HHS Band Director Honored For Innovative Education

The awards keep pouring in for Harrison High School's decorated band and music program.

Not only have members from the high school's band been invited to participate in the Berklee College of Music's 44th High School Jazz Festival—the largest high school jazz festival in the country—the band's director Fred Pasqua will be honored with an award.

Pasqua, who has helped build the band program significantly since taking over as director in Harrison, will be presented with the Take Note Award for his innovation in contemporary music education.

The event will showcase more than 3,000 students, 200 bands and several vocal ensembles from 13 states and Canada. Performances will take place on March 10 at the Hynes Convention Center, 900 Boylston Street, Boston, starting at 10 a.m. All performances are free and open to the public.

Students will compete for $175,000 in scholarships for Berklee's summer music program. Scholarships and award winners will be announced at 6 p.m. (Click here for a complete schedule of events)

The Berklee School of Music specializes in preparing students for careers in music through contemporary music education. More than 80 countries are represented in the school's student body.