For the Just Brass Band,bra Southlake youth brass band ensemble, some tunes are just naturallybrsweeter. During the months of November and December, the band played severalbrconcerts in Southlake Town Square to raise funds for the Leukemia &brLymphoma Society. The group raised more than $1,500 over the holidays.
Junior Ethan Jezek formedbrthe group five years ago with friends from Southlake Carroll. What began as abrgroup of friends playing instruments for fun has turned into something biggerbrand more meaningful for the community. The Just Brass Band grew in size frombrseven to 13 players ranging in age from ninth grade to seniors in high school.brThe band's focus again turned personal this year when a friend was diagnosedbrwith lymphoma.
“As school was finishingbrup last June, my family friend and fellow trumpet player, Abbey Weaver'sbrsister, Ella Weaver, was diagnosed with stage 3 lymphoma,” said Ethan Jezek,brband leader, in a press release.
“Ella was 12-years-oldbrwhen she was diagnosed. I witnessed first-hand how scary cancer is, how horriblebrcancer treatments are and just how great the Southlake community was to rallybrbehind Ella and her fight. I wanted to be a part of that support system, sobrthat no one has to go through what Ella has gone through. The band agreed andbrdecided to donate the money raised to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society,” hebradded.
“We found out Ella hadbrlymphoma on June 10, 2016,” said Kristen Weaver, Ella's mother. “Test resultsbrwere inconclusive as to which kind of lymphoma Ella had, so she underwentbraggressive treatment for both Hodgkins and non-Hodgkins lymphoma. During thebrpast six months she endured in-patient care at Cook's Children's Hospital inbrFort Worth. I am happy to report, that as of December 15, the drugs have workedbrand Ella's body is cancer-free. The support from the Southlake community hasbrbeen amazing. And to have The Just Brass Band play in Ella's honor is beyond words.”
As the name implies ThebrJust Brass Band is a group of 13 Southlake Carroll band students, all brassbrinstrument players. Members of the band include: tuba - Ethan Jezek, bandbrleader (11th grade); french horns - Sally Hatfield (10th grade), CarysbrSutherland (9th grade); trombones - David Coughlin (11th grade), Asher Stevensbr(10th grade), Greg Salazar (10th grade), Han Parker (9th grade); trumpets - Sam Ortizbr(12th grade), Joclyn Ward (12th grade), Tanner Dotson (12th grade), Elizabeth Adkinsbr(11th grade), Rohan Khanijow (9th grade), and alternate Walter Gaman (11thbrgrade).
“This was my first yearbrto be a part of The Just Brass Band,” said Tanner Dotson, band member. “I likedbrhow our music careers have made a difference outside of our families.”
“I loved seeing the kidsbrand families react to our music,” said band member, Joclyn Ward. “Especiallybrwhen they called my trumpet a flute!”
“Not only was being abrpart of The Just Brass Band a great experience,” said Greg Salazar, band member.br“But I raised money for a good cause while having fun with my friends over thebrholiday break.”
“Playing in Town Squarebrallowed my daughter to see how her music raised people's spirits as they wentbrabout their holiday errands,” said Jennifer Sutherland, Carys' mom. “Donatingbrthe money they collected to this worthwhile charity also gave her a sense ofbrpurpose. The Just Brass Band is a wonderful way for thebrkids' love of music to make a positive difference in the community. The experiencebrtakes these kids who practice alone so much, into the next level of what beingbra musician can mean and do.”
“The band would like tobrthank everyone who supported us,” said Jezek. “We are grateful for the continuousbrgenerosity of the people of Southlake and their families and friends. Thank youbrfor your donations to leukemia & lymphoma cancer. And thank you forbrsupporting a bunch of kids who just like to have fun playing theirbrinstruments.”
The Just Brass Band plansbrto continue the tradition and will play again next holiday season at SouthlakebrTown Square. Check out the band's Facebook page for updates.