Black Knights Marching Band

This Saturday, March 15th at Naugatuck High School, the Stamford Winter Percussion performed their energetic, newly Open Class, show "Teenage Wasteland."

Finishing 2nd in Open Class, with a score of 88.50, SHS continues to move forward with musical excellence and bringing those scores up. Stamford Winter Percussion competes again at the Coatesville, PA WGI Regional on Saturday, March 29th.

Check out the Pictures!

The Stamford Jazz Ensemble competed against ten other bands at the 16th Annual Norwalk High School Jazz Festival tonight.

To the students' surprise and delight, SHS took 1st Place, earning their first trophy this season.

Today at Bunnell High School, Stamford Winter Percussion performed at the WGI Stratford Regional, the first of the season. Placed first in PSA Class, SHS scored 93.20, outscoring the second place group by enough points to be bumped into Open Class. In PSO Finals, Stamford competed against King Philip Regional and Trumbull High Schools, and came in 2nd place with a net score of 88.30. This marks a great point of achievement for Stamford Winter Percussion, setting the bar for excellence high, and giving other Open Class ensembles a run for their money. Stamford's next performance is a MAC competition at Naugatuck High School, on Saturday March 15.

Check out the pictures!

This weekend, Stamford Winter Percussion had their debut performance in the MAC circuit, at the Shelton Intermediate School. The ensemble moved up from A Class to Open Class this year, facing competition from Trumbull High School. The 2008 show is entitled "Teenage Wasteland," and is a set of three arrangements of songs by The Who, including "Who Are You?", "Behind Blue Eyes," and "Baba O'Riley."

On Friday, February 29, Brien McMahon High School celebrated Leap Day with their annual Jazz Festival, adjudicated by local professional musicians, and visited by schools from around the tri-state area. The Stamford Jazz Ensemble performed two big band charts, "Greensleeves" and "Salt Peanuts," as well as a combo chart: the ballad "Angel Eyes," featuring Matt Van Houten on tenor saxophone, Dan Bishop on bass, Hannah Hoffman on piano and Alex Beltran on drums. The judges ordinarily give out one award per ensemble for an outstanding soloist, but Stamford Jazz received two: one for Matt Van Houten, and one for Michael Galgano (guitar). The band's performance was an improvement upon that at Berklee, and we look forward to unveiling a new tune or two at the next competition on March 14 at Norwalk High School.

Want to see more? Check our the photoset. We also have Audio posted!

The Musical Arts Conference will give out FOUR One-Thousand Dollar Scholarships at winter championships. Any member of a MAC unit (seniors only) that attended championships, as a performer, in the fall or winter qualifies.

For details, please see the MAC Website where you can download a form.

Applications must be postmarked no later than March 15th.

The Stamford Jazz Ensemble returned yesterday from the 40th Annual Berklee High School Jazz Festival. It was a busy weekend, full of great music and talented young people. With bands and show choirs coming from as far as Florida and Colorado, there were many phenomenal young musicians playing, and seeing truly advanced ensembles was motivational and inspiring for everyone. (See Photos!)

Due to budget cuts throughout our school district, the Stamford High Bands have been suffering this year without the funds needed to support their performances. The high quality of musicianship of these groups may be compromised by a lack of funds to provide sheet music, instruments and travel.

In the past, the Stamford bands have received such honors as:
2006 MAC Class III Marching Band, 3rd Place
2007 MAC PSA Winter Percussion, 1st Place
2007 MAC Class III Marching Band, 1st Place
2007 WGI PSA Winter Percussion, National Ranking: 8th place

The Stamford Holiday Balloon Parade of 2007!  The Black Knigts were there to show their stuff and have some fun.

It was a great day.  A chance to get together with friends from the Marching Band season one last time to enjoy and celebrate the fine season just concluded.

Photos are available for those who may have missed it.  Check back for more soon as Winter programs and events are posted.

Originally known as Armistice day and dedicated to the Veterans of World War I, Veteran's day is now a day set aside as "A celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good."

More information about Veteran's Day can be found on the Veteran's Affairs website.