NHS Band & Guard
October 18, 2021
The 25th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Festival was a huge success. THANK YOU to every single one of the more than 100 volunteers who pitched in to make this all happen. We could not have done this without each and every one of YOU! Thank you to the students, siblings, parents, grandparents, staff, and the many alumni who all worked together. There were so many twists and turns with rescheduling due to weather (but did you see those sheets of rain at 6:30 pm?!) It ended up being a beautiful day filled with a lifetime of memories. Congratulations to all of our seniors who were celebrated! An extra special thank you goes out to Laura Taylor and Dawn Roman-Weide (Grasso Leads), and to Scott Reiss and Michelle Buzzi (Grasso alumni advisors).
A Note from Your Grasso Co-Chairs...
"Thank you to the NHS Band and Guard family - both current and alumni. Our Grasso Festival was a resounding success, everyone came together and rose to the challenges thrown our way due to the weather. It was a wonderful day thanks to your support. Special shout out to our committee leads, our announcer, our volunteers, our alumni advisors, our sponsors, our key suppliers, Boy Scout Troop 270, the NHS Singers, Aaron Ovsiew, Chris Carley and the staff, and of course Dianna Pategas and the NHSBPC Board. It takes many people to make an event like this come together. The NHS Band and Guard family ALWAYS rises to the occasion. We are also so fortunate to have a great support system at NHS, starting with Dr. Longobucco and continuing with the music department, custodial services, security, and culinary. The Custodial team told us today that "our group is always amazing with its kindness and help to the custodians." Finally, our event team from US Bands praised Newtown's hospitality before leaving campus on Saturday. Take a breath and get ready for the rest of the season!"
--Dawn Roman-Weide and Laura Taylor
Thank you to Jon Miller for these great photos! More photos available on the Band and Guard Facebook Page.
Peek at the Week for 10/18/2021
Monday 10/18:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Full Band and Guard Rehearsal
- 7:45 pm - 8:45 pm: BAND AND GUARD PARENT MEETING, NHS Library (see details below)
- PIE ORDER FORMS ARE DUE!
Wednesday 10/20:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Full Band and Guard Rehearsal
Thursday 10/21:
- 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm (5:45 arrival): Sectionals: Drumline, Front Ensemble, Guard, and Brass.
Friday 10/22:
- 5:15 Home Football Game vs. Cheshire
Saturday 10/23: USBands at Bunnell (See full itinerary below.)
- 9:00 am (8:45 am arrival)
Friday, 10/22 Home Football Game vs. Cheshire
5:15 PM:
Winds and Drumline arrive in band room with uniform jacket in garment bag.
Arrive wearing:
- Old show shirt or black t-shirt
- Uniform bottoms with running/basketball shorts underneath
- LONG black socks
- Marching Shoes
- Wear layers (dark colors only) to keep you warm in the stands.
- Bring uniform jacket in garment bag
5:30 PM: Music warmup and rehearsal.
6:15 PM:
Front Ensemble arrives at school to setup for warmup.Arrive wearing:
- Old show shirt or black t-shirt
- Uniform bottoms with running/basketball shorts underneath
- LONG black socks
- Marching Shoes
Wear layers (dark colors only) to keep you warm in the stands.
- Bring uniform jacket in garment bag
6:30 PM: Winds and Drumline put on uniform jacket and make block in bus lane.
6:30 PM: Front Ensemble moves into band room for setup for warmup
6:35 PM:
- Winds and Drumline step off for stadium
- Front Ensemble indoor warmup
6:45 PM: Colorguard arrives for pregame warmup
7:00 PM: KICKOFF
- Front Ensemble changes into full uniforms and moves to the track.
HALFTIME: Performance of Show
After Halftime:
- Return to school
- Pack up band room for Saturday rehearsal.
~9:30 PM: Dismissal
FOOTBALL PIT CREW SIGN-UP - CLICK HERE:
Saturday, 10/23: USBands at Bunnell
9:00 am - 12:00 pm (8:45 am arrival): Full Ensemble Rehearsal
- Location: NHS Back Field
- Drumline and Winds should bring instruments to the field in cases.
- Pit bring everything you need to load the truck.
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm: Break
- Students my go home or remain at NHS
- Return with hair up and wearing uniform pants, LONG black socks, marching shoes, and Everest show shirt by 1:30
1:45 pm: Load buses.
2:00 pm: Depart for Bunnell High School
- 1 Bulldog Boulevard, Stratford, CT 06614
2:45 pm: Arrive at Bunnell High School
4:45 pm*: PERFORMANCE
7:00 pm*: Awards
8:00 pm*: Depart for NHS
Students should call or text parents/guardians upon departure.
*Times are approximate and subject to change.
PIT CREW NEEDED FOR BUNNELL!
