CSBC MAX! PREVIEW OF CHAMPIONS

We had another BUSY WEEK for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program! On Monday, the Gahr Marching Gladiators were featured on LIVE TV as part of CBS News’ “Class Act!” Students worked incredibly hard throughout the week to finish Movement 1 of Jungle Boogie, and we now have nearly four minutes of our 2026 production on the field! We also had a HUGE turnout at Wednesday’s Booster Parent Meeting and Gahr Invitational Kick-Off Meeting. Thank you to everyone who came out to get involved, including Gahr HS Dean, Mr. Legaspi.

Our LIVE Fan-Pledge Kick-Off is THIS FRIDAY at 3:30PM, and our Fan-Pledge representative will be flying in from Texas to work with us in person. ALL STUDENTS in the Instrumental Music Program are required to attend the Kick-Off Event. There will be gift cards, raffles, and prizes, including a new pair of Apple AirPods!

Friday was another big day as the students performed at both the Homecoming Pep Rally and Homecoming Football Game, including our first performance of Movement 1! We had a very productive rehearsal on Saturday, learning more of the field show. A HUGE THANK YOU to all of the parents who helped at Friday’s game and Saturday’s rehearsal, including everyone who helped with uniforms, props, equipment, and painting! We could not do this without you.

Our first field show competition of the season is this Saturday, September 26th at the CSBC MAX! Preview of Champions at Chaffey High School! We need lots of parent help on Saturday, especially with equipment, props, and meals. Please click here to sign up and help!

ATHLETIC CLEARANCE: Students MUST have their athletic clearance completed in order to ride the bus and participate in Saturday’s competition. This includes having a current athletic physical uploaded through Home Campus. If you have not completed your athletic clearance yet, please take care of this ASAP!

The final Marching Band & Color Guard Donation of $175 is due next Friday, October 2nd. COLOR GUARD MEMBERS MUST BE CAUGHT UP WITH DONATIONS IN ORDER FOR US TO PURCHASE AND RECEIVE YOUR COSTUME FOR THIS WEEK’S COMPETITION. Payments can be made with cash, a check payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment online with a credit card.

STUDENTS: Great improvement this past week, and congratulations on performing Movement 1 at the Homecoming Game! We still have a lot of work to do as we prepare for Saturday’s first competition. EVERY REHEARSAL THIS WEEK IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. We will be learning more of the field show, making changes and adjustments, and taking out the metronome. Students who miss rehearsal may not be able to perform on Saturday. Thank you to everyone who has been putting in extra time practicing before school, at break and lunch, and after school. Let’s have a great first competition!

FAN-PLEDGE LIVE KICK-OFF THIS FRIDAY!!!

Our annual Fan-Pledge Fundraiser officially launches THIS FRIDAY, September 25th! Our Fan-Pledge representative is flying in from Texas to work with us LIVE at Gahr for our Kick-Off Event!

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 FROM 3:30–5:00PM
MANDATORY FOR ALL STUDENTS IN THE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC PROGRAM

This is a program-wide event, and all students are expected to attend. We’ll launch the fundraiser together and have lots of prizes throughout the event, including candy, gift cards, raffles, section prizes, and a NEW PAIR OF AIRPODS!

Thank you to everyone who has already entered at least 20 contacts! Right now the FRONT ENSEMBLE is in the lead with the most contacts per person. If you haven’t reached 20 yet, GET THEM IN BEFORE FRIDAY. Thank you to the parents who helped with our Ice Cream Party last Thursday!

We already have some students going WAY above and beyond! Our current TOP 5 are:
🥇 Ava Morisoli-Ridenour – 53 contacts
🥈 Safiya Turkoglu – 42 contacts
🥉 Ace Ngo – 41 contacts
4️⃣ Reylenn Alfaro – 40 contacts
5️⃣ Presley Cruz – 36 contacts

OUR FAN-PLEDGE WEBSITE LINK:
https://www.fpfans.com/625c81

WE NEED AT LEAST 20 CONTACTS FROM EVERY STUDENT!

