The Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard hosted the 19th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Music Festival on Saturday, October 10, at Blue & Gold Stadium.

“It was wonderful,” said Marching Band & Guard Parent Board President Michele Buzzi.

While the evening grew “a bit chilly,” Ms Buzzi said “a lot” of coffee and hot chocolate was sold during the event.

The NHS Marching Band & Guard performed in exhibition for the event, and, while the group was scored, NHS was not included in the competition.

Trumbull High School took the top overall score for the night, finishing with 90.925 points.

The stadium was filled for the event, which hosted eight Connecticut high school marching bands vy-ing for the top scores in the USBands competition.

The Nighthawks closed the evening by performing this season’s show, “Pharaoh’s Legacy.”

Band Director Kurt Eckhardt said the event was “very successful.”

“It was expertly and smoothly run by our wonderful band parents,” said Mr Eckhardt. “The show was well attended. The NHS band showed our home town why they should be very proud of them. They performed a dynamic, sophisticated show with energy and enthusiasm.”

The USBands judges panel, Mr Eckhardt said, also shared compliments with the band and suggestions for upcoming performances.

“They also commented on how great they were treated by the Newtown community,” said Mr Eckhardt.

A ceremony honoring the Nighthawks’ 30 graduating seniors also followed the competition.

This weekend the Marching Band & Guard will travel to Maryland to compete at Towson University in a USBands competition.