Annandale High School Principal Apologizes for Marching Band Incident

Annandale High School (AHS) Principal Vincent Randazzo apologized to the Annandale community Thursday following reports that the varsity football coach interrupted the Atoms marching band performance during halftime on Nov. 8.
 
Read: Annandale Marching Band Kicked Off Field During Halftime Show, Say Students

In a message sent to AHS parents Thursday afternoon titled "Friday Senior Night Activities," Randazzo apologized for the incident and said Coach Mike Scott "has offered to apologize to the band members for his actions."

"What happened shouldn’t have happened and I regret that it has tarnished what should have been a night of celebration for our seniors," said Randazzo in the letter.

The Atoms were losing to the South County Stallions 35-7 last Friday during what was both Senior Night and Annandale's final football game of the season when the award-winning Marching Atoms took the field for their halftime performance.

The AHS student newspaper The A-Blast reported Scott yelled at Band Director Adam Hilkert to “get the band off the field" when they were only about three minutes into their performance. Scott also allegedly shook the podium of one Assistant Drum Major, according to the article.

Read the full editorial here.

Randazzo does not go into detail or confirm the incident occurred as reported by the A-Blast, but states he met with the marching band after the game to apologize for the halftime performance interruption.

The full text of Randazzo's message is below:

Dear Annandale Community:

I want to provide you an update regarding the incident that occurred at last Friday night’s football game.  Annandale High School honored its senior football players, cheerleaders, dance team and marching band members at the game.  My office this week has been investigating the series of events that occurred while the marching band performed at halftime.  I am extremely concerned and dismayed with how this situation was handled by the participants.   We have been following up with all of the parties involved and will take whatever appropriate action is deemed necessary.   Coach Scott has offered to apologize to the band members for his actions, which I believe is a necessary first step.  I did meet with our Marching Atoms following the game and told them how proud the entire Annandale community is of their accomplishments this year and how they embody all that is great about Annandale High School.  At that time, I apologized to the students for the interruption of their halftime performance honoring their seniors. 

I want to take this opportunity to again apologize to our band members, band parents and the entire community for this incident. What happened shouldn’t have happened and I regret that it has tarnished what should have been a night of celebration for our seniors. 

We learn from our mistakes and we will move past this episode with a better understanding of the importance that mutual respect plays in our interactions with each other – students and staff members.   I am very proud to be the principal of a school that has such talented students supported by a staff that is truly dedicated to  helping our students achieve their full potential.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support of Annandale High School.

Sincerely,

Vincent J. Randazzo

Principal

Annandale High School

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