Every student should submit at least 20 contacts — phone numbers for family members, friends, and other potential supporters who may be willing to donate to our program.

Fan-Pledge keeps all contact information private and protected. It is never sold or shared. Please DO NOT use classmates, teachers, administrators, or other Gahr students.

Need ideas for contacts? Think about:

Family • Family Friends • Neighbors • Parents’ Friends & Coworkers • Former Teachers • Coaches • Doctors • Dentists • Local Business Owners • Anyone who would be excited to support you!

We’re going BIG for our Fan-Pledge Kick-Off! There will be gift cards, raffles, and prizes, including a new pair of Apple AirPods!

🍕 The SECTION that raises the most money will win a PIZZA OR CANE’S PARTY!

👨‍🍳 The INDIVIDUAL STUDENT who raises the most money will win DINNER COOKED BY MR. LONEY! You pick the meal, and Mr. Loney will cook it from scratch.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: Only REAL CONTACTS of people you actually know. Fake contacts will be deleted, and students who submit fake contacts will not be eligible for raffles or prizes.

PLEASE NOTE: Fan-Pledge is a program-wide fundraiser that benefits all of our students. While we have fun prizes and incentives, donations are not tied to individual student accounts. Every dollar raised goes directly toward improving and supporting the students of the Gahr Instrumental Music Program as a whole.

If everyone does their part, we can make sure the Gahr Band & Color Guard look as incredible as they sound when we represent our school at Walt Disney World! 💙💛

MAX! PREVIEW OF CHAMPIONS THIS SATURDAY 9/26

This Saturday 9/26 is our FIRST COMPETITION of the season at the MAX! Preview of Champions at Chaffey High School! CALL TIME IS 8:30AM AT GAHR HIGH SCHOOL FOR REHEARSAL – DO NOT BE LATE.

We will need everyone helping at the competition with front ensemble and props to please be at the Gahr Stadium by 1:15PM so we can do a timed push on/off at approximately 2:00PM. We are also feeding the students two meals, so we will need a lot of help with food. Please click here to sign up to volunteer.

Band students will be in full uniform – bring your black sleeveless compression top, black compression shorts, LONG black socks, black marching shoes, and a change of clothes for after the performance. Color Guard will be in full guard costume – bring your guard warm-ups and everything you need for hair & makeup. Lunch, sack dinner, and a quick snack after the performance will be provided. Because we perform near the end of the show, students should NOT plan on purchasing food from concessions.

General admission for spectators is $20 per person, Senior Citizens & Veterans are $15, and children 5 & under are free. All spectators must purchase admission to the competition, even if you are helping with props or equipment. Student performers are always free. Parking is $10 per vehicle in the Fourth St. Parking Lot adjacent to the stadium.

Our approximate dismissal time back at Gahr High School is 11:59PM. This will be a long and exciting first competition day, so GO TO BED EARLY, HYDRATE, AND EAT A GOOD BREAKFAST BEFORE YOU ARRIVE!!

MAX! PREVIEW OF CHAMPIONS
Saturday, September 26, 2026

Location: Chaffey High School
Address: 1245 N Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762

General Admission: $20
Senior Citizens & Veterans: $15
Children 5 & Under: Free
Parking: $10 in the Fourth St. Parking Lot (see map)
Schedule: https://schedules.competitionsuite.com/862f24cd-0cd8-4796-b85a-4d09419c0f20_standard.htm
More Info: https://calstatebandchamps.org/events/max-preview-of-champions/
Volunteer: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-65909820-92626

Go to bed early and hydrate. Eat a good breakfast before you arrive. Bring your one-gallon water jug and everything you need for rehearsal and your full uniform/costume.

