The Newtown Marching Band & Color Guard was celebrated at the Board of Education’s meeting on November 19.

Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue introduced the band members present by announcing that the group earned bronze at the USBands National Open Class Championships on November 9 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. She said Band Director Kurt Eckhardt said it was the group’s “best performance of the season.”

As previously reported in The Newtown Bee, the Newtown Marching Band & Color Guard performed its show “Life Sentence” for the final time at the November 9 championships. The group received a score of 95.475 in Group IV Open to win bronze. The group also earned the caption Best Percussion for the third year in a row, scoring a 98.5 out of 100, and the caption Best Color Guard. Two schools from Massachusetts came in first and second places. More than 45 ensembles from seven states performed during the all-day competition.

Some student leaders attended the meeting as representatives of the marching band and guard.

When speaking before the board, Director of Visual and Performing Arts Michelle Hiscavich said the marching Nighthawks “came out on top” with close competitors at the state level before heading to the national championships.

“Congratulations to all. We are very proud of each and every one of you. Thank you to the marching band staff, students, and parents for their continued dedication to excellence,” Ms Hiscavich said.

Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku and Dr Rodrigue individually congratulated the students. To the entire group, Ms Ku said, “Well done. Thank you so much.”