By Chris Spangler
The third annual Fort Atkinson Band Boosters pancake breakfast drew a large crowd on Saturday morning.
Held in the Fort Atkinson Middle School commons, the event took place from 7:30 to 11 a.m.
Organizers reported that a little more than 500 breakfasters were served and close to $6,000 was raised.
In addition to a meal of pancakes and Jones Dairy Farm sausage, the event featured a silent auction, 50/50 raffle and music by the School District of Fort Atkinson’s many student jazz musicians.
Performing were the Middle School Jazz Band, High School Jazz Messengers, High School Jazz Ambassadors, and jazz combos conducted by middle school band teacher Sam Fettig and high school music teacher and band director Justin Steger.
Proceeds from the breakfast will go toward the fund for new uniforms, jazz musician trips and the general fund.
“Any funds the band boosters make go right back into band programs,” Rachel Broadhead, an organizer of the program, said.
Among programs funded, in part or whole, by the organization are:
• Eighth-grade trip to the the Wisconsin Beyond the Notes Music Festival in Wisconsin Dells.
• Various middle school and jazz showcases, and competitions.
• Fifth-grade trip to the Overture Center in Madison to hear the UW-Madison Varsity Band.
• Reduce cost of Band Banners for high school seniors.
• The Summer Band Camp Scholarship program.
• Some funding for the Disney trip, which takes place every four years.
• General marching band expenses and parade fees.
In addition to the Band Boosters, student musicians and their families, Fettig, Steger, elementary school band teacher Andrea Haffelder and other district staff, supporters of and donors to the event include: Angie Szabo, Aropo Design, Beauty and the Bean, Breber Music, Chroma, Culver’s, Fort Community Credit Union, Festival Foods, Fort Family Restaurant and Frank Korb.
Also, Jones Dairy Farm, Jones Market, Fort Atkinson Kiwanis Club, Kemp’s, Kerry Inc., Kwik Trip, Logo-Works, McDonald’s, Nasco, Paddy Coughlin’s Irish Pub, Rock River Lanes, Walgreens, Walmart, Whitewater Cinema, Wood and Wool Shop and the White House of Music.
To make a donation to the Fort Atkinson Band Boosters, visit https://fahs-band-boosters.square.site/,
Photos from the breakfast follow.
The Jazz Messengers play.
An attentive crowd listens as the Jazz Messengers play.
Fort Atkinson Kiwanis Club volunteers and band student Jack Broadhead, at right, pour pancake mix onto large griddles.
Band students and family members Isaiah Kittel-Phillips, from left, Catherine Burkhalter, Monica Broadhead, and Izzy and Jennifer Walden serve pancakes, sausage and applesauce at the breakfast.
Fort Atkinson High School band director Justin Steger, at left, breaks out in a solo with the yet-to-be-formally-named “Steger Combo.”
Nellie Miller, at left, a member of the Sixth-Grade Band, and her brother, Luas Miller, enjoy their breakfast.
Members of the yet-to-be-formally-named “Fettig Combo,” directed by middle school band teacher Sam Fettig, not pictured, entertain the crowd.
Two photos above: Members of the Jazz Ambassadors perform a rousing rendition of the popular Big Band swing tune, “In the Mood.”
Chris Spangler photos.
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