With Spring performance season uncertain, the jazz bands and indoor percussion ensembles of Harrison Bands continue practicing and prepping in hopes that virtual events or live opportunities will emerge in 2021. Even if those events don’t materialize, ensemble members and band directors alike say that their dedication to performance skills and the Harrison Bands program will benefit students by helping them improve self-discipline, focus and even fitness.
This HIPE is Real
For the Harrison Indoor Percussion Ensemble (HIPE), 2021 is a return-to-performance year. HIPE marries elements of music performance, marching, and theater, featuring both marching and front-line percussionists. And if you’ve never experienced a HIPE performance, both members and fans agree you’ll enjoy a bang-up event.
The 2021 HIPE ensemble has high expectations and goals, hoping to improve over time with the same kind of steady cadence that led prior Harrison groups to Georgia Indoor Percussion Association (GIPA) and WGI regional and national championship competitions.
While the HIPE ensemble doesn’t intend to compete in 2021, members and directors are hopeful that their exhibition season will feature a video performance, local shows at Harrison’s feeder middle schools and, perhaps, other outdoor public venues.
Harrison’s HIPE unit is directed by Jeffery Hope and Colby Kuzontkoski. HIPE section leaders for 2021 are seniors Emily Balentine and Xavier Bryant.
And All That Jazz
While there are no competitive events for Harrison’s Jazz Band Ensembles, these groups of dedicated musicians expand their experiences by exploring the inventive and fun world of jazz. Practicing for several hours each Monday under the guidance of band directors Josh Ray and Johnathan Grogan, Harrison’s two jazz ensembles learn and perform a variety of jazz subgenres, including Southern, swing, be-bop and fusion.
Seniors participating in 2021 Jazz Band are:
- Emily Balentine, Percussion
- Carson Bell, Trumpet
- Chloe Campisano, Alto Saxophone
- Carson Lewis, Clarinet
- Colin Mabry, Alto Saxophone
- Marley Mahon, Trumpet
- Ben Thornton, Tenor Saxophone
Pops in the Park
To showcase their talents and progress, all our spring ensembles are looking forward to Saturday, May 1, when Harrison High Band Boosters is planning a blow-out, year-end version of the annual Pops in the Park concert. For 2021, our Pops in the Park will be supersized to feature HIPE, Jazz Band, Winter Guard, other small group ensembles, and our feeder school bands. Look for more details about this event In the near future.
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, learning personal relationship, study and life skills important to success. Learn more about the program at harrisonbands.org.