FIRST WEEK OF SCHOOL!
Phenomenal job at Band Camp and congratulations on an amazing Sneak Preview! The students worked incredibly hard and we’re gearing up for an exciting year. A huge thank you to all the parents who volunteered during Band Camp – we couldn’t have done it without you! School starts tomorrow, Wednesday, August 13th. Our first after-school marching band rehearsal for everyone is this Thursday from 3:30-6:00PM.
Always hydrate 24 hours ahead and eat throughout the day so you have energy. Bring your instrument, equipment, music, change of athletic clothes/shoes, hat, and 1-gallon water jug DAILY. You can always drop off your instrument/equipment, water jug, lunch/dinner, and rehearsal shoes/clothes in the Band Room before school. Please make sure everything is labeled with your name. Please see Mr. Loney if you have not received a locker yet.
We have an important marching band rehearsal this Saturday, August 16th from 8:29AM-5:00PM. We will be covering a lot of new material and will continue learning drill. Always hydrate the day before, eat a good breakfast, and arrive early. The boosters will be making lunch for just $5.
PARENTS: Come join the fun this Saturday! We have Uniform Sewing and Prop Building parties happening, plus we’ll need help serving lunch to our hardworking students. It’s a great way to meet other parents, be part of the excitement, and support our kids.
Sign up here: Volunteer Sign Up
MARCHING BAND WEEKLY REHEARSAL SCHEDULE
Rehearsals start and end at the scheduled time. Please allow up to 15-20 minutes after rehearsal for students to help put away props and equipment.
MONDAYS
3:35-6:00PM Winds, Front Ensemble, and Color Guard
6:00-9:00PM Battery only (eat dinner and do HW after school)
TUESDAYS
5:30-8:45PM Everyone (eat dinner and do HW after school)
WEDNESDAYS
3:35-4:15PM Sectionals
THURSDAYS
3:35-6:00PM Everyone
SATURDAYS
8:30AM-5:00PM Everyone (click for the full calendar)
MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD ORDERS – DEADLINE FRIDAY
It’s time to submit your order forms for the 2025 season!
Winds, Battery, and Front Ensemble – Please complete the Marching Band Order Form. You will need:
- Black Gahr Marching Gladiators Hoodie
- Drillmasters Marching Shoes
Color Guard – Please complete the Color Guard Order Form. You will need all the items listed on the color guard form (if you do not already have them).
DEADLINE: Friday, August 15th – All order forms and payment are due.
There are three payment options:
Cash (please turn in with physical order form)
Check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters” (turn in with physical order form)
Pay online through the website (and still turn in physical order form)
https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/make-a-donation
Enter the grand total as the quantity amount.
REQUIRED BAND ITEMS — In addition to the black marching shoes on the Marching Band order form, ALL BAND STUDENTS WILL NEED A BLACK SLEEVELESS COMPRESSION T-SHIRT, BLACK COMPRESSION SHORTS, AND LONG BLACK SOCKS. You might be able to find these items cheaper at Big 5 Sporting Goods. ALL MARCHING MEMBERS (WINDS, BATTERY, AND COLOR GUARD) WILL ALSO NEED A DOT BOOK (3x5 spiral-bound index card notebook available from Mr. Loney for $3). You can get a dot book and lanyard together for just $5.
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
We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or pay with a credit card on our website: https://www.gahrband.org/store/p/marching-band-donation
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 Band Camp does not excuse you from a donation. Thank you for supporting our incredible students and making another unforgettable season possible!
WELCOME MRS. JOHNSON MIRANDA!
We’re excited to have Mrs. Johnson Miranda join us as our student teacher this year! She has a wealth of experience as a conductor, musician, and music educator. Mrs. Johnson Miranda is currently completing her Master’s in Conducting at California State University, Fullerton, studying with Dr. Dustin Barr, while also earning her teaching credential under the guidance of Dr. Gregory Whitmore. She performs bassoon in both the University Wind Symphony and the University Symphony Orchestra. A graduate of Brigham Young University, she studied conducting with Dr. Shawn Smith and bassoon with Dr. Christian Smith, earning her Music BA and a minor in Family Life. She moved to Southern California in 2023 to continue her studies and now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, musician EJ Miranda. Together, they enjoy freelancing, attending concerts, and visiting Disneyland. Please join us in giving Mrs. Johnson-Miranda a warm welcome to our program!
BAND REGISTRATION & PARTICIPATION FORM
ACTION REQUIRED >> All NEW AND RETURNING members of the Gahr Marching Gladiators must fill out the 2025-26 Band Registration & Participation Form. Please have a parent or guardian fill this out with your student. This takes about 10 minutes to complete.
All students should have completed Gahr High School registration. Please make sure you’ve turned in $60 for an ASB card and $60 for transportation (otherwise it’s $150 for transportation). This can be turned in directly to the school at the finance window in the front office.
