UPDATE – WEEK 5
Great work this past week! The students made a lot of progress learning the field show, and we are excited to keep building on that momentum. We have an important week of rehearsal as we continue learning the show. Please note that this Tuesday is Back to School Night, so students will have a minimum day schedule and we will have practice from 1:00-4:00PM. Remember to stay hydrated, stay on top of your schoolwork, and stay healthy by washing your hands frequently. Keep up the great work!
Thank you to all of the parents who helped out this past Saturday with lunch and prop building. We are so appreciative of their hard work. Thank you also to everyone who joined us for our kick-off booster meeting last Wednesday! Please help keep our lunches at $5 by donating to the Booster Wishlist.
Our first Gahr Invitational Field Show Committee Meeting will be held next Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30PM. If you are able to help with lunch or the FUNDrive this Saturday, please click here to sign up.
This week’s rehearsal schedule is as follows: Monday from 3:30-6:00PM, Tuesday from 1:00-4:00PM (please note the earlier time due to Back to School Night and the minimum day schedule), and Thursday from 3:30-6:00PM. We will also have rehearsal this Saturday from 8:30AM-5:00PM (in conjunction with our FUNDrive event).
Today, Monday 9/8 is the deadline to purchase an official Booster Membership. Membership is just $25 and includes a new field show shirt and drawstring bag. Thank you for your support!
FUNDRIVE THIS SATURDAY 9/13
This Saturday, September 13th is our FUNDrive recycling event! You can drop off items anytime from 8:30AM-2:00PM. This is a great opportunity to clean out your closets and support the Gahr Marching Gladiators! We’ll be collecting gently used clothes, shoes, handbags, household textiles, bedding, towels, and more.
Please place your donations in 13-gallon kitchen bags and students will earn one raffle ticket for every three (3) filled bags they donate, with a chance to win a $40 Amazon gift card. Additional prizes will be awarded to students who donate the most bags.
If you are able to help volunteer at the FUNDrive on Saturday, please click here to sign up!
POPCORNOPOLIS UPDATE!
Great job on the Popcornopolis fundraiser! As a program, we sold almost $28,000 in Popcornopolis!
Congratulations to our TOP SELLERS –
1st – Rameses Navarro – $1,401.00
2nd – Aris Ortega – $1,364.00
3rd – Kaylee De Hoop – $1,304.00
The orders will take approximately 2-3 weeks to arrive, and will be distributed to students for delivery.
All order forms and money are past due. If you did not sell a minimum of seven (7) bags of Popcornopolis, please click here to turn in the $35 profit. Thank you for your support!
PARENT GUARD JACKET DEADLINE TUESDAY 9/9
Parents have the opportunity to order an official Gahr Color Guard Parent Jacket! Jackets feature the Gahr Guard logo and embroidery and are $75, or you can choose the black ¼ zip crew neck for $65. Orders are due this Tuesday, September 9th. Payment can be made by cash, check to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or online through the website. Don’t miss out on showing your Gahr pride and supporting the color guard!
BAND JACKET ORDERS DUE THIS FRIDAY 9/12
Get your official Gahr Marching Gladiators Band Jacket! Jackets are $135.00 each. We accept checks to “Gahr Band Boosters” or cash. Please fill out a separate order form for each jacket you order. THE DEADLINE IS THIS FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 12TH. Click here to download the jacket order form.
GAHR INVITATIONAL FIELD TOURNAMENT – SIGN UPS
We are proud to host the 10th Annual Gahr Invitational Field Tournament on Saturday, November 8th right here at Gahr High School! This is one of the largest field show competitions in Southern California, and it takes an incredible team effort to make it happen.
WE EXPECT ALL FAMILIES TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE GAHR INVITATIONAL FIELD TOURNAMENT. If you haven’t signed up for a shift yet, please click here to sign up. This is the one field show competition you should NOT be watching your student perform in.
Our first Gahr Invitational Committee Meeting will be held next Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30PM in the Band Room. We would love to see everyone there as we begin planning for this exciting event.
This is a huge undertaking and we need ALL HANDS ON DECK to make it a success. Let’s make this the best Gahr Invitational yet!!
FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS
Advertise in our program for the Gahr Invitational Field Tournament! THIS IS BY FAR THE BEST INDIVIDUAL STUDENT FUNDRAISER OF THE ENTIRE YEAR!! Students earn 90% of the profit from all ads sold. Please click here to download the form. The deadline for all advertisements is Friday, October 17, 2025. We cannot accept late ads once the program is sent to the printer.
