4th Grasso Festival Will Bring

Marching Bands Back To NHS

Newtown High School’s Bruce Jenner Stadium will be filled with the energy of marching and music as seven bands compete in The 4th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival on Friday, October 15, at 6 pm.

The festival will host the best high school bands in the region, with appearances by bands from Bethel, Danbury, Johnathan Law, Newtown, Norwalk, Shelton and Trumbull. The bands take the field to showcase their competitive field shows, and are judged individually on music, marching, visual effects and color guard, competing in divisions based on size.

Admission to the festival is $7 for adults, $5 for students and seniors. For additional information, call 426-1341.

This season will continue the battle for “Best in the Region” between perennial powerhouse (and ten-year champion) Norwalk and the close second place Trumbull. Newtown has turned in several strong showings thus far this season, with third place finishes. Newtown, as the festival host, will present an exhibition performance but not compete against the guest bands.

In addition to competing for place and trophies, each band competes against itself as they try to improve their scores with each performance.

The festival offers local residents an opportunity to see talented and dedicated area youth perform in a spectacular presentation. In addition, it is an opportunity to see bands which enjoy a regional and national reputation.

The Newtown High School Band has appeared at the Rose Bowl Parade, the Citrus Bowl and the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade. The other bands have received honors at national competitions and have been featured in nationally viewed parades.

The bands in the top division occupy the field with a musician and color guard contingent of over 140 students and represent the largest extracurricular programs at their school.