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Copper Hills High Marching Band Takes the Stage Performing with National Recording Artists, “AJR”
Description
They are internationally known recording artists who have made it to the Top Ten of Billboard's Hot 100. The American Pop band AJR recently performed in Utah and guess what, they invited the Copper Hills High School marching band to take the stage with them.
On this episode of the Supercast, find out what the high school students are saying about their experience and this incredible opportunity of a lifetime. Then, listen as Copper Hills High takes the stage for a mic check with members of AJR prior to the big show.
Audio Transcription
Cadence Ivins:
Like getting to know Arnetta as a professional trumpet player was just really inspiring.
Alex:
We were the big finale.
Cadence Ivins:
It was definitely scary knowing that it was going to be such a big performance. Definitely a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you didn't want to miss.
Beckett Brunson:
Standing in places that some of my favorite performers have been in, it just made me feel inspired.
Anthony Godfrey:
Hello and welcome to the Supercast. I'm your host, Superintendent Anthony Godfrey. They are internationally known recording artists who have made it to the top 10 of Billboard's Hot 100. The American pop band AJR recently performed in Utah, and guess what? They invited the Copper Hills High School marching band to take the stage with them. On this episode of the Supercast, find out what the high school students are saying about their experience and this incredible opportunity of a lifetime. Then listen as Copper Hills High takes the stage for a mic check with members of AJR prior to the big show.
Anthony Godfrey:
We're here at Copper Hills High School talking with the Director of Bands. Introduce yourself and tell us a little bit about what got you here.
Chris Kuhlemeier:
My name is Chris Kuhlemeier. I've been here for just over three years at Copper Hills and loved every moment of it. Over the past couple years, we've been developing our program to get to a higher level of musical excellence and with that, we've just had phenomenal buy-in from our students, families and community, which allowed us to grow to this point and seize such fantastic opportunities like this.
Anthony Godfrey:
I've been over and talked with your students a couple of different times on various occasions. They're impressive and an energetic and enthusiastic bunch. Let's talk about your experience most recently with AJR and being able to perform with them. First of all, how did all of this come about?
Chris Kuhlemeier:
Oh man, it was a pure stroke of luck just a few months ago. I, along with a few other directors, it sounds like in the Salt Lake Valley, got an email from one of the producers for the band AJR.
Anthony Godfrey:
Let's pause right there. AJR, they're no small band playing the Velvet Room, although great bands play the Velvet Room. This is a large-scale operation. They have sold out the Delta Center. They were at USANA. This is a huge venue. So you get contacted by the producer of this well-known, rather quirky, engaging and energetic band.
Chris Kuhlemeier:
Absolutely.
Anthony Godfrey:
Tell me about your email and what happened after that.
Chris Kuhlemeier:
Just a few months ago, we received an email from them just toying with the idea of, "Hey, we're going on tour, this multi-million dollar national tour where we're trying to figure out ways that we want to close the show with a bang." They're notorious for doing some crazy stuff to close out each of their performances. They were toying with the idea and consulted me and others about the logistical challenges faced by bringing out a local marching band at each stop along the way. It was cool planning that out and talking some specifics and logistics with them, but we seem to be the best