ORLANDO TRIP MEETING TOMORROW & WGI SAN DIEGO THIS WEEKEND!
This was an incredibly busy and productive week for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program! I am so proud of the hard work of our students – especially those who are going above and beyond while participating in multiple ensembles. We look forward to seeing our 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade families for an important Orlando 2027 Trip Information Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00PM in the Gahr HS Band Room!
Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Parent Booster Meeting and to those who supported the program by eating at Chipotle this past Wednesday. Congratulations to all the students who were a part of the 2026 ABCUSD Honor Band! It was a phenomenal concert, and you represented our school at the highest level while performing some very challenging music. Way to go!
Thank you to everyone who made this year’s Sax-y Grams a huge success! We sold over 200 Sax-y Grams – setting a new record. Special thanks to all the student helpers and parent volunteers for all their work behind the scenes to make this a special day for the campus.
Winter Guard had a fantastic performance at the Chino Hills Preview Show on Sunday! THANK YOU to all the parents who supported throughout the day with props, transportation, food, and more – we truly appreciate your help. Winter Guard is competing at the WGI San Diego Regional this weekend, February 21st and 22nd. Please note that this is an overnight trip and costs $200 per student, which is CURRENTLY PAST DUE. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online.
With Honor Band behind us, it’s time to shift our focus to our upcoming festival performances. Wind Ensemble will rehearse tomorrow, Tuesday, 2/17 from 3:30-6:00PM, and Concert Band will rehearse on Thursday, 2/19 from 3:30-6:00PM. Please note that attendance at rehearsals is mandatory. Please make every effort to avoid scheduling doctor’s appointments, family events, or other commitments on your assigned rehearsal day. Students who are not in attendance regularly at rehearsals may not be eligible to perform.
As we continue through a busy and exciting season, please make sure you are taking care of your health and helping prevent the spread of germs. Wash and sanitize your hands frequently, stay hydrated, eat throughout the day, and dress appropriately for the colder, rainy weather. We need everyone to be healthy!
ORLANDO TRIP MEETING – TOMORROW 2/17
We have an important Orlando 2027 Trip Parent Information Meeting tomorrow, Tuesday, February 17, 2026 at 7:00PM in the Gahr HS Band Room. While this meeting is primarily intended for parents/guardians, students are welcome to attend as well.
We will be going over important details for our upcoming trip, including a tentative itinerary, trip highlights, performance and workshop opportunities, and estimated cost. This will be a great opportunity to learn more about what will be an incredible experience for our students as we plan our visit to Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Epic Universe.
We strongly encourage all families interested in the trip to attend, as this meeting will provide important information to help you begin planning and preparing. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out. We look forward to seeing you there!
WINTER GUARD & INDOOR PERCUSSION T-SHIRT PRE-ORDER
Pre-order Winter Guard & Indoor Percussion show shirts! These exclusive shirts are just $20 each and a great way to support our talented performers while representing the program in style. They also make great gifts for family members. WE WILL NOT BE STOCKING EXTRA SHIRTS. Thank you for your support!
WINTER GUARD @ WGI SAN DIEGO REGIONAL THIS WEEKEND
📌 ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/san-diego-itinerary
🎟️ SHOW INFO: https://www.wgi.org/event-details-page/?eventId=a0tUy00000Yysy7IAB&division=CG
✅ VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ABAB2FA0F8CE9-62405190-sandiego
🍪 SNACKS: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ABAB2FA0F8CE9-62405912-snacks#/
📍 ADDRESS: Del Norte HS – 16601 Nighthawk Ln, San Diego, CA 92127
The Winter Guard will be participating at the WGI Regional competition held at Del Norte High School in San Diego this weekend, February 21-22. This event draws the best Winter Guards from throughout the area and gives our students the opportunity to both compete at a high level and watch outstanding performances from groups across the country, including world-class ensembles.
This is an overnight trip and costs $200 per student. THIS AMOUNT IS PAST DUE. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online. This covers lodging for one night, as well as meals throughout the weekend. Students are still welcome to bring additional money for food and snacks at the competition site. Please note that in addition to the trip cost, all students must be current on their Winter Guard donations in order to participate.
As with all trips for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program, students must stay in the hotel with other students. We are asking for all students to carpool with the same students that will be in their hotel room. We ask that students stay together as a group for the entire weekend. It is great that a number of parents and families will be coming to support, but we ask that you please do not pull your child away from the rest of the group. Please remember that both students and parents are representing our school and district at all times.
We’re looking forward to a fun, successful, and rewarding trip!
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 this Friday, February 20th. Your support ensures a great experience for our jazz musicians – thank you!
24TH ANNUAL “BLUE DRAGON” JAZZ FESTIVAL – NEXT FRIDAY, 2/27
Jazz I & II will be performing at the Mayfair Jazz Festival next Friday, February 27th. The festival is FREE and open to the public, so invite your friends and family to enjoy an incredible evening of jazz. Bring extra money for concessions and food trucks!
Please turn in your $50 Jazz Band donation as soon as possible. If you are in Jazz I and do NOT have a vest, please bring $35 cash or click here to pay for a vest online.
LOCATION: Mayfair High School – 6000 Woodruff Ave, Lakewood, CA 90713
AFTER SCHOOL – Take instruments, mutes, cables, sticks, music, and everything you need.
Change into jazz attire:
Jazz I – Black dress pants, WHITE long-sleeve button-up dress shirt, gray jazz vest, long black socks, black dress shoes, and new tie.
Jazz II – Black dress pants, BLACK long-sleeve button-up dress shirt, long black socks, black dress shoes, and a blue/gold tie.
4:50PM – Call time at Mayfair HS, unload and stack equipment
6:00PM – Jazz II warm-up in Room 803
6:30PM – Jazz II performance (STEAM building)
7:00PM – Jazz I warm-up (Room 805)
7:30PM – Jazz I performance (MPB)
8:00PM – Watch Long Beach City College
9:00PM – Awards in MPB
9:30PM – Load up and get picked up from Mayfair HS
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
TUESDAY 2/17
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
7:00PM Orlando Trip Parent Information Meeting in Band Room
WEDNESDAY 2/18
3:30PM Band Room open to practice
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
THURSDAY 2/19
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-6:00PM Concert Band rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
FRIDAY 2/20
JAZZ BAND DONATION $50 DUE
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
6th-6:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
POSSIBLE CIF HOME BASKETBALL GAME @ GAHR!
”PEP BAND” MADE OUT OF JAZZ I & II TO PLAY IN THE GYM
APPROXIMATELY 6:30-9:00PM – WEAR JAZZ BAND T-SHIRT & JEANS
SATURDAY 2/21 & SUNDAY 2/22
WINTER GUARD @ WGI SAN DIEGO REGIONAL!
📌 ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/san-diego-itinerary
🎟️ SHOW INFO: https://www.wgi.org/event-details-page/?eventId=a0tUy00000Yysy7IAB&division=CG
✅ VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ABAB2FA0F8CE9-62405190-sandiego
🍪 SNACKS: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49ABAB2FA0F8CE9-62405912-snacks#/
📍 ADDRESS: Del Norte HS – 16601 Nighthawk Ln, San Diego, CA 92127