MAYFAIR MONSOON CLASSIC & PHOTO DAY!
THIS WEEK – We have normal rehearsal today (Monday) and Wednesday evening 5:30-8:30PM. On Thursday, we will be rehearsing from 3:30-5:30PM and on Friday we will have a rehearsal/run-through from 3:30-5:00PM. On Saturday we have an 8AM call time for rehearsal/run-through, loading, pizza lunch (provided), Band & Color Guard photos, and then the Mayfair Monsoon Classic Field Tournament located at Bellflower HS. We have a Gahr Invitational Committee Meeting this Wednesday 10/16 at 7:00PM in the Band Room. The final marching band donation of $150 is due this Friday 10/18. The deadline for all Gahr Invitational program ads is also this Friday 10/18.
Congratulations to the Gahr High School Marching Band on an incredible debut of our 2024 field show production, “KUBRICK,” at the South Coast Invitational Field Tournament this past Saturday. Gahr took 1st place in Division 6A and overall Tournament Sweepstakes out of the 27 bands who performed! We would like to thank our instructors, booster parents, and Gahr High School teachers, staff, and administration for their support and for making our program possible.
Great job to all the band and color guard involved in the 605 All-Star Band! We had a great rehearsal on Sunday – with the 550 students from eight high schools across three districts, ready to make history at the 2025 Rose Parade. The next 605 All-Star Band rehearsal is Sunday, November 10th at Bellflower HS.
PARENTS: Thank you to our amazing booster parents who helped at the tournament Saturday and the 605 All-Star Band on Sunday! We would especially like to thank the parents who haven’t been in the bleachers this season – the ones pushing on and off equipment, props, working concessions at football games, and so much more. The students and the field show production would not be possible without your hard work and active involvement. If you are able to help this Saturday, please click here to sign up to volunteer. If you are able to help donate items, please click here to check out our booster wishlist. We CANNOT do this without you and greatly appreciate the support!
Please join us this Wednesday, October 16th at 7:00PM for our Gahr Invitational Committee Meeting with Julie Castro! We’re gearing up for an amazing field show tournament, but we need ALL HANDS ON DECK to make this a success. If you haven’t signed up for a shift to help at the Gahr Invitational Field Show Tournament, please click here to sign up to volunteer.
STUDENTS: We’ve got another big rehearsal week as we get the ballad on the field and start learning the percussion feature for the competition this Saturday. Keep practicing and reviewing daily so you can be individually prepared. Continue to stay on top of your homework, keep hydrated, and eat throughout the day. Keep up the great work!
FINAL DONATION DUE FRIDAY – The final donation of $150 is due this Friday, October 18th. You can pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can make a payment online with a credit card. All students must be caught up with outstanding donations to participate in the WBA Championships trip. Please speak to Mr. Loney if you have any financial issues or need additional fundraisers.
BAND & GUARD PHOTO DAY – This Saturday 10/19, we will be taking band and color guard photos after our morning rehearsal/run-through. Make sure you fill out the order form your student received in class or print out the form below. Turn in the form and money DIRECTLY TO THE PHOTOGRAPHER (not to Mr. Loney or the drop box). Students also have the option to take a “buddy photo” for $5 PER PERSON in the photo. Please note that each person in the buddy photo must also purchase a photo package.
MAYFAIR MONSOON CLASSIC THIS SATURDAY 10/19 — This Saturday, October 19th is the Mayfair Monsoon Classic Field Tournament located at Bellflower HS. STUDENT CALL TIME IS 8:00AM AT GAHR HIGH SCHOOL FOR REHEARSAL – DO NOT BE LATE. Bring your black sleeveless compression top, black compression shorts, long black socks, and black marching shoes. Color Guard will be in full guard costume – bring your guard warm ups and everything you need for hair & make up. You can bring money for concessions, but because we perform last, the concessions may be closed already.
General admission is $15.00 per person. Children 5 and under are free. All spectators must buy a wristband for admission at every competition, even if you are helping with props or equipment.
MAYFAIR MONSOON CLASSIC
Saturday, October 19, 2024
LOCATION: Bellflower High School
ADDRESS: 15301 McNab Ave, Bellflower, CA 90706
MORE INFO: https://csbc.compsuite.io/events/60793
VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-52314444-101924
WISHLIST: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-51945452-gahr
Hydrate and eat a good breakfast before you arrive. Bring everything for rehearsal and the competition.
7:40AM Band Room open
8:00AM Call time to set up at stadium — DO NOT BE LATE.
