Cotter’s jazz band, directed by Rick Peters, won their division  at The University Of Wisconsin-LaCrosse jazz festival on Saturday, January 25

Each division is based on size, and other than a few suggestions, the judges were full of compliments for Cotter’s group.

    They performed “Orange Sherbet by Sammy Nestico”, “Out Of The Dog House” by Eric Morales, and “When The Saints Go Marching In” arranged by Dean Sorenson.

Everyone was very satisfied with their performance and the results of their hard work.

“The competition went extremely well” remarked Peters,  “I was pleased with the group’s performance and it’s nice to see their hard work rewarded.”

Another result of this competition was an awarded scholarship to a Cotter student.  Corey Beyer won a $200 scholarship to a jazz camp called Camp Shell after performing a solo for the judges.  For six days in July, he will learn improvisational  techniques as well as solo improv. with 40% of his camp admission paid.

Band members include; Noah French, Gabe Tullis,, Jake Kiese, Sam French, Alex Walechka, CeeJay  Schaffner, Tyler Suman, Matt Masyga, Kyle

Schneider, Corey Beyer, Jenny Hadaway, Bryanna Meier, Brennan Schaffner, Jacob French, Steve Hadaway, Maura Michener, Victoria Shim, David French, and Tristan Penic. Cotter competed against: Gale-Ettrick-Trempeleau, Arcadia, Roseville, Ellsworth, Fort Atkinson, Evansville, Denmark, and La Crescent High Schools.