HONOR BAND AUDITIONS!
We’re looking forward to seeing you tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30PM for our 2024 kick-off Booster Meeting in the new Band Room! We will be going through our upcoming performances, fundraisers, and areas where we need your help. Thank you to everyone who supported the program last week by going to 7Leaves.
ABCUSD Honor Band auditions are this week at Whitney HS! Woodwinds are Wednesday from 5-8PM and Brass & Percussion are on Thursday from 5-8PM. Please encourage your son or daughter to audition to be a part of this musical experience!
This Saturday 1/20, Indoor Percussion has rehearsal from 9AM-4PM. Make sure you hydrate the night before and bring $5 for lunch. PARENTS: Click here to sign up to help with drumline lunch. Varsity Guard has rehearsal Saturday from 1PM-9PM. Hydrate the night before and bring $5 for dinner. PARENTS: Please click here to donate food items and click here to volunteer to help. Thank you!
This Sunday 1/21, we have an information meeting for the 605 All-Star Band at 4PM in the Artesia HS Gym. We will be going through important information, dates, and costs. See you there!
2024 ABCUSD HONOR BAND AUDITIONS!
Auditions for the 2024 ABCUSD Honor Band are this week at Whitney HS! Woodwind auditions are on Wednesday, January 17th and Brass & Percussion auditions are on Thursday, January 18th. Both days run from 5-8PM (students are free to leave once they’ve completed their audition). Make sure you arrive at least 30 minutes early to check-in. Take everything with you for your audition, including your instrument, music, extra reeds, sticks/mallets, and any mutes needed for the excerpts.
This year’s high school honor band conductor is Dr. Travis Cross from UCLA! You will play some fantastic literature you normally wouldn’t play in our band program, surrounded by the best musicians in ABCUSD. The honor band is just that – an “honor” to be a part of. While Wind Ensemble students are required to audition, we highly encourage all students in the program to practice and audition for the honor band. Even if you don’t have everything perfect, it’s okay! Just do your best.
UPDATE: Tomorrow’s after-school Wind Ensemble rehearsal will be another practice day for the honor band excerpts. This is a great opportunity to get the excerpts to full tempo (using a metronome) and play them for each other as a mock audition. The goal is for as many students as possible to make the honor band!
This drop box link for the audition excerpts for each instrument:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/o993r4qq4m2cg1s7i2y83/h?rlkey=h3mkljo1w5dg7a37hnqyr7i57&dl=0
2024 KICK-OFF BOOSTER MEETING TOMORROW!
Our 2024 kick-off Booster Meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30PM in the new Band Room! We will be going through our upcoming performances, fundraisers, and areas where we need your help. We will also be voting on a few revisions to the Gahr Band Booster bylaws. SAVE THE DATE: The Gahr Instrumental Music Program will be hosting our first-ever WGASC Winter Guard competition on Sunday, April 7th in the Gahr HS Gym! This is a huge undertaking and will need all hands on deck – not just guard – to make this a success!
605 ALL-STAR BAND MEETING THIS SUNDAY AT 4PM
There is an information meeting for ALL PARTICIPANTS AND PARENTS this Sunday, January 21, 2024 at 4:00PM in the Artesia HS Gym. This is open to all current high school students, current 8th graders, and alumni from the Class of 2023 that participated in the audition video. Be a part of the 2025 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the experience of a lifetime! We will be going through important information, dates, and costs. See you there!
2024 SHOW SHIRT PRE-ORDER!
New 2024 show shirts are available for PRE-ORDER ONLY the website! Support the JV Guard, Varsity Guard, and the Indoor Percussion by purchasing a shirt. We will be doing pre-orders and sales exclusively through the online store for just $20 per shirt. Student members of each group will receive a free shirt as long as they have turned in the first donation.
The official shirt for our 2024 Indoor Percussion show, “12345,” featuring music by John Mapes and Trent Gronewold. Wear it to drumline competitions or give it out as a gift to family and friends!
FEATURES:
5.3 oz. 100% pre-shrunk cotton
Breathable, lightweight fabric
Double-needle stitched for durability
Students in the Winter Drumline will receive a free shirt as long as they have turned in their first donation.
The official shirt for our 2024 Varsity Winter Guard production, “The Space Between,” inspired by Piet Mondrian, one of the greatest modern artists of the 20th century. Wear it to Winter Guard competitions or give it out as a gift to family and friends!
FEATURES:
5.3 oz. 100% pre-shrunk cotton
Breathable, lightweight fabric
Double-needle stitched for durability
Students in the Varsity Guard will receive a free shirt as long as they have turned in their first donation.
The official shirt for our 2024 JV Winter Guard production, “A Light in the Dark.” Wear it to Winter Guard competitions or give it out as a gift to family and friends!
FEATURES:
5.3 oz. 100% pre-shrunk cotton
Breathable, lightweight fabric
Double-needle stitched for durability
Students in the JV Guard will receive a free shirt as long as they have turned in their first donation.
1ST DONATION PAST DUE FOR WINTER DRUMLINE & WINTER GUARD
The 1st donation for Indoor Percussion, JV Guard, and Varsity Guard is past due. This is critical so we are able to purchase the new floors needed for Indoor Percussion and Varsity Guard, costumes, and pay for our instructional staff. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or you can click here to pay online with a credit card.
We highly encourage you to pay the entire amount if you are financially able to do so to help with these up-front costs or we will not be able to register for shows or get floors/costumes/props early.
Indoor Percussion
$200.00 due 1/31/24
The total student cost for the 2026 Indoor Percussion season is $850. This donation supports Indoor Percussion operating expenses, including SCPA and WGI competition fees, instructional staff, show design, costumes, floor tarps, props, equipment, and overall production costs.
Families are encouraged to pay the full donation early if financially able, as many program expenses occur up front. If needed, the total donation may be paid according to the schedule below:
Donation #1 — $250 — January 2, 2026
Donation #2 — $200 — February 6, 2026
Donation #3 — $200 — March 6, 2026
Donation #4 — $200 — April 3, 2026
Your donation may be tax-deductible; please consult your tax professional. Tax ID #: 45-4683974
Fundraising opportunities and scholarships may be available to help offset donations. For additional information, please contact darren.loney@abcusd.us.
JV Winter Guard
$150.00 due 2/1/24
Varsity Winter Guard
$225.00 due 2/1/24
The total student cost for the 2026 Winter Guard this season is $900. This donation supports Winter Guard operating expenses, including WGASC and WGI competition fees, instructional staff, show design, costumes, floor tarps, props, equipment, and production costs.
Families are encouraged to pay the full donation early if financially able, as many program expenses occur up front. If needed, the total donation may be paid according to the schedule below:
Donation #1 — $225 — December 19, 2025
Donation #2 — $225 — January 16, 2026
Donation #3 — $225 — February 27, 2026
Donation #4 — $225 — March 27, 2026
Please note that this season there will be an overnight trip to the WGI San Diego Regional, which will cost an additional $200 per student. This amount covers hotel accommodations and meals for the trip.
Your donation may be tax-deductible; please consult your tax professional. Tax ID #: 45-4683974
Fundraising opportunities and scholarships may be available to help offset donations. For additional information, please contact darren.loney@abcusd.us.
CHECK OUT NEW MERCH ON THE STORE
It’s getting cold out there! This is the perfect time to pick up a brand-new black Gahr Marching Gladiator hoodie. We also still have new 2024 wall calendars available with beautiful photos from throughout our award-winning marching band season!
Get this newly designed black “Gahr Marching Gladiators Band and Color Guard” hoodie! Wear it to show your support at competitions or to give out as gifts to your friends and family. The hoodie tends to run small, so we recommend to go a size up if you want a more relaxed fit.
FEATURES:
Heavy Blend 50% cotton, 50% polyester
Double-needle stitching throughout
Double-lined hood with color-matched drawcord
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 1/15
NO SCHOOL
1:00-4:00PM Optional Battery Sectional
TUESDAY 1/16
7:20AM Jazz A & B (only one for the week)
6th-5:00PM JV Guard rehearsal
PRACTICE FOR HONOR BAND AND PLAY EXCERPTS (instead of Wind Ensemble rehearsal)
5:00-9:00PM Varsity Guard rehearsal
6:30PM Monthly Booster Meeting in the Band Room!
WEDNESDAY 1/17
7:30AM Band Room open to practice for Honor Band
5:00-8:00PM Woodwind Honor Band Auditions at Whitney HS
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion Rehearsal (bring warm clothes)
THURSDAY 1/18
NO JAZZ A OR B
AP TEST PAYMENT DEADLINE
6th-5:00PM JV Guard rehearsal
NO CONCERT BAND AFTER SCHOOL
5:00-8:00PM Brass & Percussion Honor Band Auditions at Whitney HS
5:00-9:00PM Varsity Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 1/19
NO JAZZ A OR B
SATURDAY 1/20
9:00AM-4:00PM Indoor Percussion Rehearsal (bring $5 for lunch)
1:00-9:00PM Varsity Guard Rehearsal (bring $5 for dinner)
SUNDAY 1/21
4:00PM “605 All-Star Band” Info Meeting in the Artesia HS Gym