Cooper Marching Hawks Play Fundraiser in Renovated Auditorium
The Sixth Annual Cooper Marching Hawks Indoor Fundraising Concert on Nov. 9 features the music of legendary boy bands. The fundraiser in the newly renovated Cooper auditorium raises money for new instruments for the music program.
A Renovated Cooper Auditorium
Audience members will notice new seating, new carpet plus the new stage and curtains at the concert. The fundraiser will be the first concert in the new space.
“It feels so great to be in a new space which makes us feel appreciated by the community and just helps Cooper High School feel fresh,” said Markus Hahn, band director.
Other upgrades also included new theater lighting, audio visual systems, and upgrades to ticketing and concessions. Crews also made much of the space ADA compliant with an accessible control room, access ramp and seating. The 20-plus year-old mechanical system components, which were way beyond their life expectancy, were also replaced. Upgrades also went into the emergency lighting system. Crews also renovated the entrance of the school during this project.
Plus, Hahn says the acoustics are just better.
“The first time we played in here, you could tell it wasn’t as loud,” said Hahn. “The sound is crisper.”
Cooper Fundraiser featuring Legendary Boy Bands
You can hear that crisp sound by attending the indoor concert that features the music of boy bands. Musicians will play songs made popular by Jackson 5, Backstreet Boys, ‘NSync, New Kids on the Block and One Direction.
“Being a musician, I love to say ‘no, it’s boy bands. I can’t like this music.’ But no, it’s honestly a lot of fun,” said Hahn.
Special guest artists include the University of Minnesota Marching Band Drumline and Sousaphone Section.
“It’s basically, we put our field show on the stage and we added six or seven new songs,” said student Paige Hennen. “It’s such a great night. It’s one of our biggest fundraisers of the year.”
Last year the fundraiser brought in more than $3,000. The money raised will go toward a new instrument library.
Hahn says more than half of Cooper students rent instruments and they are badly in need of repair.
“With over half of students renting instruments and at Cooper High School, roughly 63 percent of the population is on free and reduced lunch, they are playing rent on a sliding scale,” explains Hahn. “So we’re struggling to keep up with the instruments.”
Tickets are $13 in advance, $15 the day of and $5 for students. Doors open at 6 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, click here.
Cooper High School
