HAPPY NEW YEAR!
HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope you are having a restful Winter Break and are feeling refreshed, motivated, and excited for the semester ahead. It’s truly incredible what our program accomplished in 2025! We will be building on the momentum from the fall and have some exciting things planned in the months ahead. When we return, we’ll be hitting the ground running with focus, energy, and high expectations as we continue to grow together. Remember – you get out of it what you put into it!
Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard have camps coming up this weekend, after having had most of the break off. Indoor Percussion will rehearse Friday and Saturday from 9:00AM–5:00PM, and Winter Guard will have rehearsal on Sunday from 9:00AM–4:00PM. Be sure to hydrate, bring plenty of water, and $5 for lunch each day. PARENTS: Click here sign up to help with lunch.
This coming week only – ALL WOODWINDS in the music program have rehearsal on Tuesday, January 6th from 3:30-6:00PM and ALL BRASS have rehearsal on Thursday, January 8th from 3:30-6:00PM. We will spend some time going through the audition excerpts together, overall fundamentals, and some sight-reading. No percussion is needed after school for these two rehearsals, but are strongly encouraged to practice audition excerpts individually.
FRONT ENSEMBLE UPDATE – Beginning this Monday, January 5th, Front Ensemble will rehearse on Mondays from 5:30-8:30PM. This schedule adjustment allows Adam, Jimmy, and possibly Kyle to teach on Mondays. Jesse will no longer be with us this season, and we appreciate all the work and time he has contributed to the program up to this point.
1ST DONATION DUE FOR INDOOR GROUPS
The first donation for Indoor Percussion of $250 is due Friday, January 2nd. Please note that the first donation Winter Guard of $225 is now past due. These initial donations are critical so we move forward with purchasing new floors for both groups, as well as costumes, props, and instructional staffing.
While we have the total donation broken into payments, families who are financially able are strongly encouraged to pay the full amount upfront, as many of these expenses occur early in the season. Payments may be made with cash, check payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or online using a credit card.
We had two information meetings for our winter groups prior to Winter Break. Please make sure you turn in the required Parental Consent form to Mr. Loney (the last page of the information packet). Review the materials below if you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the information:
Indoor Percussion Information Packet and Consent Form
Winter Guard Packet and Consent Form / Winter Guard Calendar
Please stay tuned for upcoming opportunities to help with prop building, food support, and transportation. We’re looking forward to incredible seasons for both Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard!
HOLIDAY BAND CONCERT – THANK YOU!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our annual Holiday Band Concert! The students did a fantastic job preparing a lot of music in a short period of time. The support from our families, alumni, and community made it a wonderful way to close out the semester.
On behalf of Mrs. Loney, Lauren, and Mrs. Johnson Miranda, thank you so much for the incredibly thoughtful presents and gift cards. Your kindness and generosity mean more than we can say, and we are deeply grateful for the continued support you show our program and our students.
Thank you to the parents (and alumni) who managed the front-of-house and kept the concert running smoothly! We would also like to thank ABCUSD Board Member, Mr. Ernie Nishii and Assistant Principal, Ms. TreAna Marbrey for attending the concert.
2026 HONOR BAND AUDITIONS & ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT
All winds and percussionists should be actively working on their audition excerpts. These excerpts will be used for ensemble and chair placements at Gahr, as well as for auditions for the 2026 ABCUSD Honor Band. All Wind Ensemble students are REQUIRED to audition. Concert Band students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to audition (and many of these students make the honor band every year).
We are thrilled that Dr. Christi Lundahl will be conducting the 2026 ABCUSD High School Honor Band. She has programmed outstanding literature, and this will be an exceptional musical experience for our students.
Make sure you’re using this week to practice SLOWLY with a metronome so you can be successful. Take advantage of times the Band Room is open late for Indoor Percussion or Winter Guard rehearsals. Just ask Mr. Loney and we can open up additional rooms for individual practice or sectionals.
Audition Music (PDFs): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/08rcf0p9ghyl7j8ftizy2/AIcIit9s7DNLpi3NUcGD_Vg?rlkey=8ntjff96uqpzfk5carmjewqdo&dl=0
These are the four pieces for the program:
”American Hymnsong Suite” by Dwayne Milburn
”Lola Flores” arranged by John Krance
”Kalos Eidos” by Carol Brittin Chambers
”Grace Before Sleep” by Susan LaBarr
This year, the high school honor band auditions rotate to Cerritos HS.
Brass & Percussion: Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00-8:00PM
Woodwinds: Wednesday, January 21st from 5:00-8:00PM
In addition to the excerpts, the auditions will also include some basic sight-reading.
Rehearsal Schedule:
Sectionals – Date/Time/Location TBA
Tuesday 2/3 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS
Thursday 2/5 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS
Tuesday 2/10 from 6:00-8:30PM at Whitney HS
The ABCUSD Honor Band Concert is Thursday, February 12th at Whitney HS @ 7:00PM
If you need any help or have questions, please see Mr. Loney or Mrs. Johnson Miranda. Happy practicing!
JOIN JAZZ BAND FOR SECOND SEMESTER!
