HARTFORD-- The Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy Band, also known as the "Marching Phoenix," has recently returned from performing at Philadelphia's St. Patrick's Day Parade, where the band was named best musical unit. It's a pretty big honor for a band mostly comprised of seventh and eighth graders at the school.
The band performed and, essentially, competed against 200 other units in the Philadelphia parade. Kelly Pike, the Hartford Magnet Trinity College Academy (HMTCA) band director said, "They make the commitment and they do the work. They're going against high school bands, middle school bands and adult bands. "
While the Marching Phoenix has played the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Philadelphia before, this was the first time the band has been awarded such an honor. "They can play, they can dance, and they can twirl," exclaimed Autumn Baltimore, the band's dance team director. "They're the total package."
The Marching Phoenix are keeping a keen eye on March Madness; they are already booked to play at the UConn Women's Basketball Victory Parade -- should the Huskies fulfill predictions and win yet another national championship.