I hope everyone is having a relaxing, fun, and well-deserved summer! We are already off to a fantastic start as we prepare for an exciting 2026 season. I want to congratulate all of our Color Guard, Battery, and Front Ensemble students on the outstanding work they’ve been doing at their summer practices. We’re excited to keep building momentum together heading into Band Camp!

We have an exciting week ahead! Color Guard has their last two practices Tuesday and Wednesday, July 7th and 8th, from 8:30AM-12:30PM both days. Battery and Front Ensemble has practice this Wednesday, July 8, from 1:00-5:00PM. We look forward to seeing everyone there as we continue building toward Band Camp and the start of the marching season.

Also this Wednesday, July 8th, Andersen Chiropractic will be on campus providing athletic physical examinations in the Band Room from 10:00AM-1:00PM for just $20 cash, payable directly to the doctor. This is the easiest and fastest way to complete your athletic physical.

Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl is this Saturday, July 11th! We have nearly 100 students, families, and alumni who pre-purchased tickets for this event – and it’s sure to be a memorable evening of live music featuring some of the best marching groups in the country.

Finally, if you’re interested in traveling with the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard to perform at Walt Disney World in Orlando during Spring Break 2027, this is your last opportunity to register. We already have approximately 100 students signed up, and while registration has been fantastic, we still have room for additional performers. When you sign up, you’ll be able to adjust the balance to be spread out amongst the remaining months left leading up to the trip.

As a reminder, this performance trip is only open to student performers who are members of the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard. Family members are absolutely welcome to travel to Orlando on their own if they would like to attend the performance, enjoy the parks, and support our students, but all parent travel arrangements must be made independently.

Thank you for your continued support of the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard. We have an incredible season ahead, and we look forward to seeing everyone again very soon!

🩺 ATHLETIC PHYSICALS THIS WEDNESDAY!

All students participating in the 2026–27 Gahr High School Marching Band & Color Guard are required to complete athletic clearance each year through the FamilyID website before participating in the season.

To make this process as convenient as possible, Andersen Chiropractic will be providing on-campus athletic physicals in the Band Room this Wednesday, July 8th, anytime from 10:00AM–1:00PM. The cost is $20 (cash only), payable directly to the doctor at the time of your physical.

Please print this two-page form and bring it with you to your physical. If you are doing your physical at school on July 8, we will already have copies printed and ready for you.

After your physical is completed, scan or photograph the signed form and upload it to your FamilyID account.

If you experience difficulty uploading your paperwork, please don’t worry. The FamilyID website may not yet be fully updated for the 2026–27 school year yet.

FamilyId Registration:
www.familyid.com/gahr-high-school

All students in the marching band program are also required to purchase an ASB Card and pay the school Transportation Fee before the start of the school year; however, this can be completed during Band & Color Guard Registration Day on Friday, August 7, 2026.

Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl is this Saturday, July 11th, and we’re excited that more than 100 students, family members, and alumni have already pre-purchased tickets to attend with our group!

The lineup is stacked with some of the world’s top World Class drum corps, including Blue Devils, Bluecoats, and Santa Clara Vanguard. You’ll also have the opportunity to cheer on several of our recently graduated Gahr alumni who are marching this summer. It’s going to be an incredible evening of world-class performances and a great source of inspiration as we prepare for our own marching season!

Ticket Pick-Up
If you purchased group tickets, please pick them up at 1:30PM this Saturday, July 11th, in the Gahr High School parking lot before heading to Pasadena. Tickets will be handed out in seat/row order, so if you have friends or family you would like to sit with, please plan to pick up your tickets together.

Important Reminders
Parking: The Rose Bowl charges $19 per vehicle, so we encourage everyone to carpool whenever possible.
Clear Bag Policy: The Rose Bowl has a clear bag policy, so please plan accordingly before arriving.

Additional Information
Event Information: https://www.dci.org/events/2026-drum-corps-at-the-rose-bowl/
Stadium Info: https://www.rosebowlstadium.com/events/details/644/drum-corps-at-the-rose-bowl/

We look forward to a great evening together. See you Saturday!

LAST CHANCE TO GO TO ORLANDO!

