Statement from the Alumni Network (A-NET)

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

The murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others make clear that racism remains a systemic and pervasive disease in American society. Countless Black lives have been lost, many more have been unjustly diminished by racism, and in certain places “Black Lives Matter” is seen as a political statement rather than a statement of basic human rights.

So, let us say it here, simply: Black Lives Matter. We stand with Black U-M students, Black Glee Club alumni, and all Black members of the greater U-M alumni community and beyond.

Injustice affects us all, and therefore we must all act. We are encouraged by the words of President Schlissel and SMTD Dean David Gier, which reinforce the importance of cultural and educational institutions in building a more just community and nation. In particular, we believe that musical organizations have an important role to play in making us better citizens, by awakening our empathy and reminding us that shared musical experiences unite all and transcend our individual experience.

The University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club has led the way throughout its history: it was the first college glee club to tour the country and then the world, and, in recent years, tackled the unjust killing of Black people through the powerful work “Seven Last Words of the Unarmed." Most recently, the Club addressed the stigma of mental health with the ground-breaking “You Are Enough” program at the last Hill concert.

As alumni of the University of Michigan Men’s Glee Club, we must continue to do what we learned during our time in the Club -- we must lead. We must tackle uncomfortable issues and be a champion for just causes; we must hold ourselves to high standards as ambassadors for the University's mission of developing leaders and citizens who will challenge the present and enrich the future. Lastly, we must not lose heart, or fear that the battle is lost.

We, as the UMMGC Alumni Network (A-Net), write this message to renew our commitment to lift our voices in support of things that matter. We will not be silent in saying "Black Lives Matter," and we encourage you to join us. Moving forward, we are educating ourselves, we are listening, and we want to learn. We welcome your input into how the A-Net can support this conversation.

In Tradition, Camaraderie, and Musical Excellence,

Scott Roffman, A-Net 2019-20 President

Michael Ferrante, A-Net 2020-21 President

Anthony Alcantara, A-Net 2018-19 President

Michael Foley, A-Net Board

Scott Venman, A-Net Board

Ben Rizzo, A-Net Board

Ben Saukas, A-Net Board

Craig Brennan, A-Net Board

Matt Hill, A-Net Board

Sky Lance, A-Net Board

Steve Ramsey, A-Net Board

Steven Fisher, A-Net Board