This is a great way for local businesses to advertise to the community! The Gahr Invitational Field Tournament typically has over 5,000 people in attendance, and we usually sell around 500 programs. This is also a great opportunity to put in a "shout-out" for your son/daughter in the program! Best of all, students still earn 90% of profit from getting a shout out!
You can also purchase a program ad directly through our website. Please just make sure you email the ad to Mr. Loney at darren.loney@abcusd.us.
This is a great way to raise money for your marching band donations, the WBA Championships trip, or to get ahead for your donations for Winter Guard or Indoor Percussion. Don’t wait until it’s too late!
3RD DONATION OF $175 PAST DUE
The 3rd Donation of $175 was due last Friday, August 29th. This is critical for us to cover costs for instructors, production costs, competition registration fees, and so much more. Color Guard students must be caught up with all donations in order for us to purchase their costume.
We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or credit card payments through our website.
We highly encourage families to pay the entire donation now if they are able. Thank you for supporting our incredible students and helping us make another unforgettable season possible.
SCSBOA ALL-SOUTHERN HONOR GROUP AUDITIONS
Students are encouraged to audition for the 2026 SCSBOA All-Southern Honor Groups! These ensembles bring together the top high school musicians from across Southern California for an unforgettable musical experience. Selected students will rehearse with renowned conductors and perform in a showcase concert at the SCSBOA Conference in January.
Auditions are open to winds and percussion, and include required scales, prepared excerpts, and sight-reading. All audition information – including requirements, registration forms, and deadlines – can be found on the SCSBOA website. Students interested in auditioning should begin preparing now and speak with Mr. Loney for guidance.
SCSBOA HS All-Southern Band Music & Scales
SCSBOA HS All-Southern Jazz Audition Materials
This is an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself, meet other outstanding musicians, and represent Gahr at the regional level. In recent years, we’ve had students make the top Wind Band and the Jazz All-Star Band. Don’t miss the chance to be part of one of Southern California’s most prestigious honor groups!
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED BAND ITEMS
All band students are required to have a black sleeveless compression shirt, black compression shorts, and long black socks as part of their uniform. These are considered mandatory uniform components. Compression gear and socks can also be purchased at most sporting goods stores, such as Big 5 Sporting Goods, which often offers them at a lower cost. Wind, battery, and front ensemble members will need these items for full uniform on Friday, September 26th.
ASB CARD & TRANSPORTATION FEE
All students are required to purchase an ASB Card and pay for Transportation. When purchased together, the total cost is $120 ($60 for the ASB Card and $60 for Transportation). Students who do not purchase an ASB Card will be required to pay $150 for Transportation. To avoid the higher fee, make sure you have turned in $60 for the ASB Card and $60 for Transportation directly to the school at the finance window in the front office.
PRIVATE MUSIC LESSONS
Private lessons are one of the best ways to grow as a musician. One-on-one instruction helps strengthen fundamentals, prepare for auditions, and reach personal goals. This applies to both concert AND jazz. 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.
MORE 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.
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:
MONDAY 9/8
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help for patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – Rhythm Section only
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – Rhythm Section only
6th Period – Color Guard and Front Ensemble
3:30-6:00PM Winds/Front Ensemble/Color Guard rehearsal
6:00-9:00PM Battery only rehearsal
TUESDAY 9/9
MINIMUM DAY SCHEDULE
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help for patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – Winds only
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – Winds only
12:00PM Eat lunch
1:00-4:00PM Rehearsal (everyone)
6:00-8:00PM Back to School Night!
WEDNESDAY 9/10
7:30PM Band Room open (need student help for patio gate)
3:30-4:15PM Sectionals
THURSDAY 9/11
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help for patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I and II attendance – EVERYONE
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – EVERYONE
6th Period – Color Guard, Front Ensemble, Battery rehearsal
3:30-6:00PM Marching Band rehearsal (everyone)
FRIDAY 9/12
BAND JACKET ORDERS DUE
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help for patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I and II attendance – EVERYONE
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – EVERYONE
SATURDAY 9/13
Saturday Rehearsal 8:29AM-5:00PM
FUNDrive Drop-Off 8:30AM-2:00PM
7:30AM Band Room open
Hydrate and eat a good breakfast. ARRIVE EARLY – DO NOT BE LATE.
8:29AM Block 1
12:00PM Lunch (bring $5 for penne pasta lunch)
1:00PM Block 2
5:00PM Clean Up / Dismissal