Harrison Ditzion, a June graduate of High School South, recently spoke to band members in the wind ensembles at both High School North and South about his experiences and opportunities with the U.S. Marines.##M:[more]##
He was born in Freehold and the family moved to West Windsor in 1993 — when Harrison was in first grade. He lived in Plainsboro with his mother during his four years of high school. His father, Alan, lives in Hamilton and is the store manager for Family Dollar in Ewing. His mother, Marge, an independent distributor of Herbalife, lives in Meriden, Connecticut. His brother, Josh, a graduate of High School South, Class of 2001, teaches in an elementary school in the Bronx through the Teach For America program.
Harrison became interested in becoming a musician before he entered elementary school. “I was at my brother’s concert and I became intrigued with the guys in the back (percussionists),” he says. “I wanted to learn to play the drums.”
He got his drumsticks and drumpads when he was five.
When he was in fourth grade he began taking lessons from Mark Bencivengo (now band director at High School North) and continued through his junior year in high school. He also studied with Bill Trigg from the College of New Jersey for two years.
He was a member of the Youth Orchestra of Central New Jersey for five years, regional band for one year, and regional orchestra for one year.
Selected for Governor’s School, a prestigious summer program that his brother had attended four years before, Ditzion and his brother were the first siblings to both be in the Governor’s School band.
His first contact with the Marines was when he applied for information at a marching band competition. Later a Marine recruiter from Hamilton visited High School South and asked to speak with him. “I have always enjoyed watching war movies and the history channel — I’ve always been interested in the military,” says Harrison.
Only 17 when he enlisted, he had to have his parent’s consent. “They are happy that I’m doing this,” he says. But there was apprehension at first. Harrison’s father was a war protester who marched to Washington D.C. He had a 2S (student) deferment until a clerical problem sent him to Whitehall Street (the same one that Arlo Guthrie talked about in “Alice’s Restaurant”) for a draft physical. Ready to leave for Canada, he canceled the plans when asthma and a note from his doctor declared him to be 4F.
“I knew this was the right thing for Harrison,” he says. “This provided the direction he needs and they got what they want. It’s a good match.”
“I was hesitant and nervous — and concerned that he would be drafted,” says his mother. “I also knew that this would be the best thing for him and I’m happy that he found something that he wanted to do with his life. He’s going to be doing something with his life that he enjoys — music.”
“He is liberal in every aspect of his life,” says his father of his older son. “Josh and I have educated discussions about our disagreements on everything except religion,” says Harrison.
His first stop was boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina. “It is physical but it is the key to success,” he says. “It was a life-changing experience. If everyone went, the world would be different.”
The United States Marine Band was established by an Act of Congress in 1798. It is America’s oldest professional musical organization. There are bands throughout the U.S. and each has 50 musicians.
Right now Harrison is a student at the School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. “All I do is study music and play in ensembles,” he says. With a high score of 3.5 in the audition, Ditzion plans to be accepted to the band in Camp Pendleton in Southern California before June.
Although Ditzion is not in college, college credit is received for everything that he does. Boot camp yielded 12 college credits.
Besides talking to band members he has visited both high schools to talk with students. At both schools he encountered students whose parents were pushing for college, and/or had parents who were against war. He also met kids who were afraid to mention the military to their parents.
“I share with them opportunities that not everyone knows about,” he says. “This is the best thing I’ve chosen to do and I am constantly learning new things. I am learning skills I will need for the future.”
“I’m never going to be in actual combat or in harm’s way,” he says. “I will be performing for queens, kings, and presidents. I plan to be in the band for a very long time.”