Our 2027 Orlando performance trip is shaping up to be something REALLY special! This trip is open to all band and color guard students for the 2026–27 school year, including incoming freshmen. We already have 100+ students registered, and we would love to have even more be part of this incredible experience. THIS IS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER TO BE PART OF THIS TRIP.

✨ WHY THIS TRIP IS 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 experience. Students will also participate in a Disney Imagination Campus Workshop, working with Disney professionals in a behind-the-scenes learning experience.

3 days at Walt Disney World
2 days at Universal Studios + 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.

✅ HOW TO SIGN UP

1. Go to www.etadventures.com
2. Click “Login”
3. Enter Trip Code: gahr27
4. Create your account
5. Pay a deposit (minimum $150)

🔁 TO MODIFY YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS

1. Click "Payments"
2. Click "View/Modify Recurring Payments"
3. Spread the remaining balance and adjust your schedule as needed

Start with a deposit as little as $150 when you register. You can set up monthly recurring payments to spread out the remaining balance. Please note that the sooner you sign up, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you received a cancellation notice due to missed payments – don't worry. Just make a quick call to the tour company and they can reinstate your account and spread out any past-due balance over the remaining payments.

⚠️ IMPORTANT NOTES:

We typically only take a trip like this once every four years. If you're on the fence, especially incoming freshmen, this is the time to go. You don't want to look back and wish you had been a part of it.
Students must sign up for a quad room (4 students per room). This is for safety purposes and also helps keep the trip more affordable for everyone.
This is a student-only trip. Parents are welcome to make their own travel plans if they would like to attend or be nearby, but registration through the tour company is for students only.
For questions, contact Dee Dee Varney at dvarney15@gmail.com or (562) 413-3068.

This is going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, performances, and lifelong memories! YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT ON THIS!!!

✅ 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 support essential program expenses, including instructional staff, music, equipment and instruments, uniforms and costumes, props, production materials, transportation, food throughout the season, and our trip to the Western Band Association Championships in Fresno.

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.

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.

Please note that missing any part of rehearsals, camps, or performances does not excuse you from the donation. Program expenses are incurred regardless of individual attendance.

Thank you for supporting the Gahr High School Band & Color Guard. Your generosity makes these incredible opportunities possible.

SUMMER ABSENCES & TRAVEL

We understand that many families have vacations, camps, and other travel plans during the summer, and those are absolutely okay! We simply ask that you notify Mr. Loney and your primary instructor as early as possible – at least two weeks in advance whenever possible – so we can plan rehearsals, music assignments, choreography, and staffing accordingly.

Please note that Band Camp is mandatory for all members of the program, including Winds, Battery, Front Ensemble, and Color Guard. Participation in Band Camp is required in order to be included in our 2026 field show production, as every student will be assigned specific music responsibilities, drill positions, choreography, and performance roles.

Most importantly for any absence, communication is key. Planned absences that are communicated in advance can almost always be accommodated. However, missing rehearsals without notifying the staff is not acceptable and may affect a student’s participation in performances and production assignments. With more than 160 students participating in the program this year, we are unable to go back and reteach material that has already been taught.

The full program calendar is always available at: www.gahrband.org/calendar. Families are responsible for checking the calendar regularly, as it contains the most current rehearsal and event schedule.

📲 STAY IN THE LOOP – REMIND MESSAGES

We use Remind for important announcements. Please sign up based on your grade:

📆 SUMMER REHEARSALS & EVENTS

7/7-8 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
7/8 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/8 Athletic Physical anytime 10AM-1PM
7/11 Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl!
7/15 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/20-8/6 Band Camp 8:30AM-5PM, each day M-F
7/20 Donation #2 of $175 Due
7/22 Mandatory Parent/Student Meeting at 6:30PM
7/31 Family Beach Bonfire 6-9PM
8/5 Band Camp Sneak Preview at 6:00PM
8/6 DCI Big, Loud & Live in theaters (optional)
8/7 School Registration, uniform sizing, and senior banner photo
8/12 First Day of School

STAY IN CONTACT

WEBSITE: www.gahrband.org
INSTAGRAM: Follow us @gahrband
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/gahrband
REMIND: Text "@gahr2030” to “81010”
SLACK (STUDENTS ONLY): http://tinyurl.com/gahr-slack
EMAIL: darren.loney@abcusd.us