Date: Fri 22-Nov-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: DOTTIE

Quick Words:

NHS-band-competition

Full Text:

NHS Marching Band Finishes Well In Competitions

B Y D OROTHY E VANS

The 1996 competition season may have ended last weekend for members of the

Newtown High School Marching Band and Color Guard, but the memories of a job

well done and rising scores in each of six area competitions, will linger on.

"As the weather gets colder, it gets harder and harder to be outside and play.

Not just for the performers but also because the instruments don't work or

sound as well in the cold," said parent and band publicity chairman JoAnn

DiDonato Monday.

The Newtown band and color guard, directed by Jack Zamary, finished

competitions Saturday night, with the annual Eastern Marching Bands

Association (EMBA) Championships in West Haven. Newtown scored 90.3 points on

a scale of 100, which was, Mrs DiDonato said, "a real achievement."

"They came to rehearsal at 11 am Saturday, played at the Newtown football game

Saturday afternoon and then had to climb on the bus and travel to West Haven

for the EMBA competition. Some of the kids didn't get home until 1 or 2 am,"

she said.

The band's rising scores through each competition reflect the hard work of the

band and color guard members, according to Mrs DiDonato.

The competitions that Newtown attended, and their respective scores at each

event, were as follows: Norwich Free Academy (77.50), Shelton Musical

Extravaganza (82.20), Rockville Festival of Bands (a Five Star Superior

rating), Danbury Jamboree (86.75), Norwalk Cavalcade of Bands (90.45) and EMBA

Championships (90.3).

The Five Star Superior rating at Rockville was particularly satisfying, Mrs

DiDonato said, because it recognized excellence in all areas of band

performance: percussion, woodwinds, brass, color guard and music selection.

Although the competitions are over, there are many fund-raising events planned

to support the band's upcoming trip to Orlando, Fla. December 27 through

January 1, 1997.

The Newtown Band and Color Guard has been asked to march and perform during

the Citrus Bowl Parade on December 28.

"We hear it will be televised," Mrs DiDonato said, though she wasn't sure yet

of the exact time.

To raise money for that trip, band members will be sponsoring a wreath sale

(call Marge Studley at 426-3651 to order) and a bottle drive every second

Saturday at the corner of Church Hill Road and Queen Street.

"It's not too late to order a wreath, and bottle donations are greatly

appreciated," Mrs DiDonato said.

The band will continue to play during halftime for Newtown High football

games, including the upcoming SWC championship title game against Masuk High

School that is scheduled to take place at Bethel High stadium, the night of

November 22.