Date: Tue 16-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: STEVEB

Quick Words:

NHS-Band-Citrus-Bowl-Parade

Full Text:

High School Band Selected For Citrus Bowl Parade

The Newtown High School marching band has received yet another bowl bid.

The Indians have been invited to perform in the Citrus Bowl Parade in Orlando,

Florida on December 28, NHS band director Jack Zamary announced earlier this

week.

"It should be a really good experience all the way around for the kids," the

band director said.

Last year, Newtown marched in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena,

California, an eight-mile walk that called for some physical training. Luckily

for the band, the Citrus Bowl Parade is a little over two miles long and

concludes inside the stadium.

The Citrus Bowl football game is actually played on New Year's Day, but the

parade is held a couple days earlier to avoid being overshadowed by the Rose

Bowl gala, the "grand daddy of them all."

Mr Zamary said NHS applied for a spot in the parade last spring. Part of the

application requirement included a videotape, an audio tape, a picture of the

group and a resume, something the Indians were more than happy to turn over.

Afterall, Newtown marched in the Rose Bowl Parade in 1994 and just this past

March, was crowned the grand champion award among 125 other marching bands at

New York City's St Patrick's Day Parade.

Both Trumbull (1980) and Norwalk (1991) were the only other Connecticut bands

to ever perform at the Florida parade.

About 225 band members, staff and chaperones are expected to make the trip. Mr

Zamary is hoping to keep the total cost per traveler under $1,000.