The 2020 Newtown High School Winter Extravaganza on Saturday, February 22, may be the largest yet according to Laura Taylor, president of the Newtown High School Band Parent Corps.

There will be a total of 24 color guard units, one wind ensemble, and 12 percussion groups.

“The color guard and percussion groups work extremely hard, combining artistry and athleticism,” said Ms Taylor at the end of a full day rehearsal on February 15. “We’d love to have our community see the results of their dedication to the program.”

The Musical Arts Conference (MAC) competition will be held in the gymnasium at NHS, 12 Berkshire Road, on February 22. Doors will open at 1 pm and the event will begin at 1:55 pm with the national anthem.

The color guard competition will begin promptly at 2 pm with 11 visiting junior level units. Following an intermission, the 11 visiting varsity and college units will perform. Newtown Junior Varsity Guard and Newtown Varsity Guard will conclude the color guard show by performing in exhibition, just prior to the Newtown Color Guard Senior Recognition and Awards.

The final segment of the show, scheduled to begin at 7 pm, will feature one visiting wind ensemble and 11 visiting percussion ensembles. The NHS Winter Percussion will conclude this segment with an exhibition performance followed by Newtown Percussion Senior Recognition and Awards.

Tickets will be $15 for adults and $10 for students and seniors. Food, baked goods, 50/50 raffle tickets, candy, and air-grams will be available for purchase throughout the event. Proceeds support the musical, artistic, and athletic endeavors of the Newtown Band & Guard programs.

WGI Salem Regional, Color Guard

The Newtown Varsity Color Guard competed on February 15 at the WGI Salem Regional in Salem, Mass. This was a qualifying event for the WGI Color Guard World Championships in April. Newtown placed seventh in the preliminary round with a score of 68.55, and advanced to sixth place in the final round with a score of 69.77.

Both Newtown Varsity Color Guard and Newtown Winter Percussion plan to attend the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio, this spring. Any individual or business interested in making a donation toward travel expenses can contact the NHS Band Parents Corporation via e-mail at info@nhsbandguard.com or by mail to NHSBPC, Box 3333, Newtown, CT 06470.