ASHLAND — A package was waiting for Marty Kral when he returned to his office after a Sunday afternoon concert.
This was no ordinary package. It symbolized much more than its contents, but rather a mission accomplished.
Kral, director of bands and Music Department chair for Ashland High School, had just returned to his office Sunday after directing performances by the concert and symphonic bands.
The package — which arrived a few days earlier than anticipated — contained the last of 16 new instruments for students who had their instrument stolen during the band program’s recent spring break trip to the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida.
Remarkable timing for a chapter of the band program’s story that even the most imaginative author would struggle to pen.
The replacement process required thorough inventory and collaboration, Kral said, including work with Steve Paramore, the district’s superintendent.
The district was able to successfully file an insurance claim and get funds released to begin ordering new instruments. In just over a month, 15 of the 16 stolen instruments were replaced and ready to use for Sunday’s concert at Archer Auditorium.
Although the sentimental value or memories attached to the stolen instruments are irreplaceable, Kral said the new instruments will serve the students well.
The tragedy in Florida quickly spread from local to state to national news, including features on People.com and Good Morning America.
“To be able to be part of something that grew out of bad is really cool. It’s nothing I ever expected or planned or hoped for,” Kral said Sunday. “We’ve been riding this wave in a great way.
“We’re still just trying to wake up from it.”
Band parent shares perspective
Brad Selan is the father of a former, current and future Ashland High School band member.
A volunteer who joined the program on its trip to Florida, Selan witnessed firsthand the resolve, resiliency and determination of the students, staff and parents.
Selan’s son, a current sophomore percussionist, had messaged his father, who was staying at a different resort in Florida than the band, to share the news of the theft.
“He said they were all together. They were rallying around the ones that lost their instruments and they were committed to making sure the day after was still going to be a success,” the father said.
It’s a moment that has stuck with Selan, he said, highlighting it was “the best” of the band “in the midst of the worst.”
In 1995, Selan had a chance to march down Main Street, U.S.A. — the famed entrance to Disney’s Magic Kingdom — as a marching band member. He watched his daughter do the same four years ago.
“As special as those (moments) were, this year was just different,” he said. “Just seeing the faces of the ones I knew were touching an instrument for the very first time, it was overwhelming.
“You feel like you’re a proud parent of every one of them and not just your own.”
A comment from one of the high school band members has also stuck with Selan throughout this experience.
“One of our students said, ‘The thing that I’ve learned through all of this is we still have to celebrate even in the worst of moments,'” Selan said.
The band’s reception upon its arrival back in Ashland is another memory that will live with Selan, he said. The father also expressed gratitude for the quick responses of district administrators, the school board, staff and parents.
Below are photos from Sunday’s concert at Archer Auditorium, which included performances from Ashland High School’s Concert and Symphonic bands. (Credit: Hayden Gray) The story continues below.
‘Band families are just remarkable’
Cameron Dedrick, assistant band director, said the theft that occurred in Florida was not a great thing, but it was a great moment for the community.
“People came out of the woodwork to help these students and that was the great thing about it,” Dedrick said. “Look at everyone who came together. It was such a teachable moment for our students to be able to see that and go, ‘This is something I can emulate. If I see this happen down the road, I’m going to know how to respond.'”
One of the students who appreciated that community support was senior Grace Hall, who’s tenor saxophone was stolen during the Disney trip.
Her mother, Tarah Christian, said she was not on the trip to Florida with her daughter. It was an emotional moment when Hall called her mother to share what had happened.
But Hall said it was a memorable moment marching at Disney.
“I didn’t expect people were going to be at Disney to see the bands, but everyone stopped and paid attention and was cheering us on. It was really cool to see that people actually cared about a band from Ashland,” the senior said.
Christian said she felt comforted knowing how supported her daughter and the other band members were in their time of need.
“The community having that parade for them when they got home was also completely amazing,” Christian said.
Lynette Swartz, also a band parent, was with the program in Orlando. She said the district’s music program has played a major role in keeping her family in the Ashland community.
In the midst of finding temporary replacement instruments while in Florida, Ashland High School formed a special relationship with the Anna High School Marching Band. Anna is a small, rural village in Shelby County, Ohio.
One of Anna’s marching band members was able to supply the final instrument needed to ensure every student still got their moment to march down Main Street U.S.A.
Swartz said she and some of the other band parents traveled to Anna High School last week to express gratitude, celebrate and share pieces of Ashland with their new friends in western Ohio.
“Band families are just remarkable,” Swartz said.
