SUMMER UPDATE!
Gahr Students and Parents,
Congratulations on an incredible Mini Band & Guard Camp! We had an amazing turnout with over 160 students in attendance, and the energy throughout the week was outstanding. New members jumped right in, learned quickly, and immediately became part of our band & color guard family. Our returning members set the tone with their leadership and positive attitude, creating an environment that was welcoming, encouraging, and fun for everyone!
One of the most exciting parts of the week was seeing students make new friends, learn new skills, and begin building the relationships that will help make this year special. We are especially proud of our student leadership team, who helped make the camp run smoothly, welcomed new members, and led our team-building activities throughout the week.
Thank you to our incredible instructors for sharing their knowledge and passion with our students. We would also like to extend a huge thank you to the parents who volunteered and donated throughout the week. Your support helped create an amazing experience for our students, and we are incredibly grateful.
For many new students, high school can feel scary and overwhelming, but being part of the band and color guard program at Gahr is one of the best decisions you can make. You will have a second family where students build friendships, gain confidence, and create unforgettable memories through performances, competitions, and travel.
Front Ensemble and Battery rehearse tomorrow, Wednesday, June 10th from 1:00-9:00PM (bring $5 for burgers). Color Guard has practice next week, Monday & Tuesday, June 15th & 16th from 8:30AM-12:30PM, both days. Keep hydrating and eat before rehearsal, bring a hat and water, and wear athletic clothes & shoes.
Everyone – Winds, Battery, Front ensemble, and Color Guard – will return for our full Band Camp from Monday, July 20th through Wednesday, August 5th.Please note that we are ending Band Camp with our Sneak Preview Performance on Wednesday, August 5th. We will have more detailed information as we get closer to camp.
We are off to a fantastic start and can’t wait to continue building on this momentum as we learn our 2026 field show production, “Jungle Boogie!” 🌴🕺🏻🪩
DCI AT THE ROSE BOWL – TICKET DEADLINE FRIDAY
Experience Drum Corps LIVE on Saturday, July 11th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena! The lineup is stacked with top World Class corps, including Blue Devils, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Knights, Pacific Crest, and special for this year – the Bluecoats! It’s one of the most fun events of the summer – and Mr. Lopez will buy you a McDonald’s cookie if you go! 🍪
Group tickets are just $30 per person.
Purchase here: tinyurl.com/gahr-dci-rose-bowl
This is a carpooled event, and family members are welcome to attend! The deadline to purchase group tickets is this Friday, June 12th. Click here to find out more information about the event, including the full line up and times.
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 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 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 the camps or rehearsals does not excuse you from the donation.
Thank you for making another unforgettable season possible!
SUMMER ABSENCES & TRAVEL
We understand that many families have vacations, camps, and other travel plans during the summer. While the woodwinds and brass have most of the summer off, there are some percussion and color guard practices scheduled every other week.
Summer trips 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 absences, 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.
The full program calendar is always available at: www.gahrband.org/calendar
🩺 ATHLETIC CLEARANCE THROUGH FAMILYID
All students in the 2026–27 Gahr High School Marching Band must complete their athletic clearance through the FamilyID website by Monday, July 20, 2026.
FamilyId Registration:
www.familyid.com/gahr-high-school
To help families get this completed, Andersen Chiropractic will be providing on-campus athletic physicals at the Band Room on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, from 10:00AM–1:00PM. Please bring $20 cash.
Please print this two-page form and bring it with you to your physical. If you complete yours at school on July 8th, we will already have forms printed for you. Scan or take a picture of the completed form and upload it to your FamilyID account.
Important: 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 season.
📲 STAY IN THE LOOP – REMIND MESSAGES
We use Remind for important announcements. Please sign up based on your grade:
📆 SUMMER REHEARSALS & EVENTS
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
8/5 Band Camp Sneak Preview at 6:00PM
8/6 DCI Big, Loud & Live in theaters (optional)
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