The Newtown Marching Band and Guard competed at the USBands New England Regional Championship at Danbury High School on November 3. Newtown scored 94.363 with its show “The Climb” to come in second place in Group IV Open. They came in first for color guard and percussion, and the group tied for first on best music. Newtown’s percussion was second overall out of the fourteen groups that competed. The University of Connecticut marching band performed in exhibition.

After each competition, the ensemble receives feedback from the judges. During the week, changes and improvements to the show are made based on this feedback. For the November 3 show, new visuals were added, as well as finger lights for each member of the band and guard. These individual lights appeared at the end of the show, along with a large, lit orb held on the center staircase. The lights symbolize the final message of the show: “Shine in the dark places and lend the world your light.”

The USBands Open Class National Championships will be held on Saturday, November 10, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. Approximately 50 groups will compete at this all-day event, including bands from Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, New York, and West Virginia.

Upcoming Band and Color Guard events include an end-of-season banquet and an appearance during the Wednesday, November 21, halftime show at the Newtown vs Masuk football game.

In preparation for the winter season, Winter Percussion and Winter Guard will meet separately on Monday, November 19, at 5:45 pm. Both groups will assemble in the NHS band room, then move to individual rooms. Auditions for Winter Percussion are open to students in grades seven to 12. Winter Guard will hold an orientation for interested students in grades five to 12. Parents will attend an informational meeting. E-mail info@nhsbandguard.com for more information about the upcoming events.

For more information about the NHS Marching Band & Guard and its events, visit newtownbandandguard.weebly.com.