UPDATE – WEEK 7
GOOD IMPROVEMENT THIS PAST WEEK. TODAY, SUNDAY 9/21, THE MARCHING BAND HAS A COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE AT THE ARTESIA D.E.S. PORTUGUESE HALL. WE HAVE A BIG WEEK AHEAD WITH A HOME FOOTBALL GAME THIS FRIDAY 9/26. THE 4TH DONATION OF $150 IS DUE THIS FRIDAY. WE HAVE AN IMPORTANT PRACTICE THIS SATURDAY FROM 8:59AM-5:00PM AS WE CONTINUE LEARNING MORE OF THE FIELD SHOW.
This was a big week for our booster parents! Thank you for all of your hard work and support.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us at our first Gahr Invitational Field Show Committee Meeting! We had an incredible turnout and are gearing up for an amazing tournament.
Thank you to everyone who donated bags to the FUNDrive! Together we raised $1,384 towards the music program. Shoutout to our loading/unloading crew!
Thanks to everyone who supported the program last week by eating at Panda Express.
Thank you to all the parents who sorted and distributed nearly $30,000 worth of Popcornopolis last week!
Special thanks to all the parents working tirelessly on the field show props! They look amazing, and we are so grateful for your countless hours of work behind the scenes.
We look forward to seeing you this Friday at the Home Football Game! Please click here to sign up to volunteer.
Please click here to help out this Saturday with lunch service.
Please help us continue to keep student lunches affordable at just $5 by donating items to the Booster Wishlist. This also allows us to provide meals to students on competition days.
COMMUNITY PERFORMANCE TODAY 9/21
The marching band will be performing TODAY, Sunday, September 21st at the Artesia D.E.S. Portuguese Hall, alongside Cerritos High School, Tetzlaff Middle School, and Ross Middle School! Students must have attended the mandatory pep band rehearsal on Friday to perform today.
Students meet directly at the Artesia Portuguese Hall at 3:15PM, located at 11903 Ashworth St., Artesia, CA 90701. Students wear their 2025 field show t-shirt and jeans. We will have a short rehearsal before the concert. Bring your own instrument, flip folder, and lyre. Make sure you keep hydrating and eat a big meal before you arrive.
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.
This performance is free and open to the public, so please come and support!
4TH DONATION OF $150 DUE FRIDAY 9/26
The 4th Donation of $150 is due this Friday, September 26th. You can pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can make a payment online with a credit card. COLOR GUARD MEMBERS MUST BE CAUGHT UP WITH ALL OUTSTANDING DONATIONS IN ORDER FOR US TO PAY AND RECEIVE FOR YOUR COSTUME. Please communicate with Mr. Loney if you have any issues.
ADDITIONAL REQUIRED BAND ITEMS
All BAND students (winds, battery, front ensemble) will be in FULL UNIFORM this week for Friday’s football game. Band students are required to have a black SLEEVELESS compression shirt, black compression shorts, and LONG black socks as part of their uniform. Compression shirt/shorts and socks can also be purchased at most sporting goods stores, such as Big 5 Sporting Goods, which often offer them at a lower cost.
These are considered mandatory uniform components. It is recommended to have at least two sets of everything so you have clean clothes to wear under your uniform when we have back-to-back performances. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask.
HOME FOOTBALL GAME THIS FRIDAY 9/26
We have a Home Football Game vs. Valencia HS this Friday, September 26th! Students will have a break after school to eat and change into full uniform. At halftime, we will be performing Movement 1 and 2 of our field show production. We will need parent help with concessions, merch, equipment, and props. Please click here to sign up.
We will be in FULL UNIFORM this Friday, so remember to bring your SLEEVELESS, black compression shirt, black compression shorts, LONG black socks, and black marching shoes with you to school on Friday. Make sure your flip folder is organized with all of the pep tunes, and review the Star-Spangled Banner to make sure you have it memorized.
As always, attendance at rehearsals this week is extremely important to ensure that we are able to have our best performance possible. Always hydrate 24 hours ahead and eat throughout the day. Continue to wash your hands frequently and stay healthy. Students who are not at rehearsal – especially the last rehearsal/run-through before a show – may not perform, and their grade will be affected.
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 you can text it directly to (562) 413-3068
Thank you, and way to go Class of 2026!! 🎓💙💛
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!
GAHR INVITATIONAL FIELD SHOW!
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. Thank you to everyone who came to our kick-off committee meeting last week.
IMPORTANT: 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. We still especially need help with the 2nd shift of stadium traffic and spectator parking. 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!
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!
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 the WBA Championships trip, Winter Guard donations, and Indoor Percussion donations.
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 9/22
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
3:30-6:00PM Winds/Color Guard/Front Ensemble (learning ballad drill)
6:00-9:00PM Battery ONLY rehearsal
TUESDAY 9/23
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
Study Hall during period 2/3/6
After School — Homework/Dinner/Change
4:45PM Start setting up for rehearsal at stadium (need all props)
5:29PM Rehearsal downbeat in stadium – DO NOT BE LATE
8:25PM Chunks/Run-through Mvt. 1 and 2
8:40PM Debrief & Clean up – EVERYONE HELPS
WEDNESDAY 9/24
3:30-4:15PM Sectionals (Finish Mvt. 2 memorization test, review for game)
THURSDAY 9/25
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
3:30-6:00PM Rehearsal/Run-through (Mvt. 1 and 2, no met)
FRIDAY 9/26
4TH DONATION OF $150 DUE
No Jazz Band
Bring compression shirt, compression shorts, long black socks, marching shoes.
After school — Hydrate and eat dinner (not provided)
4:45PM Winds call time to change into full uniform
5:20PM Warm up / Run pep tunes in Band Room (add As It Was, Bang Bang)
5:30PM Percussion and Color Guard call time to change into full uniform
6:25PM Walk to stadium
6:45PM Star-Spangled Banner
7:00PM Home Football Game vs. Valencia HS
8:15PM Half-time performance (approximate)
9:30PM Approximate game end time*
9:45PM Walk back to Band Room
10:00PM Change out of uniform and HANG CORRECTLY
10:30PM Approximate dismissal*
HYDRATE AND GO TO BED.
*The end time of a football game varies. The Gahr Marching Gladiators always stay until the end of the game to support our school and team. Please have your student call you for pick-up time or check Remind for updates.
SATURDAY 9/27
Saturday Rehearsal 8:59AM-5:00PM
Hydrate, eat a big breakfast, bring money for lunch.
8:00AM Band Room open
8:30AM Call Time – Set up props
8:59AM Block 1
12:30PM Lunch (bring $5 for pizza)
1:30PM Block 2
4:55PM Announcements/Debrief
5:00PM Dismissal