About Band Together

In November 2009 an extraordinary thing happened. Within the space of a week three young members of our School of Rock – Greater Washington DC family were diagnosed with life threatening illnesses – two with cancer and one with a heart problem. Immediately we knew that our “family” needed our support on many levels and we set about creating a structure for our students, parents and the community at large to reach out to them and Band Together was born. Students share their music and friendship while learning to reach out to those in need. Band Together uses a variety of support methods designed to assist the entire family including fundraising, electronic communications, sending a card, sharing a laugh or a meal, hospital visits, arranging housekeeping and carpools, driving to doctors appointment and much more.

In the School of Rock we strive to teach our students to rock not only on stage, but in life. By giving their time and talent to support others, in both big and small ways, our students (and their families) are gaining invaluable skills that will carry them through some of life’s more difficult challenges. We invite you to join us as we Band Together!

How to Help

For Kids

So, you’ve just found out that a friend or schoolmate (close or otherwise) is really ill, what do you do? Word travels fast and everyone knows. Or maybe they don’t. Whatever you do don’t say to yourself “I don’t want to bother him/her…” When someone is facing a serious illness they are feeling lots of things – scared, tired, nauseous, hopeful, anxious, alone, grouchy and sometimes all at once. A serious illness is like riding a roller coaster –it’s a lot better when you share the ups and downs with a friend. The last thing they need is to be left alone and “unbothered”. You don’t need to make grand gestures, just be a friend. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Send a text, make a phone call, or an email daily/weekly to check in
Visit the hospital, or offer to go with them to chemo or the doctor
Hang out and watch a movie together
Offer to help work on homework together
Do what you would normally do with a friend at their house – play a game, play music etc.
Invite them to your house to hang out
Design a “Support My Friend” with a text campaign and get your friend to send their good wishes
Get your friend’s school to do something supportive – be an organizer
Volunteer your time to help on a fundraising project if they are having one

For Parents

So you’ve just found out that a friend of your son or daughter is really ill. Maybe you don’t know the family very well – what do you do? This is a perfect opportunity to teach your child how to respond – after all they learn by watching us. It only takes a moment of imagining yourself in their situation to understand that both the ill child and their family need support on many levels. You don’t need to make grand gestures, just offer what you can truly and authentically offer. Push off those “I don’t want to bother these people” feelings. People who are ill need to know they are cared about first and foremost – it helps their healing! If they are not able to answer the phone, they won’t so just leave a message. Don’t be shy! The fact that you care enough to call is really important. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Remind your child to make contact with his friend regularly via text, email or phone and do the same yourself
Help your child keep track of hospital dates and surgeries, find out about visiting guidelines and bring your child (if allowed) for visits or call/text
Offer to be a liaison with the school, church or other community you share to coordinate things like carpooling for the family’s other children, meals, housekeeping or other day-to-day needs or find out who is and see what you can do
Send a weekly card or thought to the parents/family who need your support as well

Current Projects

2010 Band Together CD – Share Your Talents!!

What:	We are accepting submissions of original material to appear on the Band Together 2010 official CD Album. The album will feature original music written and performed by School of Rock Students and will be sold to raise funds for our Band Together Current Projects. We have made arrangements with Paul Green to record and produce portions of the album at Studio House in New York – his newly formed production facility with state-of-the-art equipment. If selected your music may be performed at Band Together and School of Rock Concerts in addition to the album. Musicians for the album will be from our three House Bands and writers of selected songs will be invited to participate as well.
Why:	To use your musical talent to help others through Band Together
Who:	Open to all active, currently enrolled School of Rock Greater Washington DC students
Deadline for Submissions:	February 18th, 2010
How:	To Enter simply fill out the form and provide a CD and written lyrics of your song. If you need help with any aspect, contact your local music director

Upcoming Events

Band Together Walk-A-Thon

Band Together will hold it’s first annual Walk-A-Thon between our Ashburn and Vienna schools on the W&OD Trail this spring. Stay tuned for dates and times. Volunteer for this project.

Band Together Raffle

We are looking for items to include in our online raffle to be held this Spring during our Spring Shows. Contact us if you have something to donate or would like to help with this project.

Concerts/Shows for Band Together

See Upcoming Shows on this website for School of Rock shows designated to raise funds for Band Together and come see a great show while helping others!

Design Your Own Fundraiser

Have a great idea? Let us know what you would like to do and let’s make it happen!

Band Together For ...

The Moorhead Family

The Moorheads hail from Youngstown, Ohio and relocated to Ashburn, Virginia about a year and a half ago. To meet them is to love them! They are salt of the earth people with a zest for everything they do. The move here, away from close family and friends, was tough and they were just hitting their stride when Chris was diagnosed with stage 4a Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. For this family, the diagnosis was deja vous all over again. In 2003, their beloved daughter Jessica lost her battle with Leukemia. She was a vibrant and wonderful girl and we invite you to read about her here Jessica Foundation for Hope .

Now it’s time to fight for Chris (the dude with mohawk to the left). Chris is a sophomore at Broad Run High School in Ashburn, Virginia. He is first and foremost a DRUMMER. He has been an active member of the Loudoun School of Rock for over a year, starting with our inaugural performance of “The Wall”. Still in the early stages of processing this new challenge, Chris has redoubled his efforts and has yet to miss a rehearsal even when undergoing chemo just hours earlier. Chris has no idea what an inspiration he is to his fellow classmates and musicians and so we need to Band Together to let him know! How you can help:

Send an email to Chris
Push or poke Chris on Facebook: Chris Moorhead
Send an email to his mom
Volunteer to help
Send Chris an ecard: Hallmark American Greetings JibJab
Donate to help cover treatment costs.