The Newtown High School Marching Band & Guard is set to kick off its 2017-18 season at Bethel High School on Saturday, September 9, with its show, Dystopia. The show is based on 1984, George Orwell's dystopian novel.

Band director Kurt Eckhardt characterized the show as "well-integrated. It takes the theme and develops it consistently utilizing music and drill." He added that the show incorporates a computer software program that manipulates sounds played by the band's electronic keyboards.

Other highlights of the upcoming Marching Band & Guard season include the 21st Annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival on Saturday, September 30, from 6 pm to 9:30 pm, followed by the 9th Annual 100-Family Tag Sale on Saturday, October 21, from 9 am to 2 pm.