Community pitches in to help Marshall

from the Pasadena Unified School District

The February 28 theft of over 50 instruments from the Marshall Fundamental Secondary School Band in the Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD) affected many in the Pasadena community and across Southern California. One person who was touched by their loss was Pasadena resident and music producer Jordan Omley. Through his Live Together Foundation, Omley and Live Together co-founder AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys wanted to step up and lift the spirits of the band program and the school.

Omley and Mclean organized a concert featuring star performers such as McLean and Becky G that brought students to their feet at Marshall on Friday, April 3. A highlight of the concert saw McLean performing with Marshall senior David Braun who had his personal guitar stolen during the theft.  Following the concert, McLean and Omley unveiled the Marshall band room that was refurbished by the Live Together Foundation.

“When Jordan Omley and I initially heard about the burglary I knew the Live Together Foundation had to get involved,” said McLean. “What a devastating thing to happen to these students, but we’re so proud of the community who rallied and we’re excited to have been a part of it.”

The school is in the process of purchasing instruments thanks to the almost 300 donors who donated to the band program. Individual donations ranged from just a few dollars to thousands from concerned people across Southern California.

“My business is real estate but I have such a tremendous passion for musicality and music education that I was inspired me to donate to the Marshall Music Boosters,” said Michael Libow, a real estate agent from Beverly Hills who donated to the music program.

Thanks to Guitar Center and Little Kids Rock, Marshall Instrumental Music Director Joel Lopez and some band students were able to immediately get their hands on some instruments when they picked up donated guitars, speakers and audio equipment from the Pasadena Guitar Center store on March 27.

“When we heard of this horrible situation, it only made sense that we help by replacing as many stolen items as possible,” said Guitar Center’s Pasadena store manager, Scott Smith.  Little Kids Rock founder and CEO David Wish added, “We are so grateful that Guitar Center could help replace the instruments on such short notice so that our kids can continue to unleash their inner music makers this school year.”

Corporations across Southern California were also touched by the massive loss of instruments experienced by the school. Retirement Planning firm GLP & Associates led the charge with a generous donation.

“The overwhelming community support for the Marshall Band program propelled us to beat the ‘drum’ as a corporate citizen”, explained Vanessa Hobson, the chief operating officer for GLP & Associates. “The tireless efforts and dedication of Marshall Music Boosters, staff and students as well as the Pasadena Unified School District and our Southern California Community are making a difference in the lives of these students. We appreciate the opportunity to serve.”

Other diverse civic and nonprofit organizations that have contributed toward replacing the band instruments include the Arturo Sandoval Foundation, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design, Huntington Hospital and the Lake Avenue Church Choir. The band’s Go Fund Me page can be found at http://www.gofundme.com/o171l0.

“Marshall High School is thrilled to have the support and donations from so many people and organizations in order to support the continued learning and performance of music inside and outside of the classroom,” said Joel Lopez. “The music program would not be where it is without the support of such excellent community partners and friends.”