Miramar High School band urges city for $50,000 in replacement instruments; commissioners pledge follow‑up

Kevin Lopez, band director at Miramar High School, told the Miramar City Commission on July 9 that the school’s nationally recognized marching band is performing on decades‑old instruments and needs roughly $50,000 to modernize its percussion inventory.

"To properly overhaul and modernize our instrument inventory, we're facing a cost of approximately $50,000," Lopez said at the public‑comment podium. "Our percussion section ranked number one in the entire state of Florida is playing on instruments that are nearly 30 years old. Many are falling apart, barely holding on together with tape and goodwill."

Lopez said the band — a program he described as more than a marching band, with jazz groups and a nationally recognized drum line — raises funds and charges fees but cannot fully cover the cost of new instructional instruments. "Because these are instructional items, students should not bear the full responsibility in securing these materials themselves," he said.

Drum major Jaden Cox also spoke, describing the program’s impact on discipline and teamwork and adding, "Your support will mean the world to us and it will show every student here that our community believes in what we do."

Mayor Wayne Messam told Lopez and the students the commission and staff would follow up. "We'll have discussions with our city manager, as well as each elected official may also want to see how they can help as well," Messam said. The mayor asked the group to leave contact information with the clerk so staff could follow up with options.

The commission did not make a formal appropriation during the meeting. Commissioners said they would consider the request and work with city staff to identify possible support, including internal options and outreach to private partners.