8:25AM Warm Up
9:30AM Full Ensemble
11:00AM Full timed run-through – PARENT HELP NEEDED PUSH-ON/OFF
11:15AM Debrief
11:30AM Load – EVERYONE HELPS
12:00PM Pizza Lunch (provided)
12:45PM Change into full uniform
1:30PM Line up for group photo
1:45PM PHOTO DAY! (group photo, individual photos, buddy photos)
3:45PM Wrap up photos, use restroom, load instruments under busses
4:15PM Meet in Band Room / Load busses
4:30PM Depart for Bellflower HS – 15301 S. McNab Ave Bellflower, CA 90706
4:45PM Arrive / Sack dinner / Use restrooms
5:15PM Unload ASAP
5:30PM Warm Up
5:45PM Official Warm Up Time (Zone D)
6:25PM Ensemble
6:50PM Walk/Push to gate – ALL PARENTS MUST PURCHASE A WRISTBAND (EVEN IF YOU ARE JUST HELPING WITH EQUIPMENT & PROPS). PLEASE DO THIS IN ADVANCE SO YOU CAN ENTER THE STADIUM.
7:05PM Gate time
7:15PM PERFORMANCE TIME
7:30PM Stack equipment to the side / quick debrief
7:45PM Awards – stay in FULL UNIFORM. The Gahr Marching Gladiators students and parents are respectful in the stands. We NEVER say anything bad about any other group. We clap and cheer for everyone, especially our own student leaders who are representing us — no matter the placement or score.
8:30PM Push back to busses/trailer
8:45PM Load ASAP – EVERYONE HELPS
9:30PM Change out of uniform
10:00PM Load busses
10:15PM Depart for Gahr HS
10:30PM Unload ASAP – EVERYONE HELPS
11:15PM Approximate dismissal time
FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS — Advertise in our program for the Gahr Invitational Field Tournament! THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST INDIVIDUAL STUDENT FUNDRAISER OF THE ENTIRE YEAR!! Students earn 90% of the profit from all ads sold. Please click here to download the form. The deadline for all advertisements is this Friday, October 18, 2024. We cannot accept late ads once the program is sent to the printer.
This is a great way for local businesses to advertise to the community! The Gahr Invitational Field Tournament typically has over 5,000 people in attendance, and we usually sell around 500 programs. This is also a great opportunity to put in a "shout-out" for your son/daughter in the program! Best of all, students still earn 90% of profit from getting a shout out!
You can also purchase a program ad directly through our website. Please just make sure you email the ad to Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us.
SNAP RAISE UPDATE – We’ve raised over $18,000 so far! Only EIGHT DAYS REMAINING to raise funds on Snap Raise and hit our overall goal of $24,000! This is a great way to help pay for your last marching band donation, WBA Championships, or get a heads start on donations for Winter Guard or Indoor Percussion.
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!
STUDENT SPONSORSHIP LETTER — The “Student Sponsorship Letter” is a great way to raise money for marching band, Indoor Percussion, and Winter Guard! 100% of the money sponsorships goes directly to your student account. These may take a few hours to complete and mail out, but you can raise upwards of $500 if done correctly! Click here to download the instructions and letter.
ASB CARD & TRANSPORTATION — All students need to purchase an ASB card and pay for transportation. When you buy these items together it only cost $120 total ($60 for the ASB card and $60 for transportation). Parents or students can pay for this at the finance office during school hours.
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 10/14
NO JAZZ BAND
3:35-6:00PM Winds, Front Ensemble, Color Guard rehearsal (finish ballad)
6:00-9:00PM Battery rehearsal
TUESDAY 10/15
7:17AM Jazz Ensemble – WINDS only
3:30PM Optional sectionals (Learn Mvt. 3! Mvt. 2 memorization test)
WEDNESDAY 10/16
STUDY HALL / PRACTICE DURING CLASS
5:00PM Set up for rehearsal at practice field with props
5:30-8:30PM Full Ensemble Rehearsal (Finish Ballad + Mvt. 3 Percussion Feature)
Everyone help clean up and put equipment and props away.
THURSDAY 10/17
NO JAZZ BAND
3:35-5:30PM Full Ensemble Rehearsal
FRIDAY 10/18
FINAL DONATION OF $150 DUE
GAHR INVITATIONAL PROGRAM AD DEADLINE
7:17AM Full Jazz Ensemble — solo day with Mr. Stevens
3:30-5:00PM Rehearsal/Run-through
HYDRATE AND GO TO BED EARLY.
SATURDAY 10/19
MAYFAIR MONSOON CLASSIC FIELD TOURNAMENT AT BELLFLOWER HS
LOCATION: Bellflower High School
ADDRESS: 15301 McNab Ave, Bellflower, CA 90706
MORE INFO: https://csbc.compsuite.io/events/60793
VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-52314444-101924
WISHLIST: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-51945452-gahr
8:00AM STUDENT CALL TIME – DO NOT BE LATE.
10:45AM PARENT CALL TIME HELPING WITH PUSH ON/OFF