UPDATE – WEEK 6
GREAT IMPROVEMENT THIS PAST WEEK! The students have been working hard and had a great week of rehearsals. A huge shout out to all the parents who helped on Saturday with the FUNDrive, making and serving lunch, and building and painting props. If you still have bags of clothing/donations, we can still take them up to this Friday. Please help keep our lunches at $5 by donating to the Booster Wishlist.
This Sunday, September 21st, the marching band will have a Community Performance at the Artesia D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, alongside Cerritos High School, Tetzlaff Middle School, and Ross Middle School! This will be PEP BAND only (no color guard, battery, or front ensemble – although you’re welcome to come watch). We have a mandatory pep band rehearsal this Friday after school until 4:30PM to run-through the songs for the performance.
We’re excited to have our first Gahr Invitational Field Show Committee Meeting this Tuesday at 7:30PM in the Band Room – and it’s going to be awesome! This is our most important fundraiser of the year, and we need your help to make it a success. Come join us for cookies, prizes, and good vibes. See you there!
Support the program by eating at Panda Express this Wednesday, September 17th, anytime between 9:30AM and 10:30PM! Make sure you show this flyer to support the band and color guard program. Thank you!!
COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE THIS SUNDAY 9/21
We are excited to perform this Sunday, September 21st at the Artesia D.E.S. Portuguese Hall! This will be PEP TUNES only – no color guard, battery, or front ensemble – although everyone is welcome to come and support! We have a mandatory pep band rehearsal this Friday after school until 4:30PM to run-through the songs for the performance.
Student call time is 3:15PM at the Portuguese Hall, located at 11903 Ashworth St., Artesia, CA 90701. Attire is the “And Sew It Goes” field show t-shirt with jeans. Please make sure you take your instrument, flip folder, and lyre home on Friday after our Pep Band rehearsal, as there will be no transportation provided for this event. Students will need to carpool to the performance and need to bring their own instrument and music.
The concert begins at approximately 4:00PM and will feature the Artesia D.E.S. Band, Chino D.E.S. Band, Tetzlaff Middle School, Ross Middle School, Cerritos High School, and Gahr High School! We expect to finish around 6:45PM for student pick-up. Students should hydrate and eat a good meal before arrival so they are ready to perform.
Please come out and support your student. This performance is free and open to the public!
FUNDRIVE DROP-OFF THROUGH FRIDAY 9/19
A big thank you to everyone who dropped off donations at the FUNDrive on Saturday! We especially appreciate all the parents who helped run the event and collected donations throughout the day. Together, we collected over 400 bags of donations!
The most bags and winner of a $40 Amazon gift card was Lopez – with a total of 28 bags!
We also had the following raffle winners:
$40 Amazon gift card – Ethan Buenaventura
$20 Jersey Mike’s – Alex Marilet
$15 Dairy Queen card – Vinny Malone
If you weren’t able to make it or still have more to give, you can continue dropping off bags to Mr. Loney up through this Friday, 9/19. Thank you again for your generosity and support! 💙💛
Please make sure your student is caught up with the 3rd donation of $175. At this point, there should only be a balance of $150 or less remaining. Color Guard members must be caught up in order to receive their costume. You can pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can make a payment online with a credit card. Please communicate with Mr. Loney if you have any issues. The last donation of $150 is due next Friday, September 26th.
GAHR INVITATIONAL COMMITTEE MEETING THIS TUESDAY!
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.
Our first Gahr Invitational Committee Meeting will be held this Tuesday, September 16th at 7:30PM in the Band Room. This is our most important fundraiser of the year, and we need your help to make it a success. Come join us for cookies, prizes, and good vibes.
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.
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!
SENIOR PARENTS – BABY PHOTOS REQUEST — We have a special tradition at the Gahr Invitational Field Show: creating a picture spread in the middle of the program featuring baby and toddler photos of our seniors! Please take a moment to dig through those photo albums, scroll through your cloud storage, or check that shoebox under the bed to find the perfect picture of your senior. We’d love to include it in this year’s program!
