Students Pay Tribute To Their Former Band Director

Wednesday, June 13th 2007, 3:00 pm

By: News On 6

For eight years Joy Maynard led her Claremore Junior High Jazz band to Branson for special concerts in some of its biggest theaters. She lost a battle with cancer in January, but some former students have put a tribute band together. The News On 6â€™s Rick Wells reports she may have lost her battle, but the music plays on.

Current and former students at Will Rogers Junior High in Claremore have begun rehearsals for a trip to play in Branson, because their former director would want them to.

"There's not a doubt in my mind she wanted this to happen,â€ said Joy Maynardâ€™s husband Mark Maynard.

He says his wife loved this band and she loved the project. She started taking her junior high jazz band to Branson back in 1999.

Last August, just before the beginning of school year, Claremore honored Joy Maynard as its Teacher of the Year. She knew then she had cancer but believed the battle was winnable.

â€œI have a poster on my wall that says if someone who believes in you thinks you can or you believe you can then you can do anything," said Joy Maynard.

It was just too big a battle. These kids are honoring her memory by making this trip. She always told them to follow their dreams.

â€œWe're just following her dream. The dream outlived the dreamer," said Mark Maynard.

The band will play a tribute concert in Claremore next month, and then leave for Branson and play three concerts there.

They have raised a lot of money already but could always use more help.

There's a fund set up. Just stop in any RCB Bank and ask about the Joy A. Maynard Tribute Band Fund.

WEB EXTRA: For Rick's previous story, Claremore Music Teacher Honored, click here.