8:00AM Band Room Opens
8:30AM Call Time – Set Up for Rehearsal at STADIUM
9:00AM Warm Up / Basics / Review in Sections
10:00AM Full Ensemble – Review
12:00PM Lunch (provided)
1:00PM Full Ensemble – Chunks with Met / No Met
2:00PM Timed Run-Through – PARENT HELP NEEDED FOR PUSH ON/OFF
Entering & exiting Side B front (southeast corner)
2:15PM Debrief / Load – EVERYONE HELPS
3:00PM Change into Full Uniform
4:30PM Load Buses (bring change of clothes)
4:45PM Depart for Chaffey High School
5:45PM Arrive / Restroom / Sack Dinner (provided)
6:15PM Unload
6:45PM Warm Up
8:00PM Ensemble
8:25PM Walk to Gate
8:38PM Front Ensemble Gate Time
8:45PM Band Gate Time
8:53PM JUNGLE BOOGIE TIME!
9:00PM Push Equipment & Props Off to the Side / Stack Instruments ASAP
Parents can help push equipment & props back to the trailers.
9:02PM Watch Cerritos HS
9:11PM Watch Los Osos
9:20PM Watch RCC Marching Tigers
9:30PM Push Equipment & Props Back to Trailers / Restroom Along the Way
9:45PM Load Equipment & Props ASAP – BAND STAYS IN UNIFORM
10:15PM Change Out of Uniform / Quick Snack (provided)
10:45PM Depart for Gahr HS
11:30PM Unload Equipment & Props ASAP – EVERYONE HELPS
11:59PM Approximate Dismissal Time

ATHLETIC CLEARANCE – COMPLETE ASAP

If you have not yet completed your 2026-27 Athletic Clearance, this must be completed ASAP. Students who are not fully cleared will NOT be able to ride the bus to our first competition.

All Marching Band & Color Guard students are required to complete athletic clearance each year through Home Campus and have a current athletic physical on file.
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 also complete their athletic physical at Anderson Chiropractic Clinic in Los Alamitos for $20 cash. Please call ahead to schedule an appointment at (562) 594-6538.

FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS FUNDRAISER!

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 Friday, October 16, 2026. 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!

You can also purchase a program ad directly through our website! Please make sure you email your artwork to Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us.

SENIOR PARENTS – BABY PHOTOS REQUEST

We have a special tradition at the Gahr Invitational Field Show: creating a picture spread in the middle of the program featuring baby and toddler photos of our seniors! Please take a moment to dig through those photo albums, scroll through your cloud storage, or check that shoebox under the bed to find the perfect picture of your senior.

Deadline: Submit photos by Friday, October 9, 2026

How to Submit: Please email your son/daughter’s baby photo to dvarney15@gmail.com or you can text it directly to (562) 413-3068.

Thank you, and way to go Class of 2027!! 🎓💙💛

SENIOR PARENT SHIRTS – CLASS OF 2027!

We are now taking pre-orders for our 2027 Senior Parent Shirts! These awesome, high-quality t-shirts feature designs from each of our seniors’ four Gahr Marching Gladiators field shows and are a great way to celebrate and support your favorite senior! Shirts are $25 each. Money and order forms are due by Wednesday, September 30th. Please contact Dee Dee at dvarney15@gmail.com with any questions.

WBA CHAMPIONSHIPS – PARENT HOTEL FILLING UP FAST!

Planning to travel to Fresno for the WBA Championships November 21-22? Our discounted Parent Hotel block is filling up FAST!

This year, the band will travel up early Saturday morning and stay one night, returning home late Sunday evening after WBA Grand Championships. We have a discounted parent room block at the Homewood Suites Fresno, located right across from where our students will be staying!

November 21-22 | $179 + tax
Complimentary Breakfast & Parking

The official booking deadline is October 22, but availability is limited. If you’re planning to attend, we strongly recommend reserving your room ASAP!

GAHR INVITATIONAL FIELD TOURNAMENT – SIGN UPS!

We are excited to announce that the Gahr Invitational Field Tournament will take place on Saturday, November 7th, right here at Gahr High School! This year, we are proud to welcome over 30 bands from across Southern California for an incredible day of marching band!

Thank you so much to all the parents who came to our meeting this past Wednesday! Special thanks to Dee Dee Varney and Ida Barcelos for presenting and organizing the tournament.

This is the one competition you should NOT be sitting in the stands watching. The Gahr Invitational is our biggest event of the year, and it takes a huge team of volunteers to make it happen. We need ALL HANDS ON DECK!

