The Newtown High School Marching Band and Guard competed in its first show of the 2018 season on Saturday, September 9, at Bethel High School. The 90-member ensemble came in first place with a score of 80.525 in the Class IV Open division.

The 2018 show, titled “The Climb,” focuses on the battle of believing in oneself. The overall message is that wherever someone is in life, if they keep climbing and keep believing, they will be successful. The group is led by Band Director Kurt Eckhardt, Assistant Band Director Chris Carley, Visual Caption Ricky Grasso, and more than a dozen other staff members.

This weekend, the marching band and guard will perform at the Blue & Gold Stadium on Friday, September 14, during the halftime show of the NHS versus Cheshire football game. The marching band and guard will then compete on Saturday, September 15, at the USBands competition at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk. On Sunday, September 16, the group will perform at the Newtown Arts Festival at Fairfield Hills.

The Newtown Band and Guard is accepting donations for its upcoming 100 Family Tag Sale. To donate items for the annual fundraiser, attend the Junk in the Trunk Night on Friday, September 21 from 6 pm to 8:45 pm, to unload donations at NHS, 12 Berkshire Road. Donations will be accepted outside of the school’s main cafeteria. No mattresses or pillows will be accepted. The Annual 100 Family Tag Sale will take place the following day on Saturday, September 22, from 9 am to 2 pm, at the NHS cafeteria and patio, rain or shine.

The Marching Band and Guard also recently announced its annual Joseph P. Grasso Marching Band Festival home show is set for the evening of Saturday, September 29, with doors opening at 5 pm.

For more information about NHS Marching Band & Guard and its events go to newtownbandandguard.weebly.com.