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The PANTHER MARCHING BAND Family dedicated their 2005 show to the memory
of our Drum Major and Lead Trumpeter OWEN PATRICK MAHER, 1986-2005.
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Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 11:11 PM
Today at 1:30, right before wind ensemble, I heard the horrible news that Owen had passed away. I stood in the hallway of the music department building for a few seconds, not entirely aware of what had happened. I was in a brief stage of denial and complete shock. Jenny and I cried and hugged for a long time, but then I realized I need to compose myself so that I could attend my class. The director had heard the news only seconds before I had, so he was well aware of the pain the students from Middle Township were feeling.
Perhaps out of a need to say something, the director stopped rehearsal for a moment and tried to comfort us. I found this particularly touching because he never knew Owen. He of course said the standard things: we do not know why things like this happen, it is unfortunate, and it certainly is not fair. The final remark of my director, though, really made me think about why I am in the major I am in, and why each of you are involved in our organization.
The director told us that, “There’s a certain comfort in our profession, a comfort that we can take as we play or listen to music. Music is powerful enough to influence your emotions. I urge you to take strength in your talent.”
As ridiculous as it may sound, music really is a healer. Playing my clarinet today certainly did not change what had happened, but there were moments in the music that really made me feel better. Maybe it was because I focused my attention on something else. Perhaps it had something to do with the beautiful chords that were played. Or, it could have had something to do with the phrasing. Whatever it was, the music seemed to help me in my time of need.
Something else helped me in my time of need, though. Tonight, friends and I gathered at a local apartment. All of us were friends from marching band that had known Owen for years. We shared our stories about him and laughed over the good times we remembered.
If there are things that today’s event made me realize, it is the fact that band – and this band, in particular – really is a family and if it were not for music, we would not be connected at all. I had not seen a few of these friends for quite some time; yet, when we met tonight, we had an instant bond that allowed each of us to comfort each other.
With that being said, enjoy your years in this organization. The friends that you will make will be simply irreplaceable and they will be friends for years to come. When the unthinkable happens, an entire family of band members will be there to help. Take strength in your talent and the work that do; the people that share your talents and goals will be there for you through anything. To me, there is nothing greater than being able to think of an organization that I love as “family.”
Cassie De Losso
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