BACK TO SCHOOL!
Awesome job at Band Camp and congratulations on an amazing Sneak Preview dinner and performance! The students and staff worked incredibly hard over the past few weeks, and we’re gearing up for an exciting year. A HUGE THANK YOU to all the parents and alumni who volunteered throughout Band Camp and the Sneak Preview – we couldn’t have done it without you! Another big shoutout to ABCUSD Board Member and Trustee for Area 5, Jeanie McHatton for all her help.
School starts this Wednesday, August 12th! Our 1st after-school marching band rehearsal is this Thursday from 3:30-6:00PM. Remember to always hydrate 24 hours ahead of time and eat during the day so you have energy.
Please bring daily:
Instrument/equipment
Music binder
Dot book (Winds, Battery, and Color Guard)
Athletic shoes (no Vans or Converse)
Athletic clothing (no jeans or baggy pants/shorts)
Hat (no visors)
1-gallon water jug
Make sure everything is labeled with your name. You can always drop off these items in your locker in the Band Room before school.
Thank you to all of the parents who helped with uniform fitting last Friday! We will be re-fitting some winds, battery, and front ensemble students after school this Friday, August 14th, as well as holding make-up fittings for anyone who has not yet been fitted for a band uniform. Mr. Loney will let students know in class if they need to be re-fitted. Fittings will begin immediately after school and should be finished no later than 4:30PM. Students being re-fitted or completing a make-up fitting must bring/wear their black compression shirt and black compression shorts. Parents who are available to help on Friday can volunteer using the SignUpGenius link below. Thank you!
We have an important marching band rehearsal this Saturday, August 15th from 8:29AM-5:00PM. We’ll be covering a lot of new material and continuing to learn new drill, so it’s important that everyone is prepared and ready to go. As always, hydrate the day before, eat a good breakfast, and arrive early! The boosters will have lunch available for just $5.
PARENTS: Come join the fun this Saturday! We’ll need help making and serving lunch and will also have a Prop Building/Painting Party! It’s a great way to meet other parents, be part of the excitement, and support our kids.
Sign up here >> https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-65084156-lunch
MARCHING BAND WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
For the fall Marching Band season, all sections will rehearse on the same days and times this year. Rehearsals begin and end at the scheduled times. Please allow up to 15–20 minutes after rehearsal for students to help put away equipment and props.
MONDAYS
3:30-6:00PM
TUESDAYS
5:30-8:45PM
Students should use the time after school to complete homework and eat dinner.
WEDNESDAYS
3:30-4:30PM Wind Sectionals / Playing Tests
THURSDAYS
3:30-6:00PM
SOME SATURDAYS*
8:30AM-5:00PM
*Click here for the full calendar
BAND & COLOR GUARD ORDER FORMS
Make sure your student has the required items for Marching Band. Please complete the appropriate order form:
The Color Guard Order Form was due last Thursday. If you have not turned in your form and payment, please do so as soon as possible. You will need all the items listed on the Color Guard order form you do not already have.
The Band & Percussion Order Form is due this Friday. This is for all winds, battery, and front ensemble students. You will need the black Gahr Marching Gladiators hoodie and the Drillmasters marching shoes.
There are three payment options for both forms:
Cash – Turn in with the physical order form
Check – Made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters” and turned in with the physical order form
Online Payment – Pay through the Gahr Band website and still turn in the physical order form
https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/make-a-donation
When paying online, please enter the grand total as the quantity amount.
REQUIRED BAND ITEMS — In addition to the black hoodie and marching band shoes on the order form, All wind and percussion students will need a black sleeveless compression shirt, black compression shorts, and long black athletic socks. You might be able to find these items cheaper at Big 5 Sporting Goods or Walmart.
All marching members (winds, battery, and color guard) should already have a dot book (3x5” spiral-bound index card notebook available from Mr. Loney for $3). You can get a dot book and lanyard together for just $5.
2026 PROGRAM DONATIONS – MARCHING BAND
The Gahr High School Band & Color Guard is a largely self-funded program. Student donations make it possible for us to provide the outstanding educational and performance opportunities that define our program each year.
The 2026 Marching Band Program Donation is $775 per student. This donation directly supports essential program expenses, including instructional staff, music, equipment and instruments, uniforms and costumes, props, production materials, transportation, and more. This year’s donation also includes our trip to the Western Band Association Championships.
Families may submit the donation in full or according to the following payment schedule:
$250 – 1st Donation – Past Due June 1, 2026
$175 – 2nd Donation – Due July 20, 2026
$175 – 3rd Donation – Due August 21, 2026
$175 – 4th Donation – Due October 2, 2026
➡️ Click here to make a donation online
If your family is able to, we strongly encourage paying the full donation at the start of the season. Early donations help us purchase materials and cover significant upfront expenses such as props, equipment, instruments, registration fees, and other program needs.
