<p>Fire results in half million in loss/damage. Here’s the link.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.news12.com/CT/topstories/article?id=198787[/url]”>http://www.news12.com/CT/topstories/article?id=198787</a>.</p>
<p>This is a local school with a highly acclaimed music department, and a great band program that has garnered many national and regional awards and accolades over a significant number of years.</p>
<p>Jeff Smith, the band director (and hs music chair) is an amazing teacher, musician, a consumate professional and great role model for many of our local youth. He is one of the reasons my son pursued a career as a musician/teacher, although son was never a band member.</p>
<p>The school is within a mile of our home. We hear the band practicing every night. Tonight as well.</p>
<p>If my post generates one $5 donation, I’ve begun to give a little back to a system that was instrumental in shaping my son. To those so inclined, a link for donations is on the news page above.</p>
<p>For those who may consider this as spam, I sincerely apologize, yet I know of few groups where this event would have greater impact.</p>
<p>I am truly sorry to hear about this loss. I can hear the heart of many parents, teachers, and students through your post.</p>
<p>Wish I could open your link; it’s subscriber only.</p>
<p>I know a lot of good music high schools in CT, and my heart goes out to this school, the director and students. So sorry to hear this. I can only imagine if this happened at our high school, how heartbroken we all would be.</p>
<p>If the link doesn’t work, this is the body copy from the News12 website:</p>
<p><Norwalk H.S. band marches on after devastating fire </p>
<p>Play the video (08/16/07) NORWALK - Members of the Norwalk High School marching band are trying to pick up the pieces after a fire tore through their storage building.
The fire started around 3 a.m. Thursday at the storage shed located on County Street. The blaze destroyed instruments, uniforms and supplies. It’s estimated that the fire caused nearly a half-million dollars worth of damage. </p>
<p>The band is under a tight deadline as their first competition is next Saturday, but members said the fire isn’t going to stop them. </p>
<p>The spirit is here, said Marching Bears Inc. President Jerry Petrini. He added that community members were helping scrub the tubas with steel wool to get the soot out.</p>
<p>Although the marching band gets money from the school board, a good amount of the bands budget comes from donations and fundraisers. Donations can be dropped off at any Patriot Bank branch.</p>
<p>Related Information
Patriot Bank
365 Westport Ave.
Norwalk, CT 06851
Checks payable to: Marching Bears Inc (MBI) ></p>
<p>OUCH! How devastating! I will pass this along to our band director.</p>