NHS Band & Guard
Week of November 9, 2020
A Note from Mr. Eckhardt...
Great performance yesterday, our last day together! It was a beautiful day in so many ways! I thank each and every one of you for making this perhaps the most memorable season ever.
Now for Nationals. Congratulations, out of 13 bands you received the Bronze medal once again, winning the Best Music caption. Guard and Percussion were ranked #2!
Again, I could not find a way to attach the recap, but I sent students and staff an email with it attached.
I would have loved to have you all rewarded with a 1st place finish, but competitions are only part of the story. The more important part is if you had fun, made friends, learned about teamwork, achieved excellence, built more self confidence and became a more skilled performer. Those are such valuable things to carry you into your future.
I love you all!
A Note from Laura Taylor...
Dear NHS Band and Guard Students and Families,
This season has been memorable and we are thankful for having had a fall season amidst the pandemic. The perseverance and dedication shown by the students and staff is commendable and the commitment from band and guard families made it all come together.
Unfortunately the microphone broke just as we got started Saturday, we know for some of you it was difficult to hear what was said on the field. Please see the recap below.
Kurt Eckhardt presented 7th-11th graders certificates and pins (some grades received certificates and other received pins). The band and guard students shared Senior Superlatives and Section Awards, something we typically do at our banquet. Families, please ask your children about the awards, each section did a really nice job of honoring the seniors and others.
We sent a shout out to all parents and families for their help this year. Volunteers are key to the success of our program. There are so many people who contribute their time and we appreciate you.
We also thanked senior parents who led committees while in the program. In their leadership roles, these individuals made significant contributions to the band and guard program. Taking on a leadership role is a very special gift of your time and talents and we thank you.
We honored Pia and DJ Ledina with a new NHSBPC Volunteer Award in recognition of all they have done for the program over the last six years. Pia and DJ were very active on the NHSBPC Board for three years and have been regular fixtures supporting the pit crew. The Ledinas were instrumental in establishing our Parent Portal and had leadership roles as Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, and Winter Extravaganza Chair among other contributions.
The Pit Crew, a vital part of the parent effort to support the band and guard, led by Pit Crew Chief Andrew Paley, presented awards as well:
Rookie of the Year - Jon Miller
Heavy Lifter Award - Charlie Calderbank
Outstanding Pit Crew Member Award: Bob Fossum
Turning to some additional recognition, there is a dedicated group of individuals we would like to thank who have worked with our children for several months, some of whom started meeting virtually with students back in the spring. Please join us in giving the NHS Band and Guard Staff and Instructors a BIG THANK YOU for all of their hard work. Band Director, Kurt Eckhardt, has been the backbone of this program for many years. When faced with the challenges presented due to COVID-19, Kurt repeatedly sought out solutions that would enable the program to continue this fall. Kurt and his team have inspired our children to learn and grow this season. Several staff members travel over an hour to teach our children and do this because of their love of music, respect for the program, and devotion to the band and guard members. Below is a list of staff members. Some of the staff worked with us during band camp, some do the behind the scenes work on the drill, and others have been with the students week after week.
Kurt Eckhardt - Band Director
Tyler Campbell
Chris Carley
Anthony D'Andrea
Max Dragone
Evan Glickman
Allyson Klubek
Connor Kovatch
Grace McKinley
David Romano
Gabe Stewart
Bryson Teel
Kevin Thompson
Becca Tobin
Taylor Anne Turechek
Adam Twombly
Tim White
Finally, I would like to thank the NHSBPC Board; Melissa Christenson, Betsy Krauss, Dan Krauss, and Bonnie Voegeli for their leadership and continuing efforts to keep us on course and make the best of the band and guard experience, especially this fall. I appreciate them and I am fortunate to work along side of them in support of the program.
We hope to transition to winter season with Winter Percussion and Winter Guard, starting in December, with parent meetings in late November. We are waiting on word from administration on the plan and timing. If a fall band and guard member is interested in the winter program, please reach out to Grace McKinley (gracemmckinley@gmail.com) for guard and Ricky Grasso (rrgrasso@gmail.com) for winter percussion.
Pie Pick up is Wednesday, November 18th at NHS Main Cafe. We are also doing a food drive for the Faith Food Pantry. Please bring nonperishable food items when you come to pick up your pies. Even if you didn't sell pies, PLEASE stop by with your nonperishable food donations between 5:00-7:00 pm.
Our next Band Parent meeting is Wednesday, December 16th at 7:30. We will share the virtual Google Meets meeting link closer to the meeting date.
We hope you have a safe and healthy Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Laura Taylor
Acting NHSBPC President
Dress Uniform Return
- If you are a senior or a sibling of a senior and you have not yet returned your dress uniform, please do so ASAP.
- A rack will be placed in the band room for you to drop off your uniform.
- If you are in Cohort D, please contact info@nhsbandguard.com to make arrangements for drop off.
Pie Pick-ups and Food Drive
- Pies will be available to pick-up on Thursday 11/18 from 5:00 to 7:00 pm in the old cafeteria at NHS.
- We will be taking collections for a food drive to support Newtown's Faith Food Pantry during pie pick-up.
- This food drive is for everyone - whether or not you are picking up a pie. Please make an effort to contribute to this important community service project.
- If you are able to volunteer to help with pie distribution and collecting for the food drive, please email Shannon Mulligan at shannonmulligan@aol.com.
Looking Ahead to Winter Programs.....
- Plans have been submitted for both Winter Percussion and Winter Guard programs.
- We are awaiting direction from the School administration and Health Department for next steps.
- We know that WGI World Championships will not be held in person.
- We will share information about MAC's plans for the season as soon as they are available.
- For Winter Percussion, Ricky Grasso set up Newtown High School Open Winter Percussion Interest Group 2021 on FaceBook. You can join this group without prior experience on a particular percussion instrument. Please reach out with any questions.
Heads Up, Calendars Out
- November 18-5:00-7:00: Pie Order Pick-up and Food Drive at NHS Main Cafe lot
- November 23: TENTATIVE: Winter Percussion Parent and Student interest meeting
- December 16-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- January 20-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- February 24-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- March 17-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- April 21-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- May 19-7:30-8:45: Band and Guard Parent Meeting
- June 2-6:00-8:30: Band and Guard Orientation for students and parents
- June 5: Mattress Sale
- June 5: I Scream for Jazz
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... And, feel free to contact staff, your parent buddy, or any NHSBPC board member below:
- Betsy Krauss, Vice President: 203-297-2462 (c)
- Melissa Christenson, Treasurer: 303-304-0697 (c)
- Dan Krauss, Recording Secretary: 203-364-6022 (c)
- Bonnie Voegeli, Corresponding Secretary: 203-470-2321 (c)
Email: info@nhsbandguard.com
Website: http://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/