We have a big week ahead as we prepare for Bands of America California Regional Championships this Saturday, October 24th! This is an all-day event and an incredible opportunity for our students to perform for national-level adjudicators and experience a professional event atmosphere alongside some of the best bands in California and beyond. PARENTS: Click here to volunteer at the competition!

Our Jazz I and Jazz II will perform this Wednesday at the Cerritos College Jazz Exchange Concert! Admission is FREE and parking is $5. Please come out to support our students, hear what they’ve been working on, and enjoy a great evening of live jazz!

On Friday, we celebrated our graduating seniors at our final regular-season Home Football Game and Senior Night! Thank you to all the families who joined us to recognize our incredible seniors and their contributions to the Gahr Band & Color Guard program. We would also like to thank all the parents who helped with concessions, merch, and pit/props. Special thanks to Oneida Santana for taking photos of all the seniors.

IMPORTANT REHEARSAL REMINDERS: Due to a CIF Flag Football game Tuesday evening, we will rehearse tomorrow, Tuesday, October 20th from 3:30–6:00PM. On Friday, October 23rd, all students will be excused from 5th and 6th periods for our final stadium rehearsal from 2:00–5:00PM, followed by loading until approximately 6:00PM.

THIS IS CRUNCH TIME! We are working hard to finish learning our field show, and we need 100% attendance, focus, and effort from EVERY student to make this week successful. Every rehearsal matters, and every student plays an important role as we prepare for one of our biggest competitions of the season!

BANDS OF AMERICA CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP 10/24! 🥁🎺

This Saturday, October 24th, the Gahr Marching Gladiators will compete at the Bands of America Southern California Regional Championships, hosted at Etiwanda High School! All bands perform in the Preliminary Competition and only the top 12 scoring bands advance to perform in the Finals Competition later that evening.

LOCATION: Etiwanda High School – Eagle Stadium
ADDRESS: 13500 Victoria St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
GENERAL INFORMATION: https://marching.musicforall.org/california-regional/
LOGISTICAL INFORMATION: https://marching.musicforall.org/logistics-california-regional/
VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-66367440-10242026#/

SATURDAY CALL TIME: 5:20AM – DO NOT BE LATE! Our preliminary performance is scheduled for 9:15AM at Etiwanda High School in Rancho Cucamonga. Breakfast and lunch will be provided by our boosters. Students should bring approximately $20 for dinner, along with a change of clothes/shoes and everything they need for the entire day. Please carefully review the competition itinerary below.

IMPORTANT FRIDAY REHEARSAL – ALL STUDENTS WILL BE EXCUSED FROM 5TH & 6TH PERIODS FOR OUR FINAL STADIUM REHEARSAL & RUN-THROUGH. Students will report at 1:30PM to change and begin moving equipment and props into the stadium. Our final run-through is at 4:30PM, including a full push on/off to prepare for Saturday’s competition. We would greatly appreciate help from any parents who are available, especially those planning to assist with props and equipment at the competition!

With rain this week and the challenges of finishing our show, this rehearsal is especially important. Our goal is to have everything as prepared and polished as possible before Saturday’s competition. We will also be rehearsing the movement of our large props and equipment to ensure everything runs smoothly and safely.

Immediately following our run-through, we must clear the stadium as quickly as possible because Cerritos High School has a home football game. All equipment and props will be moved toward the old tennis court parking lot for loading. Every student is expected to help with loading, and dismissal will be approximately 6:00PM.

ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL! We are continuing to learn and refine the final movement of our show, including choreography, staging, and the movement of large props and equipment. When students are absent, it affects the entire ensemble’s ability to rehearse safely and effectively. Students who miss rehearsals during the week of a performance may not be permitted to perform, depending on the circumstances of the absence and their level of preparation.

CLEAR BAG POLICY – Music for All encourages spectators to avoid bringing bags. Depending on venue guidelines, small clear bags, diaper bags and emergency medical bags might be allowed. Bag policies help speed up entry and enhance safety. Camera bags are typically allowed at each venue.

CASHLESS VENUE – We recommend planning ahead and bringing both cash and card to Bands of America events. All Bands of America ticket booths are cashless, with digital ticketing options only. Many stadiums operate cashless concessions. PepWear merchandise booths accept both cash and card.

