Newtown High School Marching Band Scores Two Championships

One championship this year was not enough for the Newtown High School marching band. On Saturday, November 11, they were judged to be the best in their division for a second time in two weeks and awarded another trophy and banner to be proudly displayed in the school.

They were first crowned champions at the United States Scholastic Band Association Connecticut State Championships on October 28 at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield. The second title came Saturday at the Musical Arts Conference championships at Central High School in Bridgeport.

In addition to their championship wins, the Nighthawks were almost undefeated in MAC competition this year. Their only loss this year was a third-place finish at a USSBA competition in Pennsylvania.

With 70 musicians and 17 members of the color guard, Newtown competes in the class IV division. Band divisions are determined by the size of the band. Class IV is for bands with 71 to 91 members.

Calling it a “great season,” Band Director Kurt Eckhardt said he was impressed with how hard the band members worked all season.

“This group of kids learned how to strive for excellence. They learned how to lead and when everyone was gunning for us, they continued to win,” he said.

Sectional practices begin in the summer and transition into more than a week of intense band camp immediately before school begins. The season opens in early September and continues every weekend until mid-November.

At MAC championships, Newtown performed before a crowd of more than 6,000 spectators and received a “superior” score of 96.05, which was the highest score in the school’s history, and nearly three points higher than its closest competitor. There were six class IV bands. The Newtown score was also higher than five of the larger bands competing in class V. In addition, the Nighthawks also received awards for outstanding music, outstanding marching, outstanding general effect and best color guard.

The score it received at the USSBA championships was five points higher than the band awarded second place. Competing against two other schools, it also received awards for best music and best visual effect.

The band titled its show “Paradox” and performed the music of the show “Jekyll and Hyde.”

Mr Eckhardt said early in the season there was evidence of the students’ dedication to the program.

“Right from the beginning, I was excited by the hard-working, enthusiastic kids,” he said at the band banquet Sunday. “All season long they reacted well to the staff.”

Bob Findley, who created the visual design for the show and works with the students on their marching techniques, said each band member is a piece of the puzzle. He also praised the musicians and color guard for their dedication to the program.

“It’s one of the hardest working bands we have ever had,” he said. “I know we will succeed again next year.”

Newtown was also the 2005 MAC Class IV champions.

Steve Rosentel, who is president of the band parents association, said being part of the band is a great experience for each of the high school students and five eighth graders who participated.

“The kids have demonstrated, and the staff has demonstrated, that hard work lets you succeed. The experience the kids can get out of the program is phenomenal,” he said.

Rosentel’s daughter, Amy, who was one of the two drum majors noted that hard work was only part of the equation that led to success.

“We are champions because we have such pride in our program,” she said.