Lightening and heavy rain forced the Newtown High School Marching Band and Guard indoors for the past two Saturday afternoons, but last Saturday, September 13, the band finally had the opportunity to perform their new show “Arachne,” a tale of black widow spiders spinning their web of intrigue.

Under a steady drizzle that got heavier as the band performed, the 129 NHS Band and Guard members thrilled the assembled audience that packed the stands at Brookfield High School for the first adjudicated Musical Arts Conference (MAC) competition of the season.

Scoring a 72.7, Newtown took third, just 3.8 points behind the much larger Trumbull and 4.4 points behind Norwalk in the National Open Class.

Earlier in the day, performing their music and a portion of the color guard routine inside the Danbury High School gymnasium, Newtown took second in a US Bands Competition with a score of 73.2, narrowly missing Arlington’s score of 74.35.

Band Director Kurt Eckhardt high-fived each member of the NHS Marching Band and Guard at their Monday night practice following the competitions.

“You continue to make me proud, and are rising to the occasion of playing what I would call the most difficult pieces this band has ever tackled,” Mr Eckhardt said. Adding, “and I have never seen the color guard have such an intricate and stunning routine. This season will be one to remember.”

The NHS Marching Band and Color Guard has a jam-packed season scheduled, competing in both MAC and US Bands competitions that will include Newtown’s Home Show on October 18, as well as a trip to Annapolis, Md., to compete in the US Bands Northeast Regional.

This year, admission to the annual Joseph P. Grasso Festival home show is the same as last year. The event will be held at the Blue & Gold Stadium and will run from 5 to 9 pm. Tickets will be $10 for adults, $7 for students and seniors, and children 5 and under are free.

The competitive season will culminate on November 15 at MetLife Stadium for the US Bands Championships. The band also performs at most Newtown High School home football games.

Before Saturday’s competition, Mr Eckhardt said the October 18 home show is, “an opportunity to show our hometown what great kids we have in our music department and showcase the creativity, artistry, and pageantry of our marching band program."

Each year, Mr Eckhardt said the Marching Band and Guard have “raised the bar,” and this year is no exception. He said he found when offered challenging pieces, both the marching band and the color guard students rise to meet the challenge.

“And the kids to their credit, want that challenge,” said Mr Eckhardt.

Other marching band and color guard directors and leaders this season are Assistant Director Chris Carley, Visual Designer Bob Findley, Musical Arrangements by Jair Klarfeld, Percussion Arrangements by David Brush, and Color Guard Design and Choreography is being overseen by Janos Pergely. Color guard instructors this season are Janos Pergely, Michelle Liscio, Tori Whittington, and Connor Kovatch. Drum line instruction is being overseen by Richard Lake, David Brush, Tom Sulzicki, and James Gilbert. Kurt Berglund is overseeing pit instruction, and visual instruction is being overseen by Bob Findley, Ricky Grasso, Vinny Brophy, and Jessica Sideleau.

This season’s drum majors are Humza Hashmi, Rachael Fuchs and Emma Hungaski. Aimee Alexander is this season’s brass captain, Richie Sadlon is woodwind captain, and color guard captains are Kelsey Morshuk-Allen, Caitlin Jones, and Camryn Gaudett.