LIVESTREAM – Watch the 2026 Bands of America Regional streamed live online powered by BOX5 Media! https://box5tv.com/box5_events/

FRIDAY 10/23

ALL STUDENTS ARE EXCUSED FROM 5TH & 6TH PERIODS FOR REHEARSAL AT THE STADIUM.
1:30PM Change and Push/Set Up Equipment at Stadium ASAP. Bring Drum/Tuba Cases and Blankets.
1:45PM Quick Warm-Up / Set Up All Props (Stages, Front-Drops, Trees, Vinyl Circles)
2:30PM Full Ensemble Rehearsal (Staff/Parents Label Props with Numbers & Locations)
4:30PM Full Run-Through Mvt. 1, 2, 3 (Up to W) with Full Push On/Off
4:45PM Push Everything to Old Tennis Court Parking Lot ASAP
5:00PM Load ASAP
6:00PM Dismissal

PACK EVERYTHING YOU NEED. BRING YOUR FULL 1-GALLON WATER JUG, UNIFORM/COSTUME, INSTRUMENT, CHANGE OF CLOTHES, AND MONEY FOR DINNER (APPROXIMATELY $20). HYDRATE & GO TO BED EARLY. SET MULTIPLE ALARMS AND ARRANGE A WAKE-UP CALL WITH A FRIEND. DO NOT BE LATE – BUSES WILL DEPART ON TIME!

SATURDAY 10/24

5:00AM Band Room Open
5:20AM CALL TIME – DO NOT BE LATE! Change into Full Uniform/Costume ASAP.
5:40AM McDonald’s Breakfast (Provided)
6:00AM Load Buses ASAP
6:15AM Depart for Etiwanda HS – 13500 Victoria St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

7:15AM Truck Lot Arrival Time / Bus Unload ASAP
7:30AM Buses Drop-Off / Unload Instruments & Everything Needed for Performance
7:45AM Buses Move to Rancho Cucamonga HS – 11801 Lark Dr., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701
IMPORTANT: BUSES WILL BE MOVING OFF-SITE AFTER DROP-OFF. TAKE YOUR INSTRUMENT & CASE AND WATER JUG. YOU WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THE BUSES UNTIL THEY RETURN.

7:45AM Walk/Push to Warm-Up Area (Use Restrooms on the Way)
8:05AM Band/Battery/Guard Warm-Up at Upper Field (Area C) / Pit Warm-Up (On Campus)
8:50AM PIT/MICS REPORT TIME – SIDE A (Including Winds Who Are Mic’d or Helping with Pit Equipment/Mics)
9:05AM BAND/GUARD/PROPS REPORT TIME – SIDE B (Props and Everyone Else – Winds, Battery, Color Guard)
IMPORTANT FOR PARENTS: Bands of America limits the number of adults permitted on the field to assist with equipment and props. Field passes will be prioritized for parents who have been helping with equipment and props throughout the season.
9:15AM PERFORMANCE TIME!
PARENTS: PLEASE CHEER AND APPLAUD THROUGHOUT THE PERFORMANCE SO OUR STUDENTS CAN HEAR AND FEEL YOUR SUPPORT AND ENERGY!!

9:30AM Push Back to Trucks/Trailer ASAP
9:45AM Debrief
9:55AM Load (Leave Front-Drops/Back-Drops, Vinyls, and Trees at Etiwanda HS if Possible)
10:30AM Change Out of Uniform into Rehearsal Clothes (Follow Dress Code)

11:00AM Depart for Los Osos HS – 6001 Milliken Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91737
11:15AM Arrive at Los Osos HS / Unload
11:30AM Pizza Lunch at Grass Area Near Stadium (Provided) / Listen to Adjudicator Tapes
12:30PM Set Up for Stadium Rehearsal / Warm Up in Sections
1:00PM Full Ensemble Rehearsal in Stadium
2:45PM Drum Majors Carpool Back to Etiwanda HS
2:45PM Rehearsal Ends / Clear Stadium Field ASAP for Flag Football Game
3:00PM Load / Use Restrooms
3:45PM Preliminary Awards Ceremony (Drum Majors Only)
4:15PM Finalist Directors Meeting / Stadium Cleared

4:15PM Travel to In-N-Out / Panda Express – 12599 Foothill Blvd., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
4:30PM Dinner – GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE (Bring Money)
5:45PM Load Buses
6:00PM Travel Back to Etiwanda HS – 13500 Victoria St., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739

FINALS SCHEDULE TBA – THE TOP 12 BANDS WILL ADVANCE TO FINALS. IF WE QUALIFY, OUR PERFORMANCE TIME AND UPDATED EVENING ITINERARY WILL BE ANNOUNCED FOLLOWING PRELIMINARY AWARDS.

