Event held at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN, Nov. 14-16, 2019
The national award-winning Harrison High School Marching Band will travel to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, to compete in the 2019 Bands of American Grand National Championships.
The elite competition features nearly 100 bands from throughout the United States. The Harrison High School Marching band is one of two bands from Georgia competing in the 2019 event.
The Marching Hoyas will perform 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. Lead by Drum Majors Anna Brown, Ruthie Newton and Madelyn Tanner, this year’s show featured music from Independence Day, Terminator, and The X-Files.
In previous Grand National Championship appearances, 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.
“Since we opened our 2019 practices in June, all Harrison Band members and instructors share one vision: to deliver the performances of a lifetime at Bands of America Grand Nationals,” said Director of Bands Josh Ray. “Nearly 200 band members have worked tirelessly for six months to achieve this goal – always together, with dedication, excellence and pride.”
At its most recent performances prior to Grand National Championships, the Harrison Band earned top honors among more than 20 bands from six states at the Southeast regional Bands of America competition. 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.
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.
