Trekking to state with the Coppell Band

Hannah Tucker, Photographer
November 18, 2016

Coppell High School color guard director Matthew Rummel speaks with the color guard at Buddy Echols Field after their practice on Saturday. The band had a send off performance Saturday night before its departure for state in San Antonio. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Coppell High School color guard director Matthew Rummel speaks with the color guard at Buddy Echols Field after their practice on Saturday. The band had a send off performance Saturday night before its departure for state in San Antonio. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Coppell High School senior Vili Tuppurainen speaks to the band Monday in San Antonio the night before their State competition. "It's amazing how much the different from beginning to end there is. I'm so proud of that," Tuppurainen said. "I'll cherish this season for the rest of my life, I wouldn't want to spend it with anyone else." Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Coppell High School senior Vili Tuppurainen speaks to the band Monday in San Antonio the night before their State competition. “It’s amazing how much the different from beginning to end there is. I’m so proud of that,” Tuppurainen said. “I’ll cherish this season for the rest of my life, I wouldn’t want to spend it with anyone else.” Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Coppell High School senior Kyle Whiting lets out his tearful emotions to fellow band mates at the band meeting on Nov. 7 in the meeting hall at the hotel. Many of the seniors were emotional after the band staff and a few seniors talked about the amazing season and the letters that band kids wrote at band camp during August to their future selves for end of season were opened. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Coppell High School senior Kyle Whiting lets out his tearful emotions to fellow band mates at the band meeting on Nov. 7 in the meeting hall at the hotel. Many of the seniors were emotional after the band staff and a few seniors talked about the amazing season and the letters that band kids wrote at band camp during August to their future selves for end of season were opened. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
At Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, a circle of trumpets and mellophones from the Coppell Band wait for instruction from band director Gerry Miller on Nov. 8. They are part of the “eye” formation in the closer of the band’s show, entitled “Now I See.” Photo by Hannah Tucker.
At Heroes Stadium in San Antonio, a circle of trumpets and mellophones from the Coppell Band wait for instruction from band director Gerry Miller on Nov. 8. They are part of the “eye” formation in the closer of the band’s show, entitled “Now I See.” Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band positions themselves in line formation for the show’s opening movement, “Amazing Grace,” during practice at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov 8. The band had a six hour practice on Nov. 7, and a two hour practice the next day, the day of the prelims round of the competition. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band positions themselves in line formation for the show’s opening movement, “Amazing Grace,” during practice at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov 8. The band had a six hour practice on Nov. 7, and a two hour practice the next day, the day of the prelims round of the competition. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band practices before the UIL State competition at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov. 8. Rehearsing the first movement of the show, “Rose Colored Glasses,” senior snare drummer Eliana Yamouni attaches a GoPro to her drum harness to get an on-field level view. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band practices before the UIL State competition at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov. 8. Rehearsing the first movement of the show, “Rose Colored Glasses,” senior snare drummer Eliana Yamouni attaches a GoPro to her drum harness to get an on-field level view. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Lines of the Coppell Band’s trumpets, flutes and saxophones make the formation for the show’s closing movement, “Now I See,” during practice at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov. 8. The band had a six hour practice on Nov. 7 and a two hour practice the following day, which was when the prelims round of the competition took place. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Lines of the Coppell Band’s trumpets, flutes and saxophones make the formation for the show’s closing movement, “Now I See,” during practice at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio on Nov. 8. The band had a six hour practice on Nov. 7 and a two hour practice the following day, which was when the prelims round of the competition took place. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
With a GoPro attached to the hat of senior trumpet player Christian Thorp, a unique perspective is given of the view of a marching band member during a show. All marchers’ horn angles and positions must be uniform, and performance must be projected upwards in order to get the desired visual effect and sound. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
With a GoPro attached to the hat of senior trumpet player Christian Thorp, a unique perspective is given of the view of a marching band member during a show. All marchers’ horn angles and positions must be uniform, and performance must be projected upwards in order to get the desired visual effect and sound. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band lines up for finals retreat in the parking lot of the Alamodome Nov. 9. Out of around an estimated 230 Class 6A bands that take part in the UIL State competitions, Coppell emerged as a finalist at state, moving up from their 12th place in prelims and placing 11th in finals. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
The Coppell Band lines up for finals retreat in the parking lot of the Alamodome Nov. 9. Out of around an estimated 230 Class 6A bands that take part in the UIL State competitions, Coppell emerged as a finalist at state, moving up from their 12th place in prelims and placing 11th in finals. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Along with around 40 other school, the Coppell Band competed in prelims at the UIL State competition in San Antonio on Nov. 8 and advanced to finals with 11 other bands on Nov. 9. The competition took place in the Alamodome, at which thousands of spectators attended the event in order to admire the work of each program. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Along with around 40 other school, the Coppell Band competed in prelims at the UIL State competition in San Antonio on Nov. 8 and advanced to finals with 11 other bands on Nov. 9. The competition took place in the Alamodome, at which thousands of spectators attended the event in order to admire the work of each program. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Heading to to retreat, the marching bands of Keller, Marcus, Hebron, Coppell and San Antonio Reagan High Schools lined up to file into the massive stadium for a full band retreat at the Alamodome on Nov. 9. Once on the field, each school, containing hundreds of students, sectioned off into their bands and waited for results to be announced. Photo by Hannah Tucker.
Heading to to retreat, the marching bands of Keller, Marcus, Hebron, Coppell and San Antonio Reagan High Schools lined up to file into the massive stadium for a full band retreat at the Alamodome on Nov. 9. Once on the field, each school, containing hundreds of students, sectioned off into their bands and waited for results to be announced. Photo by Hannah Tucker.