7:00PM First Performing Finalist Band
10:00PM Finals Competition Ends
10:15PM FINALE – PRESENTATION OF AWARDS

IF WE PERFORM AND PARTICIPATE IN FULL RETREAT AWARDS…
11:00PM Change Out of Uniform
11:30PM Quick Snack
11:45PM Depart for Gahr HS
12:30AM Unload ASAP – EVERYONE HELPS!
1:00AM Dismissal

FALL JAZZ EXCHANGE CONCERT – THIS WEDNESDAY 10/21 🎷🎺

Join us Wednesday, October 21st at 7:00PM for a special Jazz Exchange Concert at Cerritos College! Our Gahr High School Jazz I and Jazz II ensembles will perform alongside the Cerritos College Jazz Band, directed by Dr. David Betancourt. The Cerritos College Jazz Combo will also provide pre-concert music beginning at 6:45PM. Come enjoy a great evening of jazz and support our students as they share the stage with college musicians!

LOCATION: Cerritos College Student Center – 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650
ADMISSION: FREE! Parking is $5 (mobile payment only)

STUDENT CALL TIME: 5:45PM at the Cerritos College Student Center. Students must wear their Gahr Jazz Band T-shirt and jeans. Please make sure you have your Gahr Jazz Band T-shirt ($20) for the concert. CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE YOUR JAZZ BAND T-SHIRT. We have important Jazz I and Jazz II rehearsals leading up to Wednesday’s concert, and 100% on-time attendance is expected. Continue practicing your parts and listening to the recordings so we can put on a great performance!

We are asking all families to consider supporting our program by donating items from our Booster Wishlist. These donations help us continue providing rehearsal lunches for just $5 per student and meals on competition days. Every contribution makes a difference, and we greatly appreciate your continued generosity and support!

DONATIONS PAST DUE – At this point in the season, all students should be caught up with any outstanding program donations. We are still working to cover final prop construction, equipment needs, and production expenses. Please pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment online with a credit card. All students must be caught up with their outstanding program donations to participate in the WBA Championships trip.

Fan-Pledge Champions: Together We Crushed Our Goal!!!💙💛

Thanks to the incredible generosity of our families, friends, alumni, and supporters, the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard raised OVER $60,000 through our 2026 Fan-Pledge Fundraiser! We didn’t just reach our goal – we CRUSHED IT!!

These funds will help support our program, including more marching band uniforms, new parade color guard costumes, equipment, and opportunities for our students.

THANK YOU to everyone who donated, shared our fundraiser, and helped make this incredible achievement possible! WAY TO GO!!! 💙💛

GAHR INVITATIONAL FIELD SHOW JUST THREE WEEKS AWAY!

The 11th annual Gahr Invitational Field Tournament is Saturday, November 7th. We have a MANDATORY Gahr Invitational Parent Meeting on Tuesday, November 3rd at 7:00PM in Gahr HS Stadium.

PARENTS: Almost all of our volunteer slots are filled! CLICK HERE IF YOU HAVEN’T SIGNED UP FOR A SHIFT. The Gahr Invitational is the biggest fundraising event of the year, and we need all hands on deck to make it a success. We are counting on every family to volunteer at the Gahr Invitational Field Tournament, as this event cannot happen without your help.

We are asking for all students to donate soda, water, or baked goods. Please check the list below, broken up by section. Donations can be dropped off to Mr. Loney in the Band Room or brought to the Mandatory Parent Meeting on November 3rd.

SCSBOA ALL-SOUTHERN HONOR GROUP AUDITIONS

Students are encouraged to audition for the 2027 SCSBOA All-Southern Honor Groups! These ensembles bring together the top high school musicians from across Southern California for an unforgettable musical experience. Selected students will rehearse with renowned conductors and perform in a showcase concert at the SCSBOA Conference in January.

