Marching Band
The Harrison Huskies Marching Band has a long tradition of musical excellence, student leadership, and proudly representing our school community! With a strong emphasis on community building, leadership development, and musical achievement, students in marching band develop close friendships, develop skills and strategies to lead and engage their peers, and push their musicianship to the next level.
The Harrison High School Marching Band performs a field show, stand tunes, and parade music at home varsity football games, the Rye / Harrison Game, and local town events and parades. We typically seek out a special event each year, such as a College Band Day. Past experiences have included performing during halftime at a West Point football game, participating in a workshop with the UConn Marching Band, and performing at the site of the Woodstock Music Festival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do students learn in Marching Band?
Marching band students learn musical skills such as:
to memorize music! Here is a clip of the band performing music from memory during summer band camp.
to march a field show during halftime football games! Here is a video of the band learning to march.
to march in parades (It's Great to Live in Harrison Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day)
to perform stand tunes during breaks in the football game
Marching band students learn skills that contribute to success in other classes, athletics, college admissions, and life in general, such as:
commitment
time management skills
teamwork
leadership
communication
problem solving
growth mindset
how to give and accept constructive criticism to be our best
Check out this great article "5 ways marching band makes you a better person," highlighting some of the many benefits of a complex team learning environment.
How do I join Marching Band?
Please review the marching band information on this website!
Students should join the Marching Band Google Classroom: k7n6exu
Complete the 2023 Marching Band Commitment Form
Start practicing the show music and please mark your calendar with the marching band schedule!
Please reach out to Ms Loertscher (loertscherd@harrisoncsd.org) with questions.
What is the Marching Band time commitment / schedule?
The band rehearses in the final two weeks of August (Summer Band Camp) and Wednesday evenings from 6-8pm in the fall.
The band performs at home Varsity Football games (typically 4 - 5 games), at the Harrison / Rye Pep Rally, and at 3 local parades (It's Great to Live in Harrison Day, Veterans Day, and Memorial Day Parades.
Other opportunities also present themselves, as well, and in the past the band has performed at UConn, UPenn, West Point, and Bethel Woods (the site of the Woodstock Music Festival.)
The schedule for this year can be found here!
Does Marching Band participation look good to colleges?
Yes!
Colleges look for students who demonstrate commitment, leadership, growth, persistence through challenges, and the ability to collaborate. Participating in marching band for several years provides an avenue for students to develop and demonstrate those qualities.
Check out this article "What are the best extracurricular activities?" which offers insight into the complexity of the college admissions process and the emphasis on growth and commitment.
Is it possible to participate in a sport, the musical, a club, attend after school help AND be in Marching Band?
Yes! It is possible and our students do all of this!
The schedule is designed to avoid conflicts.
In the unusual circumstance a conflict arises, with great communication in advance, we can always figure it out!
I have not played an instrument before! Can I be in the Marching Band?
Our visual teams (majorettes and color guard) welcome all students without any previous experience!
Marching Band woodwind, brass, and percussionists must have prior experience on their instruments to join.
Students who would like to learn an instrument should enroll in concert band and with dedicated practice will be ready to successfully participate in the marching band next school year.