A total of 16 Harrison High School band students have received 2022 District 12 Honor Band recognition, announced Josh Ray, director of bands at Harrison.
Named to the District 12 Honor Band from Harrison Bands are:
Daniel Banstetter, Clarinet
Ashling Clark, Bass Clarinet
Ainsley Collier, Clarinet
Blake Dwelle, Alto Saxophone
Maggie Forester, Trumpet
Aurora Hampton, Trumpet
Evan Janiga, Trombone
Katherine Murray, Clarinet
Connor Naylor, Trumpet
Tristan Sanford, French Horn
Alex Thrash, Clarinet, and
Davis Wetter, French Horn/Bass Clarinet
Recognized as alternate members of the District 12 Honor Band are:
Karl Christianson, Tenor Saxophone
Katie Ferrell, Alto Saxophone
Lauren Sanford, Oboe, and
Wesley Wilder, Tenor Saxophone
The District 12 Honor Band will perform in concert at North Cobb High School on Sunday, Feb. 6, following music workshops and rehearsals conducted over the previous several days. Participants also will attend a special concert performed by the Cobb New Horizons Band on Saturday, Feb. 5.
“Earning Honor Band status is a fabulous accomplishment for these incredibly talented and dedicated musicians,” said Ray. “We’re extremely proud of their commitment, and their representation of the Harrison Bands program. And we extend special thanks to their families and supporters who have encouraged them through the years.”
Purpose Statement:
We aspire to increase confidence, self-discipline, organization, and individual performance as we hold ourselves accountable to rise above the expected while cultivating a positive environment that fosters a love of Music.
The Harrison Band Program
Since its inception in 1991, the Harrison High School band program quickly established a reputation for musical excellence. The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band, each meet for ninety minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform 5-6 concerts per year. Students in the Harrison Bands are consistent members in the District Honor Band, Georgia All-State Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Honor Band of America, Georgia’s Govenor’s Honors Program, Atlanta Youth Jazz Orchestra, and Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra.
Extra-curricular Opportunities. With the concert bands at the core of the curriculum, students also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of extra-curricular ensembles offered through the department. These include a 200-member volunteer marching band, a very active chamber music program, a Symphony Orchestra, jazz ensembles, and a concert percussion ensemble, Winterguard and Indoor Drumline. In addition, the band parent’s association sponsors an after-school private lesson program with an outstanding faculty of professional musicians.
Band leaders collected awards on behalf of the band following the finals performance. From left to right, second lieutenant Tristan Sanford, drum majors Ainsley Collier and Kate Kennedy, and firs lieutenants Abbie Newton and Maggie Frost.)
The Harrison Marching Band earned the title of overall grand champions at the Lafayette Marching Classic invitation event held Oct. 30 in Fayetteville, GA. A total of 14 bands from Georgia competed in the event.
The Hoyas opened the competitive event with an all-superiors-rated performance during preliminaries. Returning for the evening’s finals event, Harrison captured honors for best musical performance, best visual presentation, and best overall general effect, and earning the overall grand championship.
For 46 senior band members, the Lafayette Marching Classic was their final competitive performance after previously earning recognition and top honors at various Bands of America regional championships and numerous invitational events.
The Hoyas performed their 2021 competition show, Somebody to Love, featuring guard costumes, colorful graphics and music hearkening back to the 1970 and 80s. Taking its name from the 1976 Queen song, Somebody to Love also includes Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar, Time After Time by Cindi Lauper and other music.
Also performing at the Lafayette Marching Classic were marching bands from Buford, Campbell, Denmark, East Coweta, George Walton, Grayson, Johnson, Kell and Hillgrove, Midtown, Ola, Riverwood, Union Grove and Woodland high schools.
Harrison Marching Band closes out its 2021 fall schedule with a marching performance at Universal Studios in Orlando on Friday, Nov. 5. The band will parade through Universal Studios theme park at 10 a.m. while playing popular movie themes.
The Hoya Band is under the direction of Josh Ray, band director at Harrison High School, and assistant director Johnathan Grogan. 2021 drum majors are Ainsley Collier and Kate Kennedy. Maggie Frost and Abbie Newton are first lieutenants, and Tristan Sanford is second lieutenant.
The Harrison High School Marching Band performs in preliminaries at the Lafayette Marching Classic
Sixteen students from the Harrison Bands program have been inducted to the Tri-M Music Honor Society for 2021-2022.
