Kent Kraft, for the Gazette The Copper Country Community Band in concert.

The Copper Country Community Band (CCCB) has “a big focus this year to put the ‘community’ in Community Band,” according to Co-Director Amy Johnson. “We’re consciously looking into how we can support everyone in the band to be able to make music and to have positive experiences, and then how can we go out into the community and help as well.”

Last year, according to Johnson, the CCCB did “a fundraiser out in Chassell for the Houghton County Road Commission when Chassell had the terrible road flooding last year. We realized [these benefit concerts are] a really cool way to get people aware of the band and aware of how music can bring groups together.” On Monday, the CCCB held a concert in the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s in Calumet as a fundraiser to help the organization raise money for a roof replacement.

A cause that hit much closer to home for both Johnson and Co-Director Micah Erickson recently came to light when they learned band member Bill “Benji” Brotherton’s wife Annie was diagnosed with cancer. The prognosis of the cancer forced her into immediate and aggressive treatments in Wausau, WI. Beyond the emotional strain on the family, their lives have been logistically and financially challenged with the trips and the need for Annie to quit her job nursing which she had held for 40 years.

“I think that it’s important to consider what position you’re in to help, especially in a smaller community,” Erickson said. “Amy and I have the privilege of being band directors, so the least we could do is put on a concert because that’s what we know. It strengthens the community’s connection to why we have music. We act as another resource for people who need help.”

“I remember when I was in high school and played with the community band and playing with Benji,” said Johnson. “He was so welcoming, always asking how he can help. He’s so giving. He gives to the community, helping to run the clown band in the parades. Anytime people need help, Benji is there. He’s supported the community and now it’s time for us to support him.”

The CCCB’s benefit concert will be held on at 7:30 p.m. Monday in the Calumet Theatre. “All the money will go towards Benji and Annie, to support them,” assured Johnson. “The Calumet Theatre is not charging us anything for this performance, and we’re grateful for that as well,” added Erickson.

Two particular pieces of music the band has prepared are directly related to this cause. First, “The Gift of Giving” by Brian Balmages is described by Erickson as “a really touchy and emotional piece.” He gave the background saying “it was a piece written about a high school student who was diagnosed with terminal cancer. She was granted a wish through the Make-a-Wish foundation and instead of using it to meet someone famous or go to Disney, she used the wish to purchase brand new marching uniforms for her entire band.”

“It’s beautiful,” said Johnson. “Yeah, it is beautiful and an emotionally heavy piece,” added Erickson. “We’re excited to do it.”

Second, Johnson talked about a piece called “Choose Joy” by composer Randall Standridge, someone who is open about his struggles with mental health. “He talks about how even in the midst of really hard things, we can try to find a moment of joy and hold on to that, to use it as something that gets you

through the hard times.” She describes the music as “fast paced, quotes ‘Ode to Joy’ by Beethoven, and is one of my favorite pieces to conduct.”

In addition, Johnson mentioned the band will perform many of the pieces Brotherton enjoys playing. “He likes marches, so we’re doing some of the marches he really likes. We’re also doing ‘ABBA on Broadway’ and ‘Best of Journey’ because that is some of the music Benji and Annie really love.”

When Johnson and Erickson learned about the severity of diagnosis and decided on this benefit concert to help the family, they both had a personal resonance spurring them to action. “I had cancer when I was younger,” said Johnson. “I was diagnosed right before I turned four. My dad was a teacher at Houghton, where I graduated from, and the community really showed up to help us.”

She continued, “I really feel for people who have to travel for treatments because I remember doing that. My mom and I had to travel to Ann Arbor every six weeks for my treatment. Being able to give back to a community who helped me, even though it was years ago, being able to be there for them… I really love that part of it.”

For Erickson, he thinks “it’s also really touching for people in the audience, or even the band. I know there are a few band members who went through or had a family member go through treatments for cancer. I had a student recently, who is actually playing in the community band now, and she came up to me saying she thought it was cool that we were doing this. She can relate to that kind of helpless feeling and having people stand behind you during that time.”

The concert is a free-will donation. Anyone who does not have a donation in person can scan QR codes at the venue which will allow them to donate directly to the Go Fund Me campaign for the Brothertons.

For those who cannot make the concert but still want to give to the cause can use the website https://www.gofundme.com/f/community-support-for-annie-and-benji-brotherton.