The Bunnell Band was formed when the school was opened in 1961.
Originally; the “Highlanders” Marching Band were organized to perform at the Halftimes of the School’s football games, along with the cheerleaders and the dance squad. There was no “Color Guard” (Flags or Rifles) and the Drumline consisted of snare drummers and a bass drummer and the Band included a Bagpipe section. Membership ranged from 50 members to over 100. The high standards of excellence earned them praise from the school and community.
In the late 1960’s, early 1970’s the School changed their mascot to the Bulldog, and adopted a more contemporary (for the time) approach towards Marching Band, using the latest “Squad” drills and utilizing flags for the first time. The quality of the “Bulldog” Marching Band remained high.
The Late 1970’s brought the band into a new generation of Competitive Marching Band. Drumline consisted of Multi Tenors, Multi Bass Drums and all types of Color Guard implements. The band began to travel and compete outside Connecticut, achieving success that no other CT band had at this point. The band bought it’s second set of uniforms with funds raised by the parents.
1986 the Band was introduced to technology. Electronics, Wireless Instruments, Drum Trigger Pads & Digital Samplers were used over the next 25 years. Our technological approach to the activity has been pioneering and unparalleled, including the design of a wireless percussion pad set up for a student in a wheelchair. The most contemporary marching and musical styles were incorporated and the Bunnell Band started to become a “Household” word in the Marching Band Community. The Indoor Drumline and Colorguard were formed and students were now offered a year round option. In 1988 the Band Parents purchased the current uniforms we have now.
The late 1990’s witnessed the band traveling far and wide across the Nation, performing at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Shea Stadium in NY, the Reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. The Band has appeared on National Television 6 times since 1998, and has garnered many awards, including 3rd place finishes for the Drumline and Guard at the National Marching Band Championships (USSBA) held in Annapolis MD. Membership had grown past 160 members, incorporating students from Bunnell High School and our District Sister School – Stratford High School. In addition, the band has won numerous awards for best music, best visual and overall champions, at every level of competition.
Our greatest pride comes not only from the awards we have won, the students that have developed a life long love of music, or a work ethic and commitment towards excellence that they have transferred into their other activities, but from the extraordinary amount of students who have entered into careers in Music Performance, Music Business and Music Education. From Recording Artists with Capitol Records & Professional Touring Musicians to High School Band Directors & Professors at Major Universities, Bunnell has had a rich tradition of students pursuing music as their life commitment.
We have always been an inclusive activity, allowing everyone who wishes to participate membership. Students with disabilities and beginning musicians have been welcomed. The Band Program offers students who may not wish to participate in competitive sports an opportunity to participate in a co-educational program that is competitive.
Originally; the “Highlanders” Marching Band were organized to perform at the Halftimes of the School’s football games, along with the cheerleaders and the dance squad. There was no “Color Guard” (Flags or Rifles) and the Drumline consisted of snare drummers and a bass drummer and the Band included a Bagpipe section. Membership ranged from 50 members to over 100. The high standards of excellence earned them praise from the school and community.
In the late 1960’s, early 1970’s the School changed their mascot to the Bulldog, and adopted a more contemporary (for the time) approach towards Marching Band, using the latest “Squad” drills and utilizing flags for the first time. The quality of the “Bulldog” Marching Band remained high.
The Late 1970’s brought the band into a new generation of Competitive Marching Band. Drumline consisted of Multi Tenors, Multi Bass Drums and all types of Color Guard implements. The band began to travel and compete outside Connecticut, achieving success that no other CT band had at this point. The band bought it’s second set of uniforms with funds raised by the parents.
1986 the Band was introduced to technology. Electronics, Wireless Instruments, Drum Trigger Pads & Digital Samplers were used over the next 25 years. Our technological approach to the activity has been pioneering and unparalleled, including the design of a wireless percussion pad set up for a student in a wheelchair. The most contemporary marching and musical styles were incorporated and the Bunnell Band started to become a “Household” word in the Marching Band Community. The Indoor Drumline and Colorguard were formed and students were now offered a year round option. In 1988 the Band Parents purchased the current uniforms we have now.
The late 1990’s witnessed the band traveling far and wide across the Nation, performing at the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Shea Stadium in NY, the Reflecting pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, and the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the Tournament of Roses Parade in California. The Band has appeared on National Television 6 times since 1998, and has garnered many awards, including 3rd place finishes for the Drumline and Guard at the National Marching Band Championships (USSBA) held in Annapolis MD. Membership had grown past 160 members, incorporating students from Bunnell High School and our District Sister School – Stratford High School. In addition, the band has won numerous awards for best music, best visual and overall champions, at every level of competition.
Our greatest pride comes not only from the awards we have won, the students that have developed a life long love of music, or a work ethic and commitment towards excellence that they have transferred into their other activities, but from the extraordinary amount of students who have entered into careers in Music Performance, Music Business and Music Education. From Recording Artists with Capitol Records & Professional Touring Musicians to High School Band Directors & Professors at Major Universities, Bunnell has had a rich tradition of students pursuing music as their life commitment.
We have always been an inclusive activity, allowing everyone who wishes to participate membership. Students with disabilities and beginning musicians have been welcomed. The Band Program offers students who may not wish to participate in competitive sports an opportunity to participate in a co-educational program that is competitive.