By Tom Palmatier, SBO+ Editor-in-Chief
This is an article no one ever wants to write. Last week, there was a school shooting in our little mountain town of Evergreen, Colorado. I won’t go into too many details; there are plenty of those in news reports. One student (the shooter) died, and two other students were wounded, both quite seriously.
Sadly, this is no longer “news.” We can debate how or why a 16 year old had access to a handgun and many, many rounds of ammunition. I spent nearly four decades in the Army with regular access to weapons and carried loaded weapons in various combat zones, so I’m not afraid of guns. However, our small community is suffering deeply because of a school student’s easy access to a weapon and ammo.
However, the reason this is relevant in a music education magazine is what happened that day. Two of the shots were fired into the band room during lunch hour. Would it surprise you to learn that the band room was full of kids eating lunch there, and the band and orchestra teacher was there even though it was his “free” period? Would it surprise you to know that some of the kids weren’t actually in band or orchestra, but they ate their lunch there anyway? Of course not!
When we talk about creating a “safe space,” this teacher had undoubtedly created one for his students and anyone else who needed it. One of the students who was present told me that when the bullets were fired into the band room through a window, this teacher got everyone down and out of sight of the gunman who tried unsuccessfully to break into the room which was now locked down. He kept the students calm and feeling safe during the more than an hour it took for the school to be completely cleared by law enforcement. On a side note, this teacher has resuscitated a band and orchestra program that was in terrible shape and has created fine and growing ensembles of happy and motivated students in our small town. Thank you, Mr. Cory Goshorn!
In this issue, we announce the finalists for the Teachers’ Choice Awards. Your nominations of instruments, accessories, and vendors across the spectrum of music education are now listed for you to vote on. Only one per category will be the winner. Voting is open now at https://sboplus.net/tca/. You are the most important person to the music industry, and this is a great way for you to make your powerful voice heard.
Also, in this issue we focus on a small business making a big splash celebrating their 25 year anniversary, JodyJazz. Founder Jody Espina is a teacher and performer who has built a business providing high quality clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces at affordable prices. This is just another example of the career opportunities available to musicians.
The Midwest Clinic is in its 79th year and brings together more than 18,000 attendees, 400 exhibitors, 300 booths, 50 performances, and 100+ clinics. SBO+ is proud to partner with them, and our November issue will focus on this year’s clinic where we will present many of the SBO+ Teachers’ Choice Awards. If you’re attending, stop by Booth #1813 and say hello!
