WBA CHAMPIONSHIPS UPDATE
Congratulations on another great week for the Gahr instrumental Music Program! Last Tuesday was our first-ever Fall Jazz Concert and the students had a wonderful performance with fantastic solos. Thank you to everyone who came to Wednesday’s WBA Championships parent meeting and who supported the program by eating at Panda Express on Thursday. We had an amazing turn out for Friday’s “Middle School Band and Color Guard Night” and would like to thank Ross, Haskell, and Tetzlaff for attending. Finally, congratulations to the Gahr Marching Gladiators on our best performance yet – and for winning Class 4A at the WBA So Cal Regional Championships! A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the parents who have been helping at our fundraisers, events, and performances – we could not do this without you!! PARENTS: This is the sign up genius link for WBA Championships!
Photo Credit Jerry Islas and Oneida Santana
We are continuing to max out our 2024 production this week as we prepare to head up north for WBA Class Finals and Grand Championships this weekend! Please make sure you’re hydrating, getting rest, wash your hands frequently, and wear a mask if you have the sniffles. We need 100% attendance and for everyone to be heathy so we can be successful.
WE ONLY HAVE TWO REHEARSALS REMAINING:
Wednesday 5:30-8:30PM in the stadium
Thursday 5:30-9:00PM in the stadium** (rehearsal, final run-through, loading)
**Please note that we will be doing a final run-through on Thursday and encourage family, friends, and alumni to attend; however, students will be wearing normal clothes (NO UNIFORMS/COSTUMES). This will allow them to get more time rehearsing and improving the show, as well as be able to load and go home faster to pack and go to bed. Thank you!
ALL DONATIONS PAST DUE – AT THIS POINT, ALL FALL DONATIONS ARE PAST DUE. We will not be able to hold your hotel room if we do not receive your payment. We accept checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” cash, or you can pay online with a credit card. This is super important so that we are able to pay our instructional staff, pay our bills for production costs, and be able to fund the trip this weekend to WBA Championships.
WBA CLASS FINALS & GRAND CHAMPIONSHIPS — It’s finally here!! The Gahr Marching Gladiators will be traveling to compete at the Western Band Association (WBA) Championships this Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 24th. The cost for each student is $250 and should have already been turned in. Students must be caught up with all outstanding donations to participate in the trip. While we are hopeful the rain will push off, there is currently some rain in the forecast for Saturday. There may be some impact on the performance schedule. WBA is currently looking at moving the championships site to a field that has astroturf so the conditions are safer for the performers. Please stay tuned for more updates.
FULL ITINERARY LIVE GOOGLE DOC:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OaBSKtxZmEMwo8nNsxfMNuEvV0zXe1NsmTMK-Aludqs/edit?usp=sharing
ROOMING LIST: https://www.gahrband.org/s/WBA-Championships-Rooming-List.pdf
WBA 4A/5A CLASS CHAMPIONSHIPS: https://www.westernbands.org/events/details.php?ID=1066
TICKETS: General Admission $26.95 for 2-day ticket. https://usbands.ticketspice.com/wba-championships-weekend
VOLUNTEER LINK: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-53189285-111624#/
The charter buses will be getting back late Sunday night / Monday morning and students will be able to take their luggage and get picked up to go home. On Monday, November 25th, we will all be meeting back at Gahr at 3:30PM in the afternoon to unload the U-Haul, trailer, and take home instruments and equipment. This should take approximately an hour. All students interested in Indoor Percussion will have a student meeting from 4:30-5:30PM in the Band Room.
The Gahr Marching Gladiators will be traveling to Fresno to compete at the Western Band Association (WBA) Championships from Friday, November 22nd through Sunday, November 24th. The cost for each student is $250.00 due this Friday, November 1st, 2024.
Students will be traveling on charter buses and staying at Spring Hill Suites by Marriott. Most meals will be covered (breakfast, lunches, and two dinners).
The address for the student hotel is:
Spring Hill Suites by Marriott
6844 North Fresno Street
Fresno, CA 93710
If this is your first overnight trip, please know that it is standard to have students stay four to a room, typically with two queen-sized beds. Students can select who they would like to have in their room and we will do our best to accommodate their requests if possible. As with all trips for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program, students must stay in the hotel with other students. A block of rooms has already been reserved and we are able to keep the trip cost low based on the students staying together.
Parents are encouraged to go on this trip as well. We will need parent help as we always do with uniforms, transportation, equipment, and props, and having as many parents in the stands cheering for the kids can greatly motivate the kids (and the judges).
Parents are responsible for paying for their own trip. However, to make this easier for you, we have secured a block of rooms with a special rate for the parents to use at the Homewood Suites in Fresno. When calling, make sure to mention you are booking for the block of rooms set aside for the "Gahr High School Band Boosters." This special rate includes cook-to-order breakfasts and parking. The rate negotiated for this block is $169.00 (plus tax) per night. You will need to book your room no later than Tuesday, October 22nd, 2024 to take advantage of this special price.
The address for the parent hotel is:
Homewood Suites Fresno
6820 North Fresno St.
Fresno, CA 93710
Telephone: (559) 440-0801
We have a mandatory meeting on Wednesday, November 13th, 2024 at 7PM in the Band Room where we will go over all the details for the trip. Please note, this meeting is after the date to reserve your room so don’t wait until this meeting to make your reservation. Feel free to reach out to Deanna Varney at (562) 413-3068 or email her at dvarney15@gmail.com if you have any questions or concerns.
We ask that students stay together as a group for the entire weekend.Please do not pull your child away from the rest of the group.This is a school trip, and students will need to stay with the rest of the group for the duration of the weekend.
Thank you for your support and helping to create such an amazing experience for the students!
