! Thank you to everyone who has already done this.

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GOOGLE CLASSROOM 👨‍🏫

STUDENTS: Please make sure you have added the correct classes on Google Classroom. Everyone will have video assignments this week that we will be using to create an end-of-camp virtual performance!

MARCHING BAND
Class Code: ppjhupg
All students in the program

CONCERT BAND
Class Code: hcm2mer
All freshmen woodwinds/brass

WIND ENSEMBLE
Class Code: uovvtno
All returner woodwinds/brass

BATTERY
Class Code: 4kmo6oc
All students in drumline

FRONT ENSEMBLE
Class Code: gb7ws4x
All students in the front ensemble

COLOR GUARD
Class Code: kn6s4dm (new code)
All students in the color guard

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INSTRUMENT & EQUIPMENT DONATION

There is a $35 Instrument & Equipment Donation for wind players using a school instrument and students in the battery, front ensemble, and color guard. This helps cover wear and tear; pays for "consumable" items such as drum heads, sticks, and mallets; and gives us funds to provide flags and school rifles. If you’re still in need of a school instrument or equipment, Mr. Loney will be in the Band Room this Monday 8/10 at 12PM.

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LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME WE CAN BE TOGETHER!

Our vision and mission stand strong, regardless of the current circumstances. We will continue to have the highest of expectations for character and performance, and will be taking this time to learn, condition, and grow through these experiences. Our priority is to provide the best music education to our students and strive for the next level of excellence.