The KIPP:McDonogh 15 Middle School Brass Band was founded in 2006. After Hurricane Katrina there was a great need to bring back both the schools of New Orleans and its rich musical culture. Mr. Kelvin Harrison was brought on board to start up the school’s music program only to learn that there were no instruments or any other necessary equipment. Mr. Harrison immediately began to apply for grants and to reach out for any support available. After acquiring enough instruments to start a small ensemble Harrison decided to start a brass band. After all, the school was located then, in the French Quarter and students often heard the sound of random brass bands passing throughout the day.
In addition to the allotted class time given to learning music, Harrison met every Saturday for 4 hours until these students who had never played instruments learned to play well enough to form a brass band. In the following school year McDonogh 15 received a grant from the Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation who supplied enough instruments to start a complete band program. The program now consists of Brass Band, Jazz Orchestra, and Symphonic Bands.
McDonogh 15 has had the honor of traveling to play for crowds of over 4,000 at a conference in Orlando, and a summit in Las Vegas. At the first statewide Jazz and Heritage Festival Brass Band Contest, McDonogh 15 took First Place. The band has also had the honor of recording with internationally known recording artist Liz McComb, scheduled to be released in 2014.
About the director, Mr. Harrison is a native of New Orleans. His musical studies began at the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts under the guidance of Mr. Ellis Marsalis. Later, he studied at the Berklee School of Music and the University of New Orleans. Mr. Harrison has been teaching in the public school system for nearly 20 years, along with teaching on the adjunct faculty at UNO, and the New Orleans Jazz Institute. Mr. Harrison is truly committed to the music education of this great city of New Orleans. His most recent recognitions include two national teaching awards; the Mr. Holland’s Opus Award, and the Harriet Ball Excellence in Education Award.
As a result of the rapid growth in the music program Mr. Karron Brown was brought on board in 2012 to assist. Mr. Brown is a graduate of Jackson State University in Jackson, Ms. where he was principal tuba player from 2005-2008.Before teaching at McDonogh 15 Mr. Brown taught in Mississippi and North Louisiana where his bands received superior ratings in marching band, concert band, and concert performance and sight reading. .
