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.
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.
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.
For complete results from the Bands of America Jacksonville Regional, visit the event results site.
Future Marching Events
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.
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.
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.
