MINI BAND & GUARD CAMP STARTS THIS WEEK!

Dear Gahr Band & Color Guard Families,

We’re officially kicking off our 2025 season next week, and we have important updates for both new and returning students and parents. Please read below and make sure you’re ready!

🎶 BAND & COLOR GUARD MINI-CAMP – MONDAY-THURSDAY

Band & Color Guard Mini-Camp is tomorrow, Monday, June 2nd through Thursday, June 5th from 1:00PM-9:00PM each day. This Camp is MANDATORY for all new and returning members and is the official kick-off to our 2025 season. You’ll learn everything you need to succeed: warm-ups, marching technique, music, drill, choreography, and get a head start on our 2025 production. On Thursday, we will end rehearsal with an ice cream social! 🍦

Wear comfortable clothes (no jeans), athletic shoes, a hat, and bring a 1-gallon water jug. If you have your own instrument, please bring it, otherwise we will try to provide one for you. Bring $5 for dinner each day.

This camp is MANDATORY for all new and returning members and is the official kick-off to our 2025 season. You’ll learn everything you need to succeed: warm-ups, marching technique, music, drill, choreography, and get a head start on our 2025 production. On Thursday, we will end rehearsal with an ice cream social! 🍦

STUDENTS: Make sure you DRINK A LOT OF WATER TODAY. 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 making and serving dinner each day of the Mini Camp. Please click here to volunteer. We also have a Wish List if you’re able to donate items. 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 2025 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 $175 (due Monday 6/2)
- 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.

🪡🧵🧶 2025 FIELD SHOW PRODUCTION: “AND SEW IT GOES”

📲 STAY IN THE LOOP

We use the Remind app for important announcements. Please sign up based on what grade you’re in:

✅ 2025 PROGRAM DONATIONS – MARCHING BAND

The student contribution for the 2025 Gahr High School Marching Band is $675. This donation helps cover essential program expenses, including instructional staff, equipment and instruments, music, production costs, costumes, and food throughout the season.

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:

$175 – 1st Donation – Due June 2, 2025
$175 – 2nd Donation – Due July 21, 2025
$175 – 3rd Donation – Due August 29, 2025
$150 – 4th Donation – Due September 26, 2025

Click here to make your donation online.

If you would like to get a head start on fundraising, click here to download the 2025 sponsorship letter.

If you are in a position to do so, we highly encourage families to pay the entire donation to help us with upfront costs – such as props, equipment, and instruments. Please note that missing any part of the Mini Camp, Band Camp, or rehearsals does not excuse you from a donation.

Thank you for supporting our incredible students and making another unforgettable season possible!

🩺 ATHLETIC CLEARANCE THROUGH FAMILYID

All students in the 2025–2026 Gahr High School Marching Band must complete their athletic clearance through the FamilyID website by Monday, July 21, 2025:

➡️ Complete Athletic Clearance Here

For your convenience, we will be offering two on-campus athletic physicals through Andersen Chiropractic. Please bring $20 cash and attend one of the following:

Wednesday, June 11th anytime from 2:00PM-5:00PM
Wednesday, July 16th anytime from 10:00AM-1:00PM

Don’t forget to bring the 2025–2026 Athletic Physical Clearance form to your physical. Please note that all students will also need to purchase an ASB card and pay $75 a transportation fee.

✨ INFORMATION MEETING SLIDE DECK

We had an amazing turnout for our New Student/Parent Information Meeting, and are starting the year off strong! If you are a new or returning parent, please click here to access the slide deck.

🎺 DRUM CORPS AT THE ROSE BOWL!

We’re putting together a group to experience Drum Corps LIVE on Saturday, July 12th 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, Mandarins, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Devils, and the Boston Crusaders!

We typically have a group of 100+ students, parents, family, friends, and alumni – and it’s one of the most fun events of the summer! Group tickets are just $25/person.

➡️ Click here to purchase tickets online

The deadline to purchase a group rate ticket is Friday, June 13th.

📆 IMPORTANT UPCOMING DATES

6/2 Donation #1 of $175 due
6/2-5 Mini Band Camp from 1:00-9:00PM each day
6/11 Athletic Physical at Gahr HS from 2-5PM
6/11 Percussion & Color Guard Rehearsal from 5-9PM
6/12 Color Guard Rehearsal from 5-9PM
6/13 Deadline to purchase DCI at the Rose Bowl tickets
6/18 Percussion Rehearsal from 1-9PM
6/25 Percussion Rehearsal from 1-9PM
7/2 Percussion Rehearsal from 1-9PM
7/8-9 Color Guard Rehearsal from 5-9PM
7/12 Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl
7/16 Athletic Physical at Gahr HS from 10AM-1PM
7/16 Percussion Rehearsal from 1PM-9PM
7/21 Donation #2 of $175 due
7/21-8/6 Band Camp
7/22 Mandatory Parent Meeting at 7:30PM
7/25 Family Beach Bonfire at Bolsa Chica State Beach 6-9PM
8/2 “Gahr” Wash 9AM-2PM
8/6 Band Camp Sneak Preview