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A Step Above: Coronado High School Band and Color Guard
With a history of award-winning performances from San Diego to London, Coronado High School’s Band and Color Guard have a pretty amazing legacy to uphold. The 149 member ensemble is rockin’ round the globe and making a difference wherever they roam. When they aren’t brightening up festive events with spirited tunes, they’re collecting canned food, shopping for children in need and looking for more ways to give back. Directed by Danielle McCracken and Benjamin Franke, this disciplined, enthusiastic and animated bunch of budding musicians is – A Step Above.
Upcoming Performances/Activities:
Trick or Canned Food (October 29): Going door to door through neighborhoods, students dressed up in their Halloween best and gathered 400 pounds of canned food donations for the nonprofit Three Square Food Bank.
Music at Honeybaked Ham (November 22-24): Students provided background music to patrons waiting in line to pick up their Thanksgiving orders.
ACTE Jazz Performance (December 3): Regulars at nursing homes, small businesses and other organizations, this season the jazz band provides tunes for the ACTE convention at the Las Vegas Hilton.
Cougars Care (December 9): This year, the band has chosen to “adopt” three students through this program. Students collect donations up through December 9th and then use the following weekend to shop for the students in need.
Henderson Holiday Parade (December 11 at 10 a.m.): Marching band members will welcome Santa Clause to town in this parade down Water Street.
Danielle McCracken comments on the band’s success:
What is this group most proud of? “The band continues to be one of the top band programs in the Clark County School District, representing Coronado High School both locally and throughout the Southwest part of the country. Our Concert Bands, Jazz Bands and Marching Band are consistently among the best in the State of Nevada.”
How do/did you select the charities you work with? “The band officers select some of the charities, and the directors select performance opportunities and venues. They receive guidance/suggestions from parents, in addition to paying attention to current events.”
How does working with charitable organizations or for charity affect the group’s dynamic? “It creates a much more positive environment where the students are able to see that their efforts have helped or enhanced the lives of others.”
