NHS Named Best State Band, Best Guard In Nation

In a field of 52 of the best marching bands in the country, the Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard received the highest score of any Connecticut high school band competing at any level, and the Color Guard was named “Best Guard” in the nation for Class VI Open, at the Saturday, November 10, USBands National Championships, held at Met Life Stadium in New Jersey.

Despite having to compete at the Class VI Open level due to scheduling conflicts (a level higher than the band’s size would require), Newtown scored an impressive 95.538, just 1.75 behind the first place winner Wagner High School from San Antonio, Texas.

“That was the best you ever played,” said an enthusiastic Kurt Eckhardt, Newtown’s band director, to the 121 members of Newtown’s band, who had won the state title the week earlier at the New England Championships. “This band is one of the very best I have ever had the pleasure to work with.”

The Color Guard staff were equally elated after the win, and is now setting their sights on Winter Guard, with practices beginning the week of November 19.

On the strength of the most seasoned members of the Newtown Color Guard, Instructor Bob Findley announced he is planning to move the Newtown Varsity Guard up a level from National Scholastic A to Open.

Newtown residents interested in obtaining information on Newtown Winter Guard for Newtown Junior Varsity and Juniors (fifth and sixth grade), or to register, should contact Guard Coordinator Grace Ann Hanulik at 203-733-3153 or nhswinterguard@aol.com