WEEKLY UPDATE 2/2
CONGRATULATIONS ON AN INCREDIBLE WINTER GUARD & INDOOR PERCUSSION SNEAK PREVIEW SHOW! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED AND HELPED MAKE THE EVENT A SUCCESS. WE HAVE A BUSY WEEK AHEAD WITH HONOR BAND REHEARSALS AND OUR FIRST SCPA INDOOR PERCUSSION COMPETITION THIS SATURDAY AT LA QUINTA HIGH SCHOOL. WE HAVE A WINTER GUARD SAN DIEGO TRIP PARENT MEETING THIS THURSDAY, 2/5 AT 8PM. THE SAN DIEGO TRIP MONEY OF $200 IS DUE THIS FRIDAY 2/6. THE 2ND INDOOR PERCUSSION DONATION OF $200 IS DUE THIS FRIDAY, 2/6.
Thank you to everyone who came to the Parent/Student Meeting at Open House last week! We had a packed house and are already gearing up for an amazing 2026-27 school year. We’re especially excited to share that we’ll be traveling to Orlando next year, where students will have the opportunity to perform and visit Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, and Epic Universe. We invite all current 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students and parents to attend our Orlando Trip Meeting on Tuesday, February 17th at 7:00 p.m. in the Band Room!
Congratulations on an outstanding Winter Guard & Indoor Percussion Sneak Preview Show this past Sunday! We had a huge turnout and were treated to fantastic performances from Ross Middle School, Katella High School, Westminster High School, and Gahr High School. A huge thank you to all of the students and parents who volunteered their time and helped plan and run the event. Your support and teamwork made this event a success!!
1ST DRUMLINE COMPETITION THIS SATURDAY!
Indoor Percussion has their first competition this Saturday, February 7th at La Quinta High School in Westminster, debuting our 2026 program, “STRETCH.” We will need lots of parent help (similar to a field show competition). All parents are expected to help with equipment, props, and carpool students. Please do not assume your child has a ride.
LOCATION: La Quinta HS – 10372 McFadden Ave., Westminster, CA 92683
ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/gahr-indoor
TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/scpa/2034006
SIGN UP: https://tinyurl.com/scpa-volunteer
The 2nd Indoor Percussion Donation of $200 is due this Friday, February 6th. We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or click here to pay online with a credit card. We are unable to pay for our floor, costumes, props, or instructors without your donation. 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. YOU MUST BE CAUGHT UP WITH YOUR DONATIONS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE A COSTUME.
SAX-Y GRAMS ON SALE NOW!
Looking to serenade someone special this Valentine’s Day? 💕 Purchase a SAX-Y GRAM for just $10!
Each SAX-Y GRAM includes:
🎷 A live, personal performance by our very own SAX-Y SAXOPHONES
🌹 A beautiful fresh rose
Show someone how much they mean to you this Valentine’s Day — or just embarrass your son or daughter! 😉
⏰ Order Deadline: Wednesday, February 11, 2026
📅 Delivery: LIVE and IN PERSON at school on Friday, February 13, 2026
Show that special someone just how much they mean to you with a fun, unforgettable Valentine’s surprise! 💖🎷
HONOR BAND REHEARSALS THIS WEEK!
We have honor band rehearsals Tuesday and Thursday at Gahr High School. On Tuesday, percussionists will rehearse from 3:30-5:45PM and winds will rehearse from 6:00-8:30PM. On Thursday, all honor band students will have rehearsal from 6:00-8:30PM with Dr. Lundahl. Please be sure to have all music fully prepared and be ready to lead by example with your best rehearsal etiquette.
UPCOMING HONOR BAND DATES:
Tuesday, 2/3 – Percussion 3:30-5:45PM / Winds 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
WGI SAN DIEGO TRIP PARENT MEETING THURSDAY 2/5
The Winter Guard will be participating in the WGI Regional Winter Guard competition held at Del Norte High School in San Diego on February 21-22, 2026. This event draws the best Winter Guards from throughout the area and gives our students the opportunity to not only compete against these top guards, but also to watch some of the best groups in the nation competing in the world division.
We will be holding a Winter Guard Parent Meeting this Thursday, 2/5 at 8:00PM in the Lounge Room to review all trip information, expectations, and rules.
This is an overnight trip and will cost $200 per student — due and paid in full Friday, February 6th. 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.
If this is your first overnight trip, please know that it is standard to have students stay four to a room, typically with two queen-sized beds. Students can select who they would like to have in their room and we will do our best to accommodate their requests if possible. As with all trips for the Gahr Instrumental Music Program, students must stay in the hotel with other students. A block of rooms has already been reserved and we are able to keep the trip cost low based on the students staying together.
We are asking for all students to carpool with the same students that will be in their hotel room – one room per vehicle if possible. There are many times throughout the weekend that we will be traveling – to and from the hotel to the show site, to dinner, back to the hotel, etc. This will help to make sure no one is left behind (and also that the students are not walking around alone).
We ask that students stay together as a group for the entire weekend – traveling to/from San Diego, the competition, meals offsite, etc. 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.Your child will make friendships and memories that will last a lifetime!
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 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!
MONTHLY BOOSTER MEETING – WEDNESDAY, 2/11
Our monthly Booster Meeting (originally scheduled for this Wednesday) has been moved to Wednesday, February 11th at 6:30PM. We’re gearing up for a big month of performances and would love your help to make it a success. Booster meetings are warm, welcoming, and friendly, and we hope to see you there!
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 2/2
NO JAZZ BAND
6th–6:00PM Battery only rehearsal
5:30-8:30PM Front Ensemble only rehearsal
TUESDAY 2/3
SAX-Y GRAMS ON SALE!
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-5:45PM Honor Band at Gahr HS – PERCUSSION ONLY
6:00-8:30PM Honor Band at Gahr HS – WINDS ONLY
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard practice
WEDNESDAY 2/4
9:00AM Lockdown Drill
4:30PM VAPA/CTE Multimedia Festival in MPR
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion rehearsal
THURSDAY 2/5
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
5th Period – VAPA/CTE Multimedia Festival – Middle School tours
3:30-5:30PM Concert Band rehearsal
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard rehearsal
6:00-8:30PM Honor Band rehearsal at Gahr HS
8:00PM Winter Guard San Diego Parent Meeting
FRIDAY 2/6
INDOOR PERCUSSION DONATION $200 DUE
WINTER GUARD SAN DIEGO TRIP $200 DUE
NO JAZZ BAND
2nd/3rd Period – Clarinet lessons with Beto
TAKE INSTRUMENTS AND MUSIC HOME AFTER SCHOOL.
SATURDAY 2/7
Indoor Percussion rehearsal & competition at La Quinta HS!
ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/gahr-indoor
