The Newtown High School Marching Band & Color Guard turned in its best performance of the season scoring an 86.0 at the Bunnell Cavalcade of Bands in Stratford on Saturday, October 23.

The group once again claimed top honors in the Class 3 Open division in its final regular season performance. The group travels to Veterans Memorial Stadium in New Britain to compete in the USBands New England State Championships on Saturday, October 30.

“The Band and Guard improved a lot last week,” said Aaron Ovsiew, NHS director of bands. “If we do the same this week, we will be in great shape for states.”

Each week, the band and guard add new elements to its show, “Everest,” including intricate body movements, increasingly difficult flag, rifle, and saber tosses and stunning visual elements. Onlookers were surprised and delighted at the end of Saturday’s performance as guard members unfurled yards of brightly colored flags, scaled the set pieces representing clouds and Mount Everest, and signified triumph at the end of a laborious ascent.