World-renowned 'shy guy'

Michael Allen Harrison spends a day with the OCHS music department

By Ellen Spitaleri

The Oregon City News, Nov 24, 2009

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As a guest artist, Harrison tells students to practice and treat themselves kindly, things Bartman also shares with his students every day.

But Harrison “gives it so much more value – he makes it fresh. When they hear it from him, I can see all the lightbulbs going off.”

There are so many commitments band members need to fulfill, playing at school events, Bartman said, but Harrison gives them “a sense of how valuable [their talent] is – they see the bigger picture.”

Sheila Bragg, the president of the band boosters, said Harrison’s visit gives the students the opportunity to “see that there is talent in our own area who has gone on to be respected around the world.”

She contacted Harrison about four years ago when the marching band was tapped to play in Washington, D.C.

“I called him to ask him for [fundraising] ideas and he said, ‘Why don’t we do a concert?’” she said, adding that this December’s concert will be his fifth at OCHS.

She hopes the community will attend the event, she said, because she would like to see more people involved in education.

Bragg added, “We have a lot of retired people in Oregon City and they are the ones we tap when we need money. I want them to be aware of what’s going on here. OCHS is doing some great things – we are turning out good, responsible citizens.”

Fast Facts

Michael Allen Harrison in concert in the Oregon City High School Auditorium

Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door

Call the high school at 503-785-8900 for more information.

Visit Harrison’s Web page at http://mahrecords.com/ to see his upcoming concert schedule, including his Christmas at the Old Church events, from Dec. 17 to Dec. 24, and to learn more about his Snowman Foundation, which benefits music education.

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