WEEKLY UPDATE 1/12
Awesome work this past week! We saw positive attitudes and great progress – Keep it up!
We will begin our weekly Wind Ensemble rehearsals this Tuesday from 3:30-6:00PM and Concert Band rehearsals on Thursday from 3:30-6:00PM. Always check www.gahrband.org/calendar for the latest schedule.
Please join us for our monthly Parent Booster Meeting this Wednesday, January 14th at 6:30PM in the lounge room! We appreciate your support as we prepare for several upcoming fundraisers and events later this month, and won’t be successful without your help.
On Saturday 1/17 and Monday 1/19, Indoor Percussion has camps from 9:00AM-5:00PM and Winter Guard has camp from 10:00AM-5:00PM. Both groups will have lunch available for just $5. PARENTS: If you are able to help with lunch, click here to sign up. Thank you for your support!
All students in Wind Ensemble must complete a placement audition. Students will sign up for a 10-minute audition time slot – either this Friday 1/16 from 3:30-6:00PM or Monday 1/19 from 9:00AM-1:00PM. Please see Mr. Loney if you are unable to audition on either of these days/times.
A huge thank you to Chapman University who came to perform for us on Wednesday. It was a fantastic experience, and our students learned a lot about college music programs and opportunities beyond high school. We’re excited to share that the Chapman University Honor Band Festival will take place on Saturday, February 28, and Mr. Loney will be able to nominate up to 10 interested students to participate.
We’re thrilled to announce that through a Smart & Final partnership, Chapman University has chosen to direct funding to the Gahr Instrumental Music Program. This opens the door to some exciting possibilities, including opportunities for college musicians and faculty to work with our students, and a potential collaborative performance at the prestigious Musco Center for the Arts! More details will be announced soon.
2026 HONOR BAND AUDITIONS & WIND ENSEMBLE PLACEMENT
We are thrilled that Dr. Christi Lundahl will be conducting the 2026 ABCUSD High School Honor Band. She has programmed outstanding literature, and this will be an exceptional musical experience for our students.
All winds and percussionists should be actively working on their audition excerpts DAILY with a metronome. These excerpts will be used for Wind Ensemble placements, as well as for auditions for the 2026 ABCUSD Honor Band. Wind Ensemble students are required to:
Complete a 10-minute Wind Ensemble audition on Friday 1/16 or Monday 1/19
Audition for the ABCUSD Honor Band next week
Students will sign up for a 10-minute audition time slot. Please see Mr. Loney if you are unable to select a time slot on Friday 1/16 from 3:30-6:00PM or Monday 1/19 from 9:00AM-1:00PM.
Current Concert Band students are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to audition for both Wind Ensemble and the Honor Band. Many Concert Band students from Gahr are selected for the Honor Band every year.
Please take this process seriously and prepare thoroughly. These auditions are an important part of your musical growth and development. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to have someone hear you play!
Audition Music (PDFs): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/08rcf0p9ghyl7j8ftizy2/AIcIit9s7DNLpi3NUcGD_Vg?rlkey=8ntjff96uqpzfk5carmjewqdo&dl=0
In addition to the excerpts, the auditions will also include some basic sight-reading. Take advantage of times the Band Room is open late for Indoor Percussion or Winter Guard rehearsals.
This year, the high school honor band auditions will be at Cerritos HS.
Brass & Percussion: Tuesday, January 20th from 5:00-8:00PM
Woodwinds: Wednesday, January 21st from 5:00-8:00PM
These are the four pieces for the program:
”American Hymnsong Suite” by Dwayne Milburn
”Lola Flores” arranged by John Krance
”Kalos Eidos” by Carol Brittin Chambers
”Grace Before Sleep” by Susan LaBarr
Rehearsal Schedule:
Tuesday 2/3 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS
Thursday 2/5 from 6:00-8:30PM at Gahr HS
Tuesday 2/10 from 6:00-8:30PM at Whitney HS
The ABCUSD Honor Band Concert is Thursday, February 12th at Whitney HS @ 7:00PM.
INDOOR PERCUSSION & WINTER GUARD PREVIEW SHOW – FEBRUARY 1ST
SAVE THE DATE: On February 1st, we will be hosting an Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard PREVIEW SHOW in our gym! This performance is a great opportunity for family, friends, and community members to see the incredible work our students have been putting in and to support the program as we head into the winter season. Get a sneak peek before the competitive season begins!
