During a recent snowboarding trip to Big Bear, Laguna High School students Alex Wheeler, Rex Strombotne and Kevin Wu learned snow wasn’t the only thing missing in the mountain town. Due to budget cuts, they learned the local schools’ music programs had also vanished.
The seniors, who aren’t musicians themselves, have arranged an instrument drive this Sunday, Dec. 12, at the district parking lot from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Strings are especially needed, along with guitars, horns, bells, drums, and electronic keyboards.
The boys learned of Big Bear’s plight from Stan Miller, a leader of the Big Bear Valley Arts Council and legendary sound engineer for Pink Floyd and other recording artists. He told the boys, “Music is not only my life but my passion and I can’t imagine a school without it.”
The boys promised Miller to round up instruments before Christmas break so the students have something to look forward to when they return. “Even 10 would make a huge difference because a lot of the students can’t afford to even rent one,” Miller said.
