On the Spot: Fine arts students in tight quarters during band hall renovations (with video)
Coppell High School sophomore Smaran Voora practices marching bass drum exercises in the Madrigals choir room during fifth period. The band students have been relocated to the choir rooms and auditorium due to renovations in the band hall.
February 13, 2020
The construction throughout the school year has finally made its way to the Coppell High School Band Hall after renovations in the auditorium were completed. Everything in the practice rooms, instrument storage room and main band room was emptied of its contents and stored in temporary locations.
The F hall is lined with several boxes and many of the private lessons for students are forced to be held in the middle of the hallway.
“It has been pretty cramped in here. Everyone has had to split up. It hasn’t been too easy, but we do what we can,” CHS junior and trumpet player Brandon Dastur said.
For the band members themselves, this means squeezing anywhere they can fit. In third period, the first and second band have class in the auditorium. Small groups fill the CHS choir practice rooms and smaller band groups occupy the large choir room. The fine arts hall has become cramped and mixed together, but the band finds a way to work around it and manage their busy schedule.
“This is definitely a change because a lot of the theater department also runs around, but we’ve gotten used to it the longer we’ve been here. Because the directors are gone, we’re working on small ensemble things,” CHS junior and trombone player Wyatt Andrews said.
Second semester means a fresh itinerary for the CHS band. Last week the band had a Mid-Winter concert which they had to prepare for despite these new implications. After school the F hall is crammed with percussion students playing marimbas and drums in preparation for their annual Purely Rhythmic concert. Today the band directors and All-State musicians are out for the 2020 Texas Music Educators Association Convention in San Antonio. On top of adjusting to their new environment, the band students are tasked with being independent and leading their own classes.
“It’s nice to have a place to practice even though our band hall is out of commision. Our teachers are gone too, so it’s just important that we do our own job,” CHS senior trombone player Hari Malladi said.
Renovations are expected to be completed in the fine arts areas in early to mid-March.