605 ALL-STAR BAND PERFORMING IN THE BELLFLOWER/LAKEWOOD PARADE – Over 500 students from Artesia, Bellflower, Cerritos, John Glenn, Gahr, La Mirada, Mayfair and Norwalk high school bands will come together as the 605 All-Star Band, representing three school districts along the 605 Freeway (ABC, Bellflower and Norwalk-La Mirada Unified School Districts). To get ready for the Rose Parade, the 605 All-Star Band will perform and march in a practice parade from Bellflower to Lakewood on Sunday, Dec. 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This is a unique opportunity for residents of Lakewood and the surrounding region to see and hear the band up close. Bring a chair and cheer them on as they march and perform. The nearly four-mile practice parade route will begin at Ron Yary Stadium in Bellflower and finish at Mayfair Park (see map below).
605 ALL-STAR BAND AT DISNEYLAND – We are excited to announce that the 605 All Star Band will be performing at Disneyland on the morning of December 27th! While our exact performance time is still being finalized, we’ll be sure to share that information as soon as it’s available. If your family would like to join us to watch the performance along Main Street, U.S.A., and enjoy a magical day in the park, here’s everything you need to know about purchasing tickets.
Ticket Information:
As of today, here are the ticket prices:
1 Day 1 Park Ticket - $206
1 Day Park Hopper Ticket - $281
Important Note: Due to the holiday season, tickets tend to sell out quickly. If you plan to attend the performance, we recommend purchasing your tickets as soon as possible. Please keep in mind that ticket prices may vary, and park reservations are limited. Park reservation availability is subject to change until your reservation is confirmed by Disney.
Our Location:
The 605 All Star Band performance will take place in Disneyland Park (not Disney California Adventure Park). Please make sure your ticket is for Disneyland Park to ensure you can watch the performance.
How to Purchase Tickets:
You can buy your tickets online through the following link:
Disneyland Ticket Purchase
On the Disneyland ticket site, you’ll be able to select your ticket type and add additional options like Disney Gift Cards, Disney Dining Cards, and Lightning Lane Multi-Pass. Lightning Lane provides access to priority entrances at various attractions across Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, plus you can enjoy unlimited Disney PhotoPass downloads and access to Disney PhotoPass Lenses with this service. For further assistance, please contact Disney’s customer support at Disneyland Help.
Thank you for your continued support! We’re looking forward to sharing this special day with you and celebrating our talented musicians.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
❇️ 11/19 Senior Dinner at John’s Incredible Pizza @ 6:00PM
❇️ 11/21 Final rehearsal, final run-through, and loading 5:30-8:30PM
❇️ 11/22-24 WBA Class Championships and Grand Championships
❇️ 11/25 EVERYONE unload at Gahr @ 3:30PM / Indoor Percussion Student Meeting @ 4:30PM
❇️ 11/26 All-Star Band Sectionals at Mayfair HS from 9AM-12PM
❇️ 11/27 All-Star Band Sectionals at Mayfair HS from 9AM-12PM
❇️ 11/30 All-Star Band Rehearsal at Bellflower HS from 9AM-4PM (parade focus)
❇️ 12/1 All-Star Band Bellflower/Lakewood Parade Performance 11AM-3PM
❇️ 12/7 All-Star Band Rehearsal at Bellflower HS from 9AM-4PM
❇️ 12/8 All-Star Band Southgate Christmas Parade Performance 10:30AM-2:30PM
❇️ 12/11 All-Star Band INDIVIDUAL PHOTOS @ La Mirada HS from 4-7PM
❇️ 12/13 Winter Pep Rally (during school)
❇️ 12/14 All-Star Band Rehearsal at Gahr HS from 9AM-4PM
❇️ 12/15 All-Star Band Performance at Gahr/Cerritos/Artesia from 12PM-3:30PM
❇️ 12/19 Holiday Band Concert at Whitney HS at 6:30PM
❇️ 12/22 John Glenn Parade Performance 12:00-3:30PM
SCHEDULE:
TUESDAY 11/19
7:17AM Full Jazz Ensemble
3:30PM Last wind sectionals to play through the show with your section
6:00PM Senior Dinner Celebration at John’s Incredible Pizza – FAMILY PRE-PAID ONLY
8601 On the Mall, Buena Park, CA 90620
WEDNESDAY 11/20
NO ZERO PERIOD
WINDS PLAYING IN CLASS 4TH/5TH (ADDING MASKS FOR BALLAD)
AFTER SCHOOL – Eat dinner and change into warm clothes.
4:45PM Set up in stadium (all props, masks, uniform jackets)
5:30-8:30PM Full Ensemble rehearsal in stadium
THURSDAY 11/21
NO JAZZ BAND
AFTER SCHOOL – Eat dinner and change into warm clothes. Take battery cases, tuba cases, and packing blankets to the stadium.
4:45PM Set up at stadium for final rehearsal and run-through (all props, masks)
5:25PM Warm up / Full ensemble rehearsal
7:30PM Set up for final run-through
7:35PM Final run-through – family, friends, and alumni invited!
7:45PM LOAD ALL PROPS, ALL PERCUSSION AND GUARD EQUIPMENT, ALL INSTRUMENTS, AND UNIFORM RACKS INTO THE TRAILER AND U-HAULS.
9:00PM Approximate dismissal time once everything is loaded.
Hydrate, pack for the trip, go to bed.
UPDATED ITINERARY LIVE DOC:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OaBSKtxZmEMwo8nNsxfMNuEvV0zXe1NsmTMK-Aludqs/edit?usp=sharing
WE WILL BE MEETING AT GAHR ON MONDAY AT 3:30PM TO UNLOAD ALL PROPS AND EQUIPMENT