Scott Lang is a wonderful representative of LEADERSHIP in our band community. He presents hundreds of leadership clinics each year across the country and maintains an active website to motivate band students and directors. Please read his message below.
There are no words to describe the horrific events of this past week. The students and staff of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School were subjected to a brutal rampage that left seventeen lives cut far too short.
Among those who lost their lives were two band members; Gina Montalto, a fourteen-year-old color guard member, and Alexander Schachter, a fourteen-year-old who played trombone and baritone.
In the aftermath, I reached out to the Director of Bands Alexander Kaminski who is a client and friend to ask how I could help. He simply said, “Tell everyone that the outpouring of love from so many friends across the country has been overwhelming. Please let everyone know how much we appreciate their support.”
And support we will.
We have set up a page where you and your students can share your thoughts with the Stoneman Douglas Performing Arts Department. We will collect all of the responses and post them on a private URL for the parents, students and staff affected by this tragedy.
Please take a minute to share a note of love and support, and consider asking your students to do the same during class on Tuesday. I would also ask that you share this note with your friends and colleagues who might not receive this email.
Let’s let them know that while they are still at home, they are not alone.