It was truly an honor to attend this award ceremony and to see the faces of the high school students as they were awarded such a heartfelt honor.
StubHub and the Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation joined with country artist Chris Lane in presenting a huge surprise to the band members at Hunters Lane High School in Nashville, TN. Followed by a private performance by Chris Lane the students were emotional, ecstatic, and proud of receiving such an amazing gift.
StubHub is the leading and largest ticket marketplace in the world. Their company allows fans to buy and sell tickets for thousands upon thousands of events, whenever they want, through online purchase and by desktop and mobile apps. In 2000 they reinvented the ticket resale market. They are the world’s largest ticket master affiliation and have partnered with Mr. Holllands Opus Foundation to award schools from challenged areas throughout the country with instruments to keep their music programs going. In 2018 StubHub agreed to a three-year commitment to place $3million in musical equipment into at-risk public school programs in at least 50 schools across the United States. For more information, you can visit www.stubhub.com/giving-back.
Mr. Hollands Opus Foundation was inspired by the award-winning motion picture Mr. Holland’s Opus, the beautiful story of Glen Hollands’ dedication and devotion as a music teacher and the impact it had on many generations of students. The foundation keeps music alive and thriving in our schools by donating musical equipment to various under-funded music programs throughout the country.
Hunters Lane High School Band Director Mr. William Brooks spoke of how it is his mission to see that as many students as possible not only receive a good education but that he hopes to have them graduate with music scholarships to college. Fresh out of college himself, seven years ago, Mr. Brooks applied to teach music at Hunters Lane High School and the impression he made has shown not only his devotion to the school but to the students whom he puts first.
Principal Ms. Susan Kessler spoke of the work and devotion that goes into the Marching Band and how Mr. Brooks is an example of how all professionals in the education field should strive to be. He has been a blessing to each and every student and the dedication and love of music, both from him and the students it is apparent for all to see as displayed here in their performance. She said the school is honored to have been chosen for this wonderful gift to the school and the music program.
Platinum-selling country artist Chris Lane made a special surprise visit and performance for the assembly. The students were thrilled and it was a wonderful thing to hear them singing along with Chris to his songs. He beamed with heartfelt thanks that the students knew the words and invited them to sing along.
His breakout #1 smash hit “Fix” is still rising on the charts with Gold and Platinum level single certifications. Lane has two top 10 albums and more than a billion combined streams on his music. He performed a song he wrote for his fiance, “Big Big Plans” and the audience loved it. Lane was also named as one of MusicRow Magazines 2017 Next Big Thing Artists.
Thank you to Hunters Lane High School for allowing us to share in this amazing event.
Photo credit: Gary Craig
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