OUR AWARDS BANQUET IS TUESDAY, MAY 19TH AT 6:00PM AT THE CERRITOS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS. AWARDS BANQUET RSVPS & MONEY ARE DUE THIS FRIDAY 5/15. LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE DUE TODAY, MONDAY, MAY 11TH. OUR LAST COLOR GUARD & DRUMLINE WORKSHOPS ARE THIS WEEK, AS WELL AS A NEW STUDENT/PARENT MEETING TOMORROW, TUESDAY, MAY 12TH AT 6:30PM IN THE BAND ROOM!

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to support the Gahr Area Band Concert this past Wednesday! It was an incredible evening of music as nearly 500 student musicians from across ABCUSD performed together in front of a packed gymnasium.

A huge thank you to all of the amazing parent volunteers who helped run concessions, merchandise, and our annual gift basket raffle throughout the evening. We also appreciate everyone who supported the program by purchasing raffle tickets!

Congratulations to our Gift Basket Raffle winners:
Disney Day – Gary Chan
A Taste of Cerritos – Naima Holmes
Family Fun – Savannah Barela
Sugar Rush! – Maren/Soriya Prak

We also want to congratulate both of our jazz bands on their outstanding performances this weekend at the RCC Jazz Festival! Jazz I earned 3rd Place in the Heavy “Red” Division, while Jazz II earned 1st Place in the Novice “Green” Division. The students had a great time listening to outstanding jazz ensembles, including the RCC Jazz Orchestra featuring special guest saxophonist, Diego Rivera.

Thank you as well to all of the parents, families, and alumni who came out to support and help throughout the day! We even had parents ready to shuttle students to the festival when our bus was having issues. Both Jazz I and Jazz II are gearing up for our Outdoor Jazz Concert on Wednesday, May 20th at 6:30PM in the Gahr High School quad!

STUDENT LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE TODAY!

Are you ready to step up and help lead the next chapter of the Gahr Marching Gladiators? We are looking for motivated, hardworking, and passionate students who are ready to lead. Leadership is more than a title – it’s an opportunity to serve and grow, and make a real difference.

👉 Click here to download the Leadership Application

✅ APPLICATION DEADLINE: Monday, May 11, 2026
Please be prompt, professional, and represent your best self.

🗣️ INTERVIEWS: Thursday, May 14, 2026

Whether or not you are selected for a leadership role this time, going through the application process is a valuable experience that will help you grow. We encourage you to apply!

END-OF-YEAR AWARDS BANQUET – RSVPS DUE FRIDAY!

Our End-of-Year Awards Banquet is next Tuesday, May 19th at 6:00PM at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts! We are celebrating an incredible year filled with unforgettable performances, championships, awards, friendships, and memories. Tickets are $50 per person and includes dinner, student awards, senior recognitions, student leadership announcements, slideshows, videos, and the exciting reveal of our 2026 Field Show Production!!

RSVP and payment are due this Friday, May 15th. All students and family members attending must purchase a ticket. Please note that students must be caught up on all outstanding donations in order to attend the banquet.

Don’t miss this unforgettable evening celebrating the incredible accomplishments, memories, and successes of our students and program this year!

LAST COLOR GUARD WORKSHOP THIS TUESDAY!

We’ve had an awesome turnout at our Color Guard Workshops so far, with lots of new students coming out to learn, perform, and be part of the fun!

This Tuesday is our FINAL Color Guard Workshop and your LAST CHANCE to join the 2026-27 Gahr Color Guard Program! It’s still not too late to come check it out – and bring a friend with you! Our staff will teach you everything you need to know in a fun, high-energy environment.

Please join us Tuesday from 4:00-6:00PM and see what Gahr Color Guard is all about!

DRUMLINE WORKSHOPS CONTINUE THIS WEEK!

We had a HUGE turnout for our first Drumline Workshop, and all of the students did an awesome job! It was great seeing so many new students participate, and our returning students did a fantastic job helping get everyone worked in, leading by example, and making everyone feel welcome.

Our final two workshops are this Tuesday and Thursday from 3:30-6:00PM in the Gahr HS Band Room. No experience is necessary – we’ll teach you everything you need to know!

Whether you’re interested in battery or front ensemble, this is your last chance to join in. Meet new friends, try something new, and become part of our award-winning percussion program!

🌴 ORLANDO PERFORMANCE TRIP – DEADLINE EXTENDED

Our 2027 Orlando performance trip is shaping up to be something REALLY special! We already have 100+ students registered, and we would love to have even more be part of this incredible experience.

✈️ WHO CAN GO?

This trip is open to all band and color guard students for the 2026–27 school year, including incoming freshmen (current 8th graders). We understand that some students are still waitlisted for Gahr, or may just need more time to decide on the trip. We will make sure that any student who wants to go will still have the opportunity to sign up.

✨ WHY THIS TRIP IS SPECIAL

This is a once-in-a-lifetime high school experience.

Our full marching band will perform and march down Main Street at Walt Disney World — an incredible opportunity that very few programs get to experience. Students will also participate in a Disney Imagination Campus Workshop, working with Disney professionals in a behind-the-scenes learning experience.