CLASS SIGN UPS
All students should be enrolled in one class during the school day: Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Percussion, or Color Guard. Wind students (woodwinds and brass) are placed in either Concert Band or Wind Ensemble. All students in the battery and front ensemble should be in 6th period Percussion.
All students in the program should also be enrolled in 7th Period Marching Band.
You can also join Jazz Ensemble which meets zero period (before school) and offers honors credit. We are especially looking for saxophones, trumpets, trombones, bass, drum set, piano, and guitar.
If there is an error/schedule conflict and are missing any of these classes or believe you are in the wrong class, please email Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us.
PARENT BOOSTER UPDATE
We look forward to seeing all parents at our first Booster Meeting of the year – Wednesday, September 3rd at 6:30PM! This is a great way to get involved in the program and make a difference.
It’s not too late to become an official Gahr Band Booster Member! You’ll receive a 2025 field show t-shirt and a drawstring bag. Membership is just $25 per person. Click here to get your membership.
JOIN GAHR JAZZ!
Jazz Ensemble counts for honors credit and rehearses zero period. If you play saxophone, trumpet, trombone, drum set, guitar, bass (electric/upright), or piano – WE WANT YOU! Please let Mr. Loney know if you’re interested. Our first Jazz Ensemble rehearsal is this Thursday, August 14th at 7:17AM in the Band Room.
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Taking private lessons outside of school is one of the best ways to grow as a musician and improve your skills more quickly. Working one-on-one with an instructor can help you strengthen fundamentals, prepare for auditions, and reach your personal goals. If you’re interested in starting lessons and would like recommendations for local teachers, please email me and I’ll be happy to connect you!
ORDER YOUR SENIOR BANNER
Band and Color Guard seniors will be honored with a custom banner that will be displayed during the football/marching band season. Posters are $40 by cash/check/online, due by August 18th. Seniors will be able to take their vinyl banner home at the end of the season. Click here to buy for the Senior Banner online or print and turn in this form along with $40 cash.
SIGN UP FOR REMIND
We use the Remind app for announcements. Please sign up based on what grade you’re in:
ATHLETIC CLEARANCE
All students participating in the program are required to complete an athletic physical. Gahr is transitioning to a new website platform called "Home Campus" for athletic clearance. Please hold on to your athletic physical paperwork – DO NOT THROW IT AWAY! We will update you when the new system is up and running. If you have already uploaded your paperwork through FamilyID, please note that you will most likely need to resubmit it on the new platform. Thank you for your flexibility, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
TWO GREAT WAYS TO RAISE MONEY!
Use the fundraisers below to raise money for your donations! Extra money can also go towards Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion. Now is the BEST time to fundraise before school starts!
Field Show Program Ads - Earn 90% of the profit from all field show ad sales. The ad prices range from $25 to $175. Many local businesses are looking for ways to advertise to the community. See Mr. Loney to get a past field show program that you can use as an example when selling ads.
Student Sponsorship Letter - 100% of the money sponsorships goes directly to your student account. These take a few hours to complete and mail out, but the return on investment is HUGE if you can make $400-500! This is a great way your family and loved ones can help support.
THIS WEEK:
TUESDAY 8/12
9:00AM-12:00PM Band Room open
Help needed to get Band Room cleaned up and organized
WEDNESDAY 8/13
No Zero Period Wednesdays
7:30AM Band Room open — drop off instruments
Period 2 — Wind Ensemble
Period 3 — Concert Band
Period 6 — Percussion & Color Guard
3:35-4:15PM Sectionals
KEEP HYDRATING!!!
THURSDAY 8/14
6:55AM Band Room open – always arrive early to warm up
7:17AM Jazz I and II attendance
7:20AM Jazz I and II start time
3:35-6:00PM Marching Band rehearsal (everyone)
Bring hat, water, dot book, and wear athletic clothing/shoes.
FRIDAY 8/15
MARCHING BAND & COLOR GUARD ORDERS DUE
POPCORNOPOLIS KICK-OFF!
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I and II attendance
7:20AM Jazz I and II start time (please welcome Mr. Stevens)
No Marching Band after school on Fridays
8:00PM EXTRA JAZZ CREDIT – Ed Code at Craftsman Wood Fired Pizza
148 E. Yorba Linda Blvd, Placentia, CA 92870
SATURDAY 8/16
8:29AM-5:00PM Important Saturday Rehearsal
7:30AM Band Room open
Hydrate, eat a good breakfast, arrive early. Bring hat, water, and dot book.
Volunteer Sign Up – Uniform Sewing, Prop Building, and Lunch
8:29AM-12:00PM Block 1
12:00-1:00PM Lunch — Bring $5 for Walking Tacos!
1:00-5:00PM Block 2
Clean up, Dismissal