The Tri-M Music Honor Society is a program of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), which focuses on creating future leaders in music education and music advocacy. Tri-M recognizes students that have gone above and beyond both academically and musically.
Harrison Band students enrolled in the Harrison High School Tri-M chapter for 2021-22 are:
Daniel Banstetter
Ashling Clark
Ainsley Collier
Maggie Frost
Ashley Fulton
Aurora Hampton
Kate Kennedy
Anna Miller
Abbie Newton
Tristan Sandford
Michael Strickland
Charles Sweetman
Zach Taneri
Alex Thrash
David Wetter
Lyndsey Williams
Members of the Tri-M Music Honor Society from Harrison High School in 2021-22 are: Back Row: Daniel Banstetter, Charles Sweetman, Zach Taneri, Tristan Sandford, David Wetter, Ainsley Collier, Ashley Fulton, Maggie Frost. Front Row: Ashling Clark, Alex Thrash, Abbie Newton, Kate Kennedy, Lyndsey Williams, Anna Miller, Aurora Hampton, Michael Strickland
To be considered and enrolled in the Tri-M Society, candidates must have been enrolled in a school-sponsored music ensemble and/or class for at least one semester of the current school year. Member also demonstrate academic achievement, including maintaining for the previous semester at least an A average grade or equivalent in music, with at least a B average grade or equivalent in other academic subjects.
Tri-M membership also includes leadership and service requirements, plus demonstration of outstanding character.
Tri-M also provides students leadership opportunities to make a difference in their community through music-based service projects. Each year, student members contribute more than 750,000 service hours to their school and local communities and raise nearly $1 million for causes they care about. There are more than 84,000 students in 2,100 Tri-M chapters across 50 states and 15 countries.
Tri-M was founded in 1936 by Alexander Harley and his wife, Frances. At the time, Alexander Harley was the band director and Music Department Chairman at Maine Township High School East in Park Ridge, Illinois. It has been a program of the National Association for Music Education since 1983.
Harrison Bands fall program seniors were recognized at the annual Senior Night during halftime of the Harrison-Marietta football game on Oct. 22
A total of 46 band program members, escorted by family members, were introduced to the halftime crowd in a long-standing Harrison High School tradition. Prior to the game, band members and their families were hosted at a reception by the Harrison High Band Boosters.
Seniors and family members participating included:
Sarah Grace Bates, accompanied by Joannie and Aaron Bates
Mia Becerra, accompanied by Rocio and Luis Becerra
Serenidy Benton, accompanied by Jamie and Greg Benton
Will Brock, accompanied by Nancy and Allen Brock
Itzannel Campos, accompanied by Anel and Isac Campos
Ashling Clark, accompanied by Mari Doherty and Richard Clark
Sarah Collins, accompanied by Bree and Kevin Collins
Patrick Combes, accompanied by Sarah and Paco Combes
Annabelle Dehaas, accompanied by Joann and Dwayne Leadbeter
Maggie Frost, accompanied by Jami and Cameron Frost
Ashley Fulton, accompanied by Tanya and Andrew Fulton
Cooper Hamilton, accompanied by Molly and Jeff Hamilton
Aurora Hampton, accompanied by Kristina and Wade Hampton
Rosamond Hatton, accompanied by J’Anmetra Waddell
Rock Insinga, accompanied by Yoly and Tony Insinga
Evan Janiga, accompanied by Teresa and Lawrence Janiga
Sincere Kelly, accompanied by Cathy Willingham and Shaunta Kelly
Kate Kennedy, accompanied by Cindy and Randy Kennedy
Nick Keszthelyi, accompanied by Arelis and Dennis Keszthelyi
Aiden Kluger, accompanied by Sherryl and Lee Kluger
Madison Krupp, accompanied by Asriel Krupp
Caleb Mack, accompanied by Abigail and Allen Mack
Tabitha Martin, accompanied by Mary Ann and John Martin
Nancy Mcbride, accompanied by Heather and Robert Mcbride
Anna Miller, accompanied by Jennifer and Tim Miller
Carter Minish, accompanied by Bethani and Bryan Minish
Emily Nardulli, accompanied by Katie and John Nardulli
Abbie Newton, accompanied by Lori and David Newton
Halle Pasco, accompanied by Kari and Phil Pascoe
Giovanni Pelagalli, accompanied by Giovanina Pelagalli and William Wilder
Luke Pettigrew, accompanied by Temple and John Pettigrew
Olivia Russo, accompanied by Roberta and Roy Russo
Tristan Sanford, accompanied by Rachael and Samuel Sanford
Kyle Smarkusky, accompanied by Melissa and Ron Smarkusky
Sam Steinman, accompanied by Amy and Greg Steinman
Michael Strickland, accompanied by Wendy and Shane Strickland
Zachary Taneri, accompanied by Bobbilin and Matthew Taneri
Alexander Thrash, accompanied by Lee and Shawn Thrash
Carter Tierney, accompanied by Chris and Jennifer Carter
Sophie Van Herik, accompanied by Dana and Erik Van Herik
Jeremy Warden, accompanied by Pascale and Milton Warden
Katherine Webb, accompanied by Lisa and Justin Webb
Davis Wetter, accompanied by Lisa and Jeff Wetter
Caleigh Williams, accompanied by Mychia and Janan Hogan, and James Williams
Ava Wright, accompanied April and Scott Wright
Mason Wyman, accompanied by Dalia and Matt Wyman
To watch a video replay of the halftime introductions from Harrison’s Cobleigh Stadium, click the image below:
The Harrison High School Marching Band placed fifth overall in the finals of 2021 Alabama Regional Championship hosted by Bands of America, Oct. 16 at Jacksonville State University.
