THIS WEEK 2/23
We saw strong improvement across all ensembles this past week! Thank you to everyone who attended our Orlando Trip Parent Information Meeting this past Tuesday. We are excited about this incredible opportunity for our band and color guard students! If you were unable to attend, please see the information below for important details regarding the trip, including the itinerary, pricing, and registration process.
This past weekend, our Winter Guard traveled to the WGI San Diego Regional, representing Gahr on the national stage. Our students performed with focus, professionalism, and pride throughout the weekend while gaining valuable experience competing at a high level. We are proud of how they represented our program both on and off the floor. A huge thank you to all of the parents who helped with transportation and supported the trip.
WINTER GUARD UPDATE: After evaluating our progress, the instructional staff has made the decision to replace this Saturday’s WGASC Valencia competition with a rehearsal camp instead. This will allow the Winter Guard to continue refining the show and better prepare for the WGI Manhattan Beach Regional, setting us up for a stronger finish to the season. Thank you for your understanding.
We have a very important week ahead as we prepare for upcoming performances. Attendance at all rehearsals is critical to our success. Jazz I and II will be performing this Friday 2/27 at the Mayfair Jazz Festival and Indoor Percussion will be competing this Saturday 2/28 at SCPA Monrovia. PARENTS: Please click here to sign up to volunteer at the drumline show. The 3rd Winter Guard Donation of $225 is due this Friday.
This is the point in the season often referred to as “the grind.” The excitement of something new has worn off, and the day-to-day work can start to feel repetitive. It may even feel at times like progress is slow. However, this is the most important part of the season – the moments where growth is happening, even if it is not immediately visible. Our success will be defined by how we push through now, when it is challenging. Stay focused, trust the process, and continue to give your best effort every day. The work you are putting in now will pay off.
GO TO 7LEAVES THIS WEDNESDAY 2/25
Go to 7Leaves this Wednesday, February 25th anytime from 7AM-9PM and show the flyer and 20% will be donated back to the Gahr Instrumental Music Program! Come out, grab a drink or swing through the drive-thru and support the band and color guard.
MAYFAIR JAZZ FESTIVAL THIS FRIDAY, 2/27
Jazz I & II will be performing at the Mayfair Jazz Festival, this Friday, February 27th. The festival is FREE and open to the public. Invite your friends and family to enjoy an incredible evening of jazz. Bring extra money for concessions and food trucks!
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
The $50 Jazz Band donation is past due. This helps cover new ties for both groups. 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.
SCPA MONROVIA COMPETITION – THIS SATURDAY!
Indoor Percussion will be competing this Saturday, February 28th at Monrovia High School, continuing our 2026 production, “STRETCH.” We will need significant parent support to transport equipment, props, and students.
📌 ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/drumline-itinerary
ℹ️ SCPA INFO: https://scpauploads.s3.amazonaws.com/hosts/2063278943-MonroviaInformation.pdf
🎟️ TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/scpa/2034039
✅ VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-62481230-22826#/
📍 ADDRESS: Monrovia HS – 845 W Colorado Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016
PARENT HELP – REQUIRED: We cannot attend the competition without parent support. All parents are expected to assist with equipment transport, props and floor, and student transportation.
WINTER GUARD & INDOOR PERCUSSION T-SHIRTS
Winter Guard & Indoor Percussion show shirts are here! These exclusive shirts are just $20 each and are a great way to support our talented performers in style. They also make great gifts for family members. SUPPLIES ARE LIMITED. Thank you for your support!
2027 ORLANDO TRIP – IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Thank you to everyone who attended last week’s Orlando Trip Parent Meeting! We had an incredible turnout and are very excited to offer this opportunity to our students. If you were unable to attend the parent meeting, please review the full information packet here.
The Orlando Trip is open to all current 8th, 9th, 10th, and 11th grade Band and Color Guard students and will take place during Spring Break from March 25–30, 2027.
This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes:
Round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations
Transportation throughout the trip
3 days at Walt Disney World
2 days at Universal Orlando (including Epic Universe)
Performance in the Walt Disney World Parade
A Disney Imagination Campus Workshop
Daily meals provided through dining cards
Professional tour manager and overnight security
Trip Cost: $3,175 per student (quad occupancy – two beds, four students per room)
Students can begin registering now to secure a spot and start monthly payments. To register:
Click “Login” at the top of the page
Enter Trip Code: gahr27
Select “Access Account” and create your account
Complete your reservation
DON’T WAIT! We strongly encourage families to register now to secure their student’s spot.
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 CURRENTLY PAST DUE. Thank you!
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 2/23
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
2:30-6:00PM Indoor Percussion – Battery only
5:30-8:30PM Indoor Percussion – Front Ensemble only
6:30PM Optional: Tom Kubis Band at the Gaslamp!
TUESDAY 2/24
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-6:00PM Wind Ensemble Rehearsal (Until the Scars, O Magnum Mysterium)
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard Rehearsal
WEDNESDAY 2/25
7LLEAVES FUNDRAISER 7AM-9PM!
7:30AM Jazz I Rehearsal
3:30-5:00PM Clarinet Masterclass with Beto
6:00-9:00PM Indoor Percussion Rehearsal
THURSDAY 2/26
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
3:30-6:00PM Concert Band Rehearsal (Emblazoned, Bonsai Tree, Melodious Thunk)
5:00-9:00PM Winter Guard Rehearsal
FRIDAY 2/27
WINTER GUARD DONATION #3 OF $225
7:17AM Jazz I & II – attendance
7:20AM Jazz I & II – downbeat
2nd/3rd Clarinet Lessons with Beto
AFTER SCHOOL – Take home all instruments & music
4:50PM Jazz I & II Call Time at Mayfair HS
6:30PM Mayfair Jazz Festival - Jazz II - Steam Building
7:30PM Mayfair Jazz Festival - Jazz I - MPB
SATURDAY 2/28
INDOOR PERCUSSION @ SCPA MONROVIA HS!
📌 ITINERARY: https://tinyurl.com/drumline-itinerary
ℹ️ SCPA INFO: https://scpauploads.s3.amazonaws.com/hosts/2063278943-MonroviaInformation.pdf
🎟️ TICKETS: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/scpa/2034039
✅ VOLUNTEER: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E48AFA82EA3F8C61-62481230-22826#/
📍 ADDRESS: Monrovia HS – 845 W Colorado Blvd, Monrovia, CA 91016
WINTER GUARD REHEARSAL CAMP (INSTEAD OF WGASC VALENCIA SHOW)