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HIPE Reaches Semi-Finals at WGI World Championships

By
Heather McBride
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Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble reached the semifinal round at the WGI World Championships in Dayton, OH held April 22-24, turning in two outstanding performances.

In their first performance on Friday, Harrison’s group scored 86.813 overall, placing them in the Top 24 qualifying for the semifinals round. The HIPE squad returned for the Saturday semifinals, recording a score of 85.425.

The 2022 WGI World Championships was the third trip to this event for Harrison, and the second consecutive appearance in the semifinals round.

“Our team members felt they delivered their best and most emotional run of the season at semifinals,” said co-director Jeff Hope. “After an extended break from competition events over two seasons, this was a fantastic season for us. We’re incredibly proud of all our team, and especially the 10 seniors who provided great leadership throughout the year.”

The HIPE Ensemble travelled to Dayton, OH, for WGI World Championships in April. The group reached the semi-final round of the event. Photo by Bethany Allen Horsley, Big Blue Band Parents

Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble competed throughout 2022 in the Atlanta region of the Georgia Indoor Percussion, and completed the season with the WGI World Championship event. An indoor percussion ensemble or indoor drumline consists of the marching percussion (also called battery) and front ensemble (also called pit) sections of a marching band or drum corps. Indoor percussion marries elements of music performance, marching, and theater; thus, the activity is often referred to as percussion theater.

HIPE’s 2022 show, “Can’t Stand Still,” was based on music by Alanis Morissette. HIPE 2022 co-directors are Jeffrey Hope and Colby Kuzontkoski.

Winter Guard Wraps Up Successful 2022 Season

By
Heather McBride
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The Harrison Bands Winter Guard completed a successful 2022 spring season with a sixth place finish at SAPA Championships held at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, TN.

The 2022 Winter Guard Show was entitled Exile, and featured music by Taylor Swift. Winter Guard performed the show at five SAPA competitions during the spring semester, and demonstrated improved scores at every competition.

Performing in SAPA events, the 2022 Winter Guard demonstrated continuing improvement in scores throughout the season.

Four seniors provided experienced leadership to the 2022 Guard. Seniors were Nancy McBride, Sarah Collins, Rosie Hatton and Kaitlyn Towns.

Seniors Sarah Collins, Nancy McBride, Kaitlyn Towns and Rosie Hatton provided experience and leadership to the 2022 Winter Guard ensemble.

Guard focus now transitions from the winter season to fall. The fall-ensemble Harrison Color Guard will be having tryouts in the band room on May 2, 3, and 5, from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Fall color guard is open to all rising freshman, as well as all 10th-12th graders! Boys and girls are both allowed, and no experience is required. Students should wear comfortable clothing they can be active in, and do not need to bring any of their own equipment.

Harrison Band Members Named to All-State Band

By
Heather McBride
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0

Six Harrison High School band members have been selected by the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA) for 2022 All-State Band recognition. They will join top high school musicians from throughout Georgia for a three-day music education, development, and performance event March 3-5 at The Classic Center in Athens, GA.Harrison Bands students named to the 2022 GMEA All State Symphonic Band comprised of eleventh and twelfth grades are:

  • Tristan Sanford, French Horn
  • Alex Thrash, Clarinet
  • Davis Wetter, Bass Clarinet and
  • Wesley Wilder, Tenor Sax.

Harrison Bands students named to the 2022 GMEA All State Concert Band comprised of 9th & 10th grade are:

  • Conner Naylor, Trumpet
  • Katherine Ferrell, Alto Sax, alternate.

“These outstanding Harrison Bands musicians have demonstrated both perseverance and talent in earning this honor,” said Josh Ray, director of bands at Harrison High School in Kennesaw. “Qualifying requires achieving excellence in a competitive, multi-step audition process. But even before that, these musicians invested countless hours in lessons, rehearsals, and performances to reach this level. We offer our heartfelt congratulations to these musicians and their supportive families.”

During the All-State Band weekend, outstanding high school musicians from throughout Georgia participate in development workshops, rehearsals and concert performances. Noted guest conductors guide the bands through all activities and performances.

Make a Donation

By
Heather McBride
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0

Harrison High Band Boosters (HHBB) is a 501(c)(3) organization and thus eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions. Student band fees only cover approximately 50% of the actual costs involved in building our band program to be the best it can be; Guest Conductors, New Instruments, Leading Edge Music Compositions and Sectional Technicians are just a few of our major costs and the reason why donations are much needed and appreciated.  Thank you for your consideration!

If you would like to mail in a donation, please make your check payable to HHBB and mail to:

Harrison High Band Boosters
P.O. Box 801017
Acworth, GA 30101

RaiseRight: Perfect Fundraising Year-Round

By
Heather McBride
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0

Whether for gifts or everyday purchases, RaiseRight is a perfect way to earn fundraising credits for your band member while taking care of household business. When you purchase RaiseRight gift cards through Harrison Bands, band members earn fundraising credits that help to lower their band fees. Plus, regular discounts and promotions save even more over other options.

