Harrison Bands offers a music education program for a variety of interests and skill levels. Students who sign up for band classes audition for band directors, who then make assignments to the large group ensembles. These include Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble. These ensembles perform several concerts throughout the year, typically including a fall concert, winter concert, and a year-end performance at our “Pops in the Park” event. Our large group ensembles also participate in the Large Group Performance Evaluations (LGPE) of the Georgia Music Educators Association. The LGPE event typically is held in the spring semester, and is preceded by a concert performance at Harrison High School.
Concert Band
The Concert Band is an extension of the Fall Wind Symphony that includes the percussion section. The literature for the ensemble ranges from grade 4 to grade 5 music. Each band class meets for ninety minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform 5-6 concerts per year. The Concert Band meets third period during the spring semester.
Fall Wind Symphony
The Fall Wind Symphony is a brass and woodwind techniques class. The curriculum for the class focuses on developing the technical skills needed for performing on brass and woodwind instruments as well as musicianship. Each band class meets for ninety minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform 5-6 concerts per year. The students also learn the music vocabulary used in the Harrison High School Bands. The Fall Wind Symphony meets fourth period during the fall semester.
Symphonic Band
The Symphonic Band is an advanced ensemble including winds and percussion. The curriculum for the class focuses on technique and musicianship. Each band class meets for ninety minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform 5-6 concerts per year. The literature for the ensemble typically ranges from grade 5 to grade 6. The Symphonic Band meets first period during the fall and spring semesters.
Wind Ensemble
The Wind Ensemble is Harrison’s highest advanced ensemble. The curriculum for the class focuses on technique and musicianship. Each band class meets for ninety minutes every day within a four-period block schedule and typically perform 5-6 concerts per year. The literature for the ensemble ranges from grade 5 to grade 6 including some of the finest collegiate and professional level literature available. The Wind Ensemble meets second period during the fall and spring semesters.
