Great job this past week! We saw huge improvement happening in every rehearsal with all of our groups. Thank you to Jazz I and II for a wonderful Friday afternoon of sectionals! Thank you to everyone who supported the program by eating at Straw Hat Pizza this past Friday! We had a great turnout and a lot of fun, and we truly appreciate the support from our band and color guard families.

We have a busy week ahead! On Tuesday, Winter Guard will have practice from 12:30-4:30PM and Wind Ensemble will have rehearsal from 1:00-4:00PM (due to minimum day schedule and Open House). Also on Tuesday, we will be hosting a Parent/Student Information Meeting for all current 8th–11th graders and families at 7:00PM in the Band Room. We are thrilled to announce that we will be traveling to Orlando in Spring 2027! This incredible trip will include performance opportunities for the band and color guard, along with unforgettable experiences at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Epic Universe!

On Thursday, Concert Band has rehearsal on our new festival from 3:30-6:00PM. Indoor Percussion has an important practice this Saturday from 9:00AM-5:00PM. We will be serving lunch for $5. PARENTS: If you are able to help with lunch on Saturday, please click here to sign up.

A huge THANK YOU to everyone who helped work on the props this weekend for Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard! We were especially grateful to see many band parents step in to help – even those who do not currently have students in drumline or guard. That kind of support speaks volumes about you and our band family, and it truly does not go unnoticed. Thank you for giving your time and energy for our students.

DRUMLINE & GUARD PARENTS: Please make sure your student is caught up on their program donations. We are currently working hard to keep up with significant production costs, including floor tarps, costumes, props, and staffing. If you are able to get ahead on a payment or pay for the rest of the season now, it would be a tremendous help.

This Sunday, February 1st, we are hosting an Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard PREVIEW SHOW in our gym! If you are able to help with the event, please click here to sign up to volunteer. Thank you!!

This Sunday, February 1st, we are hosting an Indoor Percussion & Winter Guard PREVIEW SHOW in our gym! This is a great opportunity for family, friends, and community members to see the incredible work our students have been putting in before the competitive season begins. We will have performances from Ross Middle School, Katella High School, Westminster High School, and Gahr High School!

Tickets are just $10 and can be purchased from any Winter Guard or Indoor Percussion member.

Students may sell tickets and all proceeds from their ticket sales will go toward their student account. If you sell all your tickets and need more, please see Mr. Loney. All ticket money and unsold tickets are due this Thursday, January 29th.

Tickets will also be available at the door on Sunday, and proceeds will support the Indoor Percussion and Winter Guard programs.

PARENTS: If you are able to help with the event, please click here to sign up to volunteer.

Come out and help us kick off an amazing season!

WINTER GUARD & INDOOR PERCUSSION PREVIEW SHOW
Sunday, February 1, 2026 – Gahr High School Gym
Doors open: 1:30 PM / Show starts: 2:00 PM

1:30PM Doors Open / Warm Up
2:00PM Ross MS Winter Guard
2:10PM Ross MS Indoor Percussion
2:20PM Katella HS Winter Guard
2:30PM Westminster HS Winter Guard
2:40PM Gahr HS Indoor Percussion
2:50PM Gahr HS Winter Guard
3:00PM Mingle!
3:30PM Clean up – Everyone help
4:00PM Dismissal

HONOR BAND AUDITIONS – CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to the 46 Gahr High School students who earned a spot in the 2026 ABCUSD High School Honor Band! This was a record-setting year, with nearly 200 students who auditioned from Gahr, Cerritos, Artesia, and Whitney. Our students worked extremely hard to practice and prepare over the past several weeks to represent Gahr!

Upcoming Honor Band Dates:
Tuesday, 2/3 – Rehearsal, 6:00–8:30PM @ Gahr HS
Thursday, 2/5 – Rehearsal, 6:00–8:30PM @ Gahr HS
Tuesday, 2/10 – Rehearsal, 6:00–8:30PM @ Whitney HS
Thursday, 2/12 – Honor Band Concert, 7:00PM @ Whitney HS

Make sure you practice all of your new music so you show up to the first rehearsal prepared.

JAZZ BAND SEMESTER DONATION

We are requesting a $50 semester donation from all Jazz Band students to help cover the cost of music, coaches, and jazz festivals. Please turn in cash, a check made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online. This is due no later than Friday, February 20th. Your support ensures a great experience for our jazz musicians – thank you!

WINTER GROUPS DONATIONS PAST DUE

The 2nd Winter Guard Donation of $225 was due last Friday. Please make sure you are caught up or we will not be able to purchase your costume. All Indoor Percussion students should be caught up with the 1st Donation of $250. If you are able to pay ahead some or all, we would greatly appreciate that so we have funds to continue working on the production.

Please turn in the required Parental Consent Form to Mr. Loney if you haven’t already (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

WINTER PROGRAM WISHLISTS

Want an easy way to support Winter Guard and Indoor Percussion? The next time you’re out at the store, please consider picking up an item from our winter programs wishlist! Every little bit helps, and we truly appreciate your support!

TRAILER WRAP SNEAK PEEK!

Thank you again to everyone who supported the program during our Fan Pledge fundraising drive! Your generosity makes a huge impact, and we truly appreciate everyone who helped us reach our goal. We’re excited to share a sneak peek of our equipment trailer wrap! 👀🔥

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.

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 1/26
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
6th–6:00PM Battery only rehearsal
5:30-8:30PM Front Ensemble only rehearsal

TUESDAY 1/27
Minimum Day Schedule
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
12:30-4:30PM Winter Guard rehearsal
1:00-4:00PM Wind Ensemble (O Mangum Mysterium, Until the Scars)
7:00PM Parent/Student Information Meeting in Band Room
Open to current 8th–11th graders and families

WEDNESDAY 1/28
3:30-5:30PM Clarinets with Beto
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal

THURSDAY 1/29
UNSOLD PREVIEW TICKETS & MONEY DUE
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-6:00PM Full Concert Band
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal

FRIDAY 1/30
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
TAKE INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC HOME AFTER SCHOOL

SATURDAY 1/31
THERE IS A DISTRICT EVENT IN THE MPR/PATIO AREA THAT BEGINS AT 8:00AM. PLEASE AVOID THESE AREAS COMPLETELY AND ENTER THROUGH THE GYM ENTRANCE/FRONT LOBBY DOORS. DO NOT PLAY AT THE RALLY PLATFORM BECAUSE OF THE NOISE. THANK YOU!!

9:00AM-5:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal

8:30AM Band Room open
9:00AM-1:00PM Block 1
1:00PM-2:00PM Lunch (bring $5)
2:00PM-5:00PM Block 2

SUNDAY 2/1
11:45AM Gahr HS Student Call Time / Set Up
1:30PM Doors Open / Warm Up
2:00PM Ross MS Winter Guard
2:10PM Ross MS Indoor Percussion
2:20PM Katella HS Winter Guard
2:30PM Westminster HS Winter Guard
2:40PM Gahr HS Indoor Percussion
2:50PM Gahr HS Winter Guard
3:00PM Mingle!!
3:30PM Clean up – Everyone help
4:00PM Dismissal