Award Winning East Haven-North Branford School Band Recognized

The students and staff of the East Haven High School Co-op Marching Band earlier this won back-to-back USBAnds titles and at the most recent Board of Education meeting the school board took action to make sure the 58 members of the team were recognized for that feat.

The board voted to spend $4,180 to purchase plaques, sweatshirts and T-shirts for each of the members of the combined East Haven and North Branford student band.

Because the amount to be spent is over $4,000 School Superintendent Erica Forti said three quotes are required to be sought for awards. She estimated the cost would boil down to $84 per student.

The board approved the expenditure as long as the bottom line cost did not exceed $100 per student.

On October 31st, 2018, the students and staff of the East Haven High School Co-op Marching Band became the 2018 Connecticut and New England State Champions with a score of 92.913. This means back-to-back Championship wins for the Co-op Marching Band, earning the same USBands titles in 2017!

The championship win marks an end to an incredible season, after winning first place at all six regular season competitions (Sheehan HS, Norwich Free Academy, Lyman Hall, Rockville HS, and Fitch HS). The Co-op also earned all caption awards at each regular season competition, earning merits in categories such as Best Music, Best Visual, Best Overall Effect, Best Color Guard, and Best Percussion.

The Co-op Marching Band made history during the Fitch HS competition, earning a regular season record-breaking score of 90.675. However, the band did not stop there, taking the 2018 CT and New England Titles with a 92.913, the top scoring IIA Band in the country that day.

The Marching Band has existed since around 1999. The Co-op was established in 2015, bringing students from North Branford and East Haven together to compete in the USBands circuit. Along with 50 students as winds, drumline, pit, and color guard, the Co-op Staff consists of many dedicated music educators, musicians, and drum corps alumni: Matt Laudano (EHHS Band Director), Katie Trainer (NBHS Band Director), Tyler Miller, Matt Johnson, Sean Griffin, Mary-Ann Bucci, Ted Furman, and Bob Frew.

The East Haven High School Co-op Marching Band's 2018 field show was entitled, The Fallen. The show depicted figures fallen from grace and the resulting battle between dark and light forces. The dramatic show theme reflected well in the band's performance, as they celebrate the end of a perfect season as repeat Connecticut and New England Champions.