The annual 6th – 12 grade Jazz Band concert was dedicated to Hannah who was diagnosed with cancer in December.  Hannah has been an active Webster City band member and plays clarinet in Concert Band and alto sax in Jazz Band.

It was fitting that the concert and fundraiser be dedicated to Hannah, explained Middle School Band Director Ashton Reams, who partnered with High School Band Director Rachel Daum in promoting the concert.

While Band Boosters sold yellow wristbands as a fundraiser, band members wore yellow ribbons to show their support during the performance.

“Hannah is one of our own,” said Reams. “We want you to know that we really are a village. We wouldn’t be able to do this without each other. And parents, we want to you know that we believe that these are not our students – these are our kids, too.”

Hannah Brandt visits with family following the Jazz for a Cause Concert Tuesday night at the Webster City Middle School. Hannah is a member of the WC High School Jazz and Concert bands who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in December. Pictured with Hannah are cousin Owen Anderson, her grandmother Jackie Anderson, Hannah, uncle Eric Anderson and cousin Ethan Anderson.

Both band directors thanked parents for their support throughout the year.  Jazz Band requires an extra effort by the student musicians because they meet outside of the school day to practice.  Sixth grade Jazz Band members meet once a week before school while high school Jazz musicians meet twice a week in the early morning hours. 

The Sixth Grade selections included “We Will Rock You”, “Surfin’ USA” which was dedicated to WC School Custodian Matt Algoe and “Animal Control” with soloists Jackson Barner on alto saxophone, Salena Inthisane on clarinet, Bria Wallerich on flute, Jackson Meyer on flute, Alexandra Severe on flute and Jameson Stansfield on trumpet.

The 7th – 8th Grade Jazz Band played “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy” with soloists Brandon Lahr on trumpet and Emersen Paukert on drum set.

The band also performed “Lean on Me”, which was dedicated to Hannah.

“Hannah we know you are strong, but you also have all of us in this room to lean on,” voiced Brandon Lahr before the selection was played.

— Daily Freeman-Journal photo by Teresa Wood Jack Barner plays alto solo during the concert.

The final selection was the lively “Uptown Funk.”

The WC High School Jazz Band performed “Jazzman” with soloists Pasha Kirk on alto sax, George Vila on trombone and Jake Lahr on drumset. “Shuffle Stop” featured soloists Jayce Abens on bass, Kyle Chieng on guitar and Jake Lahr on drumset. “The Late Night Llama” featured soloists Shelby Queen on drum set, Giana Borer on piano, Blake Seiser on alto sax and Mackenzie Burney on tenor sax.

Tuesday night’s Jazz Concert concludes the jazz band season for the 2019/2020 school year.

WC Band Boosters hosted a reception following the concert in the Middle School Commons and WC Band Booster President Linda Lahr spoke of the band as a family.

“We want to thank people because anytime we need support or volunteers for any band event or band member, they are there,” she said. “That goes for the band and the community, too. Our people are second to none.”

Hannah, who had recently undergone another round of chemotherapy at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, was in attendance at the concert with her mother Lisa Anderson and her father Scott Brandt.

“It’s really nice,” Hannah said of the concert dedicated in her honor.

“It was nice,” echoed her mother Lisa Anderson. “We are just so grateful of all the support she has gotten.”

Hannah will resume her 13 week treatment regime in the first week of March.