Deadline: Submit photos by Friday, October 10, 2025
How to Submit: Please email your son/daughter’s baby photo to dvarney15@gmail.com or text it to (562) 413-3068
Thank you, and way to go Class of 2026!! 🎓💙💛
CLARIFICATION ON “STUDY HALL” DURING BAND CLASS
I want to take a moment to clarify the purpose of “study hall” during band and color guard class. The original intent of offering a study hall day was to support students on heavier days – specifically when we have an evening rehearsal following rehearsal/competition weekends – by giving students some extra time to get ahead on homework. On lighter weeks (such as after a three-day weekend or on a minimum day), we typically do not have study hall. Study hall is not something required or guaranteed, but rather something I have chosen to provide to help students. Because this reduces our rehearsal time, it also makes the instructional minutes we do have even more valuable.
Recently, however, some students have begun to treat class time itself as a personal study hall. Last week, a student even told me outright that they would be using class to study for a science test instead of participating. While I fully support students prioritizing academics, it’s important to remember that band and color guard is also a class. Just like in math or English, our class time matters, and every student’s presence and focus contributes to the success of the ensemble.
Study hall is a courtesy to help manage the workload – not an entitlement. It works most effectively when students also make good use of their time outside rehearsal for studying and homework. We will continue to provide a study hall period on days with evening rehearsals, but please understand that plans may occasionally shift depending on the rehearsal season and competition schedule.
I am proud that our program has a tradition of students who excel both academically and musically, including graduates who have gone on to be valedictorians, salutatorians, and high honors scholars. Thank you for continuing to encourage your students to manage their time, respect our rehearsals, and give their best effort both in the classroom and on the field.
FIELD SHOW PROGRAM ADS FUNDRAISER!
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 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!
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 – 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 need these items by 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. 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 9/15
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help at patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – Rhythm Section only
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – Rhythm Section only (new music)
6th Period – Color Guard & Front Ensemble
2nd/3rd Period — Woodwinds/Brass with Mr. Loney and Mr. Miller
3:30-6:00PM Winds/Front Ensemble/Color Guard rehearsal
6:00-9:00PM Battery ONLY rehearsal
TUESDAY 9/16
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help at patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – Winds only
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – Winds only (new music)
Study Hall during period 2/3/6
After School — Homework/Dinner/Change
5:00PM Set up for rehearsal at stadium (need big and small spool props)
5:30PM Rehearsal in stadium (full ensemble)
8:30PM Chunks/Run-through
8:40PM Debrief & Clean up – EVERYONE HELPS
WEDNESDAY 9/17
9:30AM-10:30PM Panda Express Fundraiser!
3:30-4:15PM Sectionals (Mvt. 2 memorization test + mini-drill)
THURSDAY 9/18
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help at patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – EVERYONE
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – EVERYONE
6th Period – Color Guard, Battery & Front Ensemble
3:30-6:00PM Rehearsal (everyone) – Full run-through Mvt. 1 and 2
FRIDAY 9/19
6:55AM Band Room open (need student help at patio gate)
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance – EVERYONE
7:20AM Jazz I & II start time – EVERYONE
3:30-4:30PM REQUIRED PEP BAND REHEARSAL
TAKE INSTRUMENT AND MUSIC HOME — FLIP FOLDER & LYRE!!
SATURDAY 9/20
NO REHEARSAL
SUNDAY 9/21
BAND PERFORMANCE AT THE ARTESIA PORTUGUESE HALL
11903 Ashworth St., Artesia, CA 90701
3:15PM Student Call Time at the Artesia D.E.S. Portuguese Hall
Wear “And Sew It Goes” field show shirt and jeans. Bring instrument, flip folder, and lyre.
3:20PM Stack cases / Warm Up
3:30PM Sectionals/Run-through
4:00PM Approximate concert start time!
6:30PM Clean up
6:45PM Approximate Dismissal/Pick Up time