Marching Band Prepares To Take The ‘Night Train’

By Larissa Lytwyn

Though the 2004-05 school year does not begin until August 31, Newtown High School was bustling with students well over a week before opening day.

In addition to freshman orientation, the week of August 23 through August 27 marked the Nighthawk Marching Band’s intensive “Band Camp.”

“Over the summer we rehearse twice a week,” explained Drum Major Alicia Rogers, a rising senior at NHS who has been involved in band since fifth grade. “But every year in late August we have our Band Camp, where we rehearse 8 am to noon and then 6 to 9 pm Monday through Friday.”

The marching band, comprised of 100 musicians and 19 color guard, has received a number of accolades in recent years.

The group placed first in the New York City St Patrick’s Day parade in 1999, 2002, and 2003. In 2001, they placed as finalists in the national Band of America competition. At the annual Virginia Beach competition, the band received a Superior rating distinction in 2002 and an Excellent rating in 2003.

On a recent summer morning, the band was deeply entrenched in rehearsals for this fall’s program, “Night Train.”

“The ‘Night Train’ theme involves a train racing across the United States,” said Alicia.

The music is sharp and dramatic, easily conjuring images of an old-fashioned locomotive surging through the night.

Alicia has played clarinet since her middle school years, serving as drum major for the past two years.

Sara Davis, also a rising senior at NHS, is the band’s other drum major.

During one recent rehearsal, director Kurt Eckhardt had the band rates its performance in terms of tone, intonation, time, dynamics, and technique.

The band agreed that it needed to improve its timing.

“How do we do that?” Mr Eckhardt asked the students. “How do you think we could improve?”

Two students offered the same suggestion: increasing the tempo to improve timing. The band sharpened the beat as it launched into the number anew.

Mr Eckhardt was pleased.

Meanwhile, outside the music room, across the parking lot, the color guard was busily engaged in its interpretation of the fall program.

Over a quick lunch break, Amanda Krause, a sophomore at NHS, explained why she enjoyed color guard.

“It’s fun,” she said simply, “and a good way to meet people.”

Amanda began participating in color guard when she was in seventh grade through the encouragement of her older sister, as well as a cousin in Norwalk.

“It’s the only sport I’m good at!” she laughed.

Katie Aiello, a freshman, said she’s confident that her involvement in color guard will help her transition to NHS go more smoothly.

“It’s nice to know upper classmen,” she said. “It makes [adjusting] a lot easier.”

Though also a freshman, Kristin Fetchick is not a newcomer to color guard. “This is my second year involved in the fall Color Guard,” she said. “I’ve been involved in winter guard [the color guard’s winter program] since I was in sixth grade.”

Kristin said she appreciated the sense of community she’s found in color guard.

Katie said it was Kristin who had inspired to become involved.

“I’m glad I did,” Katie said.

The marching band’s first competition of the 2004-05 school year will be September 11 at Danbury High School.

The band will also be featured during Newtown’s annual Labor Day Parade on September 6.