NORWICH – With both a second and third place finish under its belt following its first two performances of the 2011 season, the Purple Tornado Field Band is off to one of its best starts in the past five years, according to director Jamie Carrier.

This year’s program – Seize the Day – features music from the 1992 Disney film “Newsies,” an “exciting and upbeat show” that “depicts the real life working conditions” of newspaper boys and their attempt to unionize during turn-of-the-century New York City, she added.

“I think I’m astonishingly lucky to be the director of such an outstanding organization,” said Carrier of her first year as the ensemble’s director. “Too often we hear about how frustrating ‘kids these days’ can be and how they can’t focus, have no work ethic and are falling further and further behind on state tests. They are definitely not talking about marching band kids when they make those statements.”

Carrier’s confidence in the group is well-earned to date. In its first two performances – at Baldwinsville and Corning East – the band has placed in third and second place, respectively. It’s an impressive start for a group that’s seen four directors in five years, said Carrier, and is in the midst of being rebuilt from the ground up.