As the construction projects resulting from the passage of a $138.7 million bond proposal in 2018 come to an end, part of what remains is moving on from the past. Moving on from history. Moving on from memories. But, more importantly, moving from old, antiquated spaces into new, larger, modern areas for the fine arts programs at both Abilene High School and Cooper High School.
So, that’s how “moving day” (actually, “moving days”) came about during a couple of weeks in April. Band, choir, and orchestra directors – and their students – spent the days boxing up trophies, sheets of music and photographs, securing instruments, and hanging uniforms on movable clothes racks for trips across their respective campuses.
Of course, all those involved are more than happy to lend a hand. Bigger spaces. New spaces. Renovated spaces. The move came about when The LIFT, which houses ATEMS and a majority of the district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, opened last August, creating empty spaces at AHS and Cooper. The orchestra program at AHS had already moved into its new space in 2019, while the Cooper orchestra program will move into the former band hall by the start of the new school year.
At Cooper, the current orchestra hall will be renovated to become a multi-purpose room that can be used by the orchestra, choir, theatre, and dance. The Cooper choir has moved out of its current space and will be temporarily located in the CHS auditorium foyer until the choir room is renovated. The choir program will then move back into the newly renovated space by the time the 2022-23 school year gets started.
At Abilene High, the former band hall will be renovated to become the new home for the AHS choir. The old choir room, now vacant, will become a multi-purpose room to be used by the choir, theatre, and dance programs. The space between the old band and choir rooms is also being renovated for use as choir offices, choir uniform storage, a music library, and sound equipment storage.
And while the new spaces at both campuses are still under construction, it’s not hard to see how much more room all four of those programs – and the orchestra programs as well – will enjoy. Each of the new band rooms is at least twice the size of the old halls and has more dedicated space for instruments, offices, music, uniforms, and other equipment. Each of the new choir rooms will also have more space for many of the same needs as the band halls.
“It’s awesome to see the kids’ faces react and light up when they see the new space,” said John Landin, who is completing his first year as the director of the Cooper band. “They know what we have at this point and that we don’t have the space for everything that we use. Then for them to see what we’re moving into; you can see the pride on their faces when they see it.”
For AHS band director Jon Kraemer, it’s not just about being new; it’s also about ensuring every student can be at his or her best.
“The biggest thing is we’ll finally have dedicated spaces for all parts of the band program,” he said. “We’ve just had stuff upon stuff here for years, and we’ll be able to get out from underneath all that. We’ve got two places to rehearse so we’re not inconveniencing other programs. I’m excited to have enough space to have the entire band in one spot instead of using the stage (in the auditorium) or outside.”
Landin said it’s been interesting to take a walk down memory lane as trophies and photos have been packed up for the move.
“We’ve found that seniors from previous years have stuffed pictures of themselves throughout the room,” he said. “We’ve found old photos behind trophies or in boxes and other places. It’s been interesting to go through those memories.”
At Abilene High, assistant director of bands Drew Young is packing up and leaving a room where he spent time as a boy growing up around the AHS band and later as a 4-year member.
“This is a little bit surreal because I’m remembering everything that happened in this room,” said Young, a 2016 graduate. “I had two older brothers who were in the band, so we were always up here for practices or concerts. To see everything come down – the trophies and the history – just makes you realize we’re moving on to a new part of this band’s legacy.”
As the AHS band leaves its space, the renovation of the former band hall is underway as the new space for the AHS choir. That means that, for now, the choir is using the lobby of the AHS auditorium. But for AHS choral director Wendy Weeks, it simply means better days are ahead.
“This is progress,” she said while standing in the lobby. “This is a minor inconvenience when you’re talking about the future of this program and the great space that we’ll have available to us. Having all of the practice rooms and larger rehearsal space will directly impact the program and the direction it’s headed.”
