Murrieta Valley High School community mourns loss of teacher

Rick Lorenzen (Photo courtesy of Crimson Cadets Band Booster Web site.)

Students and faculty at Murrieta Valley High School are mourning the loss of teacher Rick Lorenzen, the school’s director of instrumental music.

Lorenzen, 52, was found at his desk Sunday evening as students arrived for a regularly scheduled 5:30 p.m. band practice, said Karen Parris, spokeswoman for Murrieta Valley Unified School District.

Teachers at the high school were informed of his death this morning.

“It’s a very sad day at Murrieta Valley High School today. He was just a very respected and loved teacher at the school,” she said of Lorenzen who had taught at the high school since 2007.

Parris said police on scene did not rule out foul play and his death is believed to be the result of natural causes.

There had been no indication of any underlying health issues with Lorenzen, Parris said.

A memorial area is set up at the high school where students can write their thoughts and remembrances.

In an open letter on the Crimson Cadets Band Booster Web site posted prior to his death, Denise Hains expresses her sentiments toward Lorenzen and

Rick Lorenzen (Photo courtesy of Murrieta Valley Unified School District)

Todd Tatro, the band’s assistant director.

“Mr. Lorenzen, you are the best and we are blessed to have you lead this program, your commitment to this program is nothing less than inspiring. Mr. Tatro, Pete, Erasmo, Laura and Tiffany thanks for all your hard work and dedication to this program; we wouldn’t be the same without you. All of your help makes the Murrieta Valley High School the flagship school within the District and a force to be dealt with in Southern California,” Hains said.

The district’s Crisis Counseling Team is on hand to provide support for students and staff. Lorenzen’s 125 band students are meeting in the band room with the counselors today.

According to the Crimson Cadets Band Booster Web site, Lorenzen received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with an emphasis in music education from San Diego State University, and a Master of Music degree from Azusa Pacific University, with an emphasis in conducting.

During his 27 years as a Music Educator, he taught all levels of instrumental music from elementary through college, the Web site said.

According to the Web site, Lorenzen, a music advocate, served for 14 years as a member of the Board of Directors for the Southern California School Band and Orchestra Association, which included two terms as President. He was recognized as “Teacher of the Year,” and was the recipient of the SCSBOA Gold Award “for service and dedication to Music Education in Southern California.” In 2003, Lorenzen was awarded the SCSBOA Honorary Life Member Award, the association’s highest award, celebrating his long tenure as a leader in the area of music education.

Yazmin Alvarez can be reached at yazmin.alvarez@swrnn.com.

Tags: Karen Parris, Murrieta, murrieta valley high school, murrieta valley unified school district, SWRNN, Yazmin Alvarez

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