Started Out As Strangers (Final Draft) Poem by Merl Austin

This is the actual poem used for the song played/sung for our tribute to two young band students, one a good friend of mine, we lost to suicide (one on March 22, the other on April 6) at the end of the year concert.

Started out as strangers
instruments in hand
now we're no longer strangers
while we play the music on our stands

melodies grow stronger
as our friendships grow
so when we play our music
it's the greatest we could ever know.

music brought us together
a bond that touches our hearts
we thank our musical family
and we will never, never tear apart

Friendships shape our lives
just like a song
the melody of my life
is the best becasue you came a long

Friends that are not with us
Gone but not forgotten
You're still apart of the music
so through us your song will still live on.