The Coppell High School Band Organization

The Coppell High School Band represents one of the finest organization of its kind in the United States. It is composed of over 350 members who exhibit the highest levels of discipline, dedication, achievement and performance. The program has helped to merit the Coppell High School Music Program the best in the nation according to the National Music Educators Association.

The Coppell Band has been the recipient of numerous awards, championships and honors, ranging from local and state contests to the prestigious Tournament of Roses Parade. They have been a consistent winner of the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Championship 7 years in a row, along with being a consistent finalist at the State Marching Competition.

The Students

Each year, the band program begins within two weeks after the school year ends. Incoming freshman students from Coppell's three middle schools participate in a two-week intense orientation, and marching fundamentals workshop. This includes both individual and group attention to fundamentals.

In August, the whole band begins its four-month journey into the season's marching season by attending the summer band camp. It is at this time that the students begin working on the marching drill, as well as the music. All music is memorized and passed off to section leaders each week. Marching is judged each week by both squad leaders and section leaders. This band camp culminates in the traditional "Welcome Back" concert held just before the school year opens.

Rehearsals during the season are held each day for specific sections, and then for the whole band. The camps and rehearsals are all conducted under the strict rules of the University Interscholastic Leagues (UIL) guidelines, which governs how many hours the students can practice each week. UIL rules also maintain that every student must maintain a passing grade in all scholastic work in order to participate in the band. As such, the band program also maintains a rigorous study habits and tutoring program for its participants.

During the marching season, which usually lasts from August through mid-November, depending on the progress of the football team, the students mature their marching program, but most pull double duty as they prepare their own personal etudes and performances for regional concert performance opportunities. Students have the opportunity to participate in region orchestra, region band, area band and state band competitions. The band provides access to the finest private lesson instructors in the area to help each student play to their highest level. Such efforts have resulted in Coppell winning the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Championship 10 years in a row. Also during the Fall, students find themselves poised for various region and state marching competitions, climaxing in the State Marching Championships held in Waco every even year.

As the school year winds into the Spring, the bands turn their attention into ensemble concert performances. The 350 students are divided into four band programs, and each band prepares a repertoire of three pieces to perform at the Area UIL Concert competition. The students are judged on their performance on those pieces, as well as a sight reading competition. Coppell has won the sweepstakes award at UIL for the past 12 years.

If this sounds like a lot of work, it is. Every student in the band personifies the excellence we seek in our society: perseverance, dedication, discipline, personal strength, leadership, and integrity. Its no wonder, that every year, one-half to two-thirds on the Coppell National Merit Semifinalists are members of the band. But even though its hard work, the students still manage to have a lot of fun, especially in the stands, on the bus, and on trips.

Awards, Events and Recognition

• 5A First Runner Up 2002-2004
• UIL State Marching Contest
• 12 th in state - 5A Contest 2002
• 4A State Champions 1999-2001
• UIL Concert & Sight-Reading Contest
• (All Bands) 1 st Division,
• 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
• #1 Music Program in the United States
• 2000 (Coppell ISD)
• 2001 Tournament of Roses
• Parade, California
• Representing the southwest United States
• UIL Region Solo Contest 2004
• 189 Solo Medals
• UIL State Solo Contest 2004
• 28 gold medals, 61 silver medals, 3 Outstanding Soloists
• All-Region Orchestra 2003 – 11 members
• All-Region Band 2004 – 132 members
• Pre-Area Band 2004 – 46 members
• Area Band 2004 – 34 members
• 5A All-State Band 2004 – 15 members, more than any school in Texas