Huge congratulations to Jazz I and Jazz II on their outstanding holiday performances! The energy, style, and growth in both bands have been incredible, and we’re gearing up for an amazing festival season ahead.
We’re very close to full instrumentation, but we’re looking to add a few more trumpets and trombones to Jazz II to make the band even stronger. We have exciting charts and performances lined up, and you can still jump in and be part of something special.
Interested? See Mr. Loney as soon as possible and let’s make this an unforgettable semester!
CONCERT BAND & WIND ENSEMBLE
This week only, all WOODWINDS will have an after-school rehearsal on Tuesday, 1/6, and all BRASS will have an after-school rehearsal on Thursday, 1/8. Beginning next week, we will transition into our normal ensemble rehearsal schedule:
Wind Ensemble – Tuesdays from 3:30-6PM
Concert Band – Thursdays from 3:30-6PM
Please note that there have been a few calendar adjustments due to Honor Band auditions, rehearsals, and the concert – so be sure to double-check the schedule. All percussionists will be assigned to either perform with Concert Band or Wind Ensemble, typically based on sight-reading ability and Honor Band preparation/auditions.
When we return, we’ll be doing some sight-reading as we work to finalize our festival repertoire. Below are a few possibilities being considered for both bands:
Ekklesia by Michael Markowski
Riptides by Katahj Copley
The Battle of Maiyarap by Jinnawat Mansap
We’re excited to play festival music that will challenge us, highlight our strengths, and build on our momentum.
FALL DONATIONS PAST DUE – ACTION REQUIRED
Please make sure you have paid all of your marching band donations. This is critical so that we are able to pay our instructional staff, outstanding bills for production costs, and register for festivals and competitions. FALL MARCHING BAND DONATIONS MUST BE PAID IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WINTER PROGRAMS. Please pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment with a credit card.
LAST CHANCE FOR THESE ITEMS!
Relive the season all year long with the official 2026 Gahr Marching Gladiators 11” x 17” wall calendar, featuring beautiful photos from rehearsals, competitions, booster support, and championship performances. It’s a perfect gift for family, friends, and supporters.
Celebrate an unforgettable season with our 2025 limited-edition “And Sew It Goes” ornament, handmade with charming details inspired by this year’s production and finished with a 2025 charm. Only 75 ornaments will be made, making this a truly special keepsake.
Commemorate the 10th annual Gahr Invitational Field Tournament with this limited-edition embroidered patch, a meaningful keepsake for band members, alumni, and supporters. This 3” sew-on patch looks great on jackets or in shadow boxes. Quantities are limited.
ATTENDANCE COMMUNICATION UPDATE
To ensure fairness, responsibility, and consistency moving forward, the following Attendance Communication Policy will now be enforced, effective immediately:
Excused Absences require a minimum of 2 weeks advance notice.
Medical appointments, school events, and family commitments must be scheduled outside rehearsals and performances whenever possible.
Same-day or last-minute messages are not acceptable and will be considered unexcused unless it is a verifiable emergency.
Emergency absences must be communicated by a parent/guardian in writing or an email before the rehearsal begins.
Unexcused absences may result in loss of set drill spot, alternate status, or performance ineligibility.
Excused Absences (with documentation & 2 weeks notice)
Illness (with parent/guardian communication)
Family wedding (immediate family only)
Religious holidays
School-sponsored, graded event (conflicting class performance/competition)
Unexcused Absences
Work
Studying or homework
Babysitting
Driver’s training
Routine doctor/dentist appointments scheduled during rehearsal
Last-minute messages without prior communication
“Not feeling well” without parental communication
Transportation issues
Thank you to the many students and families who already communicate responsibly and plan ahead. These expectations are not a punishment – but rather are about respect for each other and the work we are doing together. Consistent effort and communication are part of what makes this program so successful.
If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you.
THIS WEEKEND:
FRIDAY 1/2
INDOOR PERCUSSION – DONATION $250 DUE
WINTER GUARD – DONATION $225 PAST DUE
INDOOR PERCUSSION CAMP 9AM-5PM
9:00AM-1:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 1
1:00-2:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
2:00-5:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 2
SATURDAY 1/3
INDOOR PERCUSSION CAMP 9AM-5PM
9:00AM-1:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 1
1:00-2:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
2:00-5:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 2
SUNDAY 1/4
WINTER GUARD CAMP 9AM-4PM
9:00AM-12:00PM Winter Guard – Block 1
12:00-1:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
1:00-4:00PM Winter Guard – Block 2
NEXT WEEK:
MONDAY 1/5
BRING YOUR INSTRUMENT AND MUSIC TO SCHOOL
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
6th-6:00PM Battery only rehearsal
3:20PM Band Room open to practice
5:30-8:30PM Front Ensemble only rehearsal
TUESDAY 1/6
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
3:30-6:00PM ALL WOODWINDS
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 1/7
2nd/3rd Period – Chapman University performances!
3:20PM Band Room open to practice
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
THURSDAY 1/8
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
3:30-6:00PM ALL BRASS
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 1/9
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
2nd/3rd Period – Clarinets with Beto
Take instruments and music home to practice for honor band auditions.