In its first competition of 2022, the Harrison High School Marching Band earned Band Grand Champion honors at the 11th Annual Wolverine Marching Classic held Oct. 8 at West Forsyth High School. Bands from North Georgia competed in the marching competition hosted by the Pride of the West Marching Band from West Forsyth HS.
Marching bands were evaluated by a panel of expert judges on their musical performance and overall visual effect of their shows, plus separately on the acumen of their drum majors, percussion sections and auxiliary units.
In addition to the overall Band Grand Champion title, Harrison earned superior ratings from the six-judge expert panel for drum majors, percussion, color guard and band. Harrison also took first-place overall in the open classification of the largest bands.
The evening was a celebration of complex marching drills, choreography, visual presentation, and dazzling performing arts. Competing bands enhanced their group and solo performances with colorful graphics, elaborate designs, and monumental props, creating elaborately staged outdoor musical productions based on creative themes.
Harrison’s championship performance, Midnight in Gotham, featured an array of costumed villains from DC Comics’ Batman series, including Harley Quinn and Cat Woman in the Color Guard, a percussion section of Joker characters and the front pit dressed as the Riddler. A haunting soprano saxophone performance featured Poison Ivy emerging from a neon hiding place, then strolling around and through the marching band ranks – all while the band demonstrated precision marching, choreographed steps, and a visible feeling of enjoyment.
Harrison continues the marching competition season on Oct. 12 at the Bands of America Carolina Championships at Wake Forest University. The band travels to Jacksonville, AL, on Oct. 29 for its final BOA event of the season.
