AWARD WINNERS; GRANADA HILLS HIGH BAND HITS RIGHT NOTE.

Byline: Amy Raisin Staff Writer

They think of themselves as entertainers, but the record books label them champions. Perhaps the Highlanders should add dynasty to that list.

The marching band and dance guard at Granada Hills High School scored a three-peat Nov. 20 at the L.A. Unified 4A division city championships at Wilson High School, their third win in as many years. Later the same day, they took two more first-place honors at a separate competition in Moorpark. The team of 170 students loves what they do and think of themselves more as a family than as competitors, said Tonee Sherrill, a dance guard captain and band council president.

``We're quite a humble group. We don't think of ourselves as winners or losers,'' said Sherrill, 17.

``It's kind of a love/hate relationship,'' he said. ``We're like brothers and sisters, but once we're on the field performing, we're one big team.''

They begin with band camp in the summer, working seven hours a day during the week. Once school begins, daily practice begins at 6:50 a.m. every school day.

``We all love it,'' said Daniel Donnelly, a 10th-grade assistant drum major. ``Honestly, that's why everybody's here - that's why we're good. The reason we win awards and please crowds is because we have fun.''

Play at special events

In addition to the sweepstakes awards they won Nov. 20 at a 25-team competition at Moorpark High School - for percussion and best overall band - the Highlanders have been repeatedly honored by invitations to special events.

In 1998 they were invited to perform at the MGM theme park in Las Vegas, as well as being the opening band at the Disney Channel American Teacher Awards at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

After providing background music for the Adam Sandler hit film ``The Waterboy,'' the Highlanders lit up Disneyland's Main Street with their music and dance guard routine.

According to Al Nelson, the school's music and band director for the last nine years, it's the joy of teaching kids that draws him to practice early in the morning and keeps him at school and at competitions until late at night.

``The thing that keeps me here for 16 hours a day for the money I make is that this is not a job. This is my family,'' Nelson said. ``I have the highs and lows most parents have, but for me, multiply it by 170.''

Contribution of parents

The parents of the musicians and dancers, too, are a big part of the troupe's success.

``There's a whole commitment by the parents to help the kids get dressed; there are transportation committees to get the kids where they need to go,'' said Gail Hartung, a member of the Highlander Band Parents Association and mother of 10th-grade mellophone player Justin Haggenmacher.

``Their band director just really loves what he does. I think the kids get a real sense of camaraderie, and the parents all sit together (during performances),'' Hartung said.

She also noted that the kids genuinely seem to like each other. ``They all hang out together; they all have their lunch together outside the band room at the picnic tables,'' Hartung said.

Another member of the parents association, Jill Nelson, credits the familylike atmosphere for the smooth transition her son experienced after moving to the San Fernando Valley from New Jersey.

``It's the friendships - they all like each other,'' Nelson said. For her clarinet-playing son, Eric, she said the band experience was like ``200 new friends.''

And just as families have an order to them, a chain of command, the students admit that sometimes they need a bit of prodding to be so successful.

``I don't think we'd be half as good as we are if we weren't pushed to do it,'' said 12th-grade pit captain Marisa Choonhaurai. ``Our instructors give us that extra kick to practice - to get that trophy.

``I've learned so much more about how to interact with people, how to be an efficient leader,'' Choonhaurai added. ``It's not something you just learn at school. Band has been a great example of that.''

High hopes for Dec. 4

The ability to lead and collaborate should serve the Highlanders well on Dec. 4 when they will compete in the invitation-only Tournament of Champions in Santa Ana.

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) From left, Andre Morris, Kassandra Perez, Yasmin Hussein, Mary Yarzab and Daniel Donnelly are the salute line for the Highlanders.

(2) Mark Schipello, left, and Dayo Esho, percussionists in Granada Hills High's Highlanders marching band, practice before a game.

Eric Grigorian/Special to the Daily News