MINI BAND & GUARD CAMP STARTS MONDAY!
We’re officially kicking off our 2026 season next week, and we have important updates for both new and returning students and parents. Please read the information below carefully to make sure you’re ready!
MINI BAND & GUARD CAMP STARTS MONDAY!
Band & Color Guard Mini-Camp is this Monday, June 1st through Thursday, June 4th from 1:00PM-9:00PM each day. Mini Band Camp is MANDATORY for all new and returning members and is the official kick-off to our 2026 season.
Please arrive at least 15-20 minutes early each day to check in and mingle. On Monday, all students should plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early, especially if you need to check out a school instrument. If you start summer school on Thursday, or if you’re coming from another school district that is still in session, please come to rehearsal as soon as possible after your classes end.
You’ll learn everything you need to succeed: warm-ups, marching technique, music, drill, choreography, and get a head start on our 2026 field show production, “Jungle Boogie.” On Thursday, we will end rehearsal with an ice cream social! 🍦
Wear comfortable athletic clothes (no jeans), athletic/tennis shoes (no converse), a hat, and bring a 1-gallon water jug. If you have your own instrument or equipment, please bring it, otherwise we will try to provide one for you. Please bring $5 for dinner each day.
STUDENTS: Make sure you DRINK A LOT OF WATER THIS WEEKEND. You always want to hydrate at least 24 hours in advance. GO OUTSIDE – for a walk, jog, or bike ride – to get used to moving around in the heat.
PARENTS: We need your help to prepare and serve dinner during Mini Band Camp. Your support makes a huge difference for our students. Please click here to sign up to volunteer. In order to help keep lunches and dinners affordable, we also ask for donations of supplies and food items. Please click here to check out our wish list and support the program. Thank you!!
Know someone who might be interested? Invite them! No experience is required – just a great attitude and a willingness to learn. We will be able to teach them everything they need to know. This is their last chance to come to have a spot in our 2026 field show production!
THINGS TO BRING:
- Water (1-gallon jug preferred) 💧
- Hat (preferably something with a wide brim) 🧢
- Instrument/sticks/flag (if you have your own) 🎺🥁🏳️
- Athletic shoes (no sandals or converse please) 👟
- Comfortable clothes (shorts & t-shirt, no jeans) 👕🩳
- Black, 3-ring binder and pencil (for winds & percussionists) ✏️
- 1st Donation of $250 (due Monday 6/1)
- A friend! 😄
We’re gearing up for an amazing year, and this is where it all begins! If you have any questions, feel free to reach out at darren.loney@abcusd.us. Visit www.gahrband.org or follow @gahrband on Instagram for the latest updates.
The excitement and momentum surrounding our program right now is incredible, and we are already looking forward to a fun and exciting season ahead with our 2026 field show production, “Jungle Boogie.” 🌴🪩🕺🏻
We are also thrilled to be traveling to Orlando, Florida in 2027, where our students will have the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World and experience an incredible trip together. It’s not too late to sign up and get on a payment plan. You don’t want to miss out!!
This is shaping up to be the biggest marching band we’ve ever had in the history of the school! We cannot wait to continue growing together, creating amazing performances, making lifelong friendships, and building even more unforgettable experiences in the year ahead!
📲 STAY IN THE LOOP
We use Remind for important announcements. Please sign up based on your grade:
✅ 2026 PROGRAM DONATIONS – MARCHING BAND
The student contribution for the 2026 Gahr High School Marching Band is $775. This donation helps cover essential program expenses, including instructional staff, equipment and instruments, music, production costs, costumes, and food throughout the season. This will also include our trip to the Western Band Association Championships in Fresno.
Your support ensures our students receive the high-level, specialized instruction that motivates them to grow – both as performers and as individuals. These skills translate beyond the field and into the classroom, promoting discipline, confidence, and teamwork.
Donations can be paid in full or broken into the following payment schedule:
$250 – 1st Donation – 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 your donation online.
If your family is able, 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 the Mini Camp, Band Camp, or rehearsals does not excuse you from the donation.
Thank you for supporting our incredible students and making another unforgettable season possible!
🌴 HAVE YOU SIGNED UP FOR ORLANDO YET?
Our 2027 Orlando performance trip is shaping up to be something REALLY special! We already have 100+ students registered, and we would love to have even more be part of this incredible experience.
This trip is open to all band and color guard students for the 2026–27 school year, including incoming freshmen (current 8th graders). We understand that some students are still waitlisted for Gahr, or may just need more time to decide on the trip. We will make sure that any student who wants to go will still have the opportunity to sign up.
✨ 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!!!
🎺 DCI LIVE AT THE ROSE BOWL! 🥁🎶
We’re putting together a group to experience Drum Corps LIVE on Saturday, July 11th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena – and you’re invited! If you enjoy watching marching bands, this will blow you away. The lineup is absolutely stacked with top World Class corps, including Blue Knights, Pacific Crest, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Devils, and special for this year – the Bluecoats!
Discounted group sale tickets are just $30/person. We typically have a group of around 100+ students, parents, family, and alumni – and it’s one of the most memorable events of the summer.
The deadline to purchase group tickets through us is Friday, June 12th.
✨ NEW STUDENT/PARENT INFO MEETING
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our New Student/Parent Information Meeting! We’re incredibly thankful for the amazing turnout and excited to kick off the year with such positive energy. We truly appreciate your support and hope you’ll consider volunteering throughout the season – it takes a village, and we’d love to have you be a part of it. Click here to download the slide deck that was presented at the meeting.
🩺 ATHLETIC CLEARANCE THROUGH FAMILYID
All students in the 2026–2027 Gahr High School Marching Band must complete their athletic clearance through the FamilyID website before Monday, July 20, 2026. You will need to do an athletic physical and get this form filled out (it is okay that date has not been updated for this year yet).
➡️ Complete Athletic Clearance Here
For your convenience, we will be offering an on-campus athletic physical during the summer through Andersen Chiropractic for just $20. We are currently confirming a date/time.
📆 SUMMER REHEARSALS & EVENTS
6/1-4 Mini Band Camp 1-9PM, each day
6/1 Donation #1 of $250 Due
6/10 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-9PM
6/12 DCI at the Rose Bowl Ticket Deadline
6/15-16 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
6/22-23 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
6/24 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/7-8 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
7/8 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
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
8/6 Band Camp Sneak Preview at 6PM
8/12 First Day of School