Your support helps provide students with exceptional educational experiences while developing discipline, confidence, responsibility, teamwork, and leadership – skills that extend far beyond the marching field.
Please Note: Program expenses are based on each student’s participation in the season and are incurred regardless of individual attendance at rehearsals, camps, or performances. Missing any portion of the season does not reduce the program’s expenses associated with that student.
Thank you for your continued support of the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard!
BAND & COLOR GUARD REGISTRATION
ACTION REQUIRED >> All NEW and RETURNING members of the Gahr Marching Gladiators must complete the 2026-27 Band Registration & Participation Form. Please have a parent or guardian complete this form together with your student. The form takes about 10 minutes to complete.
All students should have completed Gahr High School registration. Please make sure you’ve paid for the Gahr High School ASB Card ($85) and Transportation Fee ($90). These required school fees are paid directly to Gahr High School, and can be paid at the finance window in the front office. Students who choose not to purchase an ASB Card will instead pay a $225 Transportation Fee.
CLASS SIGN UPS
All students should be enrolled in one class during the normal school day: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion, or Color Guard. Wind students (woodwinds and brass) are assigned to either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble. All students in the battery and front ensemble should be enrolled in 6th period Percussion.
All students in the program should also be enrolled in 7th Period Marching Band.
You may also join Jazz Ensemble which meets before school during zero period and offers honors credit. We are especially looking for saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass players, drum set, piano, and guitar.
If there is an error/schedule conflict and are missing any of these classes or believe you are in the wrong class, please email Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us.
PARENT UPDATE
We look forward to seeing all parents at our first Booster Meeting of the year – Wednesday, August 19th at 6:30PM! This is a great way to get involved in the program and make a difference.
It’s not too late to become an official Gahr Band Booster Member! For just $30 per person, your Booster Membership includes a 2026 “Jungle Boogie” Field Show T-Shirt and a Gahr Marching Gladiators clear cinch bag.Click here to get your membership.
JOIN GAHR JAZZ!
Gahr High School is proud to offer two outstanding jazz ensembles! Jazz Ensemble I is our premier auditioned ensemble for more experienced musicians, and Jazz Ensemble II is a great opportunity for students who are newer to jazz or are interested in learning a secondary instrument.
Jazz Band meets before school during zero period, four days per week (M, Tu, Th, F). Attendance is taken at 7:17AM and downbeat is 7:20AM. Our kick-off will be this Thursday morning, August 13th!
Jazz students perform a wide variety of music including big band swing, Latin jazz, funk, rock, and contemporary styles. Students also have the opportunity to learn improvisation and soloing – one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of jazz.
Exciting Plans for 2026–2027
Regular jazz sectionals with professional guest artists and coaches
A brand-new commissioned work for Jazz I by composer Jack Lanhardt!
Formation of jazz combos that will compete at festivals
A recording studio experience for both Jazz I and Jazz II
Festival performances and our annual Music in the Parks trip to Knott’s Berry Farm
Because Jazz Band is zero period, this allows students to participate and still take all of their academic classes, AP courses, and electives. Jazz is also an honors course, providing students with an additional weighted class in their schedule.
Even if you did not sign up for jazz during registration, it is not too late! We already have nearly 40 students enrolled this year. If you are interested in joining, please let Mr. Loney know. We are excited to continue building something special in 2026–2027!
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Taking private lessons outside of school is one of the best ways to grow as a musician and improve your skills more quickly. Working one-on-one with an instructor can help you strengthen fundamentals, prepare for auditions, and reach your personal goals. If you’re interested in starting lessons and would like recommendations for local teachers, please email me and I’ll be happy to connect you!
ORDER YOUR SENIOR BANNER
Band and Color Guard seniors will be honored with a custom banner that will be displayed during the football/marching band season. Vinyl banners are $40 by cash/check/online, due by August 20th. Seniors will be able to take theirs home at the end of the marching season.
Pay for the Senior Banner online OR turn in this order form along with $40 cash.
📲 REMIND ANNOUNCEMENTS
We use Remind to send important announcements and updates to both students and parents throughout the year. This is our primary method of communication for reminders, schedule changes, important deadlines, and other program information.
Please make sure that both students and parents sign up for Remind using the class code for your student’s grade level below:
REQUIRED ATHLETIC CLEARANCE
Gahr High School has changed the platform used for athletic clearance. Beginning this year, all athletic clearance paperwork will be completed through Home Campus, and the school is no longer using FamilyID.
All students participating in the 2026–27 Gahr High School Marching Band & Color Guard are required to complete athletic clearance each year and must have a current athletic physical on file.
Parents should create an account and complete the clearance process through the following website: https://www.homecampus.com/login
After completing a physical exam, families will need to scan or take photos of both pages of the form and upload them to Home Campus as part of the athletic clearance process.
Click here to download the required physical evaluation form.
Students may still complete their athletic physical through Anderson Chiropractic Clinic in Los Alamitos. They are continuing to offer athletic physicals for just $20 cash. Call ahead to schedule an appointment at (562) 594-6538.
LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER FOR ORLANDO 2027!
If you are interested in traveling with the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard to perform at Walt Disney World during Spring Break 2027, this is your final opportunity to register.
We already have over 100 students signed up, and this trip is shaping up to be something truly special. We still have room for additional performers and would love for even more students to be part of this unforgettable experience.
✨ WHY THIS TRIP IS SO SPECIAL
This is a once-in-a-lifetime high school experience. Our full marching band will perform and march down Main Street at Walt Disney World — an incredible opportunity that very few programs get to enjoy. Students will also participate in a Disney Imagination Campus Workshop, working with Disney professionals in a behind-the-scenes learning experience.
Performance at Walt Disney World
3 days at Walt Disney World
2 days at Universal Studios, including Epic Universe
Airfare, hotels, meals, and transportation included
Travel with Gahr staff, a professional tour manager, and hotel security
📋 Click here to download the full trip itinerary.
💰 FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS
Registration only requires a $150 deposit, and remaining payments can be spread out over the months leading up to the trip.
The sooner you register, the lower your monthly payments will be.
If your account was previously cancelled due to missed payments, don’t worry! Simply contact the tour company and they can reinstate your account and help spread any past-due balance across the remaining payment schedule.
✅ HOW TO REGISTER
1. Visit www.etadventures.com
2. Click Login
3. Enter Trip Code: gahr27
4. Create an account
5. Submit your deposit
🔁 TO MODIFY YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENT SCHEDULE
1. Click Payments
2. Select View/Modify Recurring Payments
3. Adjust your remaining payments as needed
⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES:
This trip is open to all members of the 2026–27 Gahr High School Band & Color Guard, including current freshmen.
Students are required to register in quad rooms (4 students per room) for safety purposes and to help keep costs affordable.
This is a student performer trip only. Parents and family members are absolutely welcome to travel to Orlando independently to attend performances and enjoy the parks, but all parent travel arrangements must be made separately.
We typically take a major trip like this only once every four years. Especially for incoming freshmen, this may be your only opportunity to participate in an experience like this during high school.
This trip will be filled with incredible performances, lifelong friendships, and memories that students will remember forever. We hope you’ll consider being part of this amazing experience!
For questions, please contact:
Dee Dee Varney
dvarney15@gmail.com
(562) 413-3068
TWO GREAT WAYS TO RAISE MONEY
Use the fundraisers below to raise money for your marching band donations! This can also go towards Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion. This is the BEST TIME to do it before we get busy with school starting.
Field Show Program Ads - Earn 90% of the profit from all field show ad sales. The ad prices range from $25 to $175. Many local businesses are looking for ways to advertise to the community. See Mr. Loney to get a past field show program that you can use as an example when selling ads.
Student Sponsorship Letter - 100% of the money sponsorships goes directly to your student account. These take a few hours to complete and mail out, but the return on investment is HUGE if you can make $400-500! This is a great way your family and loved ones can help support.
📆 UPCOMING IMPORTANT DATES
8/12 First Day of School!
8/13 Jazz Band Kick-Off!
8/14 Popcornopolis Starts / Uniform Fitting 3:30PM
8/14 Marching Band Order Forms & Money Due
8/15 Saturday Rehearsal 8:30AM-5PM / Prop Party!
8/19 Booster Meeting Kick-Off @ 6:30PM!
8/21 3rd Donation – $175 Due / Home Football Game!
8/28 Away Football Game vs. Cerritos
8/29 Saturday Rehearsal 8:30AM-5PM / Uniform Party!
9/3 Frantone’s Fundraiser 5-10PM
THIS WEEK:
WEDNESDAY 8/12
First Day of School!
Bring your instrument/equipment/music to school
No zero period
7:30AM Band Room open
3:30PM Band Room open to practice (optional)
6:00PM Executive Board Meeting
THURSDAY 8/13
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz Band attendance – DO NOT BE LATE!
7:20AM Jazz Band Downbeat & Kick-Off!
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery, and Front Ensemble rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band rehearsal (everyone)
Bring hat, water, change of athletic clothes/shoes, dot book
FRIDAY 8/14
Band & Percussion Order Forms Due
POPCORNOPOLIS FUNDRAISER KICK-OFF!
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz Band attendance – DO NOT BE LATE!
7:20AM Jazz Band Downbeat
3:20PM Band Uniform Refitting and Make Ups
HYDRATE AND GO TO BED EARLY!
SATURDAY 8/15
7:45AM Band Room open
Eat a good breakfast and arrive early.
8:29AM-5:00PM Saturday Rehearsal
9:00AM-12:00PM Prop Building Party!
8:30AM-12:00PM Block 1
12:00-1:00PM Lunch (bring $5 for deli sandwiches)
1:00-5:00PM Block 2
5:00PM Clean Up / Dismissal