Now, you can choose among three options for your RaiseRight gift cards:

  • Order and pick-up locally through our Harrison Bands RaiseRight team.
  • Order online and choose the new home delivery service.
  • Order convenient e-gift cards, delivered quickly to your phone or tablet — and even when you’re still in the check-out line!

Sign Up with the Band First

During a normal season, our RaiseRight team would be available every week in the cafeteria to assist with sign-up and purchases. If you’ve never used RaiseRight before, you’ll need to sign-up with our Harrison Bands program to assure that credit goes to your band member. Once that’s done, you can purchase directly from our RaiseRight team, or enroll for online purchases.

Use for Everyday Shopping

We have RaiseRight cards for virtually every type of everyday need, from airlines to vacations, groceries to clothing, and lots of other categories. Participating RaiseRight merchants offer frequent promotions on gift cards, too — some have offered up to 20% of the purchase back to band participants. And after snagging those fundraising credits, you can still use your RaiseRight cards on any regular or promotional purchase from a merchant. It’s like a double discount!

Easy with the RaiseRight App

Once you’re signed up, it’s easy to order on the RaiseRight App. The app features all the available merchants, lists their fundraising rebate amounts and includes all current promotional programs. And if you choose e-cards, you can use the wallet feature in the app to scan those cards directly at check-out in your favorite store. You can mark your favorite cards for quick reference, and many e-cards offer automatic balance updates or an easy method to track balances.

Earn Hundreds — or More — in Student Credits

We have a large and loyal group of RaiseRight users in the extended Harrison Bands family. Many families earn hundreds of dollars each year in fee reductions, and our most diligent users have earned more than $1,000! Extended families can enroll, too, so they can help reduce band fees by doing their regular shopping — once they register.

Get Started Today

You can check out all the links above to learn more. Then, to get signed up or get more personal insights, contact our Harrison Bands RaiseRight team. They will help you get signed up for participation, then can also answer more questions.

Results from Prior Seasons

Seniors Featured in Harrison Bands Spring Ensembles

By
Heather McBride
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0

Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble seniors are: Front row, left to right, Kate Kennedy, Anna Miller, Mason Wyman, Michael Strickland, and Alex Thrash. Back row, left to right, Davis Wetter, Luke Hand, Carter Minish, Katherine Webb and Rocky Insinga.

For many high school seniors, their final semester is a time to look forward to next steps and for reminiscing about their experiences.  But for 32 seniors in the Harrison High School band programs, their final semester also means an opportunity to showcase their performance talents again in small ensemble programs including indoor percussion, jazz bands and winter guard.

That senior participation is critical for the success of the performance ensembles, where a smaller number of performers makes steady senior leadership a necessity for competitive success. Plus, having the underclass members working with experienced seniors contributes to the continuing development of all the ensemble performers.

“Our seniors are the backbone of the Harrison Bands performance and competition programs,” explains Josh Ray, director of bands at Harrison High School. “Seniors often are accomplished performers who enjoy giving back to their classmates and helping to sharpen talents and showmanship of others. And especially in our small ensembles, we try to give seniors expanded show opportunities to demonstrate their talents to our appreciative Harrison Bands community. “

Returning to competition for the first time in two years, Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble (HIPE) features 10 seniors who will lead the ensemble in four regional competitions plus one national-level event.  HIPE seniors are Luke Hand, Rocky Insinga, Kate Kennedy, Anna Miller, Carter Minish, Michael Strickland, Alex Thrash, Katherine Webb, Davis Wetter, and Mason Wyman.

Harrison’s Jazz Bands include 21 seniors participating in multiple groups.  Seniors will perform in the annual Night of Jazz on Feb. 15.  Jazz Bands seniors are Mia Beccera, Will Brock, Ashling Clark, Patrick Combes, Emma Dietz, Haleigh Dyer, Maggie Frost, Cooper Hamilton, Aurora Hampton, Luke Hand, Nick Keszthelyi, Abbie Newton, Halle Pascoe, Random Porter, Tristan Sanford, Zachary Taneri, Alex Thrash, Sophie Van Herik, Jeremy Warden, Wesley Wilder and Mason Wyman.

For Harrison’s Winter Guard, four seniors will participate in multiple events hosted by Southern Association for Performing Arts and Winter Guard International.  Winter Guard Seniors are Sarah Collins, Rosie Hatton, Nancy McBride and Kaitlyn Towns.


Harrison Winter Guard Seniors are, left to right, Nancy McBride, Sarah Collins, Rosie Hatton, and Kaitlyn Towns.

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Since its inception in 1991, the Harrison High School band program has established a reputation for musical excellence. While consistently receiving "superior" ratings and top scores in regional and national events, Harrison Band members also demonstrate outstanding scholastic, teamwork and competitive abilities, developing personal relationship, study and life skills important to future success.

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