From concessions and parking to tickets, hospitality, merchandise, and more, there are many ways to help throughout the day. We will have thousands of students, families, and spectators in attendance and cannot do it without your support.

If you haven’t signed up for a shift yet, please click here to sign up to volunteer.

Let’s make this the biggest and best Gahr Invitational yet! 💙💛

PROGRAM DONATIONS – MARCHING BAND

The Gahr High School Band & Color Guard program is largely self-funded. 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 – Past Due July 20, 2026
$175 – 3rd Donation – Past 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, regardless of 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!

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

9/25 Mandatory Fan-Pledge Kick-Off at 3:30PM
9/26 CSBC MAX! Preview of Champions Show
10/2 Home Football Game vs. Paramount / 4th Donation Due
10/3 Band & Guard Photo Day / South Coast Invitational @ Costa Mesa HS
10/8 Tacos with the Principal in the MPR
10/10 Ayala Music in Motion Tournament @ Ayala HS
10/12 Rehearsal 9AM-1PM
10/16 Home Football Game vs. California & SENIOR NIGHT!
10/17 Saturday Rehearsal 8:30AM-5PM
10/21 Cerritos College Jazz Exchange Concert!
10/23 BOA Rehearsal & Load from 3:30-6:00PM
10/24 Bands of America Southern California Regional
10/28 Red Robin Fundraiser – ALL DAY!

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 9/21
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – DO NOT BE LATE
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery, Front Ensemble rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal (ballad focus)

TUESDAY 9/22
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – DO NOT BE LATE
Study Hall during periods 4/5/6
After School – Homework/Dinner/Change
5:30-8:45PM Marching Band Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY 9/23
7:30AM Band Room open
Memorization Test: Movement 2
3:30-4:30PM Wind Sectionals

THURSDAY 9/24
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – DO NOT BE LATE
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery, Front Ensemble rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal

FRIDAY 9/25
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – DO NOT BE LATE!
3:30PM-5:00PM MANDATORY Fan-Pledge Kick-Off & PRIZES!!

SATURDAY 9/26
MAX! Preview of Champions (CSBC)
Location: Chaffey High School
Address: 1245 N Euclid Ave, Ontario, CA 91762

Go to bed early and hydrate. Eat a good breakfast before you arrive. Bring your one-gallon water jug and everything you need for rehearsal and your full uniform/costume.

8:00AM Band Room open
8:30AM Call time – Set up for rehearsal at Stadium – DO NOT BE LATE
8:53PM JUNGLE BOOGIE TIME!

NEXT WEEK:

MONDAY 9/28
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery, Front Ensemble rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal
8:00PM OPTIONAL: Tom Kubis Big Band at the Gaslamp

TUESDAY 9/29
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II
Study Hall during periods 4/5/6
After School – Homework/Dinner/Change
5:30-8:45PM Marching Band Rehearsal

WEDNESDAY 9/30
7:30AM Band Room open
3:30-4:30PM Wind Sectionals

THURSDAY 10/1
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery, Front Ensemble rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band Rehearsal

FRIDAY 10/2
4TH DONATION DUE OF $175.00
6:50AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II

HOME FOOTBALL GAME VS. PARAMOUNT
6th Period – Get everything to the stadium
After school — Hydrate and eat dinner (not provided)
5:00PM CALL TIME FOR ALL STUDENTS TO CHANGE INTO UNIFORM
5:15PM Warm up / Run pep tunes in Band Room
6:45PM Star-Spangled Banner
7:00PM Home Football Game vs. Paramount HS
8:15PM Half-time performance (everyone help push back props and equipment)
8:45PM Change out of uniform and hang CORRECTLY
9:00PM Approximate dismissal

HYDRATE AND GO TO BED!!

SATURDAY 10/3
SOUTH COAST INVITATIONAL FIELD TOURNAMENT!
LOCATION: Costa Mesa High School
ADDRESS: 2650 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
MORE INFO: https://calstatebandchamps.org/events/south-coast-invitational-7/