Updated November 12, 2018

A member of Eastern Michigan University Marching Band’s equipment staff was found unresponsive the afternoon of Thursday November 8 in an office in the Alexander Music Building. 20-year old Lazaro Amador was transported to St. Joseph Mercy Ann Arbor Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead due to a medical condition.

Amador was a second year tuba student at EMU’s School of Music and Dance, and had performed with the university’s marching band. During his second year at Eastern, he served on the band’s equipment staff. He participated in the university’s Greek Life community, specifically the Kappa Kappa Psi fraternity’s Delta Upsilon chapter.

Amador was remembered at Saturday’s football game, where his friends and fellow band members performed as a tribute. Band director Doctor Mary K. Schneider called the performance a “gift of comfort,” praising the band and EMU community further in a Facebook post.

“Despite the rawness of their grief at losing a member of our family, they performed beautifully in his honor at today’s game.” Schneider wrote. “Height of professionalism, amidst an aura of love and support for one another.”

For those struggling with the loss, the university encourages the use of Counseling and Psychological Services in the coming weeks. Those who wish to contribute and help Amador’s family can find a GoFundMe drive on several of the university’s band and music programs’ social media. The drive is to raise money to pay for Amador’s medical bills and funeral arrangements, and donors can share memories of the student as a way to honor his life. At the time of publication, $17,158 of a $25,000 goal had been raised.

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