NHS Band & Guard
Summer/Fall Preview: May 25, 2021
Fall Season Kick-Off and New Member Welcome!
All are invited! Bring a friend who is thinking about joining our amazing program!
- Monday, June 7
- 7:00 PM (arrive at 6:45)
- In-person in the NHS Auditorium
NHS Band and Guard Summer 2021 Schedule!
- The following represents our most up-to-date plans. Several fall dates are still tentative. We will need to continue to confirm events with the school administration as appropriate. If adjustments are needed, we will let everyone know as soon as possible.
- The NHS Marching Band and Guard Google Calendar has been updated with the summer rehearsal schedule and preliminary events. We highly recommend that you add the Band and Guard Google calendar to your own calendar by clicking here.
- We also recommend joining the private Band & Guard FB page (Newtown High School Band) and bookmarking the NHS Band & Guard website.
- Join the Fall "Remind" group (parents only, please): Text "@nhsbgf" to 81010. This is only used for sharing of time sensitive information.
Guard Spring and Summer Schedule
Spin Days in the Park:
May 26th ~ 5:30 to 7:30 at Dickinson Park ~ This session is for NEW and returning members!! Returning members will help anyone new learn about the program and try out some of our basics while continuing to practice for the fall season
June 16th ~ 5:30 to 7:30 at Dickinson Park ~ This session is for NEW and returning members!! Returning members will help anyone new learn about the program and try out some of our basics while continuing to practice for the fall season
Summer Practices:
Starting the first week of July and running through the entire month
Practice will be every Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:00 at Newtown High School
These practices are optional since we know families have vacations however they are highly encouraged since it will prepare and condition guard members for the fall season
Starting the first week of August and going till Band Camp
Practice will be every Monday & Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:00 at Newtown High School
These practices are optional since we know families have vacations however they are highly encouraged since it will prepare and condition guard members for the fall season especially with Band Camp so close
- JULY: Wednesdays 5:30-8:00: July 7, 14, 21, 28, & August 2, 9
- AUGUST: Mondays and Wednesdays 5:30-8:00 first two weeks – August 2, 4, 9, 11
Percussion Spring and Summer Schedule
(For our new members, we want to clarify that percussion comprises two groups: the battery (individual drummers who march on the field while playing) and the front ensemble (stationary percussion instruments which are played at the front of the field throughout the performance).
JUNE 2 AUDITIONS:
- 6:00pm Battery individual auditions (by sign-up)
- 8:00pm Battery group audition/rehearsal
- Front Ensemble will audition for placements as a group the entire evening.
- The battery audition sign-up sheet will be posted in the Facebook group (2021 Newtown Fall Percussion Interest Group) and can also be emailed to any prospective member who is not in the group.
PERCUSSION EARLY SUMMER: June 2nd to July 7th
- Wednesdays, 6:00-9:00 pm
- June 2, 9, 16, 23, 30; July 7
PERCUSSION MID SUMMER: July 12th to August 11
- Mondays and Wednesdays, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Summer Sectionals and Full Band Schedule
NOTE: Arrival is 15 minutes before start, i.e. 8:00 AM start is 7:45 AM arrival
SUMMER SECTIONALS - FULL BAND AND GUARD: Starting July 7th.
(not mandatory, but please attend if you are in town)
Monday (sectionals)
- Brass: 5:00 to 8:00 pm - July 12, 26 & August 9
- Woodwinds: 5:00 to 8:00 pm - July 19 & August 2
- Guard: 5:30 to 8:00 pm - July 12, 19, 26 & August 2, 9
- Drumline and Pit: 6:00 to 8:30 pm - July 12, 19, 26 & August 2, 9
Wednesday - July 7, 14, 21, 28 & August 4, 11
- Brass and Woodwinds: 5:00 to 8:00 pm
- Guard: 5:30 to 8:00 pm
- Percussion: July 7- 6:00 to 9:00 pm; All other dates, 6:00 to 8:30 pm
Band Camp and Other Events
SUMMER BAND CAMP
- Week 1: August 16-20*, Week 2: August 23-27
- 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
- 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm
- *no evening rehearsal on the night of Cosmic Bowling, approval for bowling will be needed with school and health department
OTHER SUMMER EVENTS
- Cosmic Bowling/Greg Chion Scholarship Fundraiser August 20 Brookfield Lanes, 6-9 pm
- Uniform Fitting TBD
- Friday Night Under the Lights- August 27 @ 7:30pm
What Should I Bring to Rehearsals?
- ALWAYS BRING PLENTY OF WATER! We recommend gallon-sized jugs of water (labeled with name) and remember there is absolutely no sharing of water.
- Instrument or Guard equipment.
- Show music.
- Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
- Sneakers/shoes suitable for marching - No flip flops!
- A pencil or two.
- Always notify the Band Director, staff, and your section leader of absences.
Congratulations!
Matt Calorossi and Cooper Agresta - Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Hayden Fletcher and Mj Taylor - John Philip Souza Award
Mr. Kurt Eckhardt was also honored and congratulated on his upcoming retirement. Save the date of June 26 from 4:00 to 7:00 at the Treadwell Park Pavilion for a special celebration for Mr. Eckhardt. More details to follow!
Heads Up, Calendars Out
- Monday, May 24-7:00 pm: Wind Ensemble Concert, NHS Auditorium
- May 26, 5:30-7:30: Spin Day in the Park
- Thursday, June 3 - 7:00 pm: Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble Concert, NHS Auditorium
- Monday, June 7-7:00 pm: Fall season kick-off and new member welcome, NHS Auditorium
- June 16, 5:30-7:30 pm: Spin Day in the Park
- June 26, 4:00-7:00 pm: Celebration for Mr. Eckhardt at Treadwell Park Pavilion
- August 16-20: Band Camp, Week 1
- August 20, 6-9 pm: Cosmic Bowling
- August 23-27: Band Camp, Week 2
- August 27, 7:30 pm: Friday Night Under the Lights
- August 30: Fall Rehearsal Schedule Begins
- September 6: Labor Day Parade
- September 11: Mini Band Camp and Mini Band Camp Family Picnic
- September 11: US Bands at Bethel
- September 18: US Bands at Danbury
- September 19: Newtown Arts Festival (TENTATIVE)
- September 24 5:30-9:00 pm: Junk in Your Trunk (TENTATIVE)
- September 25 9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Tag Sale (TENTATIVE)
- September 25: US Bands at New Milford
- September 27-October 18: Pie Sale with delivery 11/15 or 11/16
- October 2: Fall Trip to Yamaha Cup, Met Life Stadium (TENTATIVE)
- October 9: US Bands at Norwalk
- October 16: GRASSO HOME SHOW
- October 23: US Bands at Bunnell, Robert E Fitch, or Southington
- 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
Have a Question?
There's always an answer... And, feel free to contact staff, your parent buddy, or any NHSBPC board member below:
- 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/