To the Editor:

Once a year, all of the jazz bands in the Newtown Schools come together to hold the Newtown Night of Jazz.

This year, it will be held on Thursday, May 7, at 7:00pm in the Newtown High School auditorium.  This is a wonderful showcase of the musical talent in our community, and it's a great way to see the outstanding caliber of each of the four ensembles.  What makes it even more enjoyable is the format of the performances, with each of the groups playing in turn, from the 5-6 level, to the 7-8 level, to the two high school bands, and back around again.

Recently, the middle school and high school bands competed in the Clark Terry Jazz Festival at the University of New Hampshire, where the High School Gold Band received one of two Outstanding Band Awards, and the High School Blue Band and the Middle School bands each received Honorable Mention Awards in their respective categories.

This year will be the seventh year that I have attended the program, and many of the parents I have spoken with who have attended this event tell me it's one of their favorite performances of the year. I couldn't agree more, and I consider this one of the “hidden in plain sight” jewels of the community.  As a result, I encourage anyone with an interest in a most enjoyable evening to attend the Newtown Night of Jazz on May 7 at 7 pm at the High School!

Scott Reiss

President, Newtown High School Band Parents Corporation

42 Obtuse Road, Newtown              April 29, 2015