Announcements and Dates to Know
Upcoming Events
7-12 grade students and parents, here is the 2012 MSBOA Band Festival
schedule, along with information for our February 15th concert.
February
4 - High School S & E Festival
6 - Band Booster Meeting, 7pm at the high school band room
10 - Jazz Band performs at home BB game
15 - Pre-festival Concert (7/8 and HS bands only)
24 - Jazz Band performs at home BB game
25 - High School Band performs at Festival
March
2 - Middle School Band performs at Festival
5 - Band Booster Meeting, 7pm at the high school band room
10 - High School Jazz Band performs in St. Ignace
14 - MS Honors Band
24 - S & E State Solo and Ensemble Festival
April
13/14 - Jazz Band at NMU Jazz Festival
14 - Middle School Solo and Ensemble
The 2011-12 Harbor Springs 5-12 Bands Schedule can be found here.
5th Grade Information
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Great Start to the 2001-12 School Year. Don't forget to get your uniform parts prior to our December Concert! Keep up the Good Work.
As discussed in the handbook, the Challenge Request forms can be viewed and printed here.
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A Brief History of the Harbor Springs Band Program
“This year for the first time in its history, the Harbor Springs School can boast of having a band which was organized in October by Aldie C. Long. The band, composed of about thirty members at the beginning of the year, included pupils from both the grades and high school. Due to the increasing interest in the band work and eager enthusiasm of the pupils and director, it was necessary to organize two groups and at present there are over fifty pupils being instructed in band work.
The first formal appearance of the High School Band was in the high school auditorium on Thursday evening, January 29, 1931, when a most well received concert was given before a large audience. Since that time the band has willingly assisted in pep meetings, at the physical training exhibit, and at various other functions. The Harbor Springs School is indeed fortunate in having secured Mr. Long who has untiringly devoted much time and effort toward making the band a most worthy addition to the school.”
Thus, was the beginning of the Harbor Springs Band Program. Since 1930 the band program has grown in many ways under several band directors. The chronology as currently known is below:
1930-38 – Mr. Aldie Long
1938-40 – Mr. Clute
1940-43 – Mr. Buck Ojala
1943-48 – Mr. Hopkins
1948-51 – Mr. Lloyd Conley
1951-74 – Mr. Joe Jezisek
1974-87 – Mr. Doug White
1987-2000 – Mr. Derik Stansell (performed at the conference in 1993 with the Harbor Band)
2000-2008 – Mr. Jeffrey Bennett
2009-present - Mr. Patrick Ruddy
Each of these directors had a profound effect on the band program during their tenure at Harbor Springs.
View larger image of above photo.
©Calloway Photography
Currently, the band program (grades 5-12) has over two hundred-twenty students participating. Over the years, our band has earned an excellent reputation for the quality in marching band, jazz band, and concert bands. The marching band has won every competition it has entered since it began competing in 2002. In addition, they also perform at the District 2 Marching Exposition in Traverse City, and home football games.
The Jazz Band was established in 2001. With a repertoire base of 30-40 selections featuring styles from the old standards, Latin, rock and holiday music, the band performs at various jazz festivals, concerts, and other community functions as needed. They were awarded "Best Jazz Band" at the NMU Jazz Festival in 2008, under the direction of Mr. Jeff Bennett and 2009, under the direction of Mr. Patrick Ruddy.
Harbor Springs High School has just over three hundred students, thus, students in band are involved in everything - a philosophy we strongly believe in while a student is in our school system. Therefore, there are virtually no after school rehearsals/sectionals for concert or marching band. All rehearsals must be done during regular class time. Special meetings with the Athletic Director and the Performing Arts Committee help to ensure no conflicts between various school activities.
Of course, no band program is complete without a wonderful and supportive community. The band (MS/HS combined) annually performs at the Memorial Day Parade, the Fourth of July Parade (25-30,000 spectators) and the Halloween Parade. The reason for positive results of the band program is quite simple – cooperation, communication and commitment.
Harbor Springs also has a Community Band which rehearses and performs throughout the year and is a valuable asset to the school band program and the community at large. One of the most important supporters are the Band Parents (Instrumental Music Partnership) who selflessly dedicate hundreds of hours overseeing uniforms, chaperones, first aid and fund-raising. Without them, this program would not be possible.
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