Congratulations on FIVE incredible performances this weekend! On Saturday, the Wind Ensemble performed at the CSUF Festival of Winds in the Meng Concert Hall. The students received a wonderful clinic from Dr. Christine Lundahl, director at Cal Poly Pomona and La Sierra University, and were treated to an amazing performance by the CSUF Wind Symphony under the direction of Dr. Dustin Barr. Also on Saturday, the JV Guard debuted their 2024 production, “A Light in the Dark,” at the WGASC show at Rowland HS. On Sunday, Indoor Percussion competed at the SCPA Monrovia show and came in 1st place in Scholastic World! The Varsity Guard competed both Saturday and Sunday at the WGI Manhattan Beach Regional and came in 3rd place overall in the Scholastic Open division. We would like to thank all the parents who helped this weekend with everything from equipment, to props, to transportation.

We’ve got a BIG WEEK ahead with important rehearsals as we prepare for the ABC District Band Festival next week on Wednesday, March 13th! Please note that Concert Band has an extra rehearsal this Tuesday from 3:30-5:30PM to finish learning festival music. Wind Ensemble will still have rehearsal Tuesday 3:30-6:00PM, and Concert Band will still have normal rehearsal Thursday 3:30-6PM. Indoor Percussion will NOT be performing at the SCPA Temescal Canyon competition this Saturday because we were unable to get off the show waitlist.

Please join us this Wednesday at 6:30PM for our monthly parent Booster Meeting! We had a fantastic turnout at the WGASC Committee Meeting a few weeks ago, and we would love to see you as we work to continue to support all of the students and groups that are a part of the Gahr Instrumental Music Program.

Side note – In the 10+ years I have been at Gahr, it has been amazing seeing the growth each year and how far the music program has come. In the years before I started teaching at Gahr, the band had around 40-50 band students, 5-6 members in the color guard, and only one concert band. The marching band did not do any field show competitions. There was no jazz program, no indoor drumline program, and no winter guard program. I am proud to say that despite declining school enrollment, the music program has still grown to over 130 students, an 8-time California State Championship marching band, two separate concert groups (Concert Band and Wind Ensemble), two separate Jazz Bands (Jazz A and Jazz B), a world-class Indoor Drumline, two separate Winter Guards (JV Guard and Varsity Guard), and a second full-time band director! Gahr is now known throughout Southern California and on the national stage for our incredible and well-rounded band program. This could not have been possible without principal Jeffrey Hernandez and the incredible support from our current and past Gahr High School administrations.

SEE’S CANDY FUNDRAISER UNDERWAY!

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. Last day to order is 3/15, so there will be enough time for delivery before Easter.

Band and Guard members and parents will receive an email with your own personalized link from the Yum-Raising site. This link will send you directly to the storefront that is already set up for our Gahr Band and Color Guard Spring 2024 Fundraiser. The first few letters of your first name should appear in your link. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Ida Barcelos via email at idabarcelos3@gmail.com.

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, Ida will be using Julie’s account to send out See’s Candy Yum-Raising Information.

3RD DRUMLINE & GUARD DONATION

The 3rd donation for Indoor Percussion is due this Wednesday 3/6 and the 3rd donation for Winter Guard is due this Thursday 3/7. This is critical so we are able to pay for instructors, costumes, and production costs. STUDENTS MUST BE CAUGHT UP WITH OUTSTANDING DONATIONS TO RECEIVE THEIR COSTUME. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online with a credit card.

WINTER GUARD SEASON SIGN UPS!

PARENTS: Please use the links below to help drive the uhaul, help with props on and off the floor, and to donate snacks and drinks. Thank you in advance for your help!!

U-Haul Drivers: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA5AA29A5FE3-48018670-uhaul#/
Prop Help: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA5AA29A5FE3-48020651-prop
Snacks & Drinks: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0E4AA5AA29A5FE3-48019997-varsity#/

GAHR HOSTING WGASC SHOW 4/7

Thank you to the parents and alumni who came to our first WGASC Show Host Committee Meeting! This is a program-wide event that takes place on Sunday, April 7th, and we need everyone’s help to make it a success! SAVE THE DATE: Our next committee meeting is Wednesday, March 20th at 6:30PM. Click here to volunteer for a shift on Sign Up Genius.

DRUMLINE & GUARD SPRING SHOWCASE 3/28

SAVE THE DATE: The 4th annual ABCUSD Drumline & Guard Spring Showcase is Thursday, March 28th in the Gahr HS Gym! If you've never seen drums or flags in a gym, you will definitely want to check this out! Doors open at 6:00PM and the first group performs at 6:30PM. This event is FREE and open to the public!

UPCOMING EVENTS

3/6 Drumline Donation #3 Due and Monthly Booster Meeting @ 6:30PM
3/7 JV Guard Donation #3 Due and Varsity Guard Donation #3 Due
3/9 Indoor Percussion @ SCPA Temescal Canyon CANCELED
3/11 Pacific Youth Symphony Wind Ensemble Concert @ 7PM (optional)
3/13 Concert Band & Wind Ensemble @ ABCUSD Band Festival!
3/15 See’s Candy Fundraiser Ends
3/16 Indoor Percussion rehearsal 9AM-4PM
3/16-17 Varsity Guard @ WGI Palm Desert
3/21 Concert Band & Wind Ensemble @ SCSBOA Festival at Rosemead HS
3/23 JV Guard @ WGASC Show
3/23-24 Indoor Percussion @ WGI Regional at CSUF
3/27 ABC Jazz Showcase @ Artesia HS
3/28 Drumline & Guard Spring Showcase @ Gahr HS
3/29 Jazz A & B @ Workman HS Jazz Festival
3/30 Varsity Guard @ WGASC Ayala HS

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 3/4
See’s Candy Online Fundraiser Continues!
NO JAZZ BAND A OR B
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
Get extra help on music after school!

TUESDAY 3/5
7:15AM Full Jazz Band A & B
6th-5:00PM JV Guard rehearsal
3:30-5:30PM Concert Band (rehearsal/sectional assignments)
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble (sectional assignments/rehearsal)
5:00-9:00PM Varsity Guard rehearsal
6:30PM Executive Booster Meeting

WEDNESDAY 3/6
Drumline Donation #3 Due
WINDS/PERCUSSION VIDEO ASSIGNMENT DUE
3:30-4:15PM Wind sectionals
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
6:30PM Booster Meeting – All parents encouraged to attend!

THURSDAY 3/7
JV Guard Donation #3 Due
Varsity Guard Donation #3 Due
7:15AM Full Jazz Band A & B
6th-5:00PM JV Guard rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Concert Band rehearsal (Wind Ensemble invited)
5:00-9:00PM Varsity Guard rehearsal
5:30PM Ross Spring Concert (optional)

FRIDAY 3/8
7:15AM Full Jazz Band A & B
TAKE INSTRUMENTS & MUSIC HOME TO PRACTICE!!