Harrisburg High School Band performed on March 6th at the Washington Pavilion. The showcase was designed as an extra performance between the winter and spring concerts. It also served as a fundraiser for the band booster program. This concert was unique because all the band members in the district (grades 5-12) were allowed the opportunity to perform. Further, it was the only performance of the year that took place at the Washington Pavilion, a more professional setting compared to what the students are accustomed to. First Premier Bank sponsored this event; ticket sales went towards the band booster program, a group that helps with funding the band program.
COVID-19 brought some changes to the performance this year, however. The showcase is normally on a weeknight, but this year it was on a Saturday to allow for there to be separate concerts for each ensemble or age group versus the usual rolling schedule. There was also less seating available in the Pavilion to allow for social distancing.
Another unique aspect to the showcase this year was the addition of having the band’s student teacher, Ms. Livingston, conduct a performance for the concert and symphonic band. The high school’s band directors, Mr. Groon and Mr. Wahl, said that they “appreciate the new perspectives that they [student teachers] can offer and the variety of rehearsal techniques.” Both concert
and symphonic bands performed three songs each: one conducted by Ms. Livingston, one by Mr. Groon, and one by Mr. Wahl.
Each piece that was performed highlighted a different style of music and appealed to different members of the band for different reasons. Sierra Stiff, a flute player in the symphonic band, said she liked the light-hearted songs with dramatic parts in them. Graham Hartman, a trumpet player, said that he liked the march-style songs as well as the cinematic pieces. Although the two students like different styles of music, both members of the program were eager to play at the Pavilion. Graham said that he “definitely prefers performing at the Washington Pavilion” because it “feels more like a professional concert.” Sierra favors the “bigger space of the pavilion” as “it brings more challenges and excitement.” They also both said that they were proud of the hard work the band had done to prepare for the concert and enjoyed showcasing the program’s talents.