Unfortunately, Southington's Music of the Knight competition has been cancelled due to the predicted inclement weather tomorrow. We would like to thank all of our sponsors who assisted with donations and planning for this event. (updated 10/28 at 2:44 pm)
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On Saturday, October 29, at Southington High School’s Fontana Field, the Southington High School Blue Knights Marching band will present the 19th Annual Music of the Knight. This event is a United States Scholastic Band Association (USSBA) sanctioned marching competition featuring 21 high school bands from across Connecticut and Massachusetts.
“We look forward to these outstanding bands at our show, “said Jeff Shaw, Music Director. “For our students and alums, this may be their favorite Saturday of the Fall Season.”
The event kicks off at 2:00 PM with performances by the Joseph A. DePaolo Middle School band, under the direction of Manny Lopes, and the John F. Kennedy Middle School Band, under the direction of Tim Johnson.
Due to the large number of competing bands, the competition will be divided and there will be two award ceremonies. All of the “Class A” bands will compete first, followed by an exhibition by the Central Connecticut State University Marching Band and the “Class A” award ceremony. After an intermission, the “Open Class” bands, which are more competitive, will perform.
Within each class, bands from six different size categories, based on the number of performers, will compete for awards including placement trophies in each class, caption trophies (Best Color Guard, Best Marching, Best Percussion, Best Music, Best Overall Effect), and “Grand Champion.”
The Award Winning Southington Blue Knights Marching Band under the direction of Jeff Shaw and Sara Ossias will perform an exhibition of their 2011 Show, “Voodoo” by Key Poulan. In keeping with tradition, SHS Band Alumni will lead the Blue Knights onto the field for their performance.
The evening will conclude with a performance by The University of Connecticut Marching Band and the “Open Class” award ceremony.
Local bands attending include Maloney, Lyman Hall, Sheehan, Cheshire, East Haven, Norwich Free Academy, Wethersfield High School, Enrico Fermi High School, The Gilbert School, East Lyme, New London, Montville, Middletown, Rocky Hill, Newington, Manchester, and Bristol Central High Schools.
Allan Camp, the morning DJ from radio station lite 100.5 WRCH, will be the announcer.
Music of the Knight has been designated a “Gold Event” by the USSBA and is one of the largest and most well-attended high school band competition in New England. It is the band’s major fund-raiser of the season and, with the assistance of many sponsors in the community, the band relies on this event to raise about 50% of its operating budget.
Tickets are available at the door the day of the event: General Admission, $8.00; Seniors & Students, $5.00; Southington Marching Band Alumni wearing their band jacket, will be admitted for FREE.
Parking will be available at Southington High School, 720 Pleasant Street with additional parking and shuttle service available from DePaolo Middle School and The Calendar House (both located on Pleasant St.)
For more information, visit the Blue Knights Marching Band website at www.shsbands.com, Facebook at www.facebook.com/shsbands or contact the Southington High School music department at (860) 628-3229 ext. 250. The final performance schedule will be posted earlier in the week by the USSBA at http://trigonroad.com/yea/eventInfo.cfm?id=273.