Harrison Band qualified for the finals by finishing second in Class AAA during the preliminary event earlier in the day. A total of 22 bands from six southeastern states competed in the regional event, with 12 qualifying for finals.
Harrison Band’s 2021 show, Somebody to Love, features colorful guard costumes, graphics and music hearkening back to the 1970s and 80s.
The Hoyas performed their 2021 competition show, Somebody to Love, featuring guard costumes, colorful graphics and music hearkening back to the 1970 and 80s. Taking its name from the 1976 Queen song, Somebody to Love also includes Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar, Time After Time by Cindi Lauper and other music.
The Hoyas closed out the day’s preliminary competition, performing in the final timeslot on a day when gusty winds made for challenging conditions for color guard performances and props. Due to the strong winds and following on-field prop mishaps during other performances, the Hoya Band performed its preliminary set without the colorful graphics reflecting the show’s theme.
Gusty winds created problems with large props, so the band performed in preliminaries without their colorful graphic panels. Winds died down for the evening, and the props returned. (Photo by Pat Anderson)
Returning for the final performances during the evening, the Hoya band was able to use the props and display the full visual effect of the show.
The band continues the 2021 marching season on Monday, Oct. 18, at the Cobb County Marching Exhibition at McEachern High School in Powder Springs. Harrison closes out the high school exhibitions performances at approximately 9 pm, followed by an exhibition performance by the Auburn University Marching Band.
Harrison closes out its 2021 competitive marching season on Oct. 30 at the 38th Annual LaFayette Marching Classic at Fayette County High School in Fayetteville, GA. Harrison is scheduled to take the field in competition at 2:40 pm. Event finals are scheduled to begin at 7 pm. Tickets for this event can be purchased online at GoFan. A total of 14 high schools are scheduled to compete at the LaFayette Marching Classic, with a featured exhibition performance by the Western Carolina University Marching Band. Full event details are available here.
With a second-place finish in Class 3-A and fifth place overall at the Jacksonville regional event, Harrison’s next competitive performance is at the LaFayette Marching Invitational on Oct. 30.
The Hoya Band is under the direction of Josh Ray, band director at Harrison High School, and assistant director Johnathan Grogan. 2021 drum majors are Ainsley Collier and Kate Kennedy. Maggie Frost and Abbie Newton are first lieutenants, and Tristan Sanford is second lieutenant.
2021 drum majors are Ainsley Collier (left) and Kate Kennedy (right).Photo by Pat Anderson.
About Harrison High School Bands:
Since its inception in 1991, the Harrison High School band program has quickly established a reputation for musical excellence. The Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band and Concert Band each meet for 90 minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform five to six concerts per year. Students in the Harrison bands are consistent members of the District Honor Band, Georgia All-State Band, Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, Atlanta Youth Wind Symphony, Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra, Honor Band of America, Georgia’s Governor’s Honors Program, Atlanta Youth Jazz Orchestra and Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra. In addition to excellence in music, Harrison Band members consistently demonstrate outstanding scholastic, teamwork and competitive abilities, developing personal relationship, study and life skills important to future success.
The Hoya Band is under the direction of Josh Ray, band director at Harrison High School.Photo by Pat Anderson
