Spectators wave, sing along and clap as the Coppell Band marches through Dublin’s bustling streets, their instruments echoing over cheering crowds estimated at 500,000.
For the first time in 22 years, members of Coppell Band traveled to Dublin, Ireland to participate in the iconic national St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Representing Texas, the band made its mark on a global stage along the streets of the Irish capital.
For many participating students, the scale of the moment felt surreal.
“It felt like a dream,” senior band co-president Rohit Kuchibhotla said. “There were so many people in the crowd, and when we finished a song, they would cheer so loud. It was unreal. I didn’t think our school would ever get an opportunity like this.”
A year of planning and preparation led up to the performance. Band director Kimberly Shuttlesworth coordinated logistics to bring around 200 students, staff and chaperones overseas for the trip.
The payoff came as the band stepped into Dublin City Centre.
“I think that this parade was the best in terms of energy and excitement,” Shuttlesworth said. “There were just rows and rows of people the entire parade route, and the crowd just didn’t stop. They were so excited to have us there.”
Selecting music to connect with a global audience was an important element in keeping the crowd energized for the entire length of their performance.
“Music is a universal language,” Shuttlesworth said. “We didn’t play anything traditional to Texas because every band does that. We wanted music that the community would enjoy.”
The band’s setlist included popular songs such as “Shut Up and Dance” by WALK THE MOON and “Carry On My Wayward Son” by Kansas.
“Everyone around me was playing as loud as they could and hyping up the crowd,” Kuchibhotla said. “Every time we stopped playing a song, they were literally screaming as loud as they could. I’ve never experienced anything like that before.”
The performance was along a 1.7-mile route, one of the most demanding stretches the students have completed, testing the students’ ability to maintain energy from start to finish.
“After about 45 minutes my arms felt like they were burning,” Kuchibhotla said. “But I stopped thinking about it and started having fun. Whenever you have fun in the moment, you don’t really think about anything else. Everything just fell into place.”
Students recognized they were carrying Coppell’s name onto a global stage.
“They were treated like celebrities,” Shuttlesworth said. “You see the kids enjoying it, you see them making great music and representing us really well.”
The trip reinforced the long history of pride in the band department. Students had not marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin for more than 20 years, and for many, it was their first time traveling outside the United States for band.
“Ms. Shuttlesworth always tells us that we represent the past, the present and the future,” sophomore Shreya Chapagain said. “That was when I fully realized what she meant by that.”
The band spent nearly their entire spring break in Ireland, and beyond the parade performance, students explored the country’s rich culture. They visited Trinity College, Kilkenny Castle, the EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum and the Cliffs of Moher, while also learning traditional Gaelic games.
The international experience left a lasting impact on many performers.
“I’ve always struggled to play in front of an audience and always get nervous,” Chapagain said. “Performing in front of so many people made me less scared to play for an audience. I realized I don’t need to worry so much. I can just enjoy the experience and let go of my nerves.”
For seniors like Kuchibhotla, the opportunity felt like the perfect ending to years spent in the program.
“I never imagined our band would perform in Ireland,” Kuchibhotla said. “Being a senior and getting to go out of the country like this is really a privilege. You shouldn’t take opportunities like this for granted.”
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