Macklemore appearance back on track after principal cancels free concert

Macklemore and Ryan Lewis are back on track to appear at Aliso Niguel High after the school's principal cancelled their appearance.

Last week, students won the appearance and $10,000 for their music program through a contest on the tutoring site Chegg.

"We need a lot of marching equipment. And we've just struggled in the past to achieve the money we need through donations. It's pretty sad," said Sam Sullivan, the president of the band program.

But the school announced Monday they'd be turning down the money and the visit.

Students say the principal told them half a dozen parents weren't happy with the artists' lyrics.

"We have dances at homecoming and we play way worse music than Macklemore," said Trenton Pohl.

The students took to social media to try to change the school administration's mind.

One student tweeted, "Our students finally get to experience something fun, and then this happens. Wow"

That tweet got a re-post from Macklemore himself, who added, "that's disappointing."

Another student also started a Change.org petition. It got more than 7,000 votes in less than 24 hours.

The principal announced over the speaker system Tuesday that Mack would be back. The event would take place after school though, and with a parent permission slip.

The district sent the following statement of what Principal Deni Christensen announced at school:

"After careful consideration of varying viewpoints on all sides of the issue surrounding a possible visit by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, it is my hope that we have developed a plan that will meet the needs of our diverse students. In recognition of our students' efforts in winning this contest, and a desire to provide students the option of hearing a presentation regarding the music industry, the importance of music education and the arts, along with a Q & A session with the two artists, we will be holding this event after school hours in December."

Students were thrilled.

"There was excitement, there was clapping. There was cheering. It's been the most talked about thing on campus today," said Quinn Darling.

"A lot of teenagers feel like they're not heard. And this is a great example of why speaking your mind is important," said McKenna Troup.

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