Auditions are open to winds and percussion, and include required scales, prepared excerpts, and sight-reading. All audition information – including requirements, registration forms, and deadlines – can be found on the SCSBOA website. Students interested in auditioning should begin preparing now and speak with Mr. Loney for guidance.

This is an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself, meet other outstanding musicians, and represent Gahr at the regional level. In recent years, we’ve had students make the top Wind Band and the Jazz All-Star Band. Don’t miss the chance to be part of one of Southern California’s most prestigious honor groups!

ATHLETIC CLEARANCE PAST DUE

If you have not yet completed your 2026-27 Athletic Clearance, it must be completed ASAP. All Marching Band & Color Guard students are required to complete athletic clearance through Home Campus. Families must complete the online clearance and upload both pages of the completed physical evaluation form to Home Campus.

Complete Athletic Clearance through Home Campus

Students who still need a physical may complete one at Anderson Chiropractic Clinic in Los Alamitos for $20 cash. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment at (562) 594-6538.

ASB CARD & TRANSPORTATION

Make sure you have paid for your student’s Gahr High School ASB Card ($85) and Transportation Fee ($90). These school fees are paid directly to Gahr High School at the Finance Office during school hours. Students who choose not to purchase an ASB Card will instead be required to pay the $225 Transportation Fee.

📆 IMPORTANT DATES

10/21 Cerritos College Jazz Exchange Concert!
10/23 BOA Rehearsal & Load at the stadium
10/24 Bands of America Southern California Regional
10/28 Red Robin Fundraiser – ALL DAY!
11/3 Mandatory Field Show Meeting at 7:00PM at the stadium
11/6 Rehearsal/Run-through 3:30-6:00PM
11/7 Gahr Invitational Field Tournament!
11/11 Important Rehearsal 8:30AM-5:00PM
11/14 WBA So Cal Regional Championships & Make-Up Photo Day
11/17 Mandatory Fresno Trip Parent Meeting at 7PM
11/20 WBA Rehearsal & Send-Off Performance 5-7PM
11/21 WBA Class 4A/5A Championships!
11/22 WBA Grand Championships!

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 10/19
FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS DUE
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II – DO NOT BE LATE
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal

TUESDAY 10/20
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II – DO NOT BE LATE
NO STUDY HALL DURING CLASS
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal*
*ADJUSTED DUE TO CIF FLAG FOOTBALL GAME

WEDNESDAY 10/21
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II Final Rehearsal/Run-through
JAZZ BAND – Make sure you take everything you need for the concert.
5:45PM JAZZ BAND CALL TIME WEARING GAHR JAZZ T-SHIRT & JEANS
7:00PM Cerritos College Jazz Exchange Concert!

THURSDAY 10/22
NO JAZZ BAND
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal

FRIDAY 10/23
NO JAZZ BAND

All students are excused 5th & 6th period for rehearsal at the stadium.
1:30PM Change and push/set up equipment at the stadium field ASAP. Bring instrument cases and blankets.
1:45PM Quick warm up / Set up all props (stages, front-drops, trees, vinyl circles)
2:00PM Full ensemble rehearsal (staff/parents label props with numbers & locations)
4:30PM Full run-through Mvt. 1, 2, 3 (up to W) with push on/off
4:45PM Clear stadium. Push everything to the old tennis court parking lot ASAP
5:00PM Load ASAP
6:00PM Dismissal

PACK EVERYTHING YOU NEED. HYDRATE & GO TO BED. SET MULTIPLE ALARMS – DO NOT BE LATE!

SATURDAY 10/24
BANDS OF AMERICA CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
LOCATION: Etiwanda High School – Eagle Stadium
ADDRESS: 13500 Victoria St, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91739
GENERAL INFORMATION: https://marching.musicforall.org/california-regional/
LOGISTICAL INFORMATION: https://marching.musicforall.org/logistics-california-regional/
VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-66367440-10242026#/

HYDRATE & GO TO BED EARLY. Pack everything you need the night before.

5:20AM CALL TIME – DO NOT BE LATE!
9:15AM Preliminary Performance at Etiwanda High School
Please see the complete competition itinerary above.

* Finals performance schedule will be announced following the awards ceremony and we will have an updated itinerary based on our performance time.