3 days at Walt Disney World
2 days at Universal Studios + Epic Universe
Airfare, hotels, meals, and transportation included
Travel with Gahr staff, a professional tour manager, and hotel security

📋 Click here to download the full trip itinerary.

✅ HOW TO SIGN UP

1. Go to www.etadventures.com
2. Click “Login”
3. Enter Trip Code: gahr27
4. Create your account
5. Pay a deposit (minimum $150)

🔁 TO MODIFY YOUR MONTHLY PAYMENTS

1. Click "Payments"
2. Click "View/Modify Recurring Payments"
3. Spread the remaining balance and adjust your schedule as needed

Start with a deposit as little as $150 when you register. You can set up monthly recurring payments to spread out the remaining balance. Please note that the sooner you sign up, the lower your monthly payments will be. If you received a cancellation notice due to missed payments – don't worry. Just make a quick call to the tour company and they can reinstate your account and spread out any past-due balance over the remaining payments.

⚠️ IMPORTANT DETAILS

We typically only take a trip like this once every four years. If you're on the fence, especially incoming freshmen, this is the time to go. You don't want to look back and wish you had been a part of it.
Students must sign up for a quad room (4 students per room). This is for safety purposes and also helps keep the trip more affordable for everyone.
This is a student-only trip. Parents are welcome to make their own travel plans if they would like to attend or be nearby, but registration through the tour company is for students only.

This is going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, performances, and lifelong memories!

For questions, contact Dee Dee Varney at dvarney15@gmail.com or (562) 413-3068. She is incredibly helpful with payment plans and questions.

We hope your student can be part of it!!!

ALL OUTSTANDING DONATIONS PAST DUE

This is an important reminder that all donations are past due for Indoor Percussion, Winter Guard, and Marching Band.

These donations are critical for the program. Without them, we are unable to pay our instructional staff and purchase end-of-year awards for our students. Please note that students who are not current on outstanding donations will not be eligible to attend the end-of-year awards banquet.

We accept cash, checks made payable to “Gahr Band Boosters,” or credit card payment.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Varney at dvarney15@gmail.com. Thank you.

CONGRATULATIONS 2026-27 BOOSTER EXECUTIVE BOARD!

We are excited to introduce our newly elected 2026–27 Executive Booster Board! We would also like to thank our 2025–26 outgoing Board, Chairs, and Representatives for their dedication and hard work this past year! Your support has made a lasting impact on our students and program.

THIS WEEK:

MONDAY 5/11
⭐️ LEADERSHIP APPLICATIONS DUE
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period – NEW MUSIC!
2nd/3rd period – Wind Masterclasses
- Oboes – Dr. Ted Sugata
- Saxophones – Gary Matsuura
- Trombones/Euphoniums — David Stetson

TUESDAY 5/12
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period – continue new music
2nd/3rd period – Wind Masterclasses
- Flutes – Mary Palchack
3:30-6:00PM Drumline Workshops!
4:00-6:00PM Final Color Guard Workshop
6:00-6:30PM Ice Cream Mingle :)
6:30PM New Student/Parent Meeting in Band Room!

WEDNESDAY 5/13
2nd/3rd period – Wind Masterclasses
- Trumpets – Timothy Hall
- Clarinet/Bass Clarinet – Dr. Lea Steffens

THURSDAY 5/14
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period
2nd/3rd period – Wind Masterclasses
- Trombones/Euphoniums – Michael Rushman
- Tubas – Fred Greene
3:30-6:00PM Final Drumline Workshop
4:00PM LEADERSHIP INTERVIEWS

FRIDAY 5/15
✨ AWARDS BANQUET RSVP DUE!! MUST BE CURRENT WITH DONATIONS.
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period
5:00PM Candlerose Senior Awards
7:00PM Cerritos College Honor Band Concert!

Take instruments home for Cerritos College Honor Band and to practice for the end-of-year jazz concert.

NEXT WEEK:

MONDAY 5/18
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period

TUESDAY 5/19
7:17AM Jazz I & II zero period
6:00PM End-of-Year Awards Banquet at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts

WEDNESDAY 5/20
7:30AM Last Jazz I & II rehearsal/run-through
6th Period – Set up for jazz concert in the quad
3:30PM Jazz I & II sound check / run-through
6:00PM Jazz I & II Call time
6:30PM JAZZ CONCERT IN THE QUAD!

THURSDAY 5/21
No Jazz Band
Collect/Inventory/Clean School Instruments
Grad Bash

FRIDAY 5/22
No Jazz Band
3:30-6:00PM Band & Color Guard Potluck!

UPCOMING PERFORMANCES/EVENTS:

5/11 Leadership Applications Due
5/12 Drumline Workshops 3:30-6PM / Color Guard Workshops 4-6PM
New Student/Parent Meeting in Band Room at 6:30PM
5/14 Drumline Workshops 3:30-6PM / Leadership Interviews 4-7PM
5/15 Cerritos College Honor Band Concert 7PM / Candlerose Senior Awards
5/19 End-of-Year Awards Banquet @ Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts
5/20 Outdoor Jazz Concert at 6:30PM
5/22 Band & Color Guard Potluck!
5/29 Graduation / Last Day for Students
6/1-4 Mini Band Camp 1-9PM, each day