END-OF-YEAR RECAP!
We are incredibly proud of everything our students accomplished during the 2025–26 school year! From WBA Class 4A Champions and earning a historic placement at WBA Grand Championships, to outstanding performances from our concert bands, jazz ensembles, indoor percussion, and winter guard, this year was filled with unforgettable moments, tremendous growth, and so many memories that will last a lifetime. Most importantly, we continued building something truly special together – a hardworking, passionate, and supportive band and color guard family.
The excitement and momentum surrounding our program right now is incredible, and we are already looking forward to an even bigger, more fun, and more exciting season ahead with our 2026 field show production, “Jungle Boogie.” 🌴🪩🕺🏻
We are also thrilled to be traveling to Orlando, Florida in 2027, where our students will have the opportunity to perform at Walt Disney World and experience an incredible trip together.
This is shaping up to be the biggest marching band we’ve ever had in the history of the school! You definitely don’t want to miss out. We cannot wait to continue growing together, creating amazing performances, making lifelong friendships, and building even more unforgettable experiences in the year ahead!
NEW STUDENT/PARENT INFORMATION MEETING
Thank you so much to everyone who joined us for our New Student/Parent Information Meeting! We’re incredibly thankful for the amazing turnout and excited to kick off the year with such positive energy. We truly appreciate your support and hope you’ll consider volunteering throughout the season – it takes a village, and we’d love to have you be a part of it. Click here to download the slide deck that was presented at the meeting.
MINI BAND CAMP STARTS NEXT WEEK!🌴🪩🕺🏻
The 2026 season officially begins next week, and we could not be more excited to kick things off together!
Mini Band Camp will take place Monday–Thursday, June 1-4 from 1:00-9:00PM each day at Gahr High School. This camp is MANDATORY for all new and returning members and serves as the official kickoff to our 2026 season. It is one of the most important and exciting weeks of the entire year and sets the foundation for an incredible season.
Students will learn warm-ups, marching fundamentals, music, choreography, rehearsal techniques, and everything needed to be successful for the upcoming season, while getting their very first look at our 2026 field show production, “Jungle Boogie.”
Mini Band Camp is designed to be welcoming, exciting, energetic, and FUN! No experience is required to join our program – just a great attitude, positive energy, and a willingness to learn. We will teach students everything they need to know to be successful.
WHAT TO BRING EACH DAY:
- Athletic clothes and athletic shoes
- Hat and sunscreen
- 1-gallon water jug
- Instrument/equipment (if you have it)
- $5 for dinner each day
This is the LAST CHANCE for anyone new to join the program! If you have a friend who is interested, bring them along.
PARENTS: We are looking for volunteers to help prepare and serve dinner during Mini Band Camp. Your support makes a huge difference for our students and staff. Please click here to sign up to help.
WISH LIST: In order to help keep lunches and dinners affordable for our students throughout the camp, we are asking for donations of supplies and food items. Please click here to check out our wish list and support the program. Thank you!
We are incredibly excited about the momentum surrounding our program right now and cannot wait to begin another amazing year together. Let’s make this the best one yet!!
2026 PROGRAM DONATIONS – MARCHING BAND
The student contribution for the 2026 Gahr High School Marching Band is $775. This donation helps cover essential program expenses, including instructional staff, equipment and instruments, music, production costs, costumes, and food throughout the season. This will also include our trip to the Western Band Association Championships in Fresno.
Your support ensures our students receive the high-level, specialized instruction that motivates them to grow – both as performers and as individuals. These skills translate beyond the field and into the classroom, promoting discipline, confidence, and teamwork.
Donations can be paid in full or broken into the following payment schedule:
$250 – 1st Donation – Due June 1, 2026
$175 – 2nd Donation – Due July 20, 2026
$175 – 3rd Donation – Due August 21, 2026
$175 – 4th Donation – Due October 2, 2026
➡️ Click here to make your donation online.
Thank you for supporting our incredible students and making another unforgettable season possible!
END-OF-YEAR AWARDS BANQUET RECAP!
Thank you to everyone who joined us last week for our End-of-Year Awards Banquet! It was a truly special evening as we celebrated the incredible accomplishments of our amazing students and reflected on an unforgettable year.
A HUGE THANK YOU to Dee Dee Varney and Ida Barcelos and their incredible team of parents and alumni who planned and executed such a beautiful event! From the decorations, to check-in, food, set-up, and more – your support made the night possible and means the world to us and the program, and we appreciate you for giving back in such a big way.
We would also like to recognize and thank our outgoing 2025–26 Booster Board, Reps, and Chairs — led by Presidents Ida Barcelos and Vickie Gonzales; Vice Presidents Renay Lim and Tali Smith; Secretary Caryle Buenaventura; Treasurer Tania Costa; and Bookkeeper Dee Dee Varney – for their tireless dedication and hard work throughout the year. To our incredible team of instructors: thank you for pushing, guiding, and inspiring our students to reach their full potential. Congratulations to our new 2026–27 Student Leadership Team, our incoming Booster Board, Reps, and Chairs, the senior Class of 2026, and every single student in the program for an amazing year. We can’t wait to get started on what’s next and look forward to seeing you at Mini Band Camp, Monday-Thursday, June 1st–4th!
2026 NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AWARDS
John Philip Sousa Band Award – Jonathan Barcelos
Director’s Award for Band – Jonathan Garcia
Louis Armstrong Jazz Award – Jonathan Barcelos
Woody Herman Jazz Award – Briana Gonzales
Golden Silk Color Guard Award – Hazel Soriano
National School Marching Award – Nehemiah Wood
STUDENT VOTED AWARDS
CONCERT BAND
Most Improved – Haley Velez
Best Attitude – Diego Alvarez
Best Attitude – Aida Keita
Most Outstanding Woodwind – Samantha Orozco
Most Outstanding Brass – Charlotte Poole
Most Dedicated – Aida Keita
WIND ENSEMBLE
Most Improved – Abraham Vasquez
Best Attitude – Zoë Holmes
Most Outstanding Woodwind – Ethan Eugene Buenaventura
Most Outstanding Brass – Jonathan Garcia
Most Outstanding Brass – Julian De Santiago
Most Dedicated – Maya Martinez
WINTER GUARD
Most Improved – Claire Kim
Best Attitude – Gabriella Padilla
Most Outstanding Weapon – Lucas Mendoza
Most Outstanding Flag – Hazel Soriano
Most Outstanding Dance – Aniya Williams
Most Dedicated – Carmen Alcaraz
INDOOR PERCUSSION
Most Improved – Connor Om
Best Attitude – Kahana Ocampo
Most Outstanding Battery – Jonathan Barcelos
Most Outstanding Front Ensemble – Vinessa Malone
Most Outstanding Visual – Katelyn Castro
Most Dedicated – Jonathan Barcelos
JAZZ ENSEMBLE I
Most Improved – Mauricio Mejia Rivas
Best Attitude – Jonathan Garcia
Most Outstanding Improvisation – Alexander Delgadillo
Most Outstanding Musician – Jonathan Barcelos
Most Dedicated – Jonathan Barcelos
JAZZ ENSEMBLE II
Most Improved – Damian Lopez
Most Improved – Geovani Loaiza
Best Attitude – Supreme Thapaliya
Most Outstanding Improvisation – Briana Gonzales
Most Outstanding Improvisation – Jaicob Shaffer
Most Outstanding Improvisation – David Ramirez
Most Outstanding Musician – Briana Gonzales
Most Dedicated – Briana Gonzales
2026-27 EXECUTIVE BOOSTER BOARD
Co-Presidents – Vickie Gonzales & Eugene Buenaventura
Vice Presidents – Tali Smith & Caryle Buenaventura
Secretary – Angie Cruz
Treasurer – Tania Costa
Bookkeeper – Dee Dee Varney
2026-27 CHAIRS AND REPRESENTATIVES
Food Coordinator – Tania Costa
Uniform Managers – Aymee Abreu & Melinda Lopez
Transportation & Equipment – Rod Maralit & Dennis de Hoop
Prop Managers – William Gonzales & Eugene Buenaventura
Color Guard Representatives – Lawanda Thomas & Lisa Mayeda
Drumline Representatives – Jef Aquino & Joanna Lee
Media/Paparazzi – Oneida Santana
Gahr Gear Representatives – Ester Rodriguez & Sophea Sim
Gahr Invitational Chairs – Dee Dee Varney, Ida Barcelos & Vickie Gonzales
2026-27 STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM
Drum Majors – Maya Martinez & Ethan Buenaventura
Assistant Drum Major – Jenavieve Downs
Color Guard Co-Captains – Carmen Alcaraz & Lucas Mendoza
Battery Captain – Presley Cruz
Front Ensemble Captain – Cassie Ko
Front Ensemble Assistant – Kahana Ocampo
Field Captains – Mares Lopez, Rayne Calalo, Aida Keita & Rafael Santana
🌴 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.
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 NOTES:
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.
For questions, contact Dee Dee Varney at dvarney15@gmail.com or (562) 413-3068.
This is going to be an unforgettable experience filled with music, performances, and lifelong memories!
🎺 DCI LIVE AT THE ROSE BOWL! 🥁🎶
We’re putting together a group to experience Drum Corps LIVE on Saturday, July 11th at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena – and you’re invited! If you enjoy watching marching bands, this will blow you away. The lineup is absolutely stacked with top World Class corps, including Blue Knights, Pacific Crest, Santa Clara Vanguard, Blue Devils, and special for this year – the Bluecoats!
Discounted group sale tickets are just $30/person. We typically have a group of around 100+ students, parents, family, and alumni – and it’s one of the most memorable events of the summer.
The deadline to purchase group tickets through us is Friday, June 12th.
ALL OUTSTANDING DONATIONS PAST DUE
This is an important reminder that all outstanding program donations are now past due. These donations are important so we can finish paying our instructional staff and cover remaining program expenses and bills for the year.
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!
SUMMER REHEARSALS & EVENTS
5/29 Graduation / Last Day for Students
6/1-4 Mini Band Camp 1-9PM, each day
6/1 Donation #1 of $250 Due
6/10 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-9PM
6/12 DCI at the Rose Bowl Ticket Deadline
6/15-16 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
6/22-23 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
6/24 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/7-8 Color Guard Practice 8:30AM-12:30PM
7/8 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/11 Drum Corps at the Rose Bowl
7/15 Battery & Front Ensemble Camp 1-5PM
7/20-8/6 Band Camp 8:30AM-5PM, each day M-F
7/20 Donation #2 of $175 Due
7/22 Mandatory Parent/Student Meeting at 6:30PM
7/31 Family Beach Bonfire 6-9PM
8/6 Band Camp Sneak Preview at 6PM
8/12 First Day of School