Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble seniors are: Front row, left to right, Kate Kennedy, Anna Miller, Mason Wyman, Michael Strickland, and Alex Thrash. Back row, left to right, Davis Wetter, Luke Hand, Carter Minish, Katherine Webb and Rocky Insinga.
For many high school seniors, their final semester is a time to look forward to next steps and for reminiscing about their experiences. But for 32 seniors in the Harrison High School band programs, their final semester also means an opportunity to showcase their performance talents again in small ensemble programs including indoor percussion, jazz bands and winter guard.
That senior participation is critical for the success of the performance ensembles, where a smaller number of performers makes steady senior leadership a necessity for competitive success. Plus, having the underclass members working with experienced seniors contributes to the continuing development of all the ensemble performers.
“Our seniors are the backbone of the Harrison Bands performance and competition programs,” explains Josh Ray, director of bands at Harrison High School. “Seniors often are accomplished performers who enjoy giving back to their classmates and helping to sharpen talents and showmanship of others. And especially in our small ensembles, we try to give seniors expanded show opportunities to demonstrate their talents to our appreciative Harrison Bands community. “
Returning to competition for the first time in two years, Harrison’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble (HIPE) features 10 seniors who will lead the ensemble in four regional competitions plus one national-level event. HIPE seniors are Luke Hand, Rocky Insinga, Kate Kennedy, Anna Miller, Carter Minish, Michael Strickland, Alex Thrash, Katherine Webb, Davis Wetter, and Mason Wyman.
Harrison’s Jazz Bands include 21 seniors participating in multiple groups. Seniors will perform in the annual Night of Jazz on Feb. 15. Jazz Bands seniors are Mia Beccera, Will Brock, Ashling Clark, Patrick Combes, Emma Dietz, Haleigh Dyer, Maggie Frost, Cooper Hamilton, Aurora Hampton, Luke Hand, Nick Keszthelyi, Abbie Newton, Halle Pascoe, Random Porter, Tristan Sanford, Zachary Taneri, Alex Thrash, Sophie Van Herik, Jeremy Warden, Wesley Wilder and Mason Wyman.
For Harrison’s Winter Guard, four seniors will participate in multiple events hosted by Southern Association for Performing Arts and Winter Guard International. Winter Guard Seniors are Sarah Collins, Rosie Hatton, Nancy McBride and Kaitlyn Towns.
Harrison Winter Guard Seniors are, left to right, Nancy McBride, Sarah Collins, Rosie Hatton, and Kaitlyn Towns.