Some people spend New Year's Day relaxing around the house, watching football games, but Norwich resident Colin "Curtis" Chiappetta spent his time marching 3.5 miles in the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif.

The 2018 Norwich Free Academy graduate, representing his father, Richard M. Chiappetta, retired director of bands at Fitch, East Lyme, Trumbull and New Canaan high schools, played snare drum in The Marching Band Directors Marching Band, a 300-piece ensemble that saulted all public and private school band directors in the country. The band marched behind a float honoring America's Band Directors, and Chiappetta was the only member from Connecticut.

Chiappetta was the battery percussion captain and drum major for the NFA Wildcat Marching Band under the direction of Kristen Motola. He is currently a senior music major pursuing a dual degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas and the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

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