Welcome to the Band Page! Here you will find important updates throughout the year for all band students, 5-12. As events approach, detailed schedules will be added to this site in order to better inform parents and friends of additional infromation.
Upcoming Events
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Please see the 2013-14 Harbor Springs 5-12 Bands Schedule here.
July
3 Fourth of July Parade rehearsal for grades 7-12, 9am-10am
High School Marching Band Members: Please bring any forms that were due at the end of the school year to this rehearsal if you have not turned them in already. Also, please remember your $125 Band Camp Payment. Checks are to be made out to: Harbor Springs Band
4 Please see the 4th of July Reminder letter for specific times and details
28 Leave in the afternoon for Band Camp at LSSU!!! This is for all
students who plan to be in high school band for 2013/2014.
You may now dowload and print the 2013 Band Camp Handbook
If you have not already turned in the three forms in the back of the handbook, please bring them with you on July 3rd.
August
2 Return from Band Camp in the afternoon
27 & 29 Mandatory Marching Band Rehearsals at High School
GREAT JOB to both the High School and Middle School Band Members for earning a Superior or "I" rating at Band Festival
Dowload the complete 2012-13 Harbor Springs 5-12 Bands Schedule 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, 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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