The 2021 Harrison Hoya Marching Band kicked off its competition season with a near sweep of first place finishes at the Kennesaw Mountain Marching Invitational. The event, featuring seven marching bands from throughout Northwest and Central Georgia, was held Oct. 9 at Kennesaw Mountain High School.
Harrison was named overall grand champion, earning an outstanding overall score of 92.1. The Hoyas also earned first place in Class 4A, Best Percussion Section in Class 4A and Best Drum Major in Class 4A.
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.
Other bands performing at the event included, in order of performance, Wheeler, Marietta, Jones County, Decatur, Pope and Walton. The Kennesaw Mountain High School band also performed in an exhibition event.
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.
Harrison continues the competition season on Oct. 16 at the Bands of America regional event at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, AL.
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.