Looks Promising! Thanks for all your support!
--Kevin
I just received the following letter from the HIMA president about an issue that will greatly impact the future of the program.
LEAVE COMMENTS BELOW SO THAT WE MAY PRESENT YOUR SUPPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL and MAYOR MADRID
Please take some time and read the following:
Dear HIMA Parents, Families, Alumni and Friends, It is with great distress that I write this e-mail. As you know, the Instrumental Music Program has been plagued with its share of trouble in the past several years. However, due to the perseverance of our talented students, dedicated staff and on-going support from parents, families, friends and the community, this program has not only survived but has flourished in the past year. I am asking that you show us that support once again! Some of you may have heard about an incident that occurred at the football field one evening during band camp. A gentleman who lives next to the school approached In the past 4 weeks, the police have come to the band office at least 4 times. With each visit there is a new complaint against our program. First it was the evening practices and the use of the metronome, then 4th period marching band, now its percussion class, pipes and cymbal noise. Each time we rehearse outside, they file a complaint. The police revealed that there are now two neighbors who call in on an almost daily basis to complain about the noise. These residents have found a loop hole in the system to use to their advantage. Their complaints are not for “noise ordinance” which has limitations on volume and hours, but rather “disturbing the peace” which does not have these restrictions. The police also shared that there have been similar incidents in other neighborhoods where these types of complaints have escalated to the point of law suits and court. We do not want this to happen. You can imagine how upsetting and disruptive these complaints and visits from the police have become. The staff and students should not be subjected to this type of harassment simply for trying to play music. We have tried to accommodate all the requests/restrictions they have placed on us, but when are we suppose to rehearse? We want to be able to practice without the fear of confrontations with irate neighbors, visits from police and pressure toward our school administration. If we are forced to cancel outdoor rehearsals and classes then the marching band as we know it will cease to exist. If the complaints of two people can cause this much commotion, imagine what a group of unhappy parents, relatives, friends and neighbors can cause. We can’t let them damage a program that has been around for over 60 years! I am asking you to join us for a meeting on Wednesday, August 31st at 6:15pm at the Helix Charter High School Football stadium. Please show your support as we “band” together to come up with a solution to this situation, before these two individuals poison the remainder of the neighborhood against us. Please spread the word……Invite your family, friends and neighbors. Contact Helix Alumni and ask them to join us. I will be sending a letter to Please feel free to contact me with any questions. I thank you in advance for your continued support and love of the music program. Sincerely, Lisa Moya, President Helix Instrumental Music Association (619) 548-9361 |
