Newtown Competitors Among Top Scorers At Local Winter Guard Extravaganza

By Larissa Lytwyn

As hosts of the Musical Arts Conferences’ (MAC) January 29 Winter Guard meet, Newtown High School, in the tradition of all host schools, was exempt from having its scores count as part of the season. 

Nevertheless, Newtown’s color guard cadets, junior varsity, and varsity teams worked hard to impress the judges — and their scoring showed it. Scores range from 30 to 100.

As the season progresses, explained NHS band director Kurt Eckhardt, the teams improve with each meet.

“By the end of the season, the goal is to get scores approximately in the 90s,” he said. “The scores obviously tend to increase as the skill level increases, from cadet to varsity.”

The Newtown cadets, comprised of Reed Intermediate School fifth and sixth graders, performed from music featured in the Disney film Lilo & Stitch, earning a score of 36.20.

“I think it went really well, especially considering it was our first performance of the season,” said cadet Jacob Evantoff, a sixth grader.

The evening’s other cadet team, Beecher Road School of Woodbridge, earned a score of 35.70.

The Newtown cadet team instructors are varsity captain Amanda Krause and varsity member Connie Ricciardi.

Amanda and Connie agreed that teaching the cadets was challenging because most of the students had never been to a competition before.

Having actually performed, said Jacob, helped him and other members gain a clearer understanding of the color guard’s competition format.

Another cadet, Abbie Keogh, said she became interested in the guard through her brother, who was in marching band.

Guard members are not required to play a musical instrument.

“I always thought it looked like fun,” said Abbie. “I’ve really enjoyed myself so far.”

Jacob said the guard intrigued him as “something different.”

Another cadet member, Ashley Fitz-Gerald, said that while she was “a little nervous” at the beginning of the performance, she was much more confident by the end.

Jacob said he used the trick of looking at just one person during the course of the performance to avoid becoming intimidated by the size of the crowd.

“But, you know, I think the person I was looking at was one of the judges!” Jacob said with a laugh. “Still, [the technique] worked and as I got into it, I wasn’t nervous at all.”

In color guard, members are challenged both athletically and artistically, interpreting a piece of music while engaging in a series of complex dance moves while simultaneously tossing large, colorful flags several feet into the air and catching them without breaking their step.

“I think the athletic aspect of color guard is often downplayed,” said Lisa Ricciardi, mother of Connie Ricciardi. “It’s not considered a ‘real’ sport, but the physical effort color guard requires is really significant.”

Winter Guard is a separate entity from the fall color guard, which performs in conjunction with the marching band.

MAC, founded by a coalition of music educators, is a nonprofit organization that was created to provide a professional and educational outlet for high school ensembles to compete in.

In addition to sponsoring color guard competitions, MAC members are eligible to compete in marching band, winter percussion, jazz ensemble, and concert band competitions.

Newtown’s junior varsity team, performing to the soundtrack of the Nicholas Cage and Meg Ryan drama City of Angels, earned a 50.60.

Newtown’s varsity team earned a particularly impressive 67 with its performance, inspired by the music from the Hugh Jackman horror thriller Van Helsing.

The Van Helsing theme was markedly darker than other teams’ selections for the evening, which included Prince’s title track from his latest album, Musicology, and songs from Schoolhouse Rock.

The highest score of the evening was received by Cheshire High School. The team scored an impressive 73.40.

Another color guard parent, Eileen Fetchick, whose daughter, Kristen Fetchick, is an NHS freshman and varsity member, said that Kristen’s involvement with the color guard helped her become more confident and sure of herself.

“The guard also plays an important social role,” said Ms Fetchick. “The kids socialize outside of meets.”

This sense of camaraderie, she said, extends even beyond a town’s own teams. “Being part of MAC allows students to meet peers from all over the region, even from other states,” said Ms Fetchick. “There is a big sense of solidarity among the guard community.”

Regional MAC members include schools from New York and New Jersey.

Parents, she said, often become heavily involved with guard activities over time.

“Kristen has been in the guard since she was a fifth grade cadet,” said Ms Fetchick. “In the beginning, I wasn’t nearly involved in all of the meets and activities as I am now.”

Most recently, Ms Fetchick managed the merchandising of Newtown Nighthawk clothing and accessories that were for sale in the NHS lobby during the competition.

Parents also provided light refreshments, many of which were home-baked cookies and other goodies, for guard members and their families to enjoy.

Fundraising is essential for color guard and band members.

Money is used to fund new uniforms, transportation, and other needs.

The band’s next fundraiser is an exclusive concert featuring the NHS jazz ensemble and legendary jazz musician Maynard Ferguson. The performance will take place February 17 at 7 pm in the NHS auditorium. Tickets are $20 each.

Mr Eckhardt said he was really excited about this year’s color guard members.

“I think we have some very special teams, ” he said. “In fact, I think we have one of the top ten color guards in the region!”

The next MAC conference, featuring NHS, will be held at Brookfield High School on February 5.

For more information on the color guard or the Maynard Ferguson concert, visit www.musicalartsconference.com or call NHS at 426-7646.