The national award-winning Harrison High School Marching Band captured first overall at Music for All’s Bands of America (BOA) Regional Championship at Walter Cantrell Stadium at McEachern High School in Powder Springs, GA, on October 26.
The Marching Hoyas performed their 2019 show “Restricted Area: 51,” set in one of the world’s most secure military bases. What starts as a typical day at the base is turned topsy-turvy after an intruder alert sounds, setting in motion events that reveal long-suspected secrets about the base and its out-of-this-world occupants.
In addition to capturing the coveted First Overall position, the Harrison Band was awarded:
- First place in Class AAAA, the category for the schools with the largest enrollments.
- First in Visual Performance, which evaluates the performance of ensembles and individuals for marching artistry and execution, and
- First in General Effect, recognizing the band’s effectiveness in combined individual and ensemble music and visual performances.
One of the nation’s most prominent regional competitive marching band events, 22 high school marching bands from six states competed in the Powder Springs regional event, which was evaluated by a panel of nationally-recognized music educators and marching band experts.
The Harrison Marching Band will compete at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Championships held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 14-16. Approximately 90 high school bands from throughout the United States are scheduled to participate in this annual event. Bands receive recorded evaluation from panels of leading educators and marching experts, along with detailed performance score sheets. Harrison Bands has been named Bands of America Grand National Class Champion in 2015 and 2013, and has been a Grand Nationals finalist in 2015, 2013 and 2007.
About Harrison High School Marching Band
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.