NHS BPC Parent Meeting: MONDAY 10/18
Parents, please make every effort to come to our parent meeting on Monday night to hear important information as we head into the last few weeks of our amazing season! Here are all the details:
When: Monday, October 18 from 7:45 pm to 8:45 pm.
Where: NHS Library
Agenda items will include:
- Hot wash of Grasso Festival
- Memorial Day Parade
- Disney Field Trip
- Nationals Tailgate
- Banquet
- Football Followup
- Fundraising/Pies
Other Reminders/Updates
- PIE ORDER FORMS ARE DUE! Please place them in the Blue Band Box or bring them to the parent meeting Monday night.
- ALL FALL BALANCES ARE DUE IMMEDIATELY! Please check the portal for your balance and to pay. If you have questions, please email info@nhsbandguard.com. If circumstances make paying your balance difficult at this time, please contact dianna.pategas@gmail.com for a confidential discussion regarding your student's account.
- Start planning for Nationals on November 6! We have a parent bus and tailgate planned. Stay tuned for info on buying seats on the bus, getting discounted show tickets, and enjoying a fantastic catered tailgate!
- SAVE THE DATE! Year-End Banquet for Fall Band & Guard is on Monday, Nov. 8 @ the Newtown Community Center. Doors open at 5:30p. Dinner at 6p. Program at 7p. Band & Guard members are free (if fall fee has been paid). Additional guests are $20. Children under 10 are free. Online registration available soon.
- (See below for important details and reminders about the Memorial Day Parade trip and the Disney filming field trip.)
(Come to the 10/18 parent meeting to hear about these topics in person and ask questions.)
National Memorial Day Parade! FORMS DUE BY 10/20!
Below are the links to register for our Memorial Day Parade trip. Information on this amazing opportunity was sent in last week's Smore and Mr. Ovsiew's and Ms. Hiscavich's full letter can be found in the attachment section below. Please remember to complete these forms by 10/20.
- Students interested in going on the trip should complete the Band and Guard Memorial Day Parade Student Commitment Form on Google Forms. As stated in the form, students should submit their $100 deposit by 10/20. (You may bring this check to the parent meeting Monday night to assist with making this deposit.)
- Parents interested in going on the trip should complete the Band and Guard Memorial Day Parade Parent Form on Google Forms. No parents should submit money until notified by the NHSBPC.
Disney Movie Trip - FORMS DUE BY 10/22!
If you would like to go, read the attached itinerary for more information and complete this permission slip by this Friday, October 22nd. NOTE: No video release forms will be required by Disney.
By 4:25 pm:
- Arrive in NHS Band Room wearing black or old band show shirt, windbreaker, uniform bottoms, marching shoes, and long black socks.
- Colorguard may wear show shirt, leggings, windbreakers, and guard shoes. (Discuss as a team)
- If you are cold and want to wear a hat, it must be NHS Bad and Guard or black/dark blue.
- Food may be available for purchase, but students should bring dinner with them.
- Load buses upon arrival to school.
4:45 pm: Depart for Bunnell High School
5:30 pm:
- Arrive at Bunnell High School
- Watch Disney filming
- Students will be chaperoned by Band staff members.
Approx 9:00 pm*:
- Depart for NHS
- Students should call/text parents/guardians upon departure
9:45 pm*: Arrive at NHS for dismissal.
*Times are approximate and subject to change.
Important Reminder about Absences
Emails:
Mr. Ovsiew: Ovsiewa@newtown.k12.ct.us
Mr. Carley: CarleyC@newtown.k12.ct.us
Tyler: tcamp392@gmail.com
Grace: gracemmckinley@gmail.com
Heads Up, Calendars Out
- October 18, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- October 22: Friday night home football game
- October 23: US Bands at Bunnell
- October 27: Trunk or Treat after rehearsal
- October 30: New England States
- November 6: National Championships at Met Life Stadium
- November 8: Band and Guard Banquet
- November 12: Friday night home football game
- November 15: Pie Delivery/Pick-up
- November 15, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- December 20, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- January 24, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- February 28, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- March 21, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- April 18, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- May 16, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
- May 28 - May 31: National Memorial Day Parade Trip
- June 20, 7:45-8:45 pm: Parent meeting at NHS
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... And, feel free to contact staff, your parent buddy, or any NHSBPC board member below:
- President: Dianna Pategas - 203-820-0407
- Vice President: Susan White - 203-470-7940
- Interim Treasurer: DJ Ledina - 203-240-6966
- Recording Secretary: Alenda Calderbank - 203-788-5444
- Corresponding Secretary: Bonnie Voegeli - 203-470-2321
Email: info@nhsbandguard.com
Website: http://newtownbandandguard.weebly.com/