Jefferson City High School Marching Band  
  Color Guard - Wright Flyer - 30 Seconds to the Moon  
  Friday, October 13, 2007  

Click here to return to the JCRC Gallery page or click here to return to the JCRC News page
Arguably, Tom Copeland is the best R/C Aircraft builder in JCRC, and without a doubt one of the best in the entire Midwest. We are always amazed by the creations that spring forth from his basement workshop in such short amounts of time. Even though this doesn't represent a JCRC activity, we certainly want to recognize our members for their contributions to our community and it is certainly aviation related. Perhaps that is why he was approached by his daughter, Melanie Thompson, for an airplane-building favor. Melanie is the Director of the JCHS Color Guard. Neither she, nor her parents, Tom & Darlene, are strangers to this activity since Melanie was the Captain of her Flag Line in High School, so all of them know what it takes to create and compete at this level of Marching Band activity. The program for the band was entitled; "30 Seconds to the Moon" which went from the Wright Flyer to Rockets blasting off towards the moon. 

Tom created the scale-like model of the Wright Flyer used in the performance out of cloth and PVC tubing. Together they also dreamed up the idea of the Color Guard dancing with the panels that form the airplane prior to assembling it during the performance. The Color Guard proudly won several first place trophies for this performance. Nice work Tom!
   
Odd looking PVC pieces lined up along the sidelines of the football field as the Band takes center-stage for their half-time performance.
 
   
Band members marching through their precise routine that leads up to the assembly of the Wright Flyer
 
   
One of the Color Guard members in the opening moments of their performance using colorful flags
 
   
Members of the Color Guard prepare to drop their flags and pick up pieces of the Wright Flyer inspired creation
 
   
The Color Guard picks up these odd shaped white panels, the only indication of what it might be is the picture on the easel in the background.
 
   
The Color Guard actually used the white panels that will transform into an airplane in parts of their dance routine. The audience probably still doesn't know what they will form.
 
   
During the time when the audience is concentrating more on watching the Band, the Color Guard comes together and starts to assemble the airplane.
 
   
In a matter of seconds Tom Copeland's design goes together and the Color Guard runs off across the field making it appear as if the Wright Flyer is flying!
 
   
Wearing outfits that make one think of Wilbur & Orville Wright, the Color Guard runs across the field, raising the airplane up and down while others cartwheel and flip.
 
   
The Color Guard and Band near the end of their performance as a huge moon panel is lifted in the background.
 
   
Perhaps the inspiration to fly helped the Football players go on to a win that evening.
 

Click here to return to the JCRC Gallery page or click here to return to the JCRC News page

Photos by Shaun Zimmerman / News Tribune