PRE-SALE TICKETS may be purchased for $10 directly from an Indoor Percussion or Winter Guard member. Students are encouraged to sell Preview Show tickets and 100% of the money will go directly toward their individual student account. We will be handing out tickets this week for students to sell.
We are still finalizing the line up, but so far, we will have performances from Gahr HS, Ross MS, Westminster HS, and Katella HS. Click here to download the graphic, share on social media, and spread the word!
2ND DONATION DUE FOR INDOOR GROUPS
The second Winter Guard donation of $225 is due this Friday, January 16th. The second donation for Indoor Percussion of $200 is due Friday, February 6th. This is critical so we have funds to pay for our floor tarp, costumes, staffing, and props.
While we have the total donation broken into payments, families who are financially able are strongly encouraged to pay the full amount, as many of these expenses occur early in the season. Payments may be made with cash, check payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or online using a credit card.
PARENTS: Please click here to sign up to help out with lunches this Saturday 1/17 and Monday 1/19. We will be reaching out soon for additional help with building and painting props for both the Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard. We won’t be able to be successful without your support.
Please turn in the required Parental Consent form to Mr. Loney (the last page of the information packet). Review the materials below if you were unable to attend or would like to revisit the information:
Indoor Percussion Packet | Winter Guard Packet | Winter Guard Calendar
LAST CHANCE TO JOIN JAZZ BAND!
Thank you to all the new students who joined the Jazz Band this past week. We are finalizing our Jazz I and II instrumentation this week if you would still like to join. We still have a few openings for trumpet and trombone in Jazz II. We have a lot of exciting performances planned – don’t miss out on the fun!
FALL DONATIONS PAST DUE – ACTION REQUIRED
Please make sure you have paid all of your marching band donations. This is critical so that we are able to pay our instructional staff, outstanding bills for production costs, and register for festivals and competitions. FALL MARCHING BAND DONATIONS MUST BE PAID IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE WINTER PROGRAMS. Please pay with cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to make a payment with a credit card.
ATTENDANCE COMMUNICATION UPDATE
To ensure fairness, responsibility, and consistency moving forward, the following Attendance Communication Policy will now be enforced, effective immediately:
Excused Absences require a minimum of 2 weeks advance notice.
Medical appointments, school events, and family commitments must be scheduled outside rehearsals and performances whenever possible.
Same-day or last-minute messages are not acceptable and will be considered unexcused unless it is a verifiable emergency.
Emergency absences must be communicated by a parent/guardian in writing or an email before the rehearsal begins.
Unexcused absences may result in loss of set drill spot, alternate status, or performance ineligibility.
Excused Absences (with documentation & 2 weeks notice)
Illness (with parent/guardian communication)
Family wedding (immediate family only)
Religious holidays
School-sponsored, graded event (conflicting class performance/competition)
Unexcused Absences
Work
Studying or homework
Babysitting
Driver’s training
Routine doctor/dentist appointments scheduled during rehearsal
Last-minute messages without prior communication
“Not feeling well” without parental communication
Transportation issues
Thank you to the many students and families who already communicate responsibly and plan ahead. These expectations are not a punishment – but rather are about respect for each other and the work we are doing together. Consistent effort and communication are part of what makes this program so successful.
If you have any questions about this policy, please feel free to contact me directly. Thank you.
THIS WEEK:
MONDAY 1/12
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
6th-6:00PM Battery only rehearsal
3:25PM Band Room open to practice
5:30-8:30PM Front Ensemble only rehearsal
6:30PM Executive Board Meeting
TUESDAY 1/13
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 1/14
2:30-6:30PM Winter Guard final staging
3:25PM Band Room open to practice
3:30-5:30PM Clarinet Masterclass with Beto
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
6:30PM Monthly Parent Booster Meeting in Lounge Room
THURSDAY 1/15
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
3:30-6:00PM Concert Band rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 1/16
WINTER GUARD DONATION #2 OF $225
6:55AM Band Room open
7:17AM Jazz I & II attendance
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble Placement Auditions
SATURDAY 1/17
8:30AM Band Room open
9:00AM-1:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 1
10:00AM-1:00PM Winter Guard – Block 1
1:00-2:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
2:00-5:00PM Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard – Block 2
MONDAY 1/19
NO SCHOOL
8:30AM Band Room open
9:00AM-1:00PM Wind Ensemble Placement Auditions
9:00AM-1:00PM Indoor Percussion – Block 1
10:00AM-1:00PM Winter Guard – Block 1
1:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
2:00-5:00PM Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard – Block 2