Band supporters rally to replace drum heads

Photo Gallery: Percussionist debacle forces drummers to beat on old heads

1/8

Tenor drum drum heads being used by a member of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

2/8

Percussionists, of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band, on the snare drums at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

3/8

Bass drummer Margaret Hofhime, 14, of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

4/8

Bass drummers of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

5/8

Tenor drummer Chris Sandoval, 16, of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

6/8

Tenor drummers of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

7/8

A line of percussionists, of the Crescenta Valley High School marching band, including snare, tenor, and bass drums, start a routine at practice for a competition at Rosemont Middle School on Thursday, November 3, 2016. A campaign to replace the drum heads the percussionists are using after a school janitor mistakenly identified $1,108 of new drum heads as trash and disposed of them. Currently, they are playing with last years, and drum heads they were able to borrow from other schools. (Tim Berger / Staff Photographer)

8/8

By Kelly Corrigan

Nov. 9, 2016 1:27 PM PT

Share via
- Facebook
- X
- Email

Within a few days, supporters of the Crescenta Valley High School Marching Band have donated nearly three times what was needed to help replace the band’s drum heads that were accidentally thrown away.

Initially, 49 new drum heads — at an $1,100 cost — were delivered outside the band room on Oct 21.

“They ended up outside the room and, via miscommunication, they never ended up inside,” said Mathew Schick, the band’s director. “We had a football game that night and when we came back, they were gone.”

Join the conversation on Facebook >>

But at that point, he added, they didn’t realize the drum heads were missing.

Band members didn’t discover they were gone until Nov. 1 when instructors arrived early to a practice, and they were going to replace the drum heads, Schick said.

A review of the security footage showed that a custodian mistakenly threw away the boxes.

With just weeks leading up to semifinal and championship band competitions, percussionists were left to use last year’s sets and borrow from nearby schools.

After a local news outlet broadcast the story, word of mouth spread about the band’s predicament and community members pitched in.

Within several days, local residents, alumni of Crescenta Valley High School and others donated more than $2,800 to the band’s GoFundMe account.

“I am simply overwhelmed by the support and generosity of the community. Seeing everyone come together and help out these amazing young musicians reminds me how lucky we are to live in such a wonderful community,” Schick said.

An update on the fundraising page alerted donors that the support helped the band exceed its goal to replace the drum heads.

“Of course, the need for new equipment is endless and expensive. Every dollar donated is greatly needed and will be put to good use,” according to a statement on the page.

Kelly Corrigan, kelly.corrigan@latimes.com

Twitter: @kellymcorrigan