Long Beach Gives a Musical Thanks to Herricks

The following article originally appeared on the Long Beach School District website.

After Superstorm Sandy devastated the Long Beach community, the Herricks Music Department stepped up to help the Long Beach Public Schools Department of Comprehensive Art in replacing lost instruments and other music supplies.

Through an instrument drive in January and February, the Herricks community generously donated over 20 instruments that were delivered to Long Beach Middle School and Lido Elementary School, together with books and other donated supplies.

The Herricks High School Tri-M chapter also used the money they raised at their annual Herricks Idol charity event to purchase two brand-new instruments for Long Beach Middle School. The Herricks school community is still collecting instruments and music books and the two districts are hoping to plan a joint musical venture in the future.

Anissa Arnold, the director of music and performing arts for the Herricks School District, was invited to officially present these instruments to Director of Comprehensive Arts Dr. Dale Johanson and orchestra director David Lobenstein at the Long Beach Middle School sixth-grade spring concert on May 15.

The Long Beach community was so overjoyed by this generous gesture from the Herricks Music students that Ms. Arnold’s presentation was interrupted several times by applause and cheering.

“It was a very special experience to be able to present these instruments directly into the hands of students in the sixth-grade orchestra during their performance,” said Ms. Arnold. “I am so proud of our music students and thrilled by the overwhelming support from our school community. Their generosity made a difference in the lives of the Long Beach students that will surely last a long time.”

“There are no words to express the gratitude we feel toward the students, parents, teachers, administration and community of Herricks for their kind and generous support of our music department during this most challenging time,” Dr. Johanson said. “With their support, our students were